The A to Zs of Vancouver

In this Glossary of Metro Vancouver there are over 300 listings and links to the Lower Mainland’s most significant places, events and attractions.

Just like an encyclopedia or Wikipedia on the region, the alphabetical list includes everything from Ambleside, Alouette Lake and the Abbotsford Airshow to Yaletown, YVR and the Vancouver Zoo.

Glossary of Vancouver Places

A

ABC – DEF – GHI – JKL – MNO – PQR – STU – VW – XYZ

Abbotsford – a city of about 140,000 people and lots of farmland in the Fraser Valley.
Abbotsford Agrifair – an agricultural fair with a midway and amusement rides at Abbotsford’s Exhibition Park in early August.
Abbotsford Airport – the Lower Mainland’s second largest airport.
Abbotsford Airshow – an airshow in the Fraser Valley every August.
Abbotsford Tulip Festival – a large flower farm in the Fraser Valley that’s open to the public in the spring.
Abbotsford Farm and Country Market – a Saturday morning farmers market in downtown Abbotsford.
Abbotsford Flea Market – a large flea market that takes place on Sundays in Abbotsford in the Fraser Valley.
Abbotsford Tulip Festival – beautiful fields of tulips to admire in the Fraser Valley in the spring.
Aberdeen Centre – a large shopping mall in Richmond with a significant number of Asian stores.
ACT Arts Centre – an arts facility and theatre venue in Maple Ridge.
Aerial Obstacle Course – a ropes course facility in Whistler.
Agassiz Farms Cycle Tour – a 25 km self-guided cycling tour visiting farms in the Fraser Valley in July.
Agassiz Speedway – a small car race track near Harrison Hot Springs.
Aldor Acres – a farm near Fort Langley that hosts seasonal events in the spring, fall and Christmas seasons.
Alice Lake – a “best place” for camping, canoeing and walking around (near Squamish).
Alouette Lake – one of the region’s nicest provincial parks (in Maple Ridge).
Ambleside – the best sandy beach on the North Shore.
Ambleside Artisan Farmers Market – a Sunday market at Ambleside Park from May until October.
Aquabus – a mini harbour ferry company operating in False Creek.
Aquarium – the city’s world-class aquarium at Stanley Park, formally called the Vancouver Aquarium.
Art Vancouver – an international art fair at the Vancouver Convention Centre in the spring.
The Arts Club – a Vancouver theatre company with locations on Granville Street, Granville Island and near Vancouver’s Olympic Village.
Atchelitz Pioneer Village – a museum and historic site with heritage buildings in Chilliwack.
Aurora Winter Festival – a winter-themed Christmas attraction in November and December.

B

ABC – DEF – GHI – JKL – MNO – PQR – STU – VW – XYZ

Baden Powell Trail – a popular hiking trail on the North Shore.
Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival – Vancouver’s premier all summer-long theatre festival.
Barnet Marine Park – a small park with multiple beaches, beautiful views and a large off-leash dog area in North Burnaby.
Barnston Island – a small island that’s good for cycling in Surrey.
Bastille Day Festival – a French national holiday celebrated at the Roundhouse in Yaletown.
BC Beer & Beverage Festival – a beer sampling event at TRADEX in Abbotsford.
BC Bike Show – a cycling and biking trade show in the spring.
BC Day – a statutory holiday on the first Monday in August.
BC Ferries – the ferry company connecting Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands and the Lower Mainland.
BC Home & Garden Show – a trade show at the Vancouver Convention Centre in the spring.
BC Lions – Vancouver’s professional Canadian football team.
BC Place Stadium – Vancouver’s 54,500-seat stadium and home to the BC Lions football team and Vancouver Whitecaps soccer club.
BC Polish Festival – an event celebrating Polish culture in Port Coquitlam.
BC Sports Hall of Fame – a sports museum located at BC Place Stadium.
Bear Creek Park – a good park for children in Surrey, with a train, mini-golf and water park in the summer.
Beaty Biodiversity Museum – a museum with a biological collection at the University of British Columbia.
Belcarra Regional Park – near Port Moody and home to beautiful Sasamat Lake.
Bell Performing Arts Centre – a 1052-seat venue in Surrey.
Big Bus – the former name of a tour bus service in Vancouver which is now called “Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing.”
Big Easter Run – a fun running event in the spring at Jericho Beach.
Big Elf Run – a Christmas-themed running race in Stanley Park in December.
Big Fun Run Series – a series of running races in Metro Vancouver.
Big Splash – a water slide park in Tsawwassen.
Big Superhero Run – a family-friendly run in Richmond where people dress up in superhero costumes in the summer.
Bill Reid Gallery – a Northwest Coast First Nation art gallery.
Bite of Burnaby – a program where participating restaurants in Burnaby offer special menu deals for a month in the spring.
Blackcomb – the second mountain part of Whistler-Blackcomb, Canada’s best and most famous world-class ski resort.
Bloedel Conservatory – the indoor glass building garden at the top of Queen Elizabeth Park.
BlueShore Financial Centre for the Performing Arts – a 372-seat theatre at Capilano University in North Vancouver.
BMO Vancouver International Marathon – one of Vancouver’s biggest marathons, taking place in May.
Bose & Sons Family Farms – a farm in Surrey that has a giant corn maze in the late summer and early fall.
Boundary Bay Regional Park – an exceptional place for bird watching in Tsawwassen (just 10 km from the BC Ferries terminal).
Bowen Island – an island just minutes away from Horseshoe Bay.
Boxing Day – a day off for most people and start of the year-end Boxing Day sales on December 26th each year.
Brackendale Eagles Provincial Park – a fantastic place to see bald eagles in the winter near Squamish.
Brazilian Carnival – a party celebrating Brazilian heritage, culture and music in Vancouver.
Brewhalla Beer & Music Festivals – a series of beer-themed events in various communities around the Lower Mainland.
BrickCan LEGO Exhibition – a LEGO-themed event in Richmond in the spring.
Bridal Falls Waterpark – a small and older water park with water slides good for younger children near Bridal Veil Falls Provincial Park.
Bridal Veil Falls – a park with waterfalls just off the Trans-Canada Highway in the Fraser Valley.
Bright Nights – Christmas displays at Stanley Park featuring millions of sparkling lights.
Britannia Mine – a historic copper mine and museum in the Sea to Sky region.
Britannia Heritage Shipyard – a historic site at Steveston Village in Richmond.
Broadway – one of Vancouver’s main shopping streets.
Buntzen Lake – a beautiful lake managed by BC Hydro in Anmore.
Burnaby – Metro Vancouver’s third largest city.
Burnaby Artisan Farmers Market – a medium to large-sized summer market on Saturdays by Burnaby City Hall.
Burnaby Blues + Roots Festival – a music festival at Deer Lake in Burnaby in August.
Burnaby Lake Regional Park – a large park with walking trails, a lake and marshland in central Burnaby.
Burnaby Mountain – a park with walking trails and spectacular views.
Burnaby Village Museum – an outdoor museum with historic buildings.
Burrard Dry Dock Pier – the large pier near Lonsdale Quay in North Vancouver (also known as Shipbuilders’ Pier).

C

ABC – DEF – GHI – JKL – MNO – PQR – STU – VW – XYZ

Cactus Club Cafe – a chain of premium-casual restaurants that originated in North Vancouver.
Camosun Bog – an area of restored bog land and trails in Pacific Spirit Regional Park.
Canada Day – a statutory holiday every July 1st where Canada’s birthday is celebrated with pancake breakfasts, parades, music and fireworks throughout the Lower Mainland.
Canada Place – a best place to walk around in the heart of the city and part of the Convention Centre.
Canadian Museum of Flight – a small but interesting air plane museum in Langley.
Canyon Lights – Christmas light displays at Capilano Suspension Bridge in December.
Capilano River Hatchery – a best place to visit during the fall salmon run in North Vancouver.
Capilano River Regional Park – one of the region’s most beautiful places for nature and photography.
Capilano Suspension Bridge – one of the region’s top tourist attractions.
Car Free Day – celebrations on Commercial Drive, Main Street, Denman Street and Kitsilano in June, plus Lower Lonsdale in North Vancouver in August.
Caribbean Days Festival – a festival in North Vancouver in late July.
Carnaval del Sol – a Latin carnival in Vancouver in the summer.
Castle Fun Park – a mini amusement park in the Fraser Valley.
Cates Deck – an outdoor plaza over the water in North Vancouver’s Lower Lonsdale District.
Cates Park – a great park for children in North Vancouver.
Caulfeild Park – a park with beaches, a rugged shoreline and forested walking trails in West Vancouver.
Celebrate the Night – a Halloween-themed community event with fireworks in Maple Ridge in late October.
Celebration of Light – a world-class fireworks festival in the summer.
Centennial Theatre – a 658-seat performing arts facility in North Vancouver.
Central City – the second largest shopping mall in Surrey, and home to Surrey’s SFU satellite university campus.
Central Park – a great park in Burnaby, and home to Swangard Stadium.
Chan Centre for the Performing Arts – a concert hall, theatre and cinema at the University of British Columbia (UBC).
Cherry Blossom Festival – a month-long series of events celebrating the arrival of spring every year in April.
Chilliwack – a rural municipality in the Fraser Valley.
Chilliwack Corn Maze – a farm with a corn maze, pumpkin patch and family-friendly activities in the late summer and fall.
Chilliwack Lake Provincial Park – a great provincial park in the Fraser Valley and home to beautiful Greendrop Lake.
Chilliwack Pump Track – the largest pump track in North America.
Chilliwack Sunflower Festival – a large flower festival in the summer and early fall.
Chilliwack Tulip Festival – a giant tulip festival at a farm in Chilliwack in the spring.
Chilly Chase – a running race around the False Creek Seawall in Vancouver in January.
Chinatown – one of the largest Chinatowns in North America.
Chinese New Year Parade – every year in Vancouver’s Chinatown.
Chor Leoni Men’s Choir – one of Vancouver’s finest choirs.
Christmas Day – a statutory holiday and Christian holiday celebration every December 25.
Chuck E. Cheese – a restaurant and games centre for families with young children in Langley.
Christ Church Cathedral – the beautiful Anglican cathedral and heritage building at the corner of Burrard Street and Georgia.
Chutzpah Festival – a Jewish Performing Arts Festival in February and March.
Cinco de Mayo – a Mexican-themed celebration on May 5th each year.
Circle Craft Market – a large multi-day Christmas art and artisan market at the Vancouver Convention Centre in mid-November.
City Cycle Tours – informational-guided tours of the city by bicycle, from May to October.
CityFest – a youth-focused festival and skate competition held annually in North Vancouver in May.
City of Bhangra Festival – a Punjabi festival celebrating dance and music in June.
City of Vancouver – the largest city within Metro Vancouver and the region’s core business and commercial centre.
Cleveland Dam – source of Vancouver drinking water and stunning views at Capilano River Regional Park.
Clip ‘n Climb Vancouver – a modern indoor climbing facility in Richmond that’s popular with children.
Cloverdale Flea Market – a giant flea market in Surrey every Sunday.
Cloverdale Rodeo and Country Fair – an exciting and typically Canadian stampede-style event.
Coal Harbour – the body of water between Stanley Park and the downtown core, as well as the adjacent modern skyscraper-filled district of the city with a seawall leading up to the Vancouver Convention Centre.
Coal Harbour Seawall – the walking and cycling path that runs from Canada Place to Stanley Park.
Coastal First Nations Dance Festival – at the Museum of Anthropology each spring.
Coho Festival – a festival in early September celebrating salmon in West Vancouver.
The Comedy Mix – a downtown Vancouver comedy club located at 1015 Burrard Street.
Commercial Drive – an interesting and multicultural street in Vancouver.
Commodore Ballroom – Vancouver’s legendary entertainment venue.
Confederation Park – a nice park with forested trails and miniature trail in Burnaby.
Convention Centre – located next to Canada Place by Coal Harbour and formally called the Vancouver Convention Centre.
Coquitlam – a suburb of Vancouver.
Coquitlam Farmers Market – a large Sunday market that’s also known as the Poirier Street Farmers Market.
Craft Beer Market – a beer hall-style restaurant specializing in craft beers.
Crescent Beach – a popular beach in South Surrey.
Cultus Lake – a popular campground, resort town and provincial park.
Cultus Lake Adventure Park – a small but modern theme park in Cultus Lake.
Cultus Lake Golf Club – an 18-hole executive golf course with a Toptracer driving range.
Cultus Lake Waterpark – the region’s best water slides.
Cypress Eagle Coaster – an alpine slide-style roller coaster-type ride at Cypre Mountain in summer.
Cypress Falls – a park in West Vancouver with old-growth forest and waterfalls.
Cypress Mountain – the ski hill with the most terrain, lifts and vertical drop in Metro Vancouver.
Cypress Provincial Park – home of Cypress Mountain (the ski resort), but also amazing hiking trails in the summer.

D

ABC – DEF – GHI – JKL – MNO – PQR – STU – VW – XYZ

Darts Hill Garden Park – a garden in South Surrey that’s only open on designated occasions.
David Lam Park – a park at the edge of False Creek in Yaletown.
Davie Street – a colourful street in the West End known for its LGBT community.
Deas Island Regional Park – a park on a semi-island on the Fraser River between Delta and Richmond.
Deep Cove – a picturesque seaside village on the North Shore and one of the Lower Mainland’s most beautiful places.
Deep Cove Brewery – a popular craft beer brewery in North Vancouver.
Deer Lake Park – a popular city park in Burnaby.
Deighton Cup – a horse racing event in the summer (and renamed to just “The Cup” as of 2022).
Denman Street – a trendy street in downtown Vancouver.
Denman Street Car Free Day – a street party along Denman Street in mid-June and also known as West End Car Free Day.
Derby Reach Regional Park – a popular park not far from Fort Langley.
Dimensions Art Gallery – an attraction featuring 3D paintings and optical illusion art exhibits.
Dine Out Vancouver Festival – the last two weeks or so of January when hundreds of Metro Vancouver restaurants offer fancy 3-course dinner specials.
Disney On Ice – a touring ice-skating show featuring Disney characters.
Diwali Fest – a festival featuring a series of events celebrating East Indian and South Asian arts and culture.
Douglas Day – an event in Fort Langley celebrating the day when British Columbia became a colony on November 19th in 1858.
DOXA Film Festival – in documentary film festival in the spring.
Dundarave – a small seaside community in West Vancouver.
Dundarave Festival of Lights – a small festival at Christmas time in Dundarave.
Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden – an oriental garden in the heart of Chinatown.
Dragon Boat Festival – Boat races in June.
DTES Heart of the City Festival – a series of events showcasing the arts, music and cultural sharing in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside in the fall.

E

ABC – DEF – GHI – JKL – MNO – PQR – STU – VW – XYZ

Eagle Acres – a dairy farm in Langley that hosts a pumpkin patch with hay rides in the fall.
Eagle Coaster – a summer slide attraction at Cypress Mountain.
Earlybird RV Show – a recreational vehicle trade show at the start of the RV-ing season each year in Abbotsford.
Eastside Culture Crawl – an art festival featuring the works of hundreds of local artists in East Vancouver in the fall.
ElectraFest – an electric vehicle tradeshow that’s open to the public and free to attend.
Elgin Heritage Park – home to historic Stewart Farm in Surrey.
English Bay – the best beach in the heart of downtown Vancouver.
Engine 374 – the locomotive that pulled the first train into Vancouver and which is now on display at the Roundhouse Community Centre in Yaletown.
European Festival – a festival at Swangard Stadium in late May.
Evergreen Cultural Centre – a community arts facility with an art gallery and community theatre in Coquitlam.
EXchange Hotel Vancouver – a 4-star hotel in what used to be the Vancouver Stock Exchange building on Howe Street.
Executive Hotels & Resorts – the Vancouver-based company that owns Big Splash Water Park and hotels like the Executive Vintage Park, Le Soleil and EXchange in downtown Vancouver.
Extreme Air Park – indoor trampoline adventure parks in Langley, New Westminster and Richmond.

F

ABC – DEF – GHI – JKL – MNO – PQR – STU – VW – XYZ

Fair in the Square – a small festival featuring free food, live entertainment and community organization information booths at Vancouver’s Victory Square.
Fairmont Chateau Whistler Golf Resort – one of the region’s top golf courses, located in Whistler.
Fairmont Waterfront Hotel – a large 4-star hotel located across the street from Canada Place.
False Creek – one of the most beautiful areas in Metro Vancouver, and home to many of its top attractions.
False Creek Ferries – a year-round mini ferry company connecting Granville Island, Yaletown, Kitsilano and Vancouver’s West End.
False Creek Seawall – the walkway that goes along the False Creek waterfront.
Family Day – a statutory holiday in BC every second Monday in February.
Fantasy Farms – a farm in Chilliwack that hosts seasonal events like Petey’s Pumpkin Patch and Reapers Maze of Terror.
Farmers Markets – the Lower Mainland is home to dozens of great farmers markets, with some attracting thousands of visitors.
Festival du Bois – BC’s largest francophone festival, held annually in Coquitlam in late February.
Festival of Lights – Christmas light displays at VanDusen Garden.
Firehall Arts Centre – a community arts centre and theatre venue in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.
Flamenco, Tango and Wine Night – an event featuring Spanish and Latin dance performances during the Carnaval del Sol festival.
FlyOver Canada – a film and flight simulation ride attraction at Canada Place.
Folk Fest – the abbreviated name for the Vancouver Folk Music Festival, one of the Lower Mainland’s most popular summer events.
Forbidden Vancouver – a walking tour company with guided tours through Stanley Park, the West End, Gastown and other parts of downtown Vancouver.
Forestridge Haunted Yard – a haunted house at a private residence in Coquitlam at Halloween.
Fort Langley (the town) – a small cute historic town in the Fraser Valley.
Fort Langley Beer Festival – an event that showcases BC craft beers in Fort Langley.
Fort Langley Historic Half Marathon – a running race in Fort Langley in February.
Fort Langley National Historic Site – a historic site with a fort that’s run by Parks Canada.
Fort Langley Village Farmers Market – a small to medium-sized market on Saturdays in Fort Langley.
Fort to Fort Trail – a paved and dirt trail between Derby Reach Regional Park and Fort Langley.
Fraser Downs Racetrack and Casino – a horse racing venue in Surrey.
Fraser River Discovery Centre – a child-friendly museum showcasing exhibits about the environment and Fraser River region.
Fraserview Golf Course – one of Vancouver’s top golf courses.
Fraser Valley – the region between Metro Vancouver and the community of Hope, leading into the interior of BC.
Fraser Valley Bald Eagle Festival – a Fraser Valley event celebrating one of the largest migratory gatherings of bald eagles in Canada (but no longer happening as a formal event).
Fraser Valley Classic Car Show – a fundraising event for the local hospital in Chilliwack.
Friday Night Live in Lynn Valley – a once-a-week show featuring music and a guest entertainer in North Vancouver’s Lynn Valley on Friday evenings.
Fright Nights at the PNE – a spooky Halloween attraction in October.
Fringe Festival – a live theatre festival in early September.
Furry Creek Golf and Country Club – one of the region’s best golf courses, located up the Sea to Sky Highway.

G

ABC – DEF – GHI – JKL – MNO – PQR – STU – VW – XYZ

Garry Point Park – a 75-acre waterfront park in Richmond not far from Steveston Village.
Gastown – Vancouver’s historic old town.
Gastown Grand Prix – a bike race in Gastown in July.
Gateway Theatre – a theatre group and performing arts venue in Richmond.
Giggle Dam – a dinner and live theatre venue in Port Coquitlam.
Gingerbread Lane – gingerbread house displays at the Hyatt Regency in December.
Sky’s No Limit: Girls Fly Too – a free aviation-themed event at the Abbotsford Airport in October.
Giro di Burnaby – a cycling race in downtown Burnaby in mid-July.
Glades Garden Park – a garden in South Surrey that is open only a few days a year and is famous for its rhododendrons.
Glow Christmas – indoor winter holiday attractions featuring live music, light displays, a miniature train and other family-friendly activities over the Christmas season.
Glow Maple Ridge – Christmas light displays in Maple Ridge during the Christmas season.
Goat Mountain – a North Shore mountain that’s connected by a hiking trail to Grouse Mountain.
Gobo VR – a virtual reality game centre in Surrey.
Goh Ballet – a prestigious Vancouver-based ballet company that’s famous for its performances of The nutcracker in December.
Golden Ears Provincial Park – a great place for nature near Maple Ridge.
Golden Spike Days – a community festival over the Canada Day Long Weekend in Port Moody.
GranFondo Whistler Bike Race – a cycling race from Vancouver to Whistler in September.
Grand Villa Casino – a hotel and casino in Burnaby.
Granville Island – Vancouver’s famous artisan and entertainment district under the Granville Street Bridge.
Granville Island Public Market – Vancouver’s most famous public market.
Granville Island Stage – a 450-seat theatre venue on Granville Island that’s part of the Arts Club Theatre Company.
Granville Street – the heart of Vancouver’s nightlife and entertainment district.
Great Blue Heron Nature Reserve – 325 acres of bird sanctuary wetlands on the Vedder River in Chilliwack.
Greater Vancouver Zoo – home to all kinds of animals in Aldergrove.
Greek Day on Broadway – an all-day street festival in Kitsilano celebrating everything Greek in late June.
Greenheart TreeWalk – an attraction at the UBC Botanical Garden where you can walk along bridges up high in the trees.
Grouse Mountain – a great ski hill and one of Metro Vancouver’s top year-round attractions.
Grouse Grind – the grueling set of stairs that ascend Grouse Mountain and loved by fitness and outdoor enthusiasts.
Gulf of Georgia Cannery – a historic site in Richmond’s Steveston Village.
Guildford Town Centre – the third largest shopping mall in the Lower Mainland, with over 200 stores in the City of Surrey.

H

ABC – DEF – GHI – JKL – MNO – PQR – STU – VW – XYZ

Haney Farmers Market – a weekly market that runs from May until October in Maple Ridge.
Haney House – a historic site that today is a museum in Maple Ridge.
Harbour Air Seaplanes – the world’s largest seaplane airline and transport to Vancouver Island.
Harbour Cruises – a popular tourist activity on the water.
Hard Rock Casino – a popular place for casino games and entertainment in Coquitlam.
Harmony Arts Festival – a popular community festival in West Vancouver each August.
Harrison Festival of the Arts – a performing arts festival in Harrison Hot Springs each year in July.
Harrison Hot Springs – a hot spring resort town in the Fraser Valley.
Harrison Hot Springs Resort – a hotel with world-famous hot springs on Harrison Lake in the Fraser Valley.
Harrison Water Park – bouncy structures and slides on Harrison Lake in the summer.
Hastings Park Farmers Market – a winter Sunday market.
Hastings Race Course – a casino and horse racetrack at the PNE.
Hats off Day – a street festival in Burnaby in June.
Havana – a Cuban restaurant with a small theatre on Commercial Drive in Vancouver.
Hazelmere Golf Course – an 18-hole golf course in South Surrey.
Hazelmere Pumpkin Patch – a farm in Surrey with a pumpkin patch and corn maze in October, as well as other seasonal attractions throughout the year.
Heart of the City Festival – a festival that showcases art, music and culture in the Downtown Eastside in autumn.
Helijet – helicopter services from downtown Vancouver and YVR airport.
Heritage Christmas – holiday season celebrations at Burnaby Village Museum.
Heroes & Villains – an outdoor adventure game played around the Vancouver Convention Centre and hosted by Vancouver Mysteries.
Hillcrest Centre – the former 2010 Olympics’ curling venue and present day aquatic centre, ice rink and fitness centre.
Holiday Inn North Vancouver – one of the largest hotels on Vancouver’s North Shore.
Holiday Hi-Light Festival – Christmas light displays at Park and Tilford garden in North Vancouver.
Honda Celebration of Light – Vancouver’s world famous fireworks displays (in English Bay) in late July and the beginning of August.
Hoobiyee – an Indigenous dance festival celebrating the Nisga’a New Year in February.
Horseshoe Bay – a picturesque seaside community and location of one of BC Ferries’ terminals to Vancouver Island.
Hotel Vancouver – Vancouver’s iconic and grandest historic hotel.
H.R. MacMillan Space Centre – home of Vancouver’s planetarium and other space stuff.
Hudson’s Bay – Canada’s oldest department store, with its Vancouver flagship location downtown on Granville and Georgia.
Hyack Festival and Parade – a parade and community festival in New Westminster in late May.
Hyatt Regency – a large hotel in downtown Vancouver that hosts Gingerbread Lane gingerbread house displays in December.

I

ABC – DEF – GHI – JKL – MNO – PQR – STU – VW – XYZ

Improv Centre – a venue on Granville Island that specializes in theatresport-style improv comedy theatre.
Indoor Kart Racing @ TBC – a kart racing venue in Richmond.
International Buddhist Temple – a beautiful temple that’s open to the public in Richmond.
International Children’s Festival – takes place in late May on Granville Island.
International Village Mall – a shopping mall with over 60 stores in Vancouver’s Chinatown.
Inter River Park – a North Vancouver park with multiple sports fields, walking trails and a BMX bike park.
Italian Day on the Drive – a celebration of everything Italian on Commercial Drive in mid-June.

J

ABC – DEF – GHI – JKL – MNO – PQR – STU – VW – XYZ

Jericho Beach – a beautiful sandy beach and home to the annual Vancouver Folk Music Festival.
Jerry Sulina Park – a small park in Maple Ridge.
JOEY – a chain of premium casual restaurants that started in Alberta but is now based in Vancouver.
John Hendry Park – a Vancouver park that’s home to Trout Lake and the popular Trout Lake Farmers Markets in the summer.
John Lawson Park – a popular ocean-side park in West Vancouver next to Ambleside with a beach, pier and large children’s play area.
Jurassic Quest – a touring dinosaur exhibition that sometimes visits the Lower Mainland.
Jurassic World Live Tour – a touring dinosaur-themed show that sometimes visits Vancouver in the spring.

K

ABC – DEF – GHI – JKL – MNO – PQR – STU – VW – XYZ

Kaleidoscope Arts Festival – a free event in Coquitlam in the summer.
Kanaka Creek Regional Park – a forested park with walking and cycling trails along the Fraser River in Maple Ridge.
Kay Meek Centre – a performing arts facility with a 488-seat theatre in West Vancouver.
Khatsahlano Street Party – a major street party on West 4th Avenue in July, billing itself as “Vancouver’s largest free music and arts festival.”
Kidtropolis – an indoor play centre in Richmond that features a miniature village where children can dress up and use their imaginations.
Kilby Historic Site – a museum and historic site in the Fraser Valley depicting life in the area during the 1920s.
Kilby Park – a provincial park with camping, fishing and boating in the Fraser Valley.
Kitsilano – a popular district in which to live and location of one of Vancouver’s best beaches.
Kitsilano Farmers Market – a large market that takes place on Sundays in the summer at the Kitsilano Community Centre.
Kobe Restaurant – a Japanese teppanyaki-style restaurant in downtown Vancouver.
Krause Berry Farm – a farm specializing in berries and berry wines in Langley.

L

ABC – DEF – GHI – JKL – MNO – PQR – STU – VW – XYZ

Labour Day – a statutory holiday every first Monday in September.
Ladner May Days – a community event featuring a parade. live bands, amusement rides and baseball tournament.
Laity Pumpkin Patch – a couple of farms in Maple Ridge with pumpkins, corn mazes and other autumn-themed activities prior to Halloween.
Langley – a community located between Surrey and Abbotsford in the Fraser Valley.
Langley Community Day – a free event at Douglas Park in June.
Lansdowne Mall – an older shopping centre in Richmond.
Latin American Heritage Month – from mid-October until November 2nd most years.
Lavenderland – a lavender farm and flower-themed attraction in Richmond.
Lighthouse Park – a top place for nature and ocean views in West Vancouver.
Lions Gate Bridge – Vancouver’s most iconic bridge, connecting the city with North and West Vancouver on the North Shore.
Locarno Beach – a beautiful sandy beach in Kitsilano.
London Heritage Farm – a historical farm in Richmond.
Lonsdale Avenue – the main shopping street in North Vancouver.
Lonsdale Quay – the vibrant area of waterfront on the North Shore by the SeaBus terminal.
Lonsdale Quay Artisan Farmers Market – a small market on Saturdays in North Vancouver.
Lonsdale Quay Hotel – a boutique hotel inside the Lonsdale Quay Public Market.
Lonsdale Quay Public Market – the popular year-round indoor market and top attraction at Lonsdale Quay.
Love Lights – Valentine’s Day-themed illuminations and displays at Capilano Bridge at night in February.
Lower Lonsdale – the district in North Vancouver at the bottom of Lonsdale Avenue that’s home to the Shipyards, Lonsdale Quay, Polygon Gallery and numerous bars and restaurants.
Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve – a natural forested park in North Vancouver.
Lynn Canyon Park – beautiful nature and home of the Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge.
Lynn Headwaters Regional Park – yet another one of the North Shore’s truly amazing parks in the forest.
Lynn Valley Day – a small community festival in the Lynn Valley district of North Vancouver at the end of May.

M

ABC – DEF – GHI – JKL – MNO – PQR – STU – VW – XYZ

Maan Farms – a farm with petting zoo, seasonal corn maze and other activities in Abbotsford.
Mackin House Museum – a historic house in Coquitlam.
Mahony & Sons – a pub-style restaurant with locations in False Creek and Coal Harbour.
Main Street – a vibrant street that goes through Chinatown, Gastown, Little India and more.
Main Street Car Free Day – a massive street party on Main Street between Broadway and 30th Avenue on Father’s Day in mid-June.
Main Street Station Farmers Market – a farmers market taking place outside Vancouver’s Central Pacific Station on Wednesday afternoons in the summer.
Maple Grove Pool – a great outdoor pool for kids located at 6875 Yew Street in Vancouver’s Kerrisdale neighbourhood.
Manning Provincial Park – a provincial park and ski hill 3 hours east of Vancouver.
Maple Ridge – a municipality of about 82,000 people in central-eastern Metro Vancouver with farms and lots of outdoor recreation opportunities.
Maple Ridge Museum – a historic site near the Fraser River in Maple Ridge.
Maple Ridge Park – a municipal park with a river, children’s play areas and trails through the forest in Maple Ridge.
Maple Ridge Car Free Day – a community event that involves food trucks, market vendors and live entertainment on 224th Street and in the Memorial Peace Park in Maple ridge.
Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows Country Fest – a small-town summer fair with farm animals, live music and a midway at the Albion Fairgrounds in Maple Ridge.
Maplewood Flats Conservation Area – a preserved area of tidal mudflats that’s good for birdwatching in North Vancouver.
Maplewood Farm – the best place for young children to see chickens and pigs on the North Shore.
Marine Drive – the main commercial street connecting West Vancouver with North Vancouver (as well as a different street in South Vancouver).
Maritime Museum – also known as the “Vancouver Maritime Museum” and home to the St. Roch Arctic exploration boat.
Massey Theatre – a 1260-seat proscenium theatre in New Westminster.
McArthurGlen Mall – a designer outlet mall near YVR Airport.
Meadow Gardens Golf Course – a popular golf course in Pitt Meadows.
Mercato Italian Market – an Italian-themed night market that used to take place in the summer and just before Christmas, but as of 2020 just once in the winter.
Metropolis at Metrotown – the largest shopping mall in the province with close to 400 stores.
Michael J Fox Theatre – a community theatre venue at 7373 MacPherson Avenue in Burnaby.
Mill Lake Park – a large urban park with a small lake in Abbotsford.
Milestones Restaurants – a premium casual-dining chain founded in Vancouver.
Millennium Park – a small waterfront park in West Vanouver.
Minnekhada Regional Park – a park on the Pitt River in Coquitlam.
Minoru Park – a nice city park in Richmond.
Mission Raceway Park – a small car race track in the Fraser Valley.
Mission – a municipality on the north side of the Fraser River from Abbotsford.
MONOVA – a history museum near in the Lower Lonsdale neighbourhood of North Vancouver. (The name stands for Museum Of NOrth VAncouver.)
Monsoon Arts Festival – an South Asian-themed music and arts festival in the summer.
Monstercat Compound – a block party with music, art and other activities outside the Monstercat HQ in Vancouver.
Morgan Creek Golf Course – a popular golf course in Surrey.
Mount Seymour (the resort) – a popular ski hill for beginners and young families.
Mount Seymour Provincial Park – a provincial park where Mount Seymour the ski hill is located, as well as lots of great hiking and snowshoeing trails.
Mundy Park – the largest park in Coquitlam.
Murrin Provincial Park – a small park with a lake, trails in the forest and rocks to climb just south of Squamish.
Museum of Anthropology (MOA) – an interesting museum at the University of British Columbia (UBC).
Museum of North Vancouver – a new museum (as of 2021) near Lonsdale Quay on the North Shore. (Also known as MONOVA.)
Museum of Surrey – a museum in Cloverdale about the City of Surrey.
Museum of Vancouver (MOV) – the best indoor place to learn about Vancouver history.
Music on Main – an organization that hosts music events in Vancouver.

N

ABC – DEF – GHI – JKL – MNO – PQR – STU – VW – XYZ

Nat Bailey Stadium – home field to the Vancouver Canadians baseball team.
Nat Bailey Winter Farmers Market – on Saturdays from November until April at Nat Bailey Stadium.
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – an annual holiday on September 30th where people reflect on the racist history of Canada’s residential school system.
National Indigenous Peoples Day – a day to celebrate First Nations culture and people. It takes place every year on June 21st and up until 2017 it was called National Aboriginal Day.
New Brighton Pool – a summertime outdoor pool near the Iron Workers Memorial Bridge.
New West Car Free Day – a street party with an environmental theme on Columbia Street in New Westminster.
New West Farmers Market – a market at New Westminster’s Tipperary Park in summer and on Belmont Street in winter.
New Westminster – a suburb of Vancouver with historical significance, being the former and original capital of British Columbia.
Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre – a museum and community centre that showcases and supports Japanese-Canadian culture in Burnaby.
Nitobe Memorial Garden – a Japanese garden at the UBC Botanical Garden.
Northlands Golf Course – a top golf course in North Vancouver.
North Alouette Greenway – an area of parkland in Maple Ridge.
Northview Golf and Country Club – a popular golf course in Surrey.
North Shore – comprising West Vancouver and North Vancouver, it’s where you’ll find the most amazing nature in Metro Vancouver (including all three of its local ski hills and many of the region’s other “best places” in the outdoors).
North Shore Artisan Market – an artisan market that happens occasionally in North Vancouver.
North Shore Spirit Trail – a cycling and walking trail across North Vancouver and West Vancouver. (Some sections have been completed and some are planned for the future).
North Vancouver – the city at the bottom of the North Shore Mountains across Burrard Inlet from downtown Vancouver.
North Vancouver Summer Concert Series – free outdoor concerts in the summer in Lynn Valley, Edgemont Village and Deep Cove.

O

ABC – DEF – GHI – JKL – MNO – PQR – STU – VW – XYZ

Oakridge Centre – a shopping mall and urban development at 41st Avenue and Cambie.
Ocean Wise Seafood – an environmental program originating in Vancouver that encourages people, restaurants and grocery stores to buy and eat sustainably-caught seafood.
Old Hastings Mill Store Museum – a small museum housed in Vancouver’s oldest building in the Kitsilano area.
Olympic Cauldron – the giant torch legacy from the 2010 Olympics.
Olympic Village – site of the International Athletes Village during the 2010 Olympic Games.
OMNIMAX – the giant 5-storey IMAX theatre at Science World.
On Your Block Festival – a festival at Tipperary Park in New Westminster.
The Orpheum – the city’s most beautiful and historically significant concert hall.
Osprey Festival – a small nature and Indigenous-themed event in North Vancouver in July.

P

ABC – DEF – GHI – JKL – MNO – PQR – STU – VW – XYZ

Pacific Centre – a popular high-end downtown shopping mall.
Pacific Coliseum – a venue at the PNE and former home ice for the Vancouver Giants hockey team.
Pacific Ferries & Tours – a tour boat company.
Pacific National Exhibition (PNE) – Vancouverites’ favourite fair at the end of every summer.
Pacific Spirit Regional Park – located in the UBC Endowment Lands, a great place for hiking, walking and jogging in nature.
Paddlewheeler Riverboat Tours – full day trips by boat along the Fraser River starting at the Quay in New Westminster.
Pagoda Ridge – a golf course with Asian-themed structures close to Fort Langley.
Pan Pacific Hotel – the hotel that’s located right at Canada Place.
Parade of Lost Souls – An annual grassroots evening Halloween parade in October each year
Paradise Valley – a great private campground near Squamish.
Park Royal – a large shopping mall near Ambleside Park in West Vancouver.
Peace Arch – a joint Canada-US Park and location of BC’s busiest border crossing.
Peak of Christmas – Holiday Season celebrations at Grouse Mountain in December.
Penguin Plunge – a New Year’s swim in the frigid waters of Deep Cove every January 1st in North Vancouver. Another similar event takes place in Port Moody, as well as other polar bear swim venues.
Pinnacle at the Pier – a large modern hotel at the bottom of Lonsdale Avenue in the Shipyards District of North Vancouver.
Pinnacle Hotel Harbourfront – a downtown hotel on Hastings Street that’s often used for meetings and private events.
Pitt Lake – the second largest lake in the Lower Mainland, located just north of Pitt Meadows.
Pitt Meadows – one of Metro Vancouver’s smallest municipalities that’s famous for dykes, rivers, mountain views and berry farms.
Pitt Meadows Day – a community event on the first Saturday in June in Pitt Meadows.
Place des Arts – a visual and performing arts centre in Coquitlam.
Planetarium – located at the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre.
PlayDome – an indoor carnival with amusement rides and midway games at BC Place Stadium (at Spring Break most but not all years).
Playland – the city’s amusement park.
PNE – the abbreviated name for the Pacific National Exhibition which is Vancouver’s summer fair.
PNE Prize Home Lottery – a lottery benefiting the Pacific National Exhibition where people can win a dream home, cars and cash prizes.
Poirier Street Farmers Market – a large farmers market from May until October on Sundays in Coquitlam.
Polar Bear Swim – an annual swim in the frigid waters of English Bay every January 1st in Vancouver.
Polygon Gallery – a contemporary art gallery specializing in photography and historically-themed exhibits in North Vancouver’s Lower Lonsdale District.
Poppy Estate – an executive golf course in Langley.
Porteau Cove – a beautiful park and campground along the Sea to Sky Highway.
Port Coquitlam – a city located southwest of Coquitlam.
Port Moody – a Metro Vancouver municipality that’s part of the Tri-Cities (along with Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam).
Port Moody Station Museum – a museum in an old train station near Rocky Point Park.
Port Moody Winter Farmers Market – a Sunday market between November and April at the Port Moody Recreation Centre.
Pride Parade & Festival – a major festival celebrating the region’s Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered community leading up to the August Long Weekend.
Prince of Whales – a whale-watching and sightseeing company based out of Granville Island.
Prospect Point – an area in Stanley Park with a restaurant, souvenir shop and amazing views of the Lions Gate Bridge and North Shore Mountains.
Pull of the Net: A Multicultural Celebration – an arts and culture event at the Gulf of Georgia Cannery in Steveston Village.
Pumpkins After Dark – a Halloween-themed event at Central Park in autumn in Burnaby.
PuSh Festival – an International Performing Arts Festival from late January to early February.

Q

ABC – DEF – GHI – JKL – MNO – PQR – STU – VW – XYZ

Queen Elizabeth Park – a beautiful park at the highest point in the City of Vancouver (but not Metro Vancouver).
Queen Elizabeth Theatre – one of Vancouver’s finest theatres.
Queen’s Park – a large city park in New Westminster.

R

ABC – DEF – GHI – JKL – MNO – PQR – STU – VW – XYZ

RBC GranFondo Whistler Bike Race – a cycling race along the Sea to Sky Highway up to Whistler in September.
Recovery Day BC – a free street party in New Westminster in September.
Red & White Picnic – the former name of the Canada Day celebrations on July 1st in West Vancouver.
Redwoods Golf Course – a popular golf course in Langley.
Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary – an amazing place for bird watching.
Remembrance Day – a statutory holiday every November 11th.
Rice Lake – a beautiful lake for fishing and hiking around in North Vancouver.
Richmond – Metro Vancouver’s fourth largest city.
Richmond Country Farms – a farm and produce market in Richmond that hosts a sunflower festival in the summer and a pumpkin patch event in the fall.
Richmond Maritime Festival – a boat and fishing-related festival at Britannia Shipyard in Steveston Village in early August.
Richmond Night Market – Richmond’s world-famous Asian night market.
Richmond Olympic Experience – an interactive Olympic museum located at the Richmond Olympic Oval.
Richmond Olympic Oval – a large sports venue with a swimming pool, gymnasiums and a skating rink.
Richmond Sunflower Festival – a summer festival featuring sunflowers and other flowers and activities at Richmond Country Farms in Richmond.
Riley Park Farmers Market – a year-round Saturday market formerly known as the Nat Bailey Winter Farmers Market.
River Rock Casino Resort – a popular casino in Richmond.
River District Vancouver – a commercial and residential development in South Vancouver.
Robson Street – one of Vancouver’s most famous and popular streets.
Robson Square – the vibrant area around Robson Street and Howe where there’s a free outdoor ice skating rink in the winter.
Rocky Mountaineer – a train company that takes tourists on trips between Vancouver and the Canadian Rockies.
Rocky Point Park – a popular park on the water with an outdoor swimming pool, giant children’s play area and trails in Port Moody.
Roedde House Museum – an 1890’s home in Vancouver’s West End.
Rogers Arena – home ice for the Vancouver Canucks.
Rogers Hometown Hockey – a hockey event that tours across Canada and stops at different cities including at least one in the Lower Mainland most years.
Rolley Lake Provincial Park – home to one of the Lower Mainland’s best campgrounds.
Rope Runner – an adventure park with all kinds of things to climb and work your way across in Squamish.
Roundhouse – a community arts and recreation centre in Yaletown.
Rubber Ducky Race – a half marathon and other running races at Burnaby Lake Regional Park in autumn.

S

ABC – DEF – GHI – JKL – MNO – PQR – STU – VW – XYZ

Sandpiper Resort – a beautiful place with cabins, a small inn and a golf course in the Fraser Valley.
Sasamat Lake – near Port Moody and located in Belcarra Regional Park.
Sasquatch Days – a festival in Harrison Hot Springs with war canoe races, a salmon BBQ and local aboriginal cultural performances in June.
Sasquatch Mountain – a ski resort in the Fraser Valley (and previously known as Hemlock).
Sasquatch Lake Provincial Park – a park with forests, lakes, beaches and camping facilities just outside Harrison Hot Springs in the Fraser Valley.
Scandinave Spa – spa in Whistler with pools, saunas and massage services.
Scandinavian Midsummer Festival – a festival in Burnaby celebrating Northern European culture in June.
Science World – Vancouver’s excellent science museum.
Scotiabank Dance Centre – a venue that offers dance classes and performances on Davie Street.
Scotiabank Half Marathon – a half marathon race in late June.
Seaside Hotel – a small to medium-sized modern hotel in North Vancouver’s Shipyards District.
Seasons in the Park – a restaurant at the top of Queen Elizabeth Park.
Sea to Sky Gondola – a fairly new gondola-ride attraction near Squamish.
Sea to Sky Highway – the region and highway connecting Vancouver with Whistler.
Search for the Perfect Pint – a fundraising, beer-tasting event in Port Moody.
SeaWheeze Half Marathon – a running race in downtown Vancouver in the summer.
Second Beach – Stanley Park’s popular beach with the giant outdoor heated swimming pool.
Sensea Immersive – a museum that hosts touring exhibitions in Tsawwassen.
Seymour Demonstration Forest – paved walking and cycling trails through the forest in North Vancouver. (Also known as the Seymour Valley Trailway).
Seymour Valley Trailway – a paved cycling trail in North Vancouver, also known as the Seymour Demonstration Forest.
SFU – Vancouver’s second largest university with campuses in Burnaby, Surrey and Vancouver.
Shadbolt Centre of the Arts – a community centre in Burnaby’s Deer Lake Park.
Shamrock ‘n Race – a running race in Burnaby in March.
Shannon Falls – one of BC’s highest waterfalls located near Squamish.
Sheraton Vancouver Guildford Hotel – a large hotel in Surrey near the Guildford Town Centre Mall.
Sheraton Wall Centre Hotel – a large 4-star hotel located near St. Paul’s Hospital in downtown Vancouver.
Shipbuilders’ Pier – the 700-foot dock in North Vancouver’s Shipyards District.
Shipyards – an area close to Lonsdale Quay in North Vancouver that’s home to the Shipyards Night Market, Shipbuilders’ Square, Shipyard Commons and Shipbuilders’ Pier.
Shipyards Festival – a street party-style music festival and community event in North Vancouver’s Lower Lonsdale District in late summer or early fall.
Shipyards Night Market – a slightly upscale summer night market in North Vancouver’s Lower Lonsdale neighborhood.
Simon Fraser University – a large university that’s also known as SFU.
Sounds of Summer Music Series – a series of free outdoor concerts at Surrey parks during the summer.
South Arm Pool – a popular outdoor public pool facility with water slides in Richmond.
South Asian Family Festival – a large event featuring amusement rides, live entertainment and other activities in June.
Spanish Banks – one of Vancouver’s best sandy beaches.
Spot Prawn Festival – a seafood-theme event at Fishermen’s Wharf in False Creek in May.
Squamish – the self-proclaimed “Outdoor Recreation Capital of Canada.”
Squamish Beer Festival – a craft beer festival in Squamish in the summer.
Squamish Constellation Festival – a music festival in Squamish that started in 2019.
Squamish Farmers Market – a weekly market in Squamish from April until October.
Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre – a First Nations cultural centre at Whistler.
Stanley Park – one of the world’s best and largest city parks.
Stanley Park Railway – a miniature train that operates in the summer and during special holiday seasons in Stanley Park.
Stanley Park Seawall – a famous paved walkway for pedestrians and cyclists around the perimeter of Stanley Park.
Stanley Industrial Stage – a 650-seat theatre on Granville Street that’s part of the Arts Club Theatre Company.
Stave Falls – BC Hydro powerhouse and information centre in Mission.
Stawamus Chief – the best mountain for climbing and hiking for people of moderate skill level.
StayVancouverHotels.com – a Vancouver-based travel website specializing in downtown Vancouver hotel accommodations.
Street Food City – a food truck-style event during the Dine Out Vancouver Festival.
Steveston Dragon Boat Festival – an August event in Steveston Village.
Steveston Farmers and Artisan Market – a weekly farmers market in Steveston Village on Sundays from May to October.
Steveston Salmon Festival – Canada Day celebrations in Steveston Village every year on July 1st.
Steveston Village – one of Metro Vancouver’s most picturesque and popular seaside towns.
Stewart Farm – a historical site in Surrey located at Elgin Heritage Park.
Summer Salsa Cruise Series – monthly dance lessons and salsa cruises departing from Coal Harbour on the vessel MV Britannia.
Sunset Beach Pride Festival – an event that takes place at Sunset Beach after the Vancouver Pride Parade in the summer.
Sunset Festival – a yoga and music festival in Stanley Park that’s related to the SeaWheeze Half Marathon in the summer.
Sun Yat-Sen Garden – a Chinese garden in the heart of Chinatown.
Sunshine Coast – a rural region outside Metro Vancouver that is connected by ferry via Horseshoe Bay.
Superfly Ziplines – a ziplining company in Whistler.
Surrey – Metro Vancouver’s second largest city.
Surrey Arts Centre – a facility with a 402-seat Main Stage and smaller 129-seat Studio Theatre in Surrey.
Surrey Fest Downtown – a small festival in June with live entertainment at Holland Park in Surrey (formerly known as the Whalley Community Festival).
Surrey Fusion Festival – a festival at Surrey’s Holland Park in mid-July.
Surrey Greek Food Festival – a small community event featuring Greek food and entertainment in early June.
Surrey International Children’s Festival – a children’s festival at Bear Creek Park in May.
Surrey Museum – a community museum in the City of Surrey.
Surrey Vaisakhi Parade & Celebration – a popular Sikh festival in April.
Sutton Place – a 4.5-star hotel at 855 Burrard Street in downtown Vancouver.
Swaneset Bay Resort – a popular golf course in Pitt Meadows.
Swangard Stadium – an outdoor stadium facility at Central Park in Burnaby.
Symphony in the Park (Abbotsford) – a free concert in the summer at Mill Lake Park in Abbotsford.
Symphony in the Park (Vancouver/Burnaby) – a free outdoor concert by the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra at Deer Lake Park in July.

T

ABC – DEF – GHI – JKL – MNO – PQR – STU – VW – XYZ

Taiwanese Canadian Cultural Festival – a festival in Vancouver in July.
Taiwanfest – a festival celebrating Taiwanese culture in September.
Talking Stick Festival – a First Nations festival featuring indigenous art and performances (February).
Tap & Barrel – a large pub-style restaurant with waterfront locations in North Vancouver, Olympic Village and Coal Harbour.
Taves Family Farm & Applebarn – a farm in Abbotsford that grows apples, pumpkins and goji berries and that hosts kid-friendly events at different times of the year.
TBC Indoor Kart Racing – a kart racing venue in Richmond.
TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival – a music festival in late June and usually finishing on Canada Day.
TD Vancouver Chinatown Festival – a small two-day festival in Chinatown in August.
Teddy Bear Picnic & Parade – a family-friendly event in Coquitlam in June.
Terra Nova Rural Park – a 63-acre park in Richmond and home to the Terra Nova Adventure Play Environment.
Terra Nova Adventure Play Environment – a great children’s play area at Terra Nova Rural Park in Richmond.
Terry Fox Run – a run to raise funds and awareness for cancer research each year at various locations in mid-September.
The Cup – a horse racing event at Hastings Racecourse in Vancouver.
The Teahouse – a famous restaurant in Stanley Park.
Thanksgiving – a statutory holiday on the second Monday of October.
Theatre Under the Stars – outdoor theatre at Stanley Park in the summer.
Third Beach – a popular sandy beach at Stanley Park.
Tiqets.com – a website that sells tickets to attractions in Vancouver and around the world.
TJ Fest – a multicultural community event hosted by the Taiwanese Taoist Tian Jin Temple in Burnaby.
Tour de Delta – a series of cycling races in Delta in July.
Tour de White Rock – a series of cycling races in White Rock over the course of a weekend in the summer.
Trans-Canada Trail – the longest hiking trail in the world passes through many parts of Metro Vancouver.
TRADEX – a trade and exhibition centre in Abbotsford where numerous events are held.
TransLink – the Metro Vancouver transit company that operates the public buses, SeaBus, SkyTrain and West Coast Express commuter train.
Trout Lake – a small lake with a walking trail around it and a couple of small beaches in Vancouver’ John Hendry Park.
Trout Lake Farmers Market – on Saturdays from 9 am to 2 pm from mid-May to mid-October at John Hendry Park in Vancouver.
Tsawwassen – location of one of BC Ferries’ terminals.
Tsawwassen Mills – a giant outlet shopping mall in Tsawwassen.
Tsawwassen Quay Market – a small shopping mall at the BC Ferries terminal in Tsawwassen.
Tulips of the Valley – Western Canada’s largest tulip festival that takes place in Chilliwack around the month of April (and renamed “Chilliwack Tulip Festival as of 2019).
Turkic Festival – a small Turkish cultural event in North Vancouver in late May.
Twilight Drive-In – Metro Vancouver’s only drive-in theatre (located in Langley).
Tynehead Regional Park – a 250+ hectare park in Surrey with forest, meadows and paved trails.

U

ABC – DEF – GHI – JKL – MNO – PQR – STU – VW – XYZ

UBC Botanical Garden – a beautiful garden at the University of British Columbia.
UBC Endowment Lands – home of Pacific Spirit Regional Park and a great place for hiking and jogging in nature.
University Golf Club – one of the region’s best golf courses, located in Pacific Spirit Regional Park at UBC.
University of British Columbia (UBC) – Vancouver’s largest and one of Canada’s best universities.
Uptown Live – a music festival and street party in New Westminster in the summer.

V

ABC – DEF – GHI – JKL – MNO – PQR – STU – VW – XYZ

Vallea Lumina – a lights attraction in the forest near Whistler.
Vancity Theatre – a 170-seat theatre venue in downtown Vancouver.
Vancouver – the largest and most famous city in the Lower Mainland.
Vancouver Airport (YVR) – the region’s large international airport in Richmond.
Vancouver All British Field Meet – a car show at VanDusen Garden in May.
Vancouver Aquarium – the city’s world-class aquarium.
Vancouver Art Gallery – the city’s best art museum.
Vancouver Bach Choir – one of Vancouver’s best choirs.
Vancouver Bach Festival – a music festival featuring the works of a variety of composers in the summer. (Note: In 2023 it was renamed the Vancouver Summer Festival.)
Vancouver Canadians – Vancouver’s Northwest League professional baseball team that plays at Nat Bailey Stadium.
Vancouver Canucks – the city’s professional NHL hockey team.
Vancouver Chamber Choir – one of the region’s best choirs.
Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival – a month-long series of events celebrating the arrival of spring every year in April.
Vancouver Christmas Market – a special seasonal attraction from late November until Christmas Eve each year.
Vancouver Comic Arts Festival – an event that’s all about art, comics and anime.
Vancouver Convention Centre – the city’s main convention centre, built for the 2010 Olympics.
Vancouver Dragon Boat Festival – boat races in June (also commonly known as just the “Dragon Boat Festival”).
Vancouver Fall Home Show – a trade show at the Vancouver Convention Centre in autumn.
Vancouver Farmers Markets – the Lower Mainland is home to dozens of great farmers markets, with some attracting thousands of visitors.
Vancouver Flea Market – a shopping mall of garage-sale-type stalls.
Vancouver Folk Music Festival – one of Vancouver’s most popular festivals every July.
Vancouver Fringe Festival – a live theatre festival in early September.
Vancouver Giants – the city’s main hockey team that’s in a league below the NHL’s Canucks (and more affordable too).
Vancouver Historic Half – 5K, 10K and half marathon races around Stanley Park.
Vancouver Horror Show – a film festival showcasing both Canadian and international short films in October.
Vancouver International Airport (YVR) – one of the best airports in the world.
Vancouver International Children’s Festival – takes place at the end of May on Granville Island.
Vancouver International Dance Festival – a festival featuring performances with dancers from around the world in the spring.
Vancouver International Film Festival – a prestigious film festival from late September to early October.
Vancouver International Flamenco Festival – a dance festival showcasing Spain’s most famous type of dance.
Vancouver International Wine Festival – a popular wine-sampling event the last couple of weeks in February.
Vancouver Lookout – the top of a skyscraper with 360 degree views of the city.
Vancouver Marathon – officially called the BMO Vancouver International Marathon, this race takes place in May.
Vancouver Maritime Museum – a museum about the Pacific Northwest and Arctic’s maritime history.
Vancouver Mysteries – an escape room-style adventure company where the games take place in the streets of Vancouver instead of in a room.
Vancouver Opera – the Lower Mainland’s premier opera society.
Vancouver Oratorio Choir – a 90 or so member choir of Christian vocalists and musicians.
Vancouver Playhouse – a 668-seat theatre in downtown Vancouver.
Vancouver Police Museum – an interesting museum showcasing the city’s police and criminal pasts.
Vancouver Pride Parade & Festival – a festival celebrating Vancouver’s Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered community every August.
Vancouver Summer Festival – a music festival featuring the works of a variety of composers in the summer. (Note: Up until 2023 it was known as the Vancouver Bach Festival.)
Vancouver Sun Run – one of the world’s largest 10 km runs in April.
Vancouver Symphony Orchestra – Vancouver’s top symphony and one of Canada’s finest.
Vancouver TheatreSports – a theatre on Granville Island specializing in impromptu productions (and now called just the Improv Centre).
Vancouver Turkish Film Festival – a film festival featuring Turkish films in the fall.
Vancouver Vaisakhi Parade – a massive Vancouver Punjabi festival-style event in April.
Vancouver Welsh Men’s Choir – an excellent volunteer male voice choir.
Vancouver Whitecaps – Vancouver’s premier professional soccer team.
Vancouver Zoo – the Lower Mainland’s zoo, formally called the Greater Vancouver Zoo.
VanDusen Botanical Garden – a large beautiful garden.
Vanier Park – an open area park near the entrance to False Creek and right beside the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre.
Victoria – British Columbia’s capital city and a popular day or overnight trip from Vancouver.
Victoria Day – a statutory holiday on the Monday preceding May 25th each year.
Vive les Voyageurs – an event celebrating French-Canadian culture at the Fort Langley National Historic Site.
Vogue Theatre – an 1161-seat theatre on Granville Street.

W

ABC – DEF – GHI – JKL – MNO – PQR – STU – VW – XYZ

Waterfront Park – a park in North Vancouver near Lonsdale Quay.
Waterfront Station – a beautiful building in downtown Vancouver that’s the main starting terminal for SkyTrains, the SeaBus and West Coast Express.
Waterfront Theatre – a 240-seat theatre on Granville Island.
Watermania – Richmond’s best aquatic centre.
West Coast Railway Heritage Park – a train museum in Squamish.
West Coast Sightseeing – a Vancouver tour bus company.
West Dyke Trail – a beautiful and flat area of coastline in Richmond that’s perfect for walking, cycling and jogging along.
West End – the very urban and highly populated area of downtown Vancouver between Burrard Street and both English Bay and Stanley Park.
West End Car Free Day – a street party along Denman Street in mid-June and also known as Denman Street Car Free Day.
West End Farmers Market – a Saturday market on Comox Street in Vancouver’s West End.
Western GOLFEXPO – a golf trade show at the Tradex Centre in Abbotsford in late winter.
Western Gold Theatre – a theatre company where all the performers are established senior theatre actors ages 55 plus.
Westin Bayshore Hotel – a prominent hotel near Stanley Park in Coal Harbour.
West Coast Christmas Show – a winter holiday-themed trade show and artisan market in Abbotsford in late fall.
West of Main Art Walk – a series of events showcasing the art of Vancouver-based artists in the spring.
Westward Music Festival – a music festival featuring multiple genres of music in Vancouver in the fall.
Westwood Plateau Golf and Country Club – a popular golf course in Coquitlam.
West Vancouver – one of the region’s most expensive communities nestled between the ocean and the forests of the North Shore mountains.
West Vancouver Aquatic Centre – one of the best indoor aquatic centres in Metro Vancouver.
West Vancouver Community Day – a community festival at Ambleside Park in early June each year.
Water Street – the beautiful historic shopping street that goes through the heart of Gastown.
Whistler-Blackcomb – Canada’s best and most famous world-class ski resort.
Whistler Children’s Festival – a festival for kids in July.
Whistler Farmers Market – a large market at the base of Blackcomb Mountain on Sundays from June until early October and on Wednesdays in July and August.
Whistler Pride and Ski Festival – an LGBTQ-themed event at Whistler Blackcomb in January.
Whistler Village – the world-famous ski resort town.
White Pine Beach – a popular sandy beach at Sasamat Lake in Belcarra Regional Park.
White Rock – one of the region’s most popular seaside resort towns.
White Rock Farmers Market – a weekly market featuring local produce on Sunday mornings in White Rock from May until mid-December.
White Rock Festival of Lights – a Christmas attraction featuring holiday lights and illuminations in White Rock.
White Rock Sea Festival – a popular summer event every BC Day Long Weekend in White Rock.
Whonnock Lake – a small park and lake in Maple Ridge.
Whyte Lake – a lake and park with hiking trails in West Vancouver.
Whytecliff Park – a beautiful ocean-side park in West Vancouver near Horseshoe Bay.
WildPlay Elements Park – a ropes course adventure centre in Maple Ridge.
Winter Farmers Market – on Saturdays from November until April at Nat Bailey Stadium.
Winter Solstice Lantern Festival – shortest day of the year with celebrations at Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Garden, the Roundhouse and Granville Island.
World Ski and Snowboard Festival – a multi-day festival at Whistler in April.
Wreck Beach – Vancouver’s world-famous clothing-optional beach in Pacific Spirit Regional Park near UBC.