Things to Do in Vancouver on a Rainy Day

Vancouver is rumored to be the rainiest city in Canada. According to Google statistics, Abbotsford, St. George and Halifax are ahead, at least. Vancouver is not even mentioned in the world’s top weather rankings. And most of the time (about half of the year) we don’t get rain, but drizzle. This one the real Canadians don’t even consider a rain…

But if you accidentally forgot your umbrella and are not in a mood to walk in puddles, here are some ideas for “dry” leisure time:

University

Go to the Museum of Anthropology and dive into the world of historic BC artifacts (check the boxes!) Take a walk around the UBC campus: the rose garden, the Nitobe Japanese Garden, the Ladner Clock Tower. Take a coffee break in the Student Nest building. Mercante makes excellent pizza! There is also a Museum of Natural History, a botanical garden with suspension bridges.

READ MORE: University of British Columbia Botanical Gardens

Tropical birds and views of the city

A tropical bird paradise awaits you under the dome of the Bloedel Conservatory in Queen Elizabeth Park. Grab some lunch at Seasons in the Park with a beautiful view of the city.

Gallery Crawling

Crawl the Downtown galleries: Vancouver Art Gallery, Bill Reid Gallery, Pendulum Gallery. Try teas and snacks at a traditional English afternoon tea party at the Fairmont Hotel. Go to Christ Church for organ music, see a movie at the Scotiabank Theater, check out the new clothing collections at the CF Pacific Mall. Great lunch menu is at Black+Blue Steakhouse, organic Japanese cuisine in Shizenya, desserts in Theirry

READ MORE: Vancouver’s traditional Afternoon Tea

Aquarium and Stanley Park

Visit the residents of the Vancouver Aquarium and ride a covered horse-drawn cart through Stanley Park. Have lunch or dinner at Kingyo with a fascinating traditional interior.

READ MORE: Vancouver’s favorite Japanese restaurants

Not just the Library

The Vancouver Library is a perfect place to wait out the weather! Several floors of books, magazines, microfilms and historical archives. Convenient desks for work, free internet. A great location for a photo shoot. There is a rooftop viewpoint with flowerbeds! Brooklyn Pizza and waffles at Le Petit Belge are across the street.

Treasure Island

Catch the boat to Granville Island and check out all the gift stores, art studios and workshops there. Children will love the 2 floors Kid’s Market! Grab a bite to eat at the local market. Have a cup of coffee at Off The Track.

READ MORE: Vancouver’s Top 10 Coffee Shops

Museums, beach, restaurants

You should definitely check the amazing Vancouver Museum – with a giant crab at the entrance and a large collection of the city’s neon street signs. Plan to spend there about an hour and a half. The Vancouver Maritime Museum and parked old ships are a few steps away. The picturesque promenade of Vanier Park, Kitsilano town beach and outdoor pool (in summer) are in the same area. Tasty cafes/restaurants along W4th Ave: Raisu, Au Comptoir, 49th Parallel, Las Margaritas.

Fly over Canada

Step inside Vancouver’s most beautiful building, the Marine Building (closed on weekends). In one of the old telephone booths, you can hear the history of this place. Enjoy the bay view under Convention Center’s roof. Fly over Canada on the attraction with the same name. Eat a poke at The Poke Guy.

Chinatown

International Village Mall in Chinatown. Here you can find: Cineplex Odeon cinema, Catfe with adorable little furry friends, Find and Seek Ecape rooms, Rain City Board Games store and free parking for several hours. Iconic Chinese Garden Dr. Sun Yat-Sen – is located within walking distance.

Science Museum

The Science Museum is an entertaining place both for kids and adults. Interactive exhibits, educational plaques, and movies under the dome. Walk along the Olympic Village waterfront to Gusto A Taste Of Italy or CRAFT Beer Market False Creek.

READ MORE: Mount Pleasant and the Vancouver Mural Festival

North Activities

Take the seabus to North Vancouver. Don’t miss the Lonsdale Quay, The Polygon Gallery, Nemesis Coffee Shop and one of the most amazing views of Downtown from Burrard Dry Dock Pier.

Copper Mine

Take a ride on one of Canada’s most beautiful highways, Sea-to-Sky. Descend into the authentic old copper mine and watch an immersive Boom show in Britannia Mine Museum.

READ MORE: Britannia Mine – a museum that won’t get bored