Welcome to the end of the weekend, Vancouver! And a very special welcome to the start of June. We’ve got high hopes for the month, and we want to start it off on the right foot. While BC might have a ways to go before it’s reopened, we’ve got a lot to look forward to in the meanwhile.
Here are 10 things to do in Vancouver this week.
Go on a new walking tour
The Vancouver Japanese Language School & Japanese Hall (a mouthful, we know) has started offering walking tours of the historic Powell Street area! Prior to the Great Depression and WWII, over 8000 Japanese people lived there, with over 400 businesses operating. If you want an up-close look at a lesser-known part of the city’s history, look no further!
When: Thursday, June 3rd
Where: 487 Alexander Street
Cost: $10 for GA
Return to our city’s great patios
The first thing we’ve got in mind this month? Heading to any of Vancouver’s amazing local restaurants for a little open-air dining with a friend. Since they’ve all been closed, we say just go wild and pick like 2-3 spots you’ve missed dining at a week! Stay tuned for some of our top options this summer, but in the meanwhile, check out an online map of all the spots that are going to be open.
When: Available throughout the week
Where: Click the link above for more info
Check out a virtual Heritage House Tour
The Vancouver Heritage Foundation is hosting its second virtual heritage house tour this week. The tour will visit 6 historic homes in 5 Vancouver neighbourhoods, showing off everything from Shaughnessy estates to apartments downtown. If you find yourself gawking at Vancouver’s wild range of properties, this is probably up your alley.
When: Thursday, June 3rd
Where: Online
Cost: $30
Play a round of disc golf
Disc golf is one of those perfect blends between a leisurely stroll in the park and a legitimately challenging activity. Whether you’re coming in casually or have a farmer’s bet against your friends, there’s no doubt that disc golf is a great way to get outside. Try Vancouver’s options, then start enjoying what the Lower Mainland has to offer!
When: Open throughout the weekend
Where: Locations around Metro Vancouver
Go be cool in the pool
Not one, but three of Vancouver’s outdoor pools have opened for the summer! If you’re looking to get some laps in, or just relaxing on the deck, Kitsilano, Second Beach, and New Brighton are all good to go. Heads up though- visits will be required to be booked in advance, alongside a few other new policies.
When: Open throughout the weekend
Where: Click the link above for more info
Have a beverage in public
Outdoor pools weren’t the only city amenities to get the go-ahead in May. Vancouver has brought back 3 public plazas for alcohol consumption this summer- one downtown, one in Mount Pleasant and one in the ‘Fraserhood’. Not bad, but we’re still waiting for public drinking in parks to get going.
When: Open starting Monday, May 31st
Where: Locations around Vancouver
Go on a late spring hike
Ready to enjoy our beautiful surroundings? We’ve got an amazing selection of spring and year-round hikes to check out across the Lower Mainland. Before making any serious plans, we recommend checking in with local health authorities to see what they’re saying. Yeah, we know, it’s weird that BC and municipalities are on different wavelengths regarding local travel, but that’s the way the cookie crumbles.
Where: Click the link above for more info
Hike up Grouse Mountain
Honestly, the Grouse Grind is in a league of its own, which is why we omitted it from the spring hikes list. A bucket list activity for any Vancouver, this climb up Grouse Mountain offers a great reward for a difficult challenge. Our advice? Try and go midweek, since getting a download ticket will be easier.
When: Open throughout the week
Where: Grouse Mountain
Cost: $20 (for the download ticket)
Enjoy some local streaming options
If you’re looking to take a break from streaming giants on movie night this weekend, then we’ve got you covered. The Cinematheque and VIFF are usually our go-to’s if we’re looking to watch a movie that is, ahem, a little more cultural than watching the green guy go smash.
When: Streaming throughout June
Where: Online
Cost: Varies
That’s what we’ve got in mind for you this week, Vancouver! We hope that you can have some fun out there.
