Vancouver
Traveling to Vancouver and the venue
Whether you arrive by air, rail, car, or boat, there are plenty of ways to reach Vancouver. Click Here to get more information on the most convenient way for you to travel to Vancouver.
Once you arrive in Vancouver, you can consider using the following transit options to get around within the city.
- The SkyTrain, Vancouver’s rapid transit system, covers major areas and is ideal for quick commutes within the city and nearby suburbs, including direct routes from Vancouver International Airport.
- Buses provide broad coverage across neighborhoods and are well-integrated with the SkyTrain, making it easy to transfer between transit modes.
- For more flexibility, rideshares like Uber and Lyft, as well as taxis, are widely available.
- Driving is another option, with plenty of parking facilities on the UBC Vancouver campus.
Click Here to learn more about ways to get around Vancouver!
Places to eat around UBC campus
From the Canadian-essential Tim Hortons to regional Indian and Chinese food, there is plenty of eats on campus. Here we list a few of our favourites but you can also check the UBC website to find what’s open near you: https://food.ubc.ca/feedme/
Cafes
Blue chip cafe (in the AMS Student Nest)
A student-run cafe that has quick service and express pick-up points
Tim Hortons
There are three locations around campus, the closest of which is a ~10min-walk away. Known for their tim-bits, they have a selection of pastries and quick coffee!
Great Dane Coffee
Also 10-minutes from Green college with lovely outdoors sitting
The loop
This area has several quick and sit-down spots to try out
Brown’s Crafthouse
A local chain with great craft beer and foods
Chipotle
A known Mexican food chain with quick service!
AMS Student Nest
Hosts several eateries from Sushi to the Grand Noodle Emporium or pizza!
International food court
Located further down the loop (across the large UBC sign) at the lower-level of a plaza, this food court boasts a range of international cuisines! From Taiwanese, and Japanese to Middle Eastern restauarants, check out this area for authentic meals!
Things to do
Around UBC
The park offers a network of trails contained in more than 750 hectares of richly dense forest. It stretches from Burrard Inlet in the north to Fraser River in the south.
Address: 5495 Chancellor Blvd, Vancouver, BC V6T 1E4
Cost: Free
It is a place of world arts and cultures with a special emphasis on the First Nation peoples and other cultural communities of British Columbia, Canada.
Address: 6393 NW Marine Drive, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z2
Cost: $25
Wreck Beach
Wreck Beach is an internationally acclaimed 7.8 km clothing-optional beach. It is North America’s largest naturist beach.
Address: 6572 NW Marine Drive, Vancouver, BC
Cost: Free
Established in 1916, UBC Botanical Garden is Canada’s oldest university botanic garden. The original mission was to research into the native flora of British Columbia. It has since broadened to include education, research, conversation, community outreach and public display of temperate plants from around the world.
Address: 6804 SW Marine Drive, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4
Cost: $7
It is a traditional garden stroll garden and authentic tea house. It is considered one of the most authentic Japanese gardens outside of Japan. It was visited by the Emperor of Japan who said “I am in Japan” as he walked through the garden.
Address: 1895 Lower Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4
Cost: $7
Around Vancouver
It is an area on the peninsula in Vancouver which is a popular tourist spot and includes a public market, a marina, and many shops and restaurants.
Cost: Free
Bonus! You can take a ferry around across Granville island to take in the sights on a boat cruise.
Lively Gastown is known for its whistling Steam Clock and mix of souvenir shops, indie art galleries and decor stores in Victorian buildings. A trendy food and drink scene includes chic cocktail lounges and restaurants serving everything from gourmet sandwiches to local seafood.
Cost: Free
Vancouver’s first and largest urban park. It has 400 hectares of scenic views of the mountains, trees, and beaches along the famous Seawall. It is also home to Canada’s largest aquarium– the Vancouver Aquarium. You can enjoy all the park has to offer by walking and riding bikes around the park and surrounding Seawall.
Cost: Free
It is Canada’s first public aquarium as well as the largest. It is home to thousands of incredible ocean species and amazing aquatic life.
Address: 845 Avison Way, Vancouver, BC, V6G 3E2
Cost: $40.95 - $56.95
Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art
It is Canada’s only public gallery dedicated to contemporary Indigenous Art of the Northwestern Coast. It hosts special exhibitions and is home to the Simon Fraser University Bill Reid Collection
Address: 639 Hornby St, Vancouver, BC, V6C 2G3
Cost: $13
It is a beautiful 55-acre public garden with 7,500 plant species and varieties from around the world.
Address: 5251 Oak St, Vancouver, BC, V6M 4H1
Cost: $13.80
Also called First Beach, it is the most populated beach area in downtown Vancouver. The Stanley Park Seawall runs along the east side of the beach.
Cost: Free
The Kitsilano Beach is close by Kitsilano Pool at the west side and the Seawall runs alongside the beach. It’s also right beside West 4th Avenue - one of the best dining and shopping destinations in the city.
Cost: Free
It is a domed lush paradise located in Queen Elizabeth Park atop Vancouver’s highest point. More than 120 free-flying exotic birds, 500 exotic plants and flowers thrive within the controlled environment.
Address: 4600 Cambie St, Vancouver, BC, V5Y 2MY
Cost: $7.35
Robson Street, Downtown Vancouver
It is Downtown Vancouver's iconic shopping and dining destination.
Cost: Free
Short trips around Vancouver
Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
A popular Vancouver tourist spot, the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park offers breathtaking views of the nearby river and the old growth forest surrounding it. The park features swaying, suspended bridge 70m above the Capilano River.
Address: 3735 Capilano Road, North Vancouver, BC, V7R 4J1
Cost: $71.95
Standing at 1200 metres tall, Grouse Mountain offers activities all year round such as skiing, hiking, ziplining and Skyride. It also has beautiful and sweeping views of Vancouver.
Address: 6400 Nancy Greene Way, North Vancouver, BC, V7R 4K9
Cost: $80
Located in West Vancouver, this park is one of the most scenic parks on the West Coast. You can walk through acres of first-growth Douglas Firs, some of which are nearly 500 years old.
Address: 4902 Beacon Lane, West Vancouver, BC, V7W 1K5
Cost: Free
It is a sheltered, calm harbor vista that is the area’s signature view. You can paddle out of cove and into Indian Arm, of simply sit on the beach.
Cost: Free
Lynn Canyon Park & Suspension Bridge
Opened in 1912, the park is a popular destination among tourists and local residents. There are several park trails, waterfalls and swimming holes and a suspension bridge.
Address: 3690 Park Road, North Vancouver, BC V7J 3K2
Cost: Free
Whistler Mountain is one of the most renowned destinations for outdoor enthusiasts, offering year-round adventure. Famous for its world-class skiing and snowboarding during the winter, Whistler transforms in the summer into a hub for hiking, mountain biking, and scenic sightseeing. The mountain, along with its neighbor Blackcomb, forms the Whistler Blackcomb resort, one of the largest ski resorts in North America.
Address: Whistler Blackcomb 4545 Blackcomb Way, Whistler, BC V8E 0X9
Cost: $0 to $99
The Sea to Sky Gondola, located just outside of Squamish, British Columbia, offers breathtaking views of the coastal mountains, Howe Sound, and the surrounding forested landscape. As you ascend nearly 900 meters above sea level, the 10-minute ride provides panoramic vistas and access to outdoor activities at the summit, including hiking, suspension bridges, and interpretive walks.
Address: 36800 Highway 99, Squamish, BC V8B 0B6, Canada
Cost: $67.95