Vancouver Tourist Attractions, Sightseeing and Landmarks

(Vancouver, British Columbia - BC, Canada)

Vancouver is not known for typical crowd-drawing tourist attractions and those visiting expecting endless theme parks and multi-million dollar sights will certainly be disappointed.

What the city does offer, however, is a variety of historic buildings and landmarks worth visiting, as well as a number of educational but entertaining attractions appealing to tourists.

Some of the most popular draw cards in the city include both the family friendly Vancouver Aquarium and the Storyeum. Meanwhile, unadulterated fun for kids and the young at heart can be found at the seasonal Playland amusement park, which is actually the oldest of its kind within the whole of Canada and boasts some 30 different rides, including three rollercoasters.

Vancouver Aquarium

Address: Stanley Park, Vancouver, British Columbia (BC), V6B 3X8, Canada
Tel: +1 604 659 3474
Vancouver Aquarium is a must for anyone with an interest in marine life. This popular facility is home to more than 20,000 different animals and amongst the most notable resident attractions are dolphins, Beluga whales, giant snakes and air-breathing fish. Children are invited to take part in 'sleepovers' after the aquarium's regular opening hours and are given the chance to get up-close and personal with some of its marine inhabitants.
Open hours: daily 10:00 to 17:30, seasonal variations apply
Admission: charge, discounts for children

Christ Church Cathedral

Address: West Georgia Street, Vancouver, British Columbia (BC), Canada
Tel: +1 604 682 3848
The magnificent building that is Christ Church Cathedral is one of two cathedrals situated in British Columbia's Diocese of New Westminster. The building dates back to 1894, when its cornerstone was laid. However, the church was not completed until February of the following year. The cathedral offers impressive architecture which can be appreciated from the outside, but visitors wishing to view its interior should bear in mind that it is a working religious facility and therefore should show appropriate reverence.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Playland

Address: Hastings Park, Hastings Street, Vancouver, British Columbia (BC), Canada
Tel: +1 604 252 3583
From the beginning of April to the end of September, the Playland amusement park is open to the public. Playland is situated in Hastings Park and attendance is frequently close to maximum capacity. This popular amusement park has many regular rides and attractions, some of which are replaced yearly.

A wooden rollercoaster dating back to 1958 is still in operation at the park, being accompanied by the Corkscrew and the Kettle Creek Mine. A recent addition to the funfair-style rides is the AtmosFear Wave Swinger, while younger children will be able to enjoy the Flying Elephants, the Dune Buggies and the traditional Merry-Go-Round carousel. The Haunted Mansion, the Climbing Wall and the Pacific Adventure Golf provide further interest, along with the Nintendo Power Zone.
Open hours: April to May, Saturday and Sunday - 10:00 to 18:00; June, Monday to Friday - 10:00 to 15:00, Saturday and Sunday - 10:00 to 18:00; July and August, Monday to Friday - 10:00 to 19:00, Saturday and Sunday - 10:00 to 20:00; September, Saturday and Sunday - 10:00 to 18:00
Admission: charge

Storyeum

Address: 142 Water Street, Gastown, Vancouver, British Columbia (BC), Canada
Tel: +1 604 687 8142
The Storyeum is housed in an underground theater and is a live multimedia experience, telling the story of British Columbia's colorful history. Also present is the Dinosaurs in Gastown exhibition, which offers more than 100 prehistoric fossils and 11 complete dinosaur skeletons, as well as a life-size animatronic T-rex and other related attractions.
Open hours: daily - 10:00 to 18:00
Admission: charge, discounts available for children and seniors