Stretch your travel budget by taking advantage of cheap things to do and fun stuff to see in Vancouver.
Here are some of the best bets.
4 Affordable Vancouver Hotels
The Kingston Hotel, 73% Approval Rating on TripAdvisor.
YMCA Hotel Vancouver, TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence Winner.
Delta Vancouver Airport, TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence Winner.
Holiday Inn Express Vancouver Airport, TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence Winner.
More ideas: Cheap Hotels and Places to Stay in Vancouver
Check Groupon for Deals on Vancouver Things to Do
One great way to save on local fun things to do in Vancouver is to check Groupon, the money-saving website that features local discounts in 150 cities.
Visit the Vancouver Groupon page and you’ll find savings of anywhere from 40-90% on attractions, activities, tours, boat cruises, theatre tickets, dinner spots and accommodations.
The Groupon Vancouver page is a smart place to check out when you’re first planning your trip and even when you’re in the middle of your Vancouver visit because new deals get added weekly and even daily many times.
Get last minute tickets to a concert or game
You never know who might be in Vancouver playing a concert or show, or what sporting event could be going on.
A great, reliable source for last minute tickets is Stubhub. You can often pay less than the face value of the ticket when you purchase it a few minutes before the show or event.
Guided Bird Walk in Stanley Park
Stanley Park is one of the most famous parks in all of Canada.
It is also home to over 230 species of birds.
The best way to discover some of them is by going on a guided outing in Stanley Park.
Take on the Grouse Grind
One of the must-do activities if you’re visiting Vancouver is to take on the Grouse Grind.
It’s a fun, sweat-inducing, 2.9 kilometre climb up the face of Grouse Mountain along a well-marked trail through a thick strand of trees.
For most people it takes just under two hours, although if you push yourself you might be able to break the world-record-best time of 23 minutes and 48 seconds.
Seeing if you have the stuff to take on this natural stairmaster is free; the gondola ride down will cost you a budget-friendly $10.
Enjoy Views from the Water
For the cheap and cheerful price of a single fare, you can hop on the TransLink SeaBus and see the gorgeous view on a round-trip cruise from the downtown ferry terminal at Horseshoe Bay across Burrard Inlet to Vancouver’s North Shore and back.
Feel like spending the day on an Island?
Board a BC Ferries vessel at Horseshoe Bay and enjoy a relaxing, 20-minute cruise across the water to Bowen Island, where you can enjoy all kinds of fun things and stuff to do including kayaking, hiking, biking and swimming.
The cost to take a ferry over to this treasured island? Only $9.50.
See an affordable live production at the Metro Theatre
Enjoy live theatre at a reasonable price at the Metro Theatre in Vancouver.
For over 60 years this community-driven theatre group has been putting on plays and musicals. A typical season features eight shows per year, including a classic British pantomime during the December holidays.
Check out their Google Reviews and you’ll find many glowing reviews praising the quality of their performers and productions.
With just over 300 seats the atmosphere at the Metro Theatre is cozy and comfortable.
There is also a 60-person, licensed lounge so you can treat yourself to a drink before or after the show or during intermission.
Plus, the theatre is wheelchair accessible and provides assisted-listening devices upon request.
Visit the Metro Theatre’s website to check out their latest productions and buy your tickets.
Drive the Sea-to-Sky Highway
A highly-recommended thing to do while you’re in Vancouver is to drive the 125 kms from North Vancouver to Whistler along Highway 99, also known as the Sea-to-Sky Highway.
This exhilarating route will allow you to see spectacular views of the ocean and mountains.
Considered one of the best drives in the world, it will take you approximately an hour and a half if you go straight through, but with so many scenic views and fun stops along the way, plan to take your time.
If you can’t rent a car, a ride on the bus is cheap–buy a TransLink day pass.
Flower Power
Gardeners hold a soft spot for Vancouver where every where you walk you encounter beautiful beds.
The Bloedel Floral Conservatory is an excellent spot to get your green thumb fix.
Underneath its striking glass dome you’ll find three climate zones and see over 500 species and varieties of plants from around the world, complimented by over 100 species of tropical birds sailing overhead and colourful, tropical fish.
Admission to this beautiful thing to do is only $6.50 for adults.
A Night at the Museum
An amazing thing to do is to check out the artifacts and objects (over 500,000!) created by First Nations people that are on display at the UBC Museum of Anthropology (MOA).
See incredible stuff like intricate totem poles, hand-crafted canoes and the striking Raven and The First Men sculpture, which is famously depicted on the Canadian $20 bill.
Regular admission to the museum is $16.75 per adult but on Tuesday evenings from 5:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. admission is reduced to a thrifty $9.
Tour Canada’s First Microbrewery
Back in 1984 a milestone in the Canadian brewery industry took place—the country’s first microbrewery opened. Granville Island Brewing started out with one beer—Island Lager—today it produces over 20.
Take a tour and see how they create some of the best beer in the country firsthand using no chemicals or preservatives, only all-natural honey, maple syrup, raspberries and local ingredients that inspire their brewmaster.
Daily walkabouts take place five times a day and include three four ounce tasters, best of all this cheap thing to do is only $9.75 per person.
One last thing, BC health and safety standards require that all participants wear closed-toe footwear so you’ll have to leave the flip-flops at the hotel.
Improv Comedy for Less than $10 Bucks!
If you love a good laugh and a good deal then Vancouver TheatreSports League is one of the best cheap and fun things to do.
Be prepared to split your gut as this Vancouver institution has the stuff, having won six International Improv Comedy Awards over the years.
The laughs will come fast and furious as teams of comedic actors square off in a battle of fast-paced improvisation.
See the Sunday show for only $8.
Be thrifty and practical! This information was accurate when published, but can change without notice. We recommend you confirm all details with the provider in question before planning your excursion.
Photo Credits: Vitor Pamplona, Marc van der Chijs, colink., andrew.wallwork, brand0con, JUSU, *_*, EvinDC and Stephanie Watson Photography.
