Things to do in British Columbia
Sort
Granville Island Market food tour: 20+ tastings with local guideA 2-hour food tour of Granville Island Market in Vancouver pairs you with a local guide for exclusive tastings at 10+ artisan vendors — sausage makers, pickle specialists, cheese shops, coffee roasters and Thai restaurants — that you cannot access on your own. The tour moves through the market's Public Market and surrounding stalls, stopping for a progressive meal of 20+ signature bites. Small groups keep the pace intimate, and vegetarian and pescatarian options are available with advance notice.Is it for me?Two hours leaves room for a meal elsewhere or another neighborhood before or after, but not for a full second activity — book this if you want a deep dive into one market rather than a sampler across the city. The small-group format and exclusive vendor access mean you taste things solo visitors cannot get, which matters if you came to Vancouver specifically for food.
Stanley Park Horse Drawn Tour: Totem Poles & Rose GardenA 1-hour horse-drawn carriage tour through Stanley Park in Vancouver, narrated by a live guide in English. The route passes the famous First Nations totem poles, the Girl in a Wetsuit statue, and the Stanley Park Rose Garden across the park's 405 hectares. Tours run first-come, first-served; check in at the ticket booth to board the next available carriage. A professional guide is included; all taxes and fees are covered in the price.Is it for me?Small groups and families travel together on the same carriage, so this tour suits anyone who wants to move through the park without driving or walking the full distance themselves. The first-come, first-served format works best if you have flexibility on departure time and can arrive early during peak season to secure an afternoon spot.
Grouse Mountain Admission: Gondola, Grizzly Bears & Peak ViewsYou ride the gondola up 7 minutes, spend the day at the peak with views of the city and water, and choose your activities based on season: grizzly bears and the Lumberjack Show in summer, or the Light Walk and skating in winter. Everything is included except rentals and add-on activities like the Gravity Coaster. The round-trip ride back down is built in, and a free shuttle from Canada Place saves you the drive if you're staying downtown.Is it for me?Right for anyone within 15 minutes of downtown Vancouver who wants a full day above the city without arranging transport or figuring out what's open — the ticket covers the ride, the peak access and most activities, and the free shuttle from Canada Place means you don't even need a car.
Vancouver Harbour Cruise: Lions Gate Bridge & Stanley ParkA 90-minute harbour cruise in Vancouver with a live English-language guide takes you through False Creek, past Granville Island and Stanley Park, under the Lions Gate Bridge, and along English Bay—maximum 36 passengers per boat so the pace stays relaxed and the views stay unobstructed. Narration, taxes and an onboard restroom are included; drinks and snacks are available for purchase.Is it for me?Book this tour if you want to see Vancouver's major waterfront landmarks—the skyline, Stanley Park, the Lions Gate Bridge, Granville Island—without renting a car or building an itinerary yourself; the fixed route and live guide mean the whole afternoon is arranged and you spend it on the water instead of planning.
Victoria: Whale Watching Tour on Covered Boat with Marine BiologistYou’ll step onto a comfortable covered boat in Victoria for three hours of whale watching guided by marine biologists, with indoor warmth or outdoor decks to choose from. Spot orcas and humpbacks in Juan de Fuca Strait while sipping hot drinks and listening to stories from locals onboard. That hush when you see your first fin will stay with you long after you’re back on land.
Victoria Whale Watch Tour: Salish Sea orcas & marine wildlifeA whale watching cruise departing from downtown Victoria's inner harbour aboard the 61-foot Marauder IV, with expert marine naturalists narrating wildlife sightings and natural history throughout the Salish Sea. The boat's side decks run the full length, offering unobstructed viewing and photo opportunities; a heated cabin with large windows keeps you warm if the weather turns. Complimentary coffee, tea and hot chocolate are included.Is it for me?Book this tour if you want to watch for orcas and marine wildlife without arranging your own boat or navigation — the naturalists handle the spotting and the storytelling, the side decks give you room to move and frame shots, and the heated cabin means you stay comfortable no matter the weather.
Kelowna: Walking Food Tour with 7 Tastings & 4 DrinksYou walk through Kelowna's downtown Cultural District for three hours, stopping at seven local food businesses and four drink spots—all included. You'll taste gelato lakeside, pizza from a wood-fired oven, fresh margaritas, and bread from an organic bakery, plus visit hidden gardens and a rooftop patio with views of the whole valley. The guide is Andrew, who grew up here and started the tour five years ago, so the stories and stops are personal, not generic.Is it for me?Book this if you want to eat your way through Kelowna's best local spots without researching restaurants or arranging transport—the fixed three-hour route and included tastings at each stop mean you show up hungry and leave full, with stories from the people who actually built the food scene here.
Vancouver to Victoria & Butchart Gardens: Ferry & Skip-the-LineYou travel from Vancouver to Victoria by coach and ferry with a local guide providing live commentary the entire way. The tour includes skip-the-line entry to Butchart Gardens, an optional walking tour through Victoria's historic downtown and Chinatown, and two hours to explore the gardens at your own pace. Round-trip BC Ferries tickets, water, and a souvenir postcard are included; the whole day runs from early morning departure to evening return to your hotel.Is it for me?This works well if you want the main Victoria and Butchart highlights in one full day without arranging your own ferry tickets, garden entry, or timing—the fixed itinerary and included guide handle all three, leaving you to focus on the experience instead of logistics.
Vancouver Seal Colony Boat Tour: Lions Gate Bridge & False CreekA 90-minute scenic boat tour from Granville Island travels through False Creek and English Bay, passing Stanley Park, the Lions Gate Bridge, Lighthouse Park and a local seal colony where about 400 seals live. A live guide in English narrates the route; lifejacket and warming suit are included. Minimum group size is four guests (multiple parties can combine), and children are welcome from age 6.Is it for me?Book this tour for a morning or afternoon when you want to see Vancouver's waterfront landmarks and wildlife without arranging your own boat—the guide handles the narration and the timing, and the warming suit means you stay comfortable on the water regardless of the season.
Whistler Sightseeing Tour: Lakes, Olympic Sites & BreweriesYou ride through Whistler's entire valley in an air-conditioned vehicle, stopping at Green Lake, the Olympic Sliding Centre, Function Junction's breweries and bakeries, and the Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Center. You can hop off at any stop to explore longer, then rejoin the tour. Bottled water is included, and the route adapts by season. The whole experience gives you the geography of Whistler plus the local spots — breweries, galleries, the original homestead — without arranging transport yourself.Is it for me?This works well if you want to see Whistler's geography and highlights in one loop without renting a car or planning stops yourself — the hop-on hop-off format means you choose which attractions matter to you and how long to spend at each one.
Vancouver: 90-Minute Waterfront Boat Tour & Seal RocksYou board a fast Zodiac with a local guide and cruise Vancouver's outer harbour at speed, passing the Lions Gate Bridge, Stanley Park, and English Bay before slowing down at Seal Rocks to watch harbour seals in their natural habitat. The tour includes a required cruiser suit, all equipment, and a free photo package. Ninety minutes total, and you need to arrive 30 minutes early to sign your waiver and suit up.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see Vancouver's waterfront and wildlife without arranging your own boat or spending hours on a guided coach tour — the 90 minutes and fixed route mean you get the main sights and the seals in one fast, focused morning or afternoon.
Vancouver: Gastown Walking Tour of Prohibition SecretsYou’ll follow a local guide through Gastown’s tangled streets, hear wild Prohibition stories, touch century-old bricks outside legendary bars, and stand where rum runners once made their moves. Expect laughter, odd facts you’ll retell later, and that feeling of being part of Vancouver’s layered past—even if just for an afternoon.
Vancouver: Sunset Whale Watching Tour & Free PhotosYou’ll feel sea air on your face as you search for whales near Vancouver with local guides who know these waters by heart. Watch for orcas and humpbacks while sipping hot chocolate at sunset, and don’t worry about missing a shot—free wildlife photos are included. It’s peaceful but thrilling all at once, especially when everyone falls silent waiting for that next splash.
Whistler Callaghan Valley: Beginner Snowmobile Tour & Goldmine StopYou’ll start your first snowmobile ride in Whistler’s Callaghan Valley with friendly guides who make sure even total beginners feel welcome. Cruise easy trails through snowy forests, stop at the old NorthAir Goldmine site for stories and photos, and share laughs along the way. It’s three hours that’ll stick with you long after your boots dry out.
Victoria: Pedicab Tour from Cruise Terminal with Old Town & ChinatownYou’ll step straight from your cruise ship into a pedicab for an easy-paced tour of Victoria’s character-filled neighborhoods—James Bay’s painted homes, Beacon Hill Park’s peacocks, Emily Carr’s storybook house, Old Town’s lively streets, and Canada’s oldest Chinatown. With local pickup and return included, you’ll soak up real moments—maybe even feed a peacock or taste something new—before heading back to your ship.
Gastown Food Tour Vancouver: 6 Authentic Local TastingsA guided food tour through Gastown, Vancouver's original neighbourhood, stopping at six local spots for authentic tastings that reflect the city's real food scene. Your guide shares the stories behind each kitchen and Gastown's past—the Great Fire of 1886, the rebuilding, the people who made it what it is. Morning tours include a hand-made donut fried fresh daily since 1979; afternoon tours add a chicken taco and artisan chocolate. Every tour includes a Secret Dish revealed only on the day, plus quality drinks at select stops.Is it for me?Book the small group tour if you're comfortable meeting other food lovers on the same route; choose the private upgrade if you want the same stops and tastings with just your own group.
Whistler: Callaghan Valley ATV Tour & Gold Mine TrailsYou’ll get muddy on this intermediate ATV tour in Whistler’s Callaghan Valley—expect bumpy single track trails, old-growth forest air, a peek at NorthAir gold mine history, and plenty of banter with your local guide. It’s three hours roundtrip with gear included—and you’ll probably still feel that wild energy hours later.
Victoria & Butchart Gardens Day Trip from VancouverYou take a round-trip ferry through the Gulf Islands, spend the afternoon exploring Butchart Gardens at your own pace, then walk through Victoria's Chinatown, Inner Harbour, and Beacon Hill Park before ferrying back to Vancouver. Entry, ferries, guide, water and a snack are all included, so you're not stopping to buy tickets or figure out timing. Plan for a full day out—you leave early and return in the evening, which is what makes fitting all five stops into one trip possible.Is it for me?A good fit if you want to see Victoria's main attractions in one day without arranging ferries, park tickets, or driving yourself—the fixed itinerary and included entry are what make fitting five stops into a single trip possible. Plan for a full day out, leaving early and returning in the evening.
Revelstoke Whitewater Rafting: Class II–III Rapids AdventureHalf-day whitewater rafting on the Illecillewaet River near Revelstoke, British Columbia, where you paddle Class II and III rapids for roughly 2 to 2.5 hours while Mt. Revelstoke National Park rises behind you. The trip includes a professional guide, all gear, round-trip transport from the Regent Hotel in downtown Revelstoke, and a photographer on the water. No experience or swimming ability required; children from age 8 are welcome.Is it for me?Book this trip if you want to paddle real whitewater without arranging your own transport or gear—the guides handle the safety briefing and the current, and you show up at the hotel ready to go. The fixed schedule and included photography mean the day holds together and you leave with proof of it.
Vancouver Whale Watching: Orcas & Humpbacks from Granville IslandYou spend 3–5 hours on an open-air boat with a marine naturalist searching for orcas, humpbacks, and other whales in the Strait of Georgia. The vessel is licensed to approach wildlife closer than competitors, and you wear a protective suit so weather doesn't cut the day short. You learn about animal behaviour and marine ecology while the company logs data for conservation research. Pickup is from Granville Island; public transit gets you there easily.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see whales without the guesswork—the accredited vessel and experienced guide remove the uncertainty that comes with other whale watching tours, and the open-air design means you're never blocked from the view.
