10 things to do in Vancouver this Summer

If your lucky enough to visit Vancouver in the summer, it is one of the MOST beautiful cities in the WORLD. When the sun shines on Vancouver, it’s hard to think of a better city to enjoy. Mountains, culture, shopping, ocean all in ONE big bundle of greatness! Okay, we are a little biased as we lived here.... but it is the paradise of Canada (don’t tell Toronto). Below are Nestaide’s TOP 10 Things to Do in Summertime In Vancouver.

1. Unique Summer Festivals - June to August are months for festivals in Vancouver. Vancouver's International Jazz Festival is held each year at the end of June, while the Vancouver Folk Music Festival typically takes place each July. Vancouver folk festival will bring the west coast hippies out to have some fun, partake in some “BC Bud” and if you go to the festival, you will find lots of interesting local artist and designers showcasing and selling their work.

2. Kitsilano Beach and more Beaches-If you want a tan this summer, a Vancouver beach may be of interest to you. The most popular beach destinations are Kitsilano Beach, English BayBeach, Second Beach and Third Beach. You can also hit up Wreck beach on the UBC campus (which in our opinion, is the nicest beach in the city).. although be warned, this is a nudist friendly beach!

3. Hike at Stanley Park- Nice trails that must try are Cathedral Trail, Lovers Walk, Beaver Lake and Avison Trail.

4. Pick Berries at Krause Berry Farms- If you are staying outside the city, close to Langley BC you will want to explore Krause Berry Farms. You can spend a whole day picking blackberries, blueberries, or strawberries at the 200-acre Krause Berry Farm.

5. Kayaking at Deep Cove- Deep Cove Kayak Centre is Vancouver's premier paddling location. With one of the largest fleets in Canada. Make sure to call ahead and reserve. You can also rent SUP (Stand up Paddle Boards as well). Deep cove is a MUST GO while on vacation to Vancouver (also make sure to do the Quary Rock hike) and treat yourself to a doughnut at Honey Doughnuts and Goodies!

6. Take a dip at Norvan Falls- is a spectacular waterfall hike located in Lynn Headwaters Regional Park, in North Vancouver. The trail to Norvan Falls runs parallel to Lynn Creek and is relatively flat. It is also accessible for most, if not all of the year, making it a great hike for the months where other trails at higher elevations are buried in snow. For this reason, this trail is also a favorite for early season trail running.

7. Coffee Shop hopping- If you are a coffee lover, you can roam around Vancouver with many coffee shops that have a different style and taste. Try Spade at Commercial Drive, (an Italian- inspired coffee shop by day). Prado, a four location coffee shop that serve home made baked goods and brew delicious coffee. If you want to taste coffee from around the world, you can stop by this shop called Nemesis located in Hastings Street.

8. Richmond Night Market-Open May 10-October 14, 2019 is the largest Night Market in North America and has become an international attraction, attracting over 1 million visitors each year. Try some Asian food, or a famous “rotato” (Nestaide’s favorite snack)

9. Capilano Suspension Bridge - is a grand suspension bridge crossing the Capilano River in the District of North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The current bridge is 140 metres long and 70 metres above the river. It is part of a private facility with an admission fee, and draws over 800,000 visitors a year.

10. Vancouver Aquarium - With over 50,000 amazing aquatic creatures at the Vancouver Aquarium, what will you see today? Stop by and say hi to the adorable sea otters, or come see the mesmerizing jellyfish. Enjoy daily dolphin, sea lion, walrus and penguin experiences, as well as the free-roaming animals found in the popular Amazon gallery.