Visiting Vancouver Virtually From Home

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There have been a lot of new virtual tours coming out in the last month or so. We are connecting to the world more than we ever have, which is ironic given that we can’t go anywhere. I’ve even covered some of these amazing virtual tours in my own post of virtual tours around the world. But today I wanted to focus on one place. And that place is my hometown. Vancouver, Canada. I miss visiting Vancouver, even though I’m here right now. Is that even possible? I think it is. I can’t just stroll down to the museums, or head to the theater.

So here are some amazing ways you can experience the wonder that is Vancouver, one of North America’s most beautiful cities. Whether you live here, have visited and want to go again, or plan to visit when this is all over. Visit Vancouver virtually from the comfort of your home.

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Vancouver Aquarium

Hands down one of my favorite places in Vancouver, I love the aquarium. A lot of people will argue that animal attractions are outdated and more than a few people have battled for the Vancouver Aquarium to close. But did you know the good work they do? The essential work for our oceans? The Vancouver Aquarium has one of the best Marine Mammal Rescue programs in the world and is the only one in Canada. The rescue animals that have been injured and help care for them, releasing them if possible and housing them if not.

But closed or open you can still feel like you’re visiting Vancouver Aquarium with their amazing WEBCAMS of the animals. Watch the otters, penguins or jellyfish any time you want. They have also put together a wonderful EDUCATION CENTER for kids and adults, perfect for those homeschooling right now. Unfortunately the Vancouver Aquarium has been hit hard by COVID-19 and without support will have to close. They have started selling masks online and are looking for donations to help keep feeding the animals and keep operations going until they can reopen. DONATE HERE.

Vancouver Art Gallery

The Vancouver Art Gallery is not huge by art gallery standards. But it has a lot of great artwork and rotates the exhibits quite frequently. They highlight local artists as well as famous international artists. The art gallery is located downtown on West Georgia Street and is in a beautiful building. But when you can’t go to the art gallery, let the art gallery come to you. They have a series of Zoom meetings each Tuesday and Friday called ART CONNECTS where people can join in and learn about different art, and discuss art themes with artists. Submit questions in advance, or just join and listen.

Harbour Air Flight Tour

Harbour Air is a locally operating sea plane company in Vancouver’s downtown harbor. They serve mostly the local islands, and especially Vancouver Island. In fact a 4 hour ferry/bus journey to Victoria can be reduced down to 35 minutes with a Harbour Air flight. Not to mention the views are a heck of a lot better. Incredible panoramic views over islands and mountains, it’s one of my favorite ways to travel from Vancouver.

But you don’t have to pay top dollar to experience a flight with Harbour Air. See what all the fuss is about from your armchair with Harbour Air’s virtual reality videos of some of their flights. Soar over to Tofino or above glaciers to really see beautiful views of British Columbia. If you do end up visiting Vancouver, book a panoramic city tour here.

Grouse Mountain, North Vancouver

Grouse Mountain is the self-proclaimed Peak of Vancouver. Believe me, if you come to Vancouver and want amazing views of the city on a clear day, head up Grouse Mountain and see for yourself. There’s an 8 minute gondola ride to the summit and at the top there are trails, an incredibly welcoming visitor center and even a wildlife refuge with two grizzly bears. But if you can’t make it to Vancouver, fear not. Grouse Mountain has a way of reaching you anyway.

For one, you can observe the mountain’s resident grizzly bears Grinder and Coola with the BEAR WEB CAMS around their habitat. There are also cams set up to see around the top of Grouse Mountain and of the city views below. Check out all the web cams here.

Science World

This golf ball looking building in Vancouver’s False Creek is a hit with kids (and big kids). It can be really busy so for those of you without kids I recommend one of their Science World After Dark events for adults only. Science World is full of fun experiments and ways to learn about science. They also have changing exhibits like dinosaurs, wildlife and the human body.

But since you might not be able to go to Science World anytime soon, why not bring the world of science home? The good news is that Science World has online resources to help you do some of these experiments and learning at home. Another great one for the kids stuck at home, check out the SCIENCE WORLD RESOURCES page.

Vancouver Symphony Orchestra

The VSO is the ideal fancy night out. Sit in the beautiful Orpheum Theatre on Vancouver’s Granville Street and listen to some amazing classical music. I’ve been here recently for a classical concert when my parents were visiting Vancouver, but they also do spectacular performances with movies. That’s right, movies. They play the movie on a big screen and the orchestra plays the score of the movie the whole way through. It’s amazing. I saw Jurassic Park as well as a black and white Charlie Chaplin movie. But if you can’t make it to the theater yourself, why not watch at home? The VSO have been putting on some great performances even if you can’t go and see them right now. Watch one of their shows from the comfort of your own home with these DIGITAL PERFORMANCES.

Museum of Anthropology

This fantastic museum is located on Vancouver’s University of British Columbia campus. It is filled with anthropological artifacts and historical information about the First Nations of Canada as well as other cultures.

They have an informative Youtube channel where you can watch videos talking about recent finds, discussions about objects or stories of different cultures around the world. You can explore the great hall in the Museum of Anthropology through a virtual tour. The 360 degree video is a little slow to load but you get the idea (and watch some videos while you’re waiting).

False Creek Boat Tour

Downtown Vancouver is more or less an island, surrounded by water from most sides. So we rely on boats a lot to get around. Want to visit North Vancouver? Take the Seabus. Want to visit Granville Island or Kitsilano? Sure you can walk or take the bus, but why would you when there are these little water taxis that take you there. False Creek Ferries and Aquabus are two local companies that have boats constantly running up and down False Creek. The rides don’t last long but they are a fun way to see Vancouver a little differently. Here’s a Youtube video of one of them so you can get an idea of what it’s really like. If you do make it to Vancouver, make sure to take a ferry to Granville Island.

Tour a Vancouver Hotel

One of my favorite hotels in the city is the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel, near Canada Place. The hotel is grand, and beautiful and classy. And who doesn’t love a luxury hotel every now and again? Great news, you can tour this Vancouver hotel from at home. Check out the lobby, restaurant, guest rooms and more as you guide your way through the buildings on this Virtual tour of the Fairmont Waterfront. Maybe it’ll give you an idea of where you need to stay when you are next visiting Vancouver. Or maybe you’re a local who has never stayed in a hotel here. My advice: book yourself a stay one night. Be a tourist in your own city. And if you do, book the Gold Floor Experience. It’s amazing.

Lynn Canyon Park

If you’re visiting Vancouver you will no doubt see (or hear of) Capilano Suspension Bridge. But did you know there’s a free suspension bridge with just as pretty surroundings? That would be Lynn Canyon in North Vancouver. Now don’t get me wrong, I still think Capilano is a good day out and a worthwhile attraction, but it’s nice to have options for budget trips too. Well the good news is that from home everything is budget. Simply go to Lynn Canyon’s website and take a virtual tour. Check out some of the beautiful photos of the suspension bridge – so good you’ll feel like you’re there. Take a virtual walk along the trails (courtesy of more photos) and stop off at the waterfalls along the way.

Vancouver Seawall

The seawall is a locally known area that brings out hundreds, if not thousands, of people on a nice day. Like I said earlier, Downtown Vancouver is essentially an island so it’s no surprise that you can follow the seawall all the way around from one part of the city to the other. I often go for a bike ride around Stanley Park, and love walking around the harbor.

If you want to take in one of my favorite walks in the city, then check out this Youtube video which starts in Vancouver’s Stanley Park and follows the seawall along the harbor all the way past Canada Place to Gastown. It’s a lovely little walk and the video gives you a sense that you’re just walking through Vancouver. Fun fact, the video starts at Harbour Cruises, an attraction that offers dinner cruises around the harbour in Vancouver, and this was my first job in Vancouver over 14 years ago.

Cherry Blossom Festival

Each year people as people are visiting Vancouver in the spring, they take to the residential streets in search of the perfect cherry blossom pictures. Since we aren’t able to really do that this year, there is a virtual option. It’s a really nice tour for anyone who doesn’t have any cherry blossoms on their spring walks near their home. Luckily I do.

But this tour is about a dozen photos along with Haiku poems on this interactive clickable map of the city. See some beautiful views of the cherry blossom trees and take in a bit of poetry at the same time. Also included are descriptions of where the photos are taken and any useful info that goes with them.

Virtually Visting Vancouver

We often take for granted the city we live in, so I’m glad that my passion for Vancouver is as alive and well as ever. I have worked in tourism in the city for a long time now, so I’m always giving people recommendations of where to visit in the city. I’m glad that even though the city is locked down right now and we unfortunately cannot visit these places I love so much in person, that we can still visit them virtually. Enjoy a little piece of my city from your home, and hopefully you’ll be able to visit soon.

If you’ve enjoyed this post leave a comment or share using the social media buttons below. What kind of virtual tours do you like? Have you already been or are planning on visiting Vancouver soon?