I have been to Vancouver countless times in the last two decades, and it’s one city that I can’t get enough of. There is a simple joy in walking around or going for a run, and enjoying the laidback lifestyle.
With a vibrant gourmet food culture thanks to its multicultural population, it’s a city that should be on your travel list. Since the Canadian city is my husband’s hometown, I visit it at least once a year, and the endless scenic nature trails and amazing food ensure that I always come back to India after a mental detox, ready to immerse myself in my design work.
The city has the rare combination of ocean and mountain, which means there are endless views to keep any visitor enthralled. Here are some of the fun things to do in Vancouver.
Shop
If there’s one trend that’s synonymous with the seaport, it would be athleisure. Vancouver has a very laidback fashion style given that everyone is so focused on the outdoors and wellbeing. However, the residents take their athletic pursuits seriously.
After all, it is home to the mother of all athleisure brands — LuluLemon. My picks would be a world class high-performance outerwear company called Arcteryx, which has arguably the best trekking gear in the world, as well as Kit and Ace and Wings+Horn.
Of course, since I am a trekker, I make my annual pilgrimage to Mountain Equipment Co-op to get all of my gear. But it’s not all just athletic wear. The city has pockets of interesting shopping. You can find the usual established retailers on Robson Street, while Main Street and Gastown have lots of indie designers. There’s also a Chinese brand, JNBY, that we only find in Vancouver, besides NYC which has amazing fabrics. Department stores are another personal favourite of mine, and the city has some great ones. Nordstrom has a presence here and is great for shoes. My favourite pairs from Valentino and Fendi were bought here. Holt Renfrew is another luxury brand retailer where I always head — it’s my go-to place for bags and shoes. Local designers that I like to frequent are Oak + Fort, who have married basic fabrics into shapes that have a clear Japanese influence.
Aritzia is a boutique that has taken over Vancouver lately with their denims and designs sourced from across the world. If shoes are your weakness then local designer John Fluevog makes some quirky indie-style footwear that are low on heels, but high on personality. And for its London-like weather, where you never know when it will start drizzling, rubber slip-ons from Native Shoes are a must-have.
Eat
Vancouver is a world class city in terms of food. I’ve lived in New York before, but I think the quality of produce here, is even better. I like to eat Japanese food as much as I can when I am here, so if you are a seafood fan, you should eat as much wild Sockeye salmon or Sablefish as you can get your hands on. Chambar is a Belgian restaurant that does a brilliant brunch — artery clogging, but worth it — and Linh Cafe is a cosy French-Vietnamese place that makes the best shrimp drowned in chilli oil.
I’d also recommend Nook and Hapa Izakaya for some modern Japanese. The food here is of such great quality that I always take back a suitcase-full of my favourite ingredients to last till my next trip. I love my health food so I always take back moringa powder, organic chia and flax seeds, hemp hearts and vegan protein powder - but that doesn’t mean I don’t indulge myself a little! Next to this there’s always different kinds of cheese, smoked salmon and cans of tuna, a kind of sriracha and other sauces I end up using as marinade, and even tempura batter.
Run
If anyone asks me what the ultimate Vancouver experience is, I’d ask them to go for a run! The gorgeous views along the many running trails are abonus. My idea of unwinding in Vancouver is going for a 20km run, or going for a walk on Spanish Banks, the beachside near the University of British Columbia. Or if you are a bit fanatical about being close to nature and also challenging yourself, you can try the ‘Grouse Grind’, a 2.9-kilometre trail up the face of Grouse Mountain, commonly referred to as “Mother Nature’s Stairmaster.” A typical weekend plan for any local would involve an outdoor activity, like a cycling tour around Stanley Park, a gorgeous forested land surrounded by the waters of the English bay. My daughter, too, loves the city because it is so clean, and she has access to many parks.
It’s not surprising that Vancouver is home to some of the most expensive real estate properties in Canada — where else can you find this unique convergence of mountains and sea, teamed with great food and lovely weather. But the best part is that there’s always something left to try. On our bucket list for the next trip? Trying one of those luxury cruises headed to Alaska.
As told to Elizabeth Mathew
