Rainy day Vancouver activities

Travel
July 29, 2022
person holding instant camera photo

So, you’ve arrived in Vancouver and it’s raining. Don’t panic, this is normal. You’re in the Pacific North West. Here’s 10 things to do around Raincouver…

1. Vancouver Aquarium

vanaqua.org
The Vancouver Aquarium is Canada’s largest aquarium with more than 50,000 species! Along with tons of interesting entertaining exhibits and shows, there’s no better way to spend a rainy day than hangin’ out with sea creatures. Keep an eye out for their adult only nights too. No children and all the cocktails!
CAMBIE TIP: hit up the hostel lobby for your 10% off admission coupon!

Jellyfish swimming at Vancouver Aquarium

2. FlyOver Canada

flyovercanada.com
Say au revoir to the rainclouds and take a short trip from East to West with FlyOverCanada. This is not just a short film, it’s a unique, immersive 3D experience that you’ll never forget!
CAMBIE TIP:book online to save 15% off ticket prices!

Flag of Canada

3. Galleries

vanartgallery.bc.ca  |  contemporaryartgallery.ca   |  hotartwetcity.com  |  burrardarts.org  |  front.bc.ca
Check out Vancouver’s vibrant art scene! There are so many galleries here, click the links above for some of our faves! If the rain clears for a bit, take a walk down Main Street and see all the super cool street art too.
CAMBIE TIP: go to the VAG on a Tuesday from 5-9pm to save on ticket fees, it’s entry by donation!

Woman pondering a painting in an art exhibition

4. Museums

museumofvancouver.ca  |  vancouverpolicemuseum.ca  |  bcsportshalloffame.com  |  moa.ubc.ca | scienceworld.ca

Surround yourself with history, arts, culture, highlights, happenings and memorable moments in Vancouver’s history or just some really cool science stuff!
CAMBIE TIP:Watch a movie at Science World, their larger than life screen is five storeys high and 27 metres wide making for an awesome immersive experience!

Vancouver Science Center

5. Theatres

riotheatre.ca | artsclub.com | vancouvercivictheatres.com | viff.org
Vancouver’s theatre scene is thriving – with over 20 venues, you can see something different every night.
CAMBIE TIP: hit up The Rio for one of their themed burlesque nights!

Vancouver Theatre Scene

6. Markets

eastsideflea | granvilleislandpublicmarket | northvancouvermarket | farmersmarkets
Flea markets, farmers markets, holiday markets, arts & crafts markets… depending on what time of year it is, there’s always a local market happening!
CAMBIE TIP: if you’re heading to Granville Island Public Market, get a Lee’s donut… they’re sooooo good.

Flea market with fruits and vegetables

7. Coffee Shops & Cafes

catfe | newamsterdam | matchstickyvr | treescoffee | kranky | revolvercoffee
Vancouver is a hive of hip coffee shops and cute cafes. There are too many to list! We tried to put our top 5 very different but very cool places to go in the links above… hopefully there’s something out there for everyone, check ’em out whether you’re a casual caffeine consumer or serious about your beans!
CAMBIE TIP: If you’re planning on visiting the catfe, reservations are recommended, these cool cats are very popular!

Neon capuccino sign

8. Ice Skating

robsonsquarerink | vancouvercommunityrinks | richmondolympicoval |

Okay if it’s raining that means it must be fall/winter (I sincerely apologize if you’re reading this Mid-August… you poor thing. Vancouver, behave!) so the perfect rainy day activity for you and a bunch of new hostel buddies is for sure to lace up some skates and hit the rink.

CAMBIE TIP: double up your Canadian points, after some skating at the Olympic Oval, try your hand at curling!

Ice skates

Our last piece of advice is to just get your rain boots on, grab an umbrella and get back out there! Don’t let some rain ruin your plans to explore the great outdoors. Vancouver is beautiful rain or shine!

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