Vancouver’s fascinating past and present come together in this engaging tour that traverses through urban cityscapes, seaside parks, and ancient rainforests. Begin with the highlights of downtown, including Canada Place, home of the 2010 Olympic Cauldron.  Wind through impressive modern and historic architecture, past the Arts and Financial Districts and the fashion mecca of Robson Street. Enter the 1,000-acre urban rainforest, Stanley Park, for a unique perspective of the city from a quiet forest setting. Continue across the Lions Gate Bridge to Vancouver’s scenic North Shore and the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park. Don’t miss the impressive collection of First Nations artwork and the historic Story Centre.  From the spectacular Cliffwalk, gaze out over towering cedars and the Capilano River winding through the valley far below. Take an exhilarating walk across the Capilano Suspension Bridge to the other side, where many unique and informative experiences await, including the TreeTops Adventure.  Do not miss the amazing Cliffwalk above the canyon. Return to downtown Vancouver via Stanley Park and English Bay, and get ready to engage all of your senses as you step out into Granville Island Market. This market is an artisan haven for all things local and handmade, including delicious food, coffee, tea, eclectic artwork, and West Coast music.  Carry on through bustling Chinatown, a tribute to the Far East. Continue to historic Gastown, the heart of Vancouver, where it all began.

This tour of culturally rich Vancouver begins with an introduction to key downtown sights including Canada Place, the Olympic Cauldron, and Robson Street. Wind through historic and modern architectural wonders en route to Stanley Park, a 1,000-acre natural oasis that's surrounded by the Pacific Ocean. View historic First Nations Totem Poles and gaze upon ever-changing rainforest and shoreline scenery as the tour makes its way through the park. Continue to the enchanting sights of English Bay, followed by the eclectic Granville Island Market. This artisan’s market embodies the ideal of smaller is better, with all food, art, and music locally produced, as a labor of love. Further exploration takes you to bustling Chinatown and historically significant Gastown. Top off this adventure with a quick elevator ride to the soaring height of 553 feet above the city streets at the Vancouver Lookout. Enjoy views of the ocean framed by the lush Coastal Mountains that surround the city lights and shoreline far below. This tour is a great introduction to the scenic and historic highlights of beautiful Vancouver.

After hotel pickup, we will start driving in Vancouver city center and discover contemporary and historic building architecture. You will learn about Canada Place, which is home to one of the greenest convention centers in the world, the and the Olympic Cauldron - a massive torch built for the 2010 Olympic games. Next attraction Stanley Park, one of the most visited places in British Columbia. Marvel at First National totem poles in Brockton Point and learn about the native people who once inhabited the area. Cross the historic Lions Gate Bridge built in 1938, before stopping at Lynn Canyon Park and Suspension Bridge. Pass by Capilano Lake and Cleveland Dam, Vancouver's resource for drinking water. Here, you'll have the option to visit Capilano Suspension Bridge (admission required). Along the way, you also stop at Cypress Mountain Outlook and Horseshoe Bay Village, a beautiful marina with a ferry terminal to the gulf islands. Afterwards, drive back for the second half of Stanley Park to Prospect Point, a lookout at the North Shore from the highest elevation in the park. We’ll also stop at Hollow Tree, a 700 year old western red cedar with a 110 years of photographed memories. Enjoy promenading Public Market in Granville Island, where you will explore the local artist boutiques, gourmet delicatessen, street artists, boats, and seagulls. Enjoy a stunning view of Yale Town across the Burrard Inlet. Continue your tour to Chinatown and Olympic Village to see where the athletes stayed for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. Before returning to Canada Place or your hotel, you'll have the opportunity to walk through Gastown, down the historic Water Street and through the mix of fancy coffee shops, restaurants, gift stores, and boutiques. Return to downtown Vancouver and drive by the Vancouver Square Library, Marine Building, Dominion Tower, BC Place, Sun Tower, Art Gallery, Fairmont Vancouver and other major historic and contemporary buildings as you discuss them with your guide.