A Sustainable City Experience
Sustainability isn't a buzzword here, it's a way of life. As soon as you arrive you'll feel it. It's in the air we breathe, the lush green spaces intertwined with our city, and the iconic environmental institutions that call Vancouver home. Mindful travellers can experience it for themselves in a three-day tour of our sustainable city.
Day One
ARRIVE THE ECO-FRIENDLY WAY
After landing at YVR, Vancouver's award-winning carbon-neutral airport, climb aboard the SkyTrain for a 26min, eco-friendly trip on the Canada Line into the very heart of downtown. Once you've unpacked, head to Granville Island. Once little more than industrial land, the island has been transformed into a vibrant cultural and culinary hub and an internationally renowned example of urban renewal and environmental sustainability.
Here you can enjoy one of Ecomarine Paddlesports Centres' kayak tours along the serene waterways of False Creek. From the water you'll see the shimmering skyline of the city, nestled among urban rainforests, glistening Pacific waters and the snow-capped peaks of the Coastal Mountains. It's a unique perspective, one that inspires us to make sustainability more than a goal, but a lifestyle. Alternatively, head to Grouse Mountain, the peak of Vancouver, where you can ride an elevator up to the Eye of the Wind, a wind turbine that generates enough power for 260 homes.
Tonight, refuel and reflect over dinner at one of Vancouver's numerous Ocean Wise® restaurants, a conservation program which supports healthy and sustainable oceans. Then end your evening with a walk through the crisp air and clean streets of Canada's most walkable city.
Day Two
EXPLORE YOUR ENVIRONMENT
Start the day by fuelling up with a locally-sourced breakfast - you're going to need it. Whether you strap on your walking shoes or opt for pedal power with a ride from Mobi, the city's community bike share program, you'll find the best way to explore Vancouver is under your own steam. Alternatively, you can visit Cycle City Tours & Rentals, who offer self-guided cycling routes as well as guided tours of local attractions like Stanley Park, Vancouver's 1,000 acre urban oasis.
If open space is on your itinerary, head for one of the city's 230 parks or breathe in the fresh sea air along more than 22km of accessible seawall. There's even 311km of cycle-friendly terrain and all ages and abilities bike lanes for you to safely explore Vancouver like a local: 50% of all trips in the city are by cycling, walking or public transportation. If leg power isn't your thing, Vancouver has one of the largest car sharing fleets in the world, and the city's trolley buses produce zero emissions.
If you're looking for something a little more educational, why not tour some of the city's greenest buildings? The Green Buildings Audio Tours project tells the stories of Vancouver's eco architecture via web, podcast, and mobile. Along the way you'll hear from the experts who built some of the city's award-winning structures such as the Vancouver Convention Centre, VanDusen Botanical Garden Visitor Centre and the newly completed Mountain Equipment Co-op building.
Once you've finished, give your feet a rest and climb aboard a Harbour Air floatplane for a panoramic sightseeing tour of the city. This innovative carbon-neutral company made history by developing the world's first fully electric commercial aircraft, in partnership with industry-leading electrical innovators. They are currently working to change their entire fleet over to electric, pioneering the way forward for sustainable aviation.
Day Three
EXPERIENCE NATURE
The birthplace of Greenpeace and home of the David Suzuki Foundation, there's a reason why sustainability is at the very heart of our city. But to truly understand Vancouver's relationship with nature, you have to experience it for yourself.
Rockwood Adventures' Ultimate City & Nature Adventure combines an exploration of Vancouver's rich history and the protected natural environment in which it is set. Your personal guide will provide commentary on the natural beauty of Stanley Park, home to the Vancouver Aquarium, a local attraction focused on research, rehabilitation and education about marine wildlife. You'll also explore the neighbourhoods that form the foundation of the city's modern day history, as well as the wild expanse of the North Shore mountains.
If you want to get even closer to nature, check out Capilano Suspension Bridge Park. Located on Vancouver's North Shore, this exhilarating outdoor experience has been wowing guests since 1889. Today, the park also plays a crucial role in helping visitors to understand the delicate balance of one of the world's most primitive ecosystems. Alternatively, head over to the UBC Botanical Garden which uses its grounds to help people explore climate adaptation and climate change in our environments.
If you'd rather get a taste of the local landscape, check out a Swallow Tail Tours Foraging Field Trip, where an expert local guide will teach you about the area's edible flora and fauna. You can also try dinner at Salmon n' Bannock Bistro, which serves up a true taste of coastal Indigienous culture, with a contemporary menu filled with dishes inspired by First Nations and other Indigenous traditions.
❐ INSIDER TIP:
Check and see if your hotel offers complimentary bike rentals. Popular spots like Fairmont Pacific Rim, The Burrard, Opus Hotel Vancouver and the Mayfair Hotels Group all offer either rentals or complimentary concierge services.
