Located in southwestern British Columbia on the west coast of Canada, Vancouver is a great place for a romantic couples getaway. Beautiful mountains, fresh ocean air, lots of recreational activities, and some of the best restaurants to enjoy a quiet evening are just a few things that Vancouver offers. The city is a mix of urban and wilderness, with hiking, golf, sailing, skiing, and swimming only 20 minutes outside of the downtown core. Whistler ski resort is just a 2 hour drive north, while Victoria is a 90 minute ferry ride to the west. You will see why this 2010 Olympic City is perfect for a romantic vacation or getaway.

Travelling To Vancouver

An airport shuttle from the airport to downtown Vancouver is available and will cost you $12CDN for one way, or $18CDN return. In 2009, a rapid transit train will take you from the airport to downtown Granville Street, but of course, this is still under construction. Public buses and taxis are also available for you to reach your destination within the city, but remember that most of the major hotels are located downtown, which is a 30 minute drive from the airport.

The best place in the city to stay if you want to be close and accessible to many of the major attractions is downtown Vancouver. Hop on the Skytrain or one of the many buses and you will be able to travel to and from Stanley Park, Granville Island, Grouse Mountain, and many other sights with the greatest of ease.

Vancouver Weather

North Vancouver

We highly recommend The Observatory Restaurant at the top of Grouse Mountain. Superb dining, outstanding views of the city, and a romantic intimate dining experience await you. It is best to book reservations ahead of time (604-998-4403), and try to reserve a table by the window, you will not get a more beautiful dining experience in the city. We have enjoyed several romantic evenings at The Observatory, and each and every time we find something new on the horizon to look at.

Capilano Suspension Bridge
Feel like doing something daring, fun, and exciting...but don't worry, it's perfectly safe. The Capilano Suspension Bridge is a perfect compliment to all of these things. The suspension bridge is one of Vancouver's most popular tourist attractions, so it is best to reserve ahead to avoid long lines during the peak summer months. The bridge stretches 450 feet across and 230 feet high over the Capilano River. Besides the bridge, there is so much more to see and do here, there is the Treetop Adventure Tour and 7 other smaller suspension bridges that wind their way through the thick forest. It is a great mix of adventure, history, and culture. For rates and hours, visit The Capilano Suspension Bridge.

If it's a free suspension bridge trip that you want to try, and can get over the fact that the bridge jiggles everytime somebody takes a step, travel out to North Vancouver's Lynn Valley and trek across the Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge. It's a bit smaller and 100% safe, and is still the same fun and excitement as the Capilano Bridge. Some 160 feet below you will see the rushing Lynn Canyon Creek waters, and further upstream is the Lynn Headwaters Regional Park. Upon crossing the bridge, numerous hiking trails await, some taking you down to the crystal blue pools below. Be careful, do not attempt to swim or take a dive here, even though you may see others doing so, there are many deaths every summer from ill-advised thrill seekers who jump or swim in the creek. Lynn Canyon Park is located at 3663 Park Road in North Vancouver.

Edgemont Village / Deep Cove
Located just off Capilano Road you will find Edgemont Village, a small shopping strip which has tiny, unique shops. Visit one of the many coffee shops and small eateries and spend the afternoon soaking up the sun on one of the many benches within the village. A North Vancouver secret, you will discover the charm that makes this village unique.

Discover the many shops and restaurants in this small little scenic village of Deep Cove. Spend the afternoon enjoying a latte and a gourment sandwich on the pier, or rent a boat and take a leisurely cruise around the cove. To get to Deep Cove, take the Mount Seymour Parkway exit off of Highway 1, then follow the parkway until you will arrive at Deep Cove.

Downtown Vancouver

Don't miss an opportunity to take a jog, walk, bike, or rollerblade along the seawall which circles the outside of the park, and offers up many photo opportunities. You will even pass underneath the landmark Lion's Gate Bridge as you make you way around. Prospect Point, along with the lighthouse, and English Bay are points of interests too. In the evening, make your way to the western point of the park and watch the sunset over Vancouver Island in the distance.

If you are planning on staying downtown Vancouver and want to be close to the park, The Westin Bayshore Resort and Marina is the perfect spot for you. There are bike and rollerblade rentals there, and the park is only a few minutes walk away.

Granville Island
A great way to spend the afternoon or day, walking through the many shops at the public market. Stop by and watch one of the many buskers while enjoying a coffee, or visit the Granville Island Brewery and sample the latest ales. From here, you can catch the Sea Taxi, which will shuttle you around False Creek to different sites such as Science World and The Plaza Of Nations.

Gastown
The birthplace of Vancouver, you will find many restaurants, bars, boutiques, galleries, and lots of souvenir shops here. The old Victorian buildings were restored back in the 1970's, along with the famous Steam Clock which sits in the middle of Gastown. Make sure to get a picture beside this historic clock.

Robson Street - The city's main shopping street is Robson. Restaurants, shops, and souvenir shops line each side of the street, and visitors flock here to spend the day taking it all in. The street is usually quite busy, but if you go in the early morning it isn't quite as crowded. During the summer months, you will find Robson at it's busiest, with many spending their days dining on an outdoor patio. If you like people watching or simply just like to shop, Robson is the street for you. If you like Starbucks, make sure to check out the two locations that are directly across from each other on the corner of Robson and Thurlow.

Kitsilano
Kitsilano Beach, Vanier Park, and Jericho Beach are great areas to visit for a picnic, bike ride, or just a stroll along the waterfront. Spend the day relaxing at the beach and staring at the mountains to the north, or back at the city to the east. Kitsilano is very busy in the summer months, with many locals enjoying cycling, volleyball, jogging, or rollerblading here.

During late July to the middle of August, the annual Celebration Of Light fireworks are held in English Bay, and Kitsilano is a fantastic viewpoint to take in this. With the city as your backdrop and the mountains to the north, this is an experience not to miss. Various countries compete every year, with their shows starting at 10pm on every Wednesday and Saturday during those 2 weeks in the summer. Just a warning, over 300,000 people attend each of the shows, so make sure to go early and find yourself a good viewing spot.

West Vancouver

There are many other trails located throughout the park, many of which lead to rock cliffs that overlook the water. Looking out over Howe Sound, you will be able to see Vancouver in the distance off to the east, and on the horizon to the west, Vancouver Island and Bowen Island.

Want a perfect place to propose? Lighthouse Park is definately a great romantic spot for popping the "big question". Follow the main trail down from the parking lot to just before the waters edge, there you can take one of the many forks in the trail that will lead to various cliff outlook points along the coastline. What better place to propose than here, with the city and the ocean as your backdrop. In fact, this is the very location where we got engaged!

Horseshoe Bay
Taking Highway 1 West will lead you to Horseshoe Bay, which serves as a gateway community to adventure on British Columbia's Westcoast. This very picturesque village is the West Coast ferry terminus for BC Ferries to Departure Bay in Nanaimo on Vancouver Island, to Bowen Island, and Langdale on the Sunshine Coast. It is also the starting point of the Sea To Sky Highway that hangs on cliffs as it winds its way along Howe Sound to Squamish, Whistler, and Pemberton.

Grab some fish and chips in the village and watch the passing boats go by, or visit the marina. Take a zodiac boat tour and see the bay's beautiful coastline and wildlife. The marina has day boat rentals, and this offers you a nice active afternoon out on the water. You can also catch a ferry here and travel to Bowen Island. You can have a relaxing lunch at the pub there, or rent a kayak and explore the island's rugged beaches. There are many B&B's and small restaurants right along the bay and on Bowen Island.

More Vancouver Tourism Information

Vancouver Shuttle And Charter - Shuttle service from Vancouver International Airport to downtown Vancouver.