Attractions Nearby Whistler, Day Trips and Excursions

(Whistler, British Columbia - BC, Canada)

Many tourists staying heading for Whistler completely pass the attractions of Vancouver by, with skiing at the Blackcomb Mountain being the only thing one their mind. However, Vancouver really is an exceptional Canadian city and worth discovering, being relatively close to Whistler and teeming with family-orientated attractions.

Do also consider a day trip to Squamish, which is sited approximately halfway between Whistler and Vancouver, and noted for its exceptional recreational attractions and activities. The Sunshine Coast is also close by, as is the village of Pemberton, the city of Burnaby, and the very beautiful Garibaldi Provincial Park.

Vancouver

One of the most breathtaking and most visited of all Canada's cities, Vancouver lies alongside the coastline and mountains, and resides within the south-western corner of British Columbia. Vancouver's attractions certainly appeal to all ages, with children enjoying spending time at the Playland, Aquarium and Storyeum, and adults appreciating the architecture of the city's magnificent Christ Church Cathedral. The natural history exhibits at the Vancouver Museum are excellent, as are the displays at the Museum of Anthropology, and the hands-on activities at the waterfront Telus World of Science, where you will also find an enormous OMNIMAX theatre. Green space in Vancouver comes in the form of the Queen Elizabeth Park Stanley Park, and the landscaped University of British Columbia Botanical Garden.

Burnaby

Burnaby is a large and popular city, located on the very outskirts of Vancouver and around 135 km / 84 miles south of Whistler. Visitors arriving here will have plenty to choose from in the way of attractions, with highlights including the Burnaby Village Museum, the Burnaby Mountain Park, the Simon Fraser University (SFU) and the Swangard Stadium, which plays host to the Vancouver Whitecaps soccer team. When it comes to shopping, Burnaby won't disappoint, being home to the Brentwood, Crystal, Hastings, Lougheed and Metropolis shopping malls.

Garibaldi Provincial Park

Garibaldi Provincial Park is roughly 70 km / 43 miles to the north of Vancouver city and just a very short drive to the south-east of Whistler. This glorious park really does deserve to be seen, being home to rugged snowcapped mountains, glaciers, dense conifer forests, and some very pretty Alpine meadows. The southern side of Garibaldi Provincial Park is where you will find both the Garibaldi Volcanic Belt and the Mount Garibaldi, while the tallest attraction is the Wedge Mountain, which towers almost 2,900 metres / 9,515 feet high. Hiking, skiing, camping and more are all available around the park, with the five main entrances being found at the Cheakamus Lake, Diamond Head, Garibaldi Lake, Singing Pass and also Wedgemount Lake.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Pemberton

The village of Pemberton is to be found just 33 km / 21 miles to the north of Whistler, within the Pemberton Valley, being easily reached along the Highway 99. The hiking attractions at Pemberton are renowned and considered to be amongst the finest that British Columbia has to offer, particularly those around the Cerise Creek and Joffre Lakes. At the end of each July, the Pemberton Festival is nothing shore of a music extravaganza and attracts leads rock and pop groups from the world over, and literally thousands of festival-goers.

Squamish

Squamish is highly regarded for its rock climbing opportunities and contains some of the longest unbroken granite cliff faces in existence. Also popular in Squamish is mountain biking, windsurfing, the BC Museum of Mining, and the West Coast Railway Heritage Park. If you come here during the winter, you will be amazed at the thousands of visiting Bald Eagles, who come to Squamish each year to gorge on the spawning salmon.

Sunshine Coast

Sunshine Coast is the name given to the coastal area located directly to the north of Horseshoe Bay, next to the Coast Mountains. The scenery around Sunshine Coast is hard to better and the related attractions include mountain hikes, harbours, beaches, forests and various ferry trips. Tourists will find that the Powell River and Sechelt areas of the Sunshine Coast are the most commercial spots.

Victoria

There are many compelling reasons why you should pay a visit to Victoria, the proud provincial capital and the second-largest city. The city of Victoria is around 242 km / 150 miles to the south of Whistler and noted for its quality tourist attractions and historical landmarks. Always popular is the Victoria Bug Zoo on Courtney Street, the beaches at Beacon Hill Park, the wine tasting tours around Saanich Peninsula, the Emily Carr House, and the very famous and iconic Fairmont Empress Hotel. Don't miss out on a hour or two exploring the native marine life, at the Pacific Undersea Gardens, a big floating vessel moored next to the city's Parliament Buildings.