Exploring Vancouver in 3 Days: Highlights from Our Adventure Before Embarking on an Alaskan Cruise
Vancouver was the perfect place to kick off our travel adventures with its unique mix of natural beauty and vibrant city life. We arrived in Vancouver after a smooth journey from Manchester Airport via London Heathrow with British Airways (check out our full British Airways review!). From the minute we landed at Vancouver International Airport (YVR), everything felt easy and seamless.
For those who've been, you'll know that YVR is stunningly designed. From the Indigenous art installations to the lush greenery, it truly feels like a welcoming gateway to Canada’s West Coast. With the ArriveCAN app filled out before our journey, we breezed through customs without a hitch, and our only wait was for the luggage. Just an hour after landing, we were on our way to the hotel.
Where We Stayed: Auberge Hotel Vancouver
We booked into the Auberge Hotel, which felt like a hidden gem right in the heart of Vancouver. This isn't a flashy hotel with bright lights; instead, it blends beautifully into the neighborhood, making it a relaxed and comfortable spot for travelers. Inside, we found everything we needed: the room was clean and tidy, the bed was incredibly comfortable, and the service was top-notch. Waking up each morning with views of the city made our time there even more special.
Deluxe City View 2 Doubles Room At Auberge, Vancouver. (photo taken from Auberge hotel website)
Day 1: Exploring Stanley Park and Vancouver's Downtown
Our first day started with a visit to Stanley Park, a 1,000-acre urban oasis known for its stunning views, lush greenery, and scenic walking paths. We took the seawall trail, which led us to some incredible lookout points, with views of the city skyline, mountains, and Pacific Ocean. Stanley Park is also dotted with totem poles, a beautiful reminder of the city’s Indigenous heritage.
After a morning at the park, we strolled through downtown Vancouver, exploring its vibrant shops, restaurants, and waterfront areas. Vancouver has an energetic atmosphere, with a mix of people from all over the world, delicious food options, and some fantastic coffee shops.
Totem Poles at Stanley Park
Day 2: Grouse Mountain and the Capilano Suspension Bridge
Day two was all about embracing the outdoors. We headed to Grouse Mountain, where we took the cable car up to the summit. The ride alone offers jaw-dropping views, but the real highlight at the top was meeting Grinder and Coola, the two resident grizzly bears. Watching these bears in a naturalistic habitat was a special experience, and it's something you won't want to miss if you're in Vancouver.
Grinder - Grizzly bear.
Next up was the Capilano Suspension Bridge, where I faced one of my biggest fears—heights! Spanning 450 feet across and suspended 230 feet above the Capilano River, this bridge is not for the faint-hearted. I crossed it not once, but twice (since there was no way back except over the bridge). While I was nervous the first time, by the second, I felt braver and more accomplished. The views from the bridge are absolutely stunning, and there are plenty of spots along the way to capture those scenic photos.
Capilano Suspension Bridge
Day 3: Soaking Up Vancouver’s Atmosphere Before Heading to Alaska
Our final day was spent at a relaxed pace, exploring local cafes, doing a bit of shopping, and just taking in the ambiance of the city. Vancouver has a fantastic culinary scene, and we indulged in some delicious meals before preparing for our next big adventure.
Queen Elizabeth docking into Vancouver before it’s epic 39 day voyage from Vancouver to Sydney.
Goodbye Vancouver, Hello Disney Wonder!
Today, we say goodbye to Vancouver, but it’s more of a "see you later" than a farewell. Vancouver has a special charm with its mix of natural beauty and modernity, and we’re already planning our return trip to see more of this city.
But now, it’s on to the next adventure—a seven-night Alaskan cruise aboard the Disney Wonder! Alaska has been on our bucket list for so long, and we can’t wait to see what the next week has in store.
Whether you’re planning a trip to Vancouver or just looking for travel inspiration, we hope our journey inspires you. Vancouver offers a perfect blend of adventure and relaxation, making it an ideal destination before embarking on an Alaskan cruise. Stay tuned for our next post, where we’ll share all about our cruise experience through Alaska’s stunning wilderness!
Disney Wonder - Disneys second ship to join the fleet. Ship is over 25 years old - however it is in pristine condition.