25 Hidden Gems In Vancouver You Can See For Free

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Having lived in Vancouver for over a decade, I love finding new and interesting things around the city. Some of them you may pass a hundred times without noticing, others are obvious but a little off the beaten path. These hidden gems of Vancouver will leave you happy you spent a day just walking around the city, and they’re all completely free to see. And what’s better than free?!

A walking guide to Vancouver

Vancouver, BC is a very walkable city. The downtown area is practically an island, surrounded on almost all sides by water. This makes for some epic views, but sometimes those views distract you from the truly unique finds in the city.

While this isn’t a cheap city, there are some fun free and cheap activities in Vancouver if you know where to look. My favorite way to get to know a new city though? Just walk. Walk for hours, walk in every direction, walk down side streets. Do this and you’ll come across things you never would have seen if you’d kept with the crowd.

Still want some more guidance? Get a self-guided Vancouver walking tour or one of my favorite walking tours: Forbidden Vancouver Downtown and Gastown Walking Tour. You’ll hear some secret Vancouver history, see some unique buildings and learn about Vancouver’s prohibition past.

Some of the best hidden gems in Vancouver

Keep your eyes peeled when walking around Vancouver as you never know what you’ll find. Look up or down once in a while and discover some really unique things in the city. Here are a few of my favorite hidden gems in Vancouver that you won’t want to miss. And all of them are either Downtown or easily reached from Downtown.

The Vancouver Public Library

I know you probably didn’t come all the way to Vancouver to go to the library. But this one is pretty cool, I promise. The building is modelled after Rome’s Coliseum and is visually striking even if you don’t care about the books inside.

Just a few blocks from the center of Vancouver’s downtown area the library can easily be missed if you aren’t looking for it. Most people don’t get further than the outside, so take a wander inside to see even more.

The entrance to the library has a few shops and cafes inside a bright atrium. Selling hand made local crafts or fun and unique souvenirs, it’s a great place to dodge the rain on a wet day too.

Marine Building

The ornamental designs around this 1930s Art Deco masterpiece are easily overlooked. It looks very different from the glass-front skyscrapers around it but take a closer look. The intricate marine-esque depictions around the building make it one of the most hidden gems in Vancouver.

Top Tip: Look right up to the top to see seahorses around the edge of my favorite Vancouver building. If you’re staying at the Fairmont Pacific Rim hotel opposite, the city view rooms help you see this even better.

Bear pits at Stanley Park

Stanley Park was home to a zoo until the late nineties. The prison-like abandoned polar bear enclosures are all that remains of the former zoo, and make you understand why it probably closed.

Stick to the main paths of Stanley Park and you’d never know they were here. But just a few hundred yards from the entrance to the Vancouver Aquarium these derelict pits make for a unique and eerie backdrop in the park.

Fun Local Fact: Anyone who’s seen the show The 100 may recognize the bear pits from a certain scene with a giant gorilla, which was filmed here.

Girl in a wetsuit

The Little Mermaid is a famous sight in Copenhagen, Denmark, but you might not know that Vancouver has a similar statue. Ours, of course, could not just be a copy. It had to be uniquely Vancouver.

Instead of a mermaid on this rock along the shores of Stanley Park’s seawall, the Vancouver statue is a bronzed woman in a wetsuit – complete with flippers and a mask.

Local’s Tip: Look closely at the statue, local’s have been known to add a scarf, hat or other apparel to the statue.

BC Walk of Fame

With bustling nightclubs and bars, the Granville Street Entertainment District is one of the busiest places on a weekend. You can be easily distracted by the neon lights, but don’t forget to look down at the sidewalk to see BC’s very own Star Walk.

200+ bronze plaques line both sides of Granville Street around the Orpheum Theatre. Many British Columbia-born or raised entertainers are honored such as Michael J. Fox, Bryan Adams, Sarah McLachlan and Michael Bublé.

Rainbow crosswalk

At the heart of Vancouver’s gay district (one of Vancouver’s best neighborhoods) is Davie Village on Davie Street. On a street where the bus stops are painted pink and you’ll find some of the best drag shows in the city, you’ll also find one of the brightest hidden gems in Vancouver.

At the intersection of Bute Street, the Davie Street Rainbow Crosswalk is a beautiful addition to the village, bringing color to the city even on a rainy winter day.

Local’s Tip: You’ll find some of the city’s best independent restaurants here: Takis’ Taverna (Greek) and Gurkha Himalayan Kitchen (Nepalese) are two of my favorites.

Narrowest building in the world

Chinatown has some really unique spots, but none more so than the Sam Kee building just through the Chinatown Millennium Gate. This is a Guinness World Record holder as the narrowest commercial building in the world.

Now home to the Jack Chow insurance office, the building was altered in 1913 when Pender Street was widened. The second floor hangs over the first floor which is a record 4ft 11in in width.

Nine O’Clock Gun

Located along the seawall in Stanley Park is a 200+ year old cannon that fires every night at, you guessed it, 9 O’clock. Originally for locals and ships in harbor to accurately know the time, now it’s purely tradition.

Real gunpowder is still used so you’ll see a puff of smoke as the gun is fired. Take a walk around the harbor at that time to hear it, or get a close up look on the Stanley Park seawall trail.

Digital orca

This is one of Vancouver’s public art pieces I really like as it is fun, and to me symbolizes the marine life that British Columbia is known for. Find the Digital Orca on the west side of the convention center near the Olympic Cauldron.

If you’re in Vancouver during December or late November, you’ll find the Digital Orca located next to the Vancouver Christmas market.

Local’s Tip: It’s perfectly positioned with the harbor and mountains right behind it for a great photo.

Giant birds

Vancouver’s Olympic Village is home to one of the most interesting art installations – two giant sparrows. These huge birds look like the Honey I Blew Up The Kid-version of their real counterparts which fly all around them.

Get up close and check out these gargantuan sparrows which are each about 5 meters (over 16 feet) in height.

Local’s Tip: This area is full of great places to eat including Craft Beer Market with its extensive beer menu, and Tap & Barrel with one of the best restaurant views in Vancouver.

Inukshuk

The Inukshuk, a structure made of balanced stones, is a really unique landmark originating from the Arctic peoples like the Inuit. Vancouver’s Inukshuk is in English Bay, and as well as being a cool sight to see, it has an incredible backdrop of the Pacific Ocean.

Originally used for navigation or as markers, it has become a symbol of friendship and in Canada. It was even represented in the Vancouver 2010 Olympics.

Local’s Tip: When walking around the seawall in Vancouver look out for the Inukshuks people like to build on the beaches, balancing pebbles and small rocks.

Historic Totem Pole

The Stanley Park Totem Poles are a major attraction. But as one of the city’s most visited places, you might not know that most of them are merely replicas of the originals. So where can you find an original totem pole?

Most of the original Stanley Park totem poles are now in museums, but one is in Canada Place and can be seen for free. Cruise passengers and convention center attendees probably walk past one of the best hidden gems in Vancouver without a second glance. Find this 120+ year old pole alongside two other carved totems from the 1970s.

Dominion building

If you can believe it, this was the tallest commercial building in the British Empire in 1910 when it was built. Dwarfed by numerous city skyscrapers now, it is no longer anywhere close to the tallest building. But it’s worth checking out as a piece of Canadian history – and in my opinion still a very interesting looking building.

Local’s Tip: If you’re passing this building there are two places I recommend you visit. The first is Nuba, a Lebanese cuisine restaurant underneath the building. Their food is fantastic. The second is Purebread Bakery just across Cambie Street along Hastings. Their selection of treats is to die for.

Fairmont Pacific Rim quote

Vancouver’s Fairmont Pacific Rim is a modern 5-star hotel. Having stayed there a few times I can tell you it’s just as nice inside, but there’s something on the outside of the hotel you might not immediately notice.

All around the side of the hotel working up 17 floors is a phrase that reads “Lying on top of a building the clouds looked no nearer than when I was lying on the street.”

I use it as a public art reminder to look up every now and again – you never know what you might see.

Concrete silos Granville Island

Visitors flock to Granville Island for the world famous public market. You can sample all the delicious foods there, and even do an amazing food walking tour. What they don’t often expect is that the island has an industrial side in the form of a concrete manufacturer.

The huge silos there were not too pretty to look at until Brazilian graffiti artists OSGEMOS dressed them up as colorful giants. Some face the island, some face away – so you can appreciate them whatever side of False Creek you’re on.

Houseboats in Coal Harbour/Granville Island

Another unique thing on Granville Island are the adorably delightful houseboats. Probably worth much more than most apartments in the city – and with a gorgeous view to boot – you might miss them unless you go for a walk around the island.

Head towards the Granville Island Hotel and wander across the parking lot. There you’ll find a row of permanent floating houses, each one more quirky than the last.

Canada Place trail

If you’re anywhere near the waterfront area looking over to North Vancouver you can’t miss the huge white sails of Canada Place. And in the summer you’ll often see massive cruise ships flanking each side of it. Along the west side of the main building is a trail that takes you on a tour of Canada’s ten provinces and three territories.

Look down to see place names of major towns and cities of each province. And read interesting facts about Canada’s history and culture along the way. Plus you get some killer views of the ocean, Stanley Park and the north shore mountains on a nice day.

Local’s Tip: Follow the trail to the end of Canada Place and you can find Flyover Canada. A unique simulator experience where you literally fly over the Canadian provinces from East to West.

Canoe Bridge – False Creek

Visiting Science World or the Olympic Village area of Vancouver? Don’t miss the wonderfully unique Canoe Bridge. The ultra-modern design symbolizes the traditions of canoes for the First Nations.

Look down through the slats in the bridge while you’re crossing, as False Creek has a lot of interesting local marine life. You might be lucky enough to spot a seal or two.

Sun Yat Sen Park

In Chinatown the beautiful, relaxing Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden is a popular spot to visit. But did you know there’s a free version just steps away?

Free-to-visit Sun Yat-Sen Park is located next to the Chinese Garden and is a true oasis in the city. Sit on a bench and contemplate life, watch the koi fish in the water or admire the contrast of traditional Chinese buildings with skyscrapers looming behind them.

Pink Alley Vancouver

Vancouver has a lot of street art, with the best pieces being hidden in almost plain view. Vancouver’s Pink Alley is located off Granville Street between Pender and West Hastings.

The bright pink and yellow colors make for some fun free photo shoots, and it really brightens up an otherwise less than aesthetically pleasing alley.

Welcome Figure

South of the Granville Bridge are two popular areas – Granville Island, and Kitsilano. While you may visit one or the other, there’s a nice seawall walk that connects the two. And along the way you’ll find a very interesting figure.

The Welcome Figure is under the Burrard Bridge as you make your way from Granville Island to Vanier Park. Created by Darren Yelton it sits on First Nations land where a Squamish village used to sit.

The ivy covered hotel

Vancouver has a number of elite hotels. The Faimont properties, Shangri-la, The Hotel Georgia. All well positioned in the center of downtown. But there’s a unique little hotel with a much more serene view – of English Bay and the beaches. That hotel is the Sylvia Hotel.

The Sylvia Hotel a historic property, with excellent restaurant and a world class view. But the ivy-covered exterior makes it even more regal looking, and worth a walk by – or a drink in the cocktail lounge overlooking the ocean.

A giant swinging pendulum

Inside the HSBC building on West Georgia Street, opposite the Vancouver Art Gallery, is a small but interesting gallery. It’s part of the HSBC bank building, and there are often different displays of local art. However it’s the huge swinging “pendulum” that you really can’t miss.

Look up inside the HSBC Building and see the art installation by Alan Storey which is suspended in the well lit glass atrium of the building. It’s not technically a pendulum, as that would require a clock, but that’s how it’s often referred. The true name of the artwork is “Broken Column”.

MPV Constitution paddle wheeler boat

Discover Vancouver’s only authentic paddlewheeler boat, the MPV Constitution at its home at the edge of Stanley Park. One of three vessels at Harbour Cruises, this is one cool boat.

Take a dinner cruise or a shorter cruise around the harbour learning all about Vancouver as you go. Want to see it for free? The boat goes out into the harbour multiple times a day and is really easy to spot.

Fun Fact: I used to work on this boat for a few years as a caterer at Harbour Cruises. It was definitely the most fun summer job I’ve ever had and a great way to see Vancouver.

A look at historic Vancouver

I always find it fun to see exactly how a place has changed over the years through historic photographs. Vancouver, even though it’s not as old as some cities, has been around since 1886. And it has changed a LOT.

See for yourself in the walkway underneath Canada Place leading into the Waterfront Centre. There you’ll find old shots of Vancouver through the years. See a picture of the original City Hall – a tent with a makeshift sign.

Local’s Tip: The Waterfront Center is also home to one of downtown Vancouver’s largest food courts. Perfect for cheaper food options at lunchtime, or snacks throughout the day.

Top hidden gems in Vancouver

There are certainly a lot of hidden gems in Vancouver, but these are truly some of my favorite. Some you may have heard about, others you may not have. But all are worth checking out in my opinion. And the perfect way to spend a free day exploring the city.

There are lots of free and cheap activities in Vancouver if you know where to look. So you can make a visit to this expensive city a little cheaper if you really want to.

Vancouver loves to be unique, so you’ll see a lot of public art practically throwing the city’s individuality in your face. Make sure to look in even the most unlikely of places, as you never know what you’ll find.

If you’ve enjoyed this post leave a comment or share using the social media buttons below. Have you visited Vancouver before, or are you a local? What are your favorite hidden gems in Vancouver?