Here's How To Spend A Perfect Weekend In Vancouver, Canada

Everyone needs to start off their morning with coffee, and nothing's more Canadian than grabbing a coffee to go from Tim Hortons, a popular Canadian coffee chain. While it's definitely not a hidden gem — like Starbucks, Tim Hortons locations are ubiquitous and can be found on basically every street corner throughout the city — it's still a super-Canadian thing to do. Wanna really earn your Canadian maple leaf? Order a "double-double," a uniquely Canadian term for a coffee with two creams and two sugars.

Cost: $1.99

Now that you're Canadian caffeinated, it's time to walk around and take in those Vancouver views. The Coal Harbour seawall walk, a 3.5-mile (5.77-kilometer) circular route, is a must. Located on the Burrard Inlet waterfront, this was a favorite spot of mine to stroll and take in the majesty of the city, with gorgeous views of Stanley Park, North Vancouver, and the North Shore mountains. The walk starts and finishes at Canada Place, which is not only another cool place to admire but also a great place to rest your legs.

Cost: Free

By now you're famished, so it's a good thing the award-winning Miku Sushi is within walking distance. If NYC is a city for pizza lovers and LA is known for its tacos, then Vancouver is a sushi town. Its Japanese influence is evident throughout the city, so sushi is a definite must. Miku Sushi serves up delicious premium and sustainable seafood along with vegetarian and gluten-free options like this yummy garden roll, not to mention you can dine with a view of the beautiful waterfront.

Cost: $16 at the bar

If you're one who likes to add a little bit of arts and culture to your trip (which is always an excellent way of gaining insight into a new city, IMO), then you must stop at the Vancouver Art Gallery. Founded in 1931, the gallery hosts numerous exhibits and events, and it's home to historical and contemporary works of art from Canada and around the world, including a focused area of the work of First Nations artists and the art of the Asia-Pacific region. ­

Cost: $24 for one adult ticket

What was first meant as a prank art installation has now turned into the second-most-visited park in Vancouver. Located in Mount Pleasant, a community mostly of artists, Dude Chilling Park has all the amenities of any regular park — picnic tables, tennis courts, trees — with the exception of the Dude Chilling Art Exchange where you can take some art and leave some art, which could make for a nice souvenir, eh?

Cost: Free

The West Coast passion for local sustainable dining and community is alive and well in Vancouver's food-and-drink scene. Forage, located on Robson Street, exemplifies this fact with its locally sourced ingredients, from fish to farming to wine and beer, in addition to its emphasis on building community through shared plates.

Cost: B.C. wine flight, $18; entrée, approx. $22

Vancouver is a world-class city, so why wouldn't you want to sip on a cocktail crafted by the World Class Bartender of the Year? Kaitlyn Stewart took the title back in 2017 and now she's the bar manager at the award-winning Royal Dinette, a diner reminiscent of a bygone era that serves up handcrafted cocktails and farm-to-table eats. It's a chill place to cap off your night.

Cost: $13–$15 for a cocktail

Head on over to Yaletown, the city's former warehouse district turned chic 'hood, and brunch it up at OEB Breakfast Co., a trendy franchise that serves all-day breakfast and brunch, including everything from traditional fare like pancakes, crepes, and eggs and bacon to unique breakfast foods like wild boar spalla and duck leg and waffle.

Cost: Approx. $20 with coffee

With your picnic in tow, take a bus, take a cab, or walk from Granville Island up to the VanDusen Botanical Garden. The 55-acre (22-hectare) outdoor oasis is open year-round, has more than 7,500 plant species and varieties, and is the perfect place to photograph local wildlife while strolling amidst the gorgeous greenery. There's also a fun Elizabethan hedge maze to get lost in (there are only six of its kind in North America). Pop a squat and enjoy your treats from Granville or splurge on a glass of wine and snacks at the Garden's café, which also has a patio, another prime spot for bird- and people-watching. Bonus: There's a bus stop directly across from the gardens to take you back to where you're staying.

Cost: $8.20 per adult in off-season, $11.50 for spring/summer

I'm plant-based and gluten-free, which can be a bit of a challenge while traveling. However, that's not the case in Vancouver, which has many vegan options and restaurants, such as MeeT. The vegan restaurant chain, which has several locations in Vancouver, including one in Gastown, serves up tasty veggie-friendly comfort food. (Meat lover? Then you'll want to check out the award-winning L'Abattoir, which is — coincidentally? — right next door to MeeT in Gastown.)

Cost: $11–$14 for poutine

It's your last night in the city! Looking for a late-night hot spot for a fun cocktail? Then whisk away to the dimly lit Shameful Tiki Room, where the sounds of the tropics, not to mention an array of exotic drinks — including the Mystery Bowl, a shareable concoction of secret booze and spices — will make you feel like you're on a vacation within your vacation.

Cost: $24 for Mystery Bowl (meant for two or more people)