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I love Vancouver, but there’s so much to see all around it that you’ll need to extend your stay past the few days most people allot for exploring the city. You’ll be blown away by the number of day trips from Vancouver that cover everything from cities to the great outdoors, and from the scenic to jaw-droppingly magical. Welcome to British Columbia.
Why Take Day Trips From Vancouver
Living in Vancouver for over a dozen years, I’m still not tired of it. There’s an endless amount to see and do, and the city blends nature perfectly within its urban aesthetic.
However, there’s much more to see outside of the city limits, and if you’ve come all this way, you might as well make the most of your time. But where should you go?
My suggestions for day trips from Vancouver will give you just a sliver of insight into what it’s like living in one of the most beautiful places in the world. So much so, you might just never want to leave.
Are These Day Trips From Vancouver Really Doable?
While everyone has a slightly different definition of what can count as a day trip vs. what is a bit of a stretch, my ideas for day trips from Vancouver make sure that travel time does not outweigh time you can spend there or places along the way. Some might be a little longer to get to, but they’re the ones with the most to see.
All of my day trip ideas are tried and tested, and I’ve included transit information, where possible, to help you with your planning in the most budget friendly way.
Some trips are only possible with a car, so plan accordingly. The good news is there are lots of rental car places in Vancouver, and having a vehicle for at least a couple days of your trip isn’t a bad idea.
Fun & Easy Day Trips From Vancouver
These ideas cover just a small selection of the many day trips from Vancouver you can take. But in this list I’ve mixed in some of the most popular with some of my favorites.
Vancouver is a very beautiful location – mountains, ocean and green spaces make even the most urban-like setting that much more special. But it’s always fun to leave the city behind and see what else is out there.
VICTORIA
One of the most popular day trips from Vancouver, albeit a long day, is the province’s capital, Victoria. The quaint city with a beautiful harbour, BC’s Parliament buildings, and even a castle, is a great day out. But I also recommend a longer stay if you have time.
To get to Victoria you will almost always need to take a ferry – it is on an island after all. The ferry alone is about 1 hr 40 minutes. To get to and from the ferry either side, you can take transit (skytrain/Bus #620 from Bridgeport Station combo on the mainland, bus on the island side), or you can drive onto the ferry. Either way you’re looking at 3-4 hours between downtown Vancouver and downtown Victoria.
The quickest option, if you don’t mind paying a little more, is a float plane. From downtown Vancouver harbour to downtown Victoria harbour is only 35-minutes. Worth it if you manage to get a good deal – flights can be as low as $100 each way. Plus you get to fly over all the tiny islands which is a lot of fun.
If you want to see the world famous Butchart Gardens just outside of Victoria, book a return day tour from Vancouver. In Victoria I recommend a visit to the public market or Bastion Square outdoor market. Take in the incredible Royal BC Museum, or treat yourself to afternoon tea at the Fairmont Empress hotel.
WHISTLER
Less than 2 hours north of Vancouver is the picturesque resort village of Whistler. Famous for it’s winter sports such as skiing and snowboarding, it’s a winter wonderland on a snowy day. Try your hand at snowmobiling, or just settle for the après ski cocktails in one of the villages many cozy bars.
In summer you can discover the hiking trails nearby, such as the Whistler Train Wreck site (cheerier than it sounds), or Brandywine Falls. Take a ride up one of the village’s local mountains, and brave the jaw-dropping Peak to Peak Gondola between Whistler or Blackcomb mountain. Complete with glass bottom cars!
Whistler deserves an overnight stay if you have time, but is also an easy and accessible day trip – with a stunning drive to up the Sea to Sky Highway. If you don’t have your own car (and there’s plenty to see in the village without one), book the Skylynx Whistler Shuttle for less than $32 one way/$42 round trip.
In Whistler itself, why not learn a little about First Nations traditions at the Squamish Lil’Wat Cultural Centre, enjoy a fine dining experience, or even visit an Ice Bar. Outside of the village give bobsledding a go, zipline through the trees or relax at the Scandinave Spa. You’re never short of things to do in Whistler, it’s one of my favorite day trips from Vancouver.
SQUAMISH
Squamish is mid-way between Vancouver and Whistler. If you take the bus, you’ll likely make a brief stop here, but it’s worth spending a bit more time than that.
Check out some of the artisan stores along the main street, relax with some delicious local beer at the town’s many breweries, or take a riverside walk with a killer view. Squamish is also a place for anyone who loves the outdoors.
Up for a challenge? Why not tackle the town’s infamous hike – Stawamus Chief (known simply as The Chief to locals). It’s a leg burner for sure, but gives you epic bragging rights if you can get to the top. Not into hiking? Get the views without the workout by taking the Sea to Sky Gondola for amazing panoramic vistas over the magnificent Howe Sound.
Getting to Squamish takes only an hour by bus from downtown Vancouver – use the Skylynx Shuttle or the Squamish Connector for a quick and easy trip. Or you can drive yourself by car, which might be easier if you want to visit some of the outdoor attractions outside of the town.
BRITANNIA MINE MUSEUM
From Vancouver Britannia Mine Museum is under an hour of driving along the Sea to Sky highway. And only about 10-15 minutes before Squamish. While public transport to get here is not really an option, you can make the journey using the Squamish Connector. See Britannia Mine’s website for more details.
While you’re here, plan to not only see a truck bigger than you’ve ever imagined and an underground copper mine complete with little train to get there. Go gold panning, learn about the history of mining in BC, and of the rocks around this huge mine and the people who explored them.
Having been here a number of times you can easily spend a couple of hours or more exploring Britannia Mine Museum. There’s a café onsite, and more than enough viewpoints on the way there and back to make your journey last the day.
HARRISON HOT SPRINGS
Did you know we have some fabulous hot springs in British Columbia? It’s true. While many of them are much closer to Alberta, such as Radium Hot Springs, one of the easiest day trips from Vancouver to enjoy them is Harrison Hot Springs, about a 90-minute drive east.
The resort town is famous for their heated pools, both public and private. If you’re staying longer, you might want to make a reservation at the luxurious Harrison Hot Springs Resort. But for day trippers, you can also visit the Harrison Mineral Pool on Hot Springs Road in the town. The water is pumped from the hot springs in the town and cooled to 38C/100F.
Entry is $10 but unfortunately kids are not allowed due to the temperatures. Check with the resort for current opening hours and further info about age restrictions: 604-796-2244 Ext.5. Remember to bring a towel with you – or you can rent one for an additional fee.
As well as the hot springs, there is also a lovely lakefront walk – Harrison Hot Springs is situated on Harrison Lake. Take the kids to the offshore water park here if it’s a nice day. The town itself, although small, has some nice art galleries, and some great restaurants. Try the Black Forest Steak & Schnitzel House for some delicious German cuisine.
TOP TRAVEL TIP: Driving from Vancouver? Make sure to stop off at Bridal Veil Falls along the way. Located just off Highway 1 about 20-minutes before Harrison, the falls are a short hike with a pretty view.
BUNTZEN LAKE
Vancouverites love a trip to Buntzen Lake in the summer. Many a hot summer day has been spent along this lake edge. From downtown Vancouver it will take less than an hour to drive, or you can even take transit to get there.
Take a Skytrain from Waterfront Station to Coquitlam Central Station. Then transfer to Bus #179 for Buntzen Lake, getting off at the parking lot at the lake recreation area. It’ll take about 90-minutes each way.
At the lake, enjoy the crystal clear water, perfect for swimming. Or soak up the sun on the beach at the lake edge. Staying for longer? Set up a propane-only BBQ (when there isn’t a fire ban) or picnic on the large grassy area near the lake.
You can also hike around the lake, to a viewpoint or two closer to the recreation area, or to a more secluded North Beach. There are restrooms at both ends of the lake. We love our lake swimming in the summer in BC, but this is one of the easiest day trips from Vancouver to do so.
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON
Vancouver locals are often fond a quick cross-border trip – although maybe less so when the exchange rates aren’t in our favor. Seattle is less than a 3-hour drive south of Vancouver, as long as the border isn’t too busy. Which makes it a great day trip while you’re in the area.
Do a little shopping, visit Pike Place market, check out the Seattle Space Needle, or explore one of the city’s many incredible museums. The Museum of Pop Culture is one of my faves.
Staying longer? Why not book tickets for a show, and spend the night at the fabulous Fairmont Olympic Hotel. But you can do an awful lot in a day too. Take the famous Seattle Underground Tour for a look at some of the city’s tunnels and original streets. And I can’t go to Seattle without picking up some delicious cheesecakes from The Confectional near Pike Place Market.
Aim for mid-week to avoid lengthy border delays (and definitely avoid long weekends). There are buses between Vancouver and Seattle such as FlixBus or Quick Shuttle but between all the extra stops they make, it’s quicker to drive if you have a car.
DEEP COVE
Deep Cove is one of my favorite little day trips from Vancouver. This beautiful village has stunning waterfront views, outdoor adventures, and some of the best doughnuts in the greater Vancouver area. What more do you need?
From downtown Vancouver take BUS #211-Seymour to Deep Cove village, and be there in less than an hour. Or it’s a 30-minutes drive, but parking can be a challenge on weekends. Stroll the small village to find independent stores and galleries, or relax in the waterside parks.
Hikers will love the small pain, big reward trail to Quarry Rock. Stunning views over the Indian Arm fjord make this a popular and busy hike, but well worth dealing with the crowds. Alternatively, get out on the water with a kayak adventure – rent kayaks for the afternoon or take a guided tour. Either way, a unique perspective of the beautiful inlet waters of BC.
For food you must try Honey Doughnuts – a favorite of many celebrities including Kate Winslet. She’s not wrong, they’re pretty incredible. The maple and the coconut-cinnamon sugar are both my go to flavors.
STEVESTON
A historic fishing village turned tourist hot spot, Steveston can’t be missed while visiting Vancouver. In fact, not only is it one of the easiest day trips from Vancouver, but it’s one of the most fun in my opinion.
Take the Canada Line SKytrain to Brighouse, then transfer to BUS #401-One Road or BUS #406-Steveston. From downtown Vancouver the whole trip will take about an hour. It’s only slightly less than that to drive it.
Once in Steveston you can spend an hour or two in and out of the boutique stores. Or stopping for some fresh seafood, or ice cream. Visit the historic Gulf of Georgia Cannery or the Britannia Shipyards National Historic Site to learn about the BC fishing industry. The latter is completely free, as is the historic Steveston Tram and the Steveston Museum in the village itself.
For a more adventurous visit take a whale watching tour from Steveston to look for Orcas and other marine life along the BC Coast. Top it all off with two of my favorite Steveston stops: Outpost Mini Donuts for some yummy snacks, and Britannia Brewing for a cold, refreshing beer.
LADNER
On the other side of the water from Steveston you’ll find the equally quaint, but way less busy, village of Ladner. Nestled in amongst rural farms, this historic village is the perfect place to visit in the summer for berry-picking season.
From downtown Vancouver take a Skytrain to Bridgeport then catch BUS #601-South Delta/Boundary Bay, getting off on Elliott Street and Ladner Trunk Road. The journey is just under and hour each way. Driving from Vancouver to Ladner can be as little as 30-minutes with no traffic.
Now, I might be biased on Ladner since it’s where I live, but I think it is a wonderful day trip from Vancouver. In the village itself you can look around the little shops, go antique hunting at Dragonfly Antique & Salvage, or get some locally caught seafood at Sharkey’s Bar & Grill along the river.
With a car, you can also hit up some of the local farms – Emma Lea Farms and Westham Island Herb Farm are perfect for berries and plant sales. Emma Lea even has an ice cream shop with made-to-order fresh fruit milkshakes and ice cream sundaes.
Further along that same road is the Reifel Bird Sanctuary, an easy place to get lost for a couple of hours spotting local wildlife. Finish your day with a visit to Barnside Brewing and sample some local beer.
SUNSHINE COAST
While BC’s aptly named, and glorious, Sunshine Coast should be given a whole lot more than just a day, you can sneak a peek of it in such time. Gibsons is one of the closest places for on of the most unique day trips from Vancouver.
Take BUS #257-Horseshoe Bay Express to the Horseshoe Bay ferry terminal. From here it’s a 40-minute ferry ride to Langdale where you can catch BUS #1-Sechelt Local to Gibsons village. It’ll take just over 2 hours if you time it all right. Driving might be a little quicker, but you have to arrive earlier for the ferry than if you just walk on so it’ll end up very close.
Once you get to Gibsons I recommend a walk along the beach and the path that takes you around the harbor. And of course, a walk out onto the promenade where you can really get a good view. Go kayaking on the water with a rental from the village, or simply wander the nautical-themed shops around quiet streets.
Grab a beer at Tapworks Brewing, pop into one of the many art galleries, or simply sit at one of the oceanfront restaurants like Smitty’s Oyster House or Lunitas Mexican Eatery and watch the world go by.
Have more time? Book a cabin or hotel further up the Sunshine Coast and visit the town of Sechelt. There are also lots of hiking trails, including the 180km long Sunshine Coast Trail around Powell River.
GOLDEN EARS PARK
Just over an hour’s drive from Vancouver, and yes, you’ll need a car for this one, is Golden Ears Provincial Park. Provincial Parks mean one main thing – lots of hiking and biking trails in the great outdoors. And that’s what you’ll get here.
Hike the easy, but lovely, Menzies Trail – a 5km loop that will take less than 90-minutes. Or attempt the more difficult trail with a view – Evans Peak. This 9km hike covers almost 1000m of elevation, but you’ll really get a chance to experience some BC hiking.
Of course if hiking isn’t your thing but you still want to enjoy the outdoors, park up near Alouette Lake, specifically the North Beach area. Here you can get up close with nature and some incredibly clear water.
HOPE
Trestle bridges, white water rapids and a Sylvester Stallone statue? That’s right, Hope is less than 2-hour east of Vancouver, but it packs a lot of punch. Unfortunately transit is not an option to get here, but fear not, there’s a lot to see that’s worth driving for.
First things first, the town of Hope. Small, nestled in the valley along Canada’s Highway 1, and sitting on the mighty Fraser river. The town is a hot bed for Hollywood filming including Rambo First Blood. I’m sure the Sylvester Stallone statue makes more sense now – find it, along with other carvings, in Memorial Park.
Rolly’s Restaurant, a retro diner and a Hope institution is a great place for a no nonsense meal. Hit it up before you head out of town to some of Hope’s other attractions. Hell’s Gate Airtram is one of the wildest rides you might take in BC. Cross the terrifyingly dangerous-looking narrowing of the Fraser River via a tram/cable car. But don’t worry, there’s a fudge shop on the other side that’s worth risking your life for.
Out of Hope in the other direction is one of my favorite day trips from Vancouver, the Ladner Creek Trestle Bridge. It’s not easy to find, but the short walk to an abandoned wooden trestle bridge is worth the trip as far as I’m concerned. A unique lookout spot, but be careful as you go.
WHITE ROCK
While White Rock is accessible via transit, there are a couple of bus connections after you get off the Skytrain, so it’s best explored if you have access to a car. I also say that so you can benefit from a 2-for-1 special here and combine a trip to White Rock with a side trip to Crescent Beach. Driving to White Rock from Vancouver takes about an hour.
White Rock is a great coastal town close to the US Border – in fact you can see the US from the shore. Head on down to the beach and walk the pier out into the bay. Next to the pier you can even see a big white rock – question is, what came first – the white rock or White Rock?
In the summer, Sundays are Farmers Market Day up along Russell Avenue. And there are lots of great restaurants nearby to indulge before and after. Not enough beach in White Rock? A short drive away is Crescent Beach where you need to arrive early for parking on a summer day, but it’s a lovely seaside area. Walk the beach path, grab an ice cream and enjoy the summer sun.
FORT LANGLEY
I’m ending this list with one of my favorite day trips from Vancouver, Fort Langley. Yes, there’s an actual fort here, but also it’s a cute little town. This is a two for one day trip, with historical sites matched only by a wealth of antique stores.
Fort Langley is around 50km east of Vancouver, and is best reached by car as unfortunately, while transit options do exist, it takes more than double the amount of time to get there. Driving will have you there in around 50-minutes. Great news is the small village is full of non-metered parking spots.
First things first, you do need to visit the Fort Langley National Historic Site. See the birthplace of BC at this former Hudson Bay fur trading post. Most of the buildings are reconstructed but there are one or two originals, and lots of history to go with it.
Outside of the historic site, explore the town of Fort Langley, with lots of artisan stores and antiques to keep you in shopping heaven for an afternoon.
How To Pick Your Day Trips From Vancouver
You may want to consider first whether to drive or rely on public transportation for these day trips from Vancouver. And if you only want to travel an hour or so each way, or comfortable travelling further.
With extra time in British Columbia some of these day trips from Vancouver can be made into overnight trips. I especially recommend that for Whistler, Seattle and Victoria. All of which have tons to do to limit yourself to a day trip.
These three remain the most popular getaways – even for locals – so keep that in mind when booking. Weekends can get busy both in destinations and on the roads, especially in summer.
My personal favorite day trips are the highly unique Ladner Creek Trestle Bridge and other interesting areas around Hope. And I do love a day in Fort Langley getting lost in the antique shops – perfect for a rainy day. Steveston firmly remains one of my top spots, especially if you have time for a whale watching tour.
This list is just the jumping off point for all the incredible day trips from Vancouver you can do. With so many choices you might need to extend your trip, and may soon agree that a few days in Vancouver won’t be enough. And when it comes to day trips, I’m sure you’ll love exploring BC whichever direction you head out of town.
If you’ve enjoyed this post leave a comment or share using the social media buttons below. Which are your favorite day trips from Vancouver? Or which ones would be highest on your list for exploring BC?
Thanks for sharing so many great day trip options from Vancouver. I love a city that can also be used as a base and has other points of interest close by. You are right, day trips are only feasible if the travel time does not massively exceed the actual exploration time, so Victoria (whilst very tempting) would be a weekender for me. Hiking in Deep Cove and relaxing at the hot springs would be top on my list.
Carolin | Solo Travel Story
Fabulous list of day trips from Vancouver that includes all my favourites! I lose time at Reifel Bird Sanctuary every week and highly endorse your recommendation for all those who enjoy a good nature walk and birding. As a Steveston resident, I always encourage visits to our historic village. I think my favourite on your list is Fort Langley. A visit to the Fort followed by wandering through the unique shops is always a great day out!
Considering that Canada is such a large country, I’m kind of surprised there are so many interesting trips from Vancouver that can be done in a day. I’ve visited some of these places – Victoria and Squamish – but didn’t realise that Seattle was possible as well. Although your tip about when to go in order to avoid queues at the border is important. I didn’t know about Steveston, Ladner or Deep Cove, and all look delightful, and the trestle bridge at Hope looks spectacular. Good to know that it’s possible to base a trip in Vancouver but still get to see a great variety of places in the area.