Skip to main content

48 Hours in Vancouver

Sometimes the best trips are the ones where you can leave the car behind and simply enjoy the journey.

For our weekend getaway to Vancouver, British Columbia, we decided to travel from Olympia, Washington, by Amtrak. From the moment we boarded the train, the trip felt different—slower, more relaxed, and focused on the experience rather than the drive. Over three days, we explored Vancouver's waterfront, biked around Stanley Park, discovered vibrant neighborhoods, rode ferries across False Creek, and enjoyed some of the best food we've ever had.









 

Day 1: Arriving in Vancouver and Exploring by Bike

One of the best parts of traveling to Vancouver by train is the scenic journey itself. Watching the Pacific Northwest landscape roll by from the comfort of our seats made the trip feel like part of the vacation rather than simply transportation.

After arriving in Vancouver and settling into our hotel, we wasted no time getting out to explore the city.

Our first adventure was a bicycle tour using the city's extensive bike path network. Vancouver is often considered one of the most bike-friendly cities in North America, and it didn't take long to see why.

We started in Stanley Park, Vancouver's iconic urban oasis. The seawall offered stunning views in every direction, with towering trees on one side and sparkling water on the other. Riding through the park provided an incredible introduction to the city.

Along the route, we stopped at the famous totem poles, one of Vancouver's most visited cultural landmarks. The colorful carvings and rich Indigenous history added an important cultural dimension to our day.

Continuing around the seawall, we passed Prospect Point, where dramatic views of Burrard Inlet and the Lions Gate Bridge stretched into the distance. Every turn seemed to reveal another postcard-worthy scene.

From there, we followed the waterfront toward English Bay, where beaches, sailboats, and city views combined to create a relaxed coastal atmosphere.

One of our favorite sections of the ride took us along the waterfront opposite Granville Island and Olympic Village. The skyline reflected off the water while ferries moved back and forth across False Creek, creating the perfect backdrop for a leisurely afternoon ride.

After an active day exploring the city, we returned to the hotel for a relaxing afternoon. Sometimes one of the best parts of travel is simply slowing down and enjoying where you are.

The evening concluded with dinner at The Botanist, an experience that quickly became one of the culinary highlights of the trip. The beautifully designed space, creative menu, and attention to detail made for an unforgettable meal and the perfect end to our first day in Vancouver.


























Day 2: North Vancouver, Granville Island, and Amazing Sushi

Our second day began with one of Vancouver's most enjoyable forms of transportation: the SeaBus.

The short ride across Burrard Inlet offered fantastic views of the downtown skyline while carrying us to North Vancouver. Sometimes public transit can become an attraction in itself, and the SeaBus certainly felt that way.

Upon arriving, we spent the morning exploring The Quay Market and the surrounding Shipyards District. The waterfront area had a vibrant yet laid-back atmosphere, with local shops, food vendors, public spaces, and incredible views back toward downtown Vancouver.

After exploring North Vancouver, we headed back across the harbor and made our way to one of the city's most beloved destinations: Granville Island.

Rather than arriving by road, we chose to take one of the colorful Aqua Buses across False Creek. The small ferry ride was a fun and memorable experience that offered a unique perspective of the city from the water.

Granville Island was exactly as lively and charming as we'd hoped. Street performers, local artisans, waterfront pathways, and the bustling public market created an atmosphere that felt both energetic and welcoming. It was easy to spend hours wandering and discovering something new around every corner.

Later in the afternoon, we visited Olympic Village. The neighborhood's modern design, waterfront pathways, and relaxed atmosphere made it one of our favorite areas in Vancouver.

One of our most fun stops was Slice of Life, where we spent time taking photos in the vintage-style photo booths. It was a simple activity, but one that created some of our favorite souvenirs from the trip.

As evening arrived, we wrapped up our Vancouver adventure with dinner at Miku.

To say the meal lived up to its reputation would be an understatement. From the beautifully prepared dishes to the exceptional flavors and waterfront setting, it was some of the best sushi we have ever eaten. Every course felt thoughtfully crafted, making it a memorable finale to our time in the city.

















Day 3: The Journey Home

Before we knew it, our Vancouver getaway had come to an end.

We boarded the Amtrak train for the trip back to Olympia, once again enjoying the scenic ride through the Pacific Northwest. As the city skyline disappeared behind us, we reflected on how much we had experienced in just a few days.

What stood out most was how easy Vancouver is to explore without a car. Between biking, walking, ferries, public transit, and waterfront pathways, every part of the city felt connected and accessible.

 







Final Thoughts

This trip reminded us that some of the best travel experiences don't require extensive planning or long flights.

From cycling around Stanley Park and exploring North Vancouver to ferry rides across False Creek and unforgettable meals, Vancouver offered the perfect balance of adventure and relaxation.

Traveling by Amtrak added another layer to the experience, allowing us to enjoy the journey from start to finish without worrying about traffic or parking.

For anyone looking for a quick Pacific Northwest getaway, Vancouver delivers world-class scenery, incredible food, vibrant neighborhoods, and a transportation system that makes exploring part of the fun.

Trip Highlights

  • Scenic Amtrak ride from Olympia to Vancouver
  • Cycling through Stanley Park and along the seawall
  • Visiting the Vancouver Totem Poles
  • Waterfront views at English Bay and Prospect Point
  • Relaxing afternoon at the hotel
  • Dinner at The Botanist
  • SeaBus ride to North Vancouver
  • Exploring The Quay Market and Shipyards District
  • Aqua Bus ride to Granville Island
  • Olympic Village waterfront
  • Photo booths at Slice of Life
  • Outstanding sushi dinner at Miku
  • Scenic train ride home

Vancouver quickly became one of our favorite Pacific Northwest cities, and after this trip, we're already looking forward to returning.

Popular Posts

Utah's Mighty 5

  Utah’s “Mighty Five” national parks offer one of the most concentrated displays of geologic diversity in the United States. Over the course of this trip, we moved from the red rock fins around Moab to the high plateaus of Bryce and the sheer canyon walls of Zion, structuring each stop around early starts, scenic drives, and focused hikes.   Our trip began in Arches National Park just outside Moab . Sunrise at Delicate Arch provided the clearest view of the park’s most recognizable formation, with low-angle light emphasizing the texture and color of the Entrada Sandstone. We continued to Landscape Arch, notable for its extreme thinness and span, and stopped at Balanced Rock to see one of the park’s most accessible examples of differential erosion. A ranger-led experience through the Fiery Furnace highlighted the complexity of the park’s sandstone fins and narrow passages. After dark, we returned to the Windows Section for stargazing; Arches’ designation as an International ...
Read more

Desert to Sea: Our Baja California Road Trip

There’s something unforgettable about a Baja road trip—the wide-open desert highways, cactus forests that stretch for miles, fresh seafood pulled straight from the sea, and rugged Pacific cliffs that feel untouched and wild. Our four-day drive down the eastern and western sides of Baja California was the perfect mix of adventure, history, and coastal relaxation. Here’s how the journey unfolded. Day 1: El Centro to Gonzaga Bay We began in El Centro, heading south for our border crossing into Mexico. There’s always a little buzz of excitement when you cross over—knowing that just beyond lies a completely different pace of life. 🌮 Stop in San Felipe Our first stop was the colorful coastal town of San Felipe along the Sea of Cortez. It’s laid-back, breezy, and known for its seafood—and we made a beeline for fish tacos at La Morena. Fresh, crispy, perfectly seasoned, topped with bright salsa and lime—they were exactly what you want on a Baja road trip. Simple, authentic, and eaten ...
Read more

Exploring Page, AZ

Our trip to Page, Arizona felt like stepping into another planet — glowing red canyons, endless desert skies, and some of the most surreal landscapes we’ve ever seen. It was the perfect mix of adventure and awe, and honestly, every stop felt more unbelievable than the last. Here’s how it all unfolded. Night One: Stargazing in the Desert We kicked off our trip under the stars with the Antelope Valley Canyon Ligai Si Anii Stargazing Night Tour , and it set the tone for everything that followed. There’s something magical about the desert at night. Once the sun dipped below the horizon, the world went completely still. Far from city lights, the sky exploded with stars — more than we’d ever seen before. The Milky Way stretched overhead in a bright, hazy band, and our guide shared Navajo stories and constellations that made the experience feel even more meaningful. It wasn’t just stargazing — it was perspective-shifting. Standing there in the quiet desert, looking up at a sky that f...
Read more