48 Hours in Vancouver, British Columbia

By Allison Fitts & Lillian Robinson

Escape Camper Vans has a camper van rental location in Vancouver, British Columbia and it should definitely be first on your list for the next place you travel to. We had the pleasure of visiting this beautiful city in May of last year as a part of our ten day Pacific Northwest mega-road trip. We only had a weekend in town, but even if you have more time than we did, here is how you can best spend 48 hours in Vancouver!

What to do in Vancouver, British Columbia with 48 hours: Day 1

8:00 am – Spend your morning biking around the Stanley Park Seawall

It’s an absolutely gorgeous way to spend an hour or two. Stanley Park is right on the water and there are great views of the ocean, the mountains, and the skyline. As for getting your bike, there are plenty of great bike rental companies nearby. We used Spokes Bicycles, which is right at the entrance to the park.

10:00 am – Road trip up to Whistler, BC

Although it’s an hour and a half outside of Vancouver, this little mountain town is a great place to see some amazing views of the mountains. There are plenty of hikes, places to shop at in the village and restaurants to try. You can also see the Olympic flame still burning from when the winter games were hosted in the region in 2010!

7:00 pm – Grab a great dinner in the Gastown Neighborhood back in Vancouver

For a cheaper (but delicious!) dinner, hit up Gringo in Blood Alley for fantastic tacos. If you’re feeling a little fancier and more adventurous, try out PiDGiN for some downright dangerous Asian fusion.

8:00 pm – Have a nightcap at Brassneck Brewery

The up and coming Mt. Pleasant area is chock full of interesting breweries, but the star of them all is Brassneck. Their industrial but cozy atmosphere is conducive to great conversations and meeting new people.

10:00 pm – Call it a night

Whether you are just beginning your trip with Vancouver as your jumping off point, or are staying close to the area, we have to recommend Capilano River RV Park. It’s conveniently located, affordable, safe, and their hot tub game is legit. (RIP to our swimsuits we left out on the picnic table to dry and forgot about when we left town.)

What to do in Vancouver, British Columbia with 48 hours: Day 2

8:00 am – Kick off your day with a hike at the Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge

This one we go back and forth on. There’s another suspension bridge in the area – Capilano. It’s pricey, coming in at $42 for an adult ticket, whereas Lynn Canyon was free. We did the latter and Allison liked it but, Lillian thought it was too crowded and might spring for the ticket to Capilano next time. If you’re into waterfalls and nature, either of these is a great fit and quintessential Vancouver.

10:00 am – Venture over to the Granville Island Public Market

Hop on the ferry and soak in the sights, smells, and sounds of this historic spot. Grab a coffee and a bite to eat, walk along the ocean, and perhaps spot a whale or two (if you’re lucky)!

12:00 pm – Spend the day exploring Vancouver’s many eclectic neighborhoods

There are so many intriguing neighborhoods in Vancouver. Don’t miss out on the classics like Gastown, Yaletown, West End and Mt. Pleasant. Each area has its own hidden gems just waiting to be discovered!

5:00 pm – Dinner at Ask for Luigi

For incredible pasta, you have to check this spot out. Make sure to arrive an hour before it opens, because a line is sure to form and seating is extremely limited each night. The food and atmosphere, however, make it so worth the wait.

8:00 pm – Watch the sunset at English Bay Beach on West End

Try to snag one of the amazing hammocks, or bring a blanket to camp out on the logs! Bring a couple of drinks and kick back at one of the most comfortable beaches around. It’s a perfect end to a perfect couple days in one of the world’s most beautiful cities.