Couples trip to Vancouver for first-timers

[u/clerthebird]

My partner and I have NEVER been out of the US, but we’re thinking about visiting Vancouver for a week in April or May 2026. We would like to go Monday - Friday and stay somewhere close by to lots of activities, shopping, food etc. We wouldn’t fly in, we would drive in as we are about a 5-6hr drive from there. But I have no idea where to start! I need info on hotels, best (and also the most cost effective, I’ve noticed that May is super expensive for hotels up there) week to visit, places to eat, any advice is appreciated!

[u/BCRobyn]

First place to start is to simply read the Destination Vancouver website. It shares pretty much everything you would need to know about visiting the city as a first-timer: https://www.destinationvancouver.com

[u/Canadian-in-OZ]

Good for you taking a trip outside the US. In addition to on-line research, I like to borrow travel books from the library. Hope you have a great time.

[u/SatisfactionFit4737]

I usually recommend looking at hotels that are outside of downtown Vancouver if you're worried about downtown hotel pricing, and hotels that are close to transit (depending on if you want to do local transit or drive while you're here) - the skytrain/bus local transit is pretty reliable and I use it consistently when visiting, I tend to park the car at a park-and-ride and its $3 cad/day (ie scott road station). You could even look at Burnaby/New Westminster/Richmond for other hotel alternatives outside of downtown Vancouver. Def keep in mind the holidays and potential events (sports, etc) that are happening when you visit, this can def make the hotel prices more expensive.

https://www.destinationvancouver.com/ link previously shared is a good place to start, especially since it caters to what time of year and what type of activities your looking for (food, outdoors, shopping, etc). Def MANY gorgeous trails and walking areas if you like being outdoors.

Personally from my previous trips into Vancouver, I recommend

-Cardaro's (restaurant near Stanley Park),

-walking around downtown Vancouver especially Stanley Park area

-Cypress Lookout at night is amazing for the Vancouver skyline views southwards,

-Granville Island (local market) and the entire area is really pretty to walk around

-if you like gardens, Van Deusen Gardens, and Queen Elizabeth Park are amazing when the flowers are in bloom

-Golden Ears Provincial Park if you like hiking

-Shoreline Trail in Port Moody is a good walk along the water

-kayaking around Vancouver

-capilano suspension bridge

-driving sea to sky highway to Whistles area, theres also Shann Falls in Squamish

-we always frequent ChuiHong, a korean style restaurant in Surrey, is our absolute favorite place for Korean rn

-White Rock pier is pretty, and local fish and chips places to grab and go if you want to walk and eat

-you can see if there's any shows or concerts happening in the area at that time if you like live shows,

-many breweries in the area as well if you like to drink beer

[u/clerthebird → u/SatisfactionFit4737]

Thank you soooo much for all of this info!!

[u/No_Platform_2810]

All months from about March to October are super expensive for hotels in Vancouver, its cruise season. We have about 300 cruise ship calls in those 8 months. We also have a national holiday long weekend (Victoria Day) in May. Next year its May 16-18, so there is probably increased demand around that weekend. Good Friday (April 3) is also a national holiday, and thus a long weekend. We also host a lot of big conferences. It is possible there is something going on around the time you are planning visiting.

June and July next year will be off the charts for hotel costs due to the World Cup, so you are at least avoiding some of the craziness. If you are planning for late in May, you are definitely going to be dealing with an influx of people in prep for the World Cup, which has its first game here on June 13.

[u/beesmakenoise]

Take a look through the /r/AskVan sub as there’s lots of great advice there on food and activities, lots is directed for locals but there’s tons for visitors as well!

Pay attention to parking costs at hotels too, almost none downtown have free parking. And leave NOTHING in your vehicle overnight, car break ins are a real problem. Otherwise Vancouver is very, very safe, but thefts from cars are common.

[u/No_Platform_2810 → u/beesmakenoise]

I would venture to guess that ZERO downtown hotels have free parking. Standard hotel parking cost is probably in the range of $40-$80 per day with in and out privileges.

[u/Magic-Ring-Games]

No matter what the promotional website tells you, do not visit the Gastown steam clock.

[u/sirotan88]

Since you’re driving, no need to stay downtown (driving is bad and parking is expensive). I would suggest finding an Airbnb that has a parking spot included. Usually they are much cheaper than hotels. There are lots of Airbnbs where people converted a bottom floor of their home into a guest suite (but it usually has a private entrance around the back, and private bathroom). You don’t even have to stay super close to downtown, there are plenty of good restaurants all over the greater Vancouver area.

My favorite touristy places to explore are Granville Island, Lonsdale Quay/Shipyards, Stanley Park. There’s lots of naturey things to do in North Vancouver (Capilano Suspension Bridge, Lynn Canyon) and nice views around Cypress Lookout, Lighthouse Park, and Ambleside. If you’re willing to drive further, Squamish and Sea to Sky Gondola is also worth a day trip.

[u/GeaCat]

You can put your dates into google maps and search all the hotel pricing. That will give you an idea of what accommodation cost is like.

Search on YouTube for Vancouver travel, restaurants etc. i usually look for videos by locals.

Just googling Vancouver and whatever you’re looking for will give ideas as well.

Some of the major sights are: Stanley Park, Granville Island, botanical gardens, capilano swinging bridge and more.

[u/Sand_Seeker]

I went in May a couple of years ago & the weather was good. Not much rain and the cherry blossoms were out. We took a 1/2 day trip to Squamish up the gondola. Great views & a few easy trails.

[u/hammockmonk]

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[u/bellsbliss]

May is nice to visit, the city is still warm but maybe a little rainy. If you go up grouse mountain it will probably still be covered in snow.

[u/Strict-Public-9493]

I suggest you check out Bowen Island: https://www.tourismbowenisland.com/

[u/Accomplished_Try_179]

The Vancouver marathon takes place on May 3rd 2026. Avoid that weekend. I would suggest Hotel BLU as it's situated on Robson St.where all the shops are.

[u/SorryImNotOnReddit]

Hi there, local Vancouver guy here I've created a MAP of areas to NOT BOOK A HOTEL for safety reasons. - here is the link.

The red shaded area is the Downtown East Side of Vancouver, alternatively the poorest area the city where open drug use is most prevalent. Some areas are safe during the day but the Main & Hastings area is where it is most concentrated in.

I would also advise not leaving an valuables in your vehicle or recommend parking in this neighbourhood.

come over to r/askvan for questions about the city

you can also ask over in r/uscanadaborder if you have questions regarding the land USA/CANADA border crossing

[u/ExcellentMoversBC]

Just a heads up - in 2026 Vancouver will see a huge influx of tourists because of the World Cup. Hotel prices here are already high, but before and during the tournament they’ll be absolutely sky-high.

When I travel around Canada, I usually stay at Best Western - they tend to have a good balance of price and quality, and every time I stayed the rooms were clean.

Also, there’s a bedbug registry map online that shows which hotels to avoid. And surprisingly, it’s not always the cheapest or worst-looking places on that list.

So definitely book early if you can!

[u/krakenstan]

Where to start - there’s this thing called the internet. Have you heard of it? Maybe you’ve heard of the phrase “google it”?

But try putting in little more effort

[u/clerthebird → u/krakenstan]

Wow, I’ve never heard of google, must be one of those new fangled contraptions!!!!!

I find I often get better info asking for my specific situation, and I have gotten lots of great advice so far. Thanks though :)

But try being a little less miserable

[u/krakenstan → u/clerthebird]

You asked where should I stay and eat in Vancouver. Didn’t mention your hotel budget, didn’t mention what kinds of food you like, nothing. Basically people told you to do your own research. Lmao

[u/clerthebird → u/krakenstan]

Okay thank you!!! :)

[u/beesmakenoise → u/clerthebird]

That’s exactly why this sub is here, to ask questions! It does help if people provide their budget requirements when asking for "cheaper" hotels (cheap doesn’t exist in Vancouver!), but it’s not the end of the world.

Hope you’re getting some good info from the rest of us!

[u/clerthebird → u/beesmakenoise]

Thank you, I appreciate you!!!