Vancouver with kids
One Day in Vancouver with Kids: the Best Single-Day Plan
Only have one day in Vancouver? This plan fits the city's best bits into an easy loop: the seawall around Stanley Park, the aquarium, a tiny ferry ride and Granville Island, ending with a sunset on the beach.
It works best on a dry day. If it rains, swap the bike ride for the aquarium and Science World (see our rainy day guide). Check hours on the official websites.
A day in Vancouver
Bikes, otters, a ferry, a market and a sunset.
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Morning
Bikes on the seawall (opens Google Maps)
Rent bikes, tag-alongs or trailers near the park entrance on Denman Street and ride part of the seawall loop (counter-clockwise for bikes).
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Late morning
Vancouver Aquarium (opens Google Maps)
Sea otters, sea lions and jellyfish, inside Stanley Park. Allow about two hours.
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Lunch · Lunch
Lunch on Denman Street
Lots of casual spots on the way out of the park.
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Afternoon
Ferry to Granville Island (opens Google Maps)
A tiny ferry across False Creek in a few minutes. Kids love it.
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Afternoon
Kids Market and Public Market (opens Google Maps)
Toys, games and treats in the Kids Market, then snacks in the Public Market. A free water park runs here in summer.
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Sunset
Sunset at English Bay (opens Google Maps)
Sit on the driftwood logs and watch the sun go down over the water.
Good to know
- Getting around: the plan works without a car: bikes, a short bus or walk between the park and the ferry, and the ferry itself.
- Little ones: skip the bikes and take the horse-drawn tour or the walking paths in Stanley Park instead.
- More days? See our 3-day Vancouver plan for the North Shore and more.
Make it a game
A Play Your Trip book turns your day into an adventure: every stop a quest with a coin to collect, every place one tap from the map. Vancouver books are coming soon; see how it works.
Questions
What should I do with kids in Vancouver for one day?
Ride part of the Stanley Park seawall, visit the Vancouver Aquarium, take a tiny ferry to Granville Island's Kids Market and end with a sunset at English Bay.
Do you need a car for a day in Vancouver?
No. The seawall, Stanley Park, Granville Island and English Bay are linked by bike paths, buses and small ferries.
What if it rains?
Swap the bikes for indoor stops: the aquarium, Science World and Granville Island's markets are all under a roof.