Summer is the perfect time to venture outside the Lower Mainland and explore.
Folks who don't want to get away for an overnighter have several options from in and around Vancouver that can be accomplished in one day. These options may include a ferry, but all of them are accessible by public transit, meaning you don't need a car.
Have a look at some top spots to visit from Metro Vancouver during the summer.
Bowen Island
Bowen Island makes an ideal day trip for folks looking to keep their travel time short. Plus, it is great for those without a vehicle, since it is easily accessible by public transit. Solo travellers can enjoy reading a book while they commute.
To get there, take TransLink's #257 bus or #250 bus to Horseshoe Bay Ferry Terminal and then board the ferry to Bowen Island (Snug Cove).
Bowen is very walkable and visitors can enjoy many shops, restaurants, and parks shortly after getting off the ferry.
What else can you do on Bowen Island?
- Kayaking
- Paddleboarding
- Golfing at the Bowen Island Golf Course
- Fishing charters
- Hiking
- Explore the Arts Pacific Gallery
- The Bowen Island Museum and Archives
Whistler
Whistler remains a top spot for locals looking to get out of the city because it takes less than a couple of hours to reach some of the world's best skiing. However, it remains a top destination for Metro Vancouverites during the balmy months.
The picturesque Whistler Village, surrounded by mountains, offers numerous places to shop, dine, and explore before activities. The patio culture pops off during the summer, making it an ideal place to hang out with friends or meet new people in a fun environment.
Whistler is also known for having a small but vibrant nightlife scene.
To get there by car, it takes about an hour and 45 minutes from Downtown Vancouver along the scenic along the Sea to Sky Highway (Highway 99). This iconic drive is touted as one of the world's most breathtaking.
Folks without a ride can take a bus from Vancouver with Skylynx Whistler or Epic Rides, or for a very scenic travel experience, travel via seaplane on a seasonal Harbour Air Vancouver to Whistler flight.
What else can you do in Whistler (in the summer)?
- Visit the world-class Scandinave Spa
- Visit one of several lakes, including Alpha, Nita, Alta, Lost, and Green.
- Hang out or play sports in multiple parks, including the Whistler Olympic Plaza and Florence Petersen Park
- Ride the stunning Peak 2 Peak Gondola for stunning alpine views
- Hiking or mountain biking in the extensive trails
- Zipling
- Golfing
- Whitewater rafting experiences
Squamish
Squamish is a bit closer to the Lower Mainland than Whistler, and acts as an alternative for folks who don't want to make the full journey up the mountain. Plus, it is significantly less touristy, meaning you'll fight fewer crowds.
The drive from Vancouver to Squamish is about an hour taking the Sea to Sky Highway (Highway 99). People without cars can also take the bus to Squamish using services like Wanderlu or YVR Skylynx.
Visitors can visit distilleries and breweries, dine in multiple restaurants, check out food trucks, or shop local retailers.
What else can you do in Squamish?
- Check out Alice Lake Provincial Park
- Explore Garibaldi Provincial Park (extends to Whistler)
- Hike the iconic Stawamus Chief
- Go wildlife viewing in the Squamish Estuary
- Check out Farmer's Markets
- Visit an art gallery
- Visit Britannia Mine Museum
Victoria
Vancouver may be B.C.'s largest city, but it certainly isn't its most regal. The provincial capital houses the stately B.C. Legislature which is a beautiful place to visit on a summer day. Flowers dotted along the manicured gardens are in full bloom during the warmer months, making it a postcard-perfect place to snap selfies and stroll.
The B.C. Legislature offers daily tours of the parliament buildings on weekdays for free through the busy summer months on a first-come, first-served basis. Visitors can also take self-guided tours.
To get to Victoria from Vancouver, you'll sail from the Tsawwassen BC Ferries terminal to Victoria (Swartz Bay). If you aren't driving, you can take the TransLink's #620 bus (Tsawwassen Ferry Express) from Bridgeport Station on the Canada Line and walk on the ferry. The ferry takes about an hour and a half or a bit longer. Once you arrive in Swartz Bay, take the #72 bus to downtown Victoria (it takes about an hour).
To make the most of your day, be sure to take the earliest ferry out to Victoria and the latest one back to the mainland.
One other option is to take Harbour Air, which departs from downtown Vancouver (Coal Harbour) and Richmond (YVR South) with flights daily to and from Victoria's Inner Harbour.
Victoria offers numerous places to dine, shop, and explore, including a bustling nightlife scene. Hungry visitors can enjoy everything from fresh street food to high-end dining, seafood to classic pub fare, and everything in between.
What else can you do in Victoria?
- Just outside of Victoria in Saanich, the Gardens at HCP have over nine acres of gardens in a conservation park.
- Stroll along the Inner Harbour
- Enjoy afternoon high tea at The Empress
- Stroll through the 55-acre Butchart Gardens, which is over 120 years old
- Royal BC Museum
- Biking trails
- DinoLab - a hands-on experience unearthing dinosaurs
Harrison
To get to Harrison, follow Highway 1 east past Chilliwack and then take the exit 135 for BC-9 toward Agassiz/Harrison Hot Springs. The journey is around two hours. To get there via bus will involve commuting to the Fraser Valley and using the Fraser Valley Regional Express 66 FVX.
Taking transit from Downtown Vancouver to Chilliwack takes anywhere from two-and-a-half to three hours and uses the SkyTrain and buses. Next, the trip to Harrison from Chilliwack is approximately 51 minutes on BC Transit's #71 bus.
Of course, the village is best known for its iconic hot springs, and admission costs under $10 per day for adults. The resort features five hot springs and a range of therapeutic spa treatments.
Visitors to Harrison can also enjoy various dining, shopping, and entertainment experiences. Harrison Resort offers a lounge, a dancing venue, a cafe, and a family restaurant with panoramic lakeside views.
What else can you do in Harrison?
- Hiking in the area
- Swimming in Harrison Lake (the largest lake in southwestern B.C.)
- Boating
- Fishing
- Kayaking
- Exploring Sasquatch Provincial Park
- Shoreline tours
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