Vancouver, Canada
Week 1: Discover the City & Holiday Spirit (Dec 1–7)
Day 1 – Dec 1 (Arrival + Settle In)
Check into your hotel/Airbnb (recommend: Downtown, West End, or Kitsilano)
Light walk around the neighborhood
Dinner at Miku (sushi, Coal Harbour)
Day 2 – Dec 2 (Downtown + Canada Place)
Visit FlyOver Canada (with holiday-themed ride)
Walk along Canada Place + Vancouver Convention Centre
Explore Gastown – Steam Clock, local shops
Coffee at Revolver Coffee
Dinner at L’Abattoir (modern Canadian)
Day 3 – Dec 3 (Stanley Park + Vancouver Aquarium)
Walk or bike around Stanley Park Seawall (rent from Spokes)
Visit Vancouver Aquarium
Check out Bright Nights Christmas Train (evening event in Stanley Park)
Day 4 – Dec 4 (Granville Island)
Explore Granville Island Public Market
Artisan shops & local art studios
Lunch at The Sandbar
Optional: False Creek ferry ride
Evening: Local theatre or comedy show (Granville Island Stage)
Day 5 – Dec 5 (Museum & Rainy Day Options)
Visit Museum of Anthropology (UBC) – Indigenous art & culture
Optional: Beaty Biodiversity Museum
Explore UBC Botanical Garden – TreeWalk
Dinner in Kitsilano (try AnnaLena or Nuba)
Day 6 – Dec 6 (Capilano Suspension Bridge Park – Canyon Lights)
Explore Capilano Suspension Bridge (holiday lights in the evening)
Stop by Cleveland Dam or Capilano Salmon Hatchery
Hot chocolate & fire pits on site
Light dinner afterwards nearby in North Vancouver
Day 7 – Dec 7 (Chinatown & Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Garden)
Morning at Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden
Lunch at Bao Bei or Virtuous Pie
Explore shops and cultural history of Vancouver’s Chinatown
Evening: Relax at hotel or check out Christmas Market (Jack Poole Plaza)
Week 2: Mountains, Nature & Winter Fun (Dec 8–14)
Day 8 – Dec 8 (Day Trip: Whistler)
Early morning drive/bus/train to Whistler (2 hours)
Explore Whistler Village, ride Peak 2 Peak Gondola
Optional: Snowshoeing or light winter hiking
Return to Vancouver at night (or overnight in Whistler)
Day 9 – Dec 9 (Rest + Spa Day)
Brunch at Jam Café
Spa: Willow Stream Spa (Fairmont Pacific Rim) or Miraj Hammam
Afternoon: Bookstore browsing (e.g., MacLeod’s Books)
Casual dinner at MeeT in Gastown
Day 10 – Dec 10 (Grouse Mountain – Peak of Christmas)
Ride Skyride Gondola up Grouse Mountain
Enjoy Peak of Christmas events (ice skating, reindeer, lights)
Optional snow activities (snowshoe, light skiing)
Warm up with mulled wine and mountain views
Day 11 – Dec 11 (Local Neighborhoods)
Explore Main Street (vintage shops, record stores, indie cafés)
Lunch at The Acorn (vegetarian)
Visit Queen Elizabeth Park + Bloedel Conservatory
Dinner at Savio Volpe
Day 12 – Dec 12 (Lynn Canyon + North Shore)
Visit Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge (free)
Easy hike in the forest (Twin Falls loop)
Coffee at End of the Line General Store
Optional stop at Park Royal Mall for shopping
Day 13 – Dec 13 (Holiday Shopping + Lights)
Spend time at Pacific Centre, Robson Street, or Metrotown
Visit VanDusen Gardens – Festival of Lights (evening)
Hot drinks & walk among beautifully lit gardens
Day 14 – Dec 14 (Science World + Night Market)
Explore Science World (interactive fun)
Dinner at The Flying Pig (Yaletown)
Visit Shipyards Night Market (holiday edition in North Van, if running)
Week 3: Deeper Dives + Flex Time (Dec 15–22)
Day 15 – Dec 15 (Deep Cove + Snowy Trails)
Visit Deep Cove – try a snow hike (weather permitting) like Quarry Rock
Warm up with Honey’s Doughnuts
Dinner back in town at Ask for Luigi
Day 16 – Dec 16 (Art & Culture)
Vancouver Art Gallery
Explore Robson Square Ice Rink (free skating!)
Coffee at Thierry (hot chocolate + pastry)
Evening: Ballet or theatre show (The Nutcracker at Queen Elizabeth Theatre?)
Day 17 – Dec 17 (Yaletown + Seawall)
Walk or bike from Yaletown to Olympic Village
Brunch at Provence Marinaside
Browse local craft markets (many weekend pop-ups mid-Dec)
Sunset at English Bay
Day 18 – Dec 18 (Richmond Day Trip)
Visit Richmond Night Market (holiday edition if running)
Explore Asian food scene – dumplings, noodles, seafood
Optional: Visit International Buddhist Temple
Day 19 – Dec 19 (Snowy Fun or Flex Day)
Optional: Second day trip to Whistler or snow activity at Cypress Mountain
OR: Chill day exploring local coffee shops + bakeries
Day 20 – Dec 20 (Catch-Up / Wishlist Day)
Revisit places you loved
Buy souvenirs, gifts
Optional: Vancouver Lookout Tower
Day 21 – Dec 21 (Farewell Dinner)
Pack + reflect
Sunset dinner with view – Seasons in the Park or Top of Vancouver Revolving Restaurant
Day 22 – Dec 22 (Departure)
Final breakfast at Nelson the Seagull
Head to airport (~30–45 mins from downtown)
Extras / Tips
Transit: Get a Compass Card – easy access to SkyTrain, buses, and SeaBus.
Weather: Expect rain; bring waterproof boots, jacket, layers, gloves.
Events: Book tickets early for Capilano Canyon Lights, Nutcracker, etc.
Skiing: Grouse, Cypress, or Whistler are great for all skill levels.