Vancouver: Iconic Sights, Unique Adventures and Easy Flights from PHX
August 18, 2026
Looking for a getaway that combines a vibrant city atmosphere with stunning outdoor scenery and isn’t too far to get to? Why not check out Vancouver? Air Canada, Porter Airlines and WestJet all offer nonstop service from Phoenix with flights taking about 3 hours and 15 minutes.
Once you’ve arrived, the city offers many things to do. Here are some ideas:
Head to Stanley Park. This 1,000-acre park borders downtown and provides stunning waterfront views. The park offers ample walking and biking opportunities. Visitors can see beaches, the forest and First Nations totem poles. The Seawall offers great views. The Vancouver Aquarium is also located in Stanley Park and is popular for adults and children alike.
Take a Walk through Gastown. Gastown, which is famous for its cobblestone streets, Victorian architecture and Steam Clock, is Vancouver’s oldest neighborhood. Visitors can browse boutique shops, enjoy top-rate restaurants and take a self-guided walking tour. There’s also a ghost tour in the evenings that gives a look into the area’s storied past.
Get the Adrenaline Pumping on a Suspension Bridge. The Capilano Suspension Bridge Park is popular for adventure seekers. Visitors can cross the legendary 450-foot bridge suspended 230 feet above the Capilano River, then explore the Treetops Adventure (seven mini bridges high in the forest) and the Cliffwalk, a walkway hugging the granite cliffs. Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge offers a quieter, free alternative with equally stunning scenery.
Visit Granville Island. Granville Island has a public market with delicious eats and one-of-a-kind galleries and shopping.
Ascend Grouse Mountain. Grouse Mountain offers skiing and snowboarding in the winter and hiking in the summer. No matter the season, visitors will be rewarded with panoramic views. Not wanting to hike up? The Skyline Gondola is available to whisk you to the top.
Visit a Museum or Three. Vancouver has a wide range of dynamic museums. Science World offers hands-on exhibits in a futuristic dome. The Vancouver Art Gallery features historic and contemporary art. The Roedde House Museum offers visitors an opportunity to step back into Victorian Vancouver while the Museum of Anthropology at the University of British Columbia offers exceptional Indigenous art and artifacts.
Vancouver also offers many other unique things to see and do from gardens to whale watching tours to shopping and more. The lively city keeps visitors entertained.
For those looking to explore outside Vancouver, there are great options. Squamish is about 50 minutes away and offers outdoor adventures and hiking, including taking the Sea to Sky Gondola for great views. Whistler is 2 hours each way and features great skiing in the winter and hiking in the summer. Both options take visitors along the Sea-to-Sky Highway which is one of Canada’s most scenic drives.
Vancouver is a wonderful destination for couples, solo travelers and families. It blends natural beauty with a rich cultural heritage and vibrant cityscape. Learn more about all the city has to offer by visiting Destination Vancouver and book your trip today.
