Self-Guided Tour of Vancouver
Welcome to Vancouver! The Vancouver Team is excited to have you here. We invite you to take a break from your studies and explore all your new city has to offer! We’ve compiled a list of some of our favourite sights to see and restaurants to try. Click on the photos for directions or check out this collective map. Happy Touring!
Explore.
Grouse Mountain
“If you want a full day experience, take the Grouse Mountain gondola and combine a spectacular hike with Grouse Mountain resort’s activities and restaurants. Why? Because we live here and it’s all right there!”
Steve Eccles, Dean
Kayaking in Deep Cove
“I love kayaking in Deep Cove or skiing the slopes on Cypress Mountain. Depending on the season, I might even do both. You can’t call yourself a true West Coaster until you have skied, biked and swam all in the same day! Depending on the season, I may even do both.”
Serena Conlon, Student Services Advisor
Granville Island
“I love Granville Island for its fun food spots, great views, and vibrant market and boutiques. It definitely is more touristy, but oddly enough a lot of locals like to revisit time and again. If you travel on foot from Downtown, you can also do a really beautiful and short walk across the Granville Bridge (it’s safe, I promise) or take a water taxi.”
Ann Sun, Operations Assistant
Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
“Located in North Vancouver, Capilano Suspension Bridge Park is an easy bus ride away with some of the oldest and largest old growth trees in the Pacific Northwest. It’s a great place to check out year round and your ticket can be used as an annual pass. Great place to walk around and enjoy nature!”
Jackie Saarenas, Khoury Academic Advisor
Stanley Park
“Stanley Park is one of the most beautiful parks in the Pacific Northwest. I always make sure to plan time for a morning or afternoon at this perfect city escape! It’s such a peaceful way to experience Vancouver and the views of downtown are spectacular! You can also rent a bike and cycle around its outskirts.”
Jeremy Walter, Global Learner Support
Gastown
“One of my favorite boutique shops, Artemisia, is in Gastown alongside many others! It also has a beautiful feel at night–the lights are wonderful and it has a great amount of cool and eclectic (movie-worthy) bars and restaurants. Also, its only a short walk from campus!”
Jackie Saarenas, Khoury Academic Advisor
Pacific Spirit Regional Park
“The Pacific Spirit Park is an amazing protected landscape where you can hike around all day in the woods and never take the same trail twice. It’s perfect for outdoor walks 365 days of the year!”
Bethany Edmunds, Director of Computer Sciences
Jericho Beach
“Jericho Beach is a beautiful and big beach also home to many of the local volleyball leagues. If you’re into kayaking, you can actually go all the way from downtown to UBC. I also like watching the bunnies there.”
Yueli Wang, Student Services Advisor
Queen Elizabeth Park
“Queen Elizabeth Park is the highest point in the city with beautiful gardens, pitch-and-putt golf, lawn bowling, and cherry blossoms in the spring. Conveniently located off the Canada Line.”
Serena Conlon, Student Services Advisor
Kitsilano Pool
“Kits Pool, located on Kitsilano Beach, is an outdoor public saltwater pool. It’s one of the most beautiful pools in Canada with both ocean and mountain views. It’s huge!”
Yvonne Coady, Visiting Professor
Rocky Point Park & Shoreline Trail
“Rocky Point Park and Shoreline Trail in Port Moody are my favourites! They are accessible by SkyTrain. You can also find great ice cream in the park! The trails are marked with one-way directions, so it’s COVID-friendly.”
Chandra Stalker, Operations Manager
Vancouver Public Library
“The building itself is a great piece of architecture. Interesting design, designed to resemble the Colosseum. Inside, it’s not rounded as you might think. Lots of glass windows bring plenty of natural light inside. The top-level offers an outdoor roof garden with sitting areas and city views. Centrally located downtown – close to the Skytrain Canada Line.”
Mahya Payamshad, Student Services Advisor, Khoury
Fort Langley
“Fort Langley is a village community in Metro Vancouver (located on the traditional territory of the Katzie, Kwantlen, and Matsqui First Nations). It has a population of 3,400 and is the home of the Fort Langley National Historic Site. I like this colourful village because it has wonderful stores, cafés and restaurants. I particularly like the pain au chocolat at Blacksmith Bakery (they also have good coffee). I always visit Roxann’s Hats and get some candy at Into Chocolate Candy and Confections. There is also a nice farmer’s market and lots of opportunities for great pictures.”
Lino Coria, Associate Teaching Professor
Ambleside
“Ambleside in West Vancouver is one of my favourite spots on the North Shore. There’s a path to walk along the seawall, a dog friendly park, a small beach and you can enjoy the scenic views – including Stanley Park across the water. If you’re in the mood to shop, the path connects to the Park Royal Shopping Centre on the east end, or you can walk west along the beautiful Centennial Seawalk towards Dundarave.”
Denise Katrak, Marketing Manager
410 West Georgia
“Home of the new NU Vancouver Campus! Set to open in January 2022, this campus will be the new home to our growing community and the perfect place to learn, share ideas, and network! We can’t wait to welcome you to our new space!”
The Vancouver Team
Canada Place
“Downtowns’s Canada place is simply a great place to relax and watch the water, ships and enjoy the cold breeze.”
Aashika Babu, Operations Assistant
Taste.
Via Tevere Pizzeria
“They are legit straight from Naples. They have a patio, do take out, and are located just off of Commercial Drive. A lesser expensive version of this awesome Pizzeria is Straight Out of Brooklyn Pizza, located on Robson near our new campus.”
Serena Conlon, Student Services Advisor
Arturo's Mexico To Go
“Vancouver has lots of food trucks and Arturo’s is one of my favourites. Mexican food created by a Mexican chef. If you don’t know what to order I suggest you start with Calle Duo: you get two tacos with the protein of your choice (I suggest nopales which is Spanish for tender cactus). In addition to the tacos, you get Mexican-style rice, black beans, and a salad. Thirsty? Get a tamarind Jarritos. Arturo’s is located in the corner of Howe St. and West Cordova St. (a block away from our campus!)”
Lino Coria, Associate Teaching Professor
Downlow Chicken Shack
“Located on Commercial Drive, Downlow Chicken shack has hands down the best spicy chicken sandwiches in all of metro Vancouver!”
Huzaifa Khalid, IT Specialist
Anchor Eatery
“Anchor Eatery in West Van has some of the best Açai Bowls in the city. (Never had one? It has a thick frozen smoothie bowl base, loaded with toppings including granola, fresh fruit and more.) They also have a ton of juices, smoothies and other options to choose from. And they’re locally owned!”
Denise Katrak, Marketing Manager
Beaucoup Bakery
“The best croissants around! Beaucoup Bakery is located close to Granville Island. These masterpieces are not to be missed. They also make a mean cup of coffee!”
Serena Conlon, Student Services Advisor
49th Parallel & Lucky's Donuts
“Looking for a tasty cup of joe? 49th Parallel is the place to go! They have multiple locations around the city but be sure to go to one that sells Lucky’s Donuts. Try the Earl Grey lavender or apple bacon fritter! Yum!”
Jeremy Walter, Global Learner Support
Share.
Share your pics on social media including #nuvanwalkingtour & #northeasternvancouver!
We’d also love to hear more about your experiences in Vancouver! If you have a favourite spot not mentioned here, send us a brief description along with your photo and we’ll highlight your recommendations on our webpage! Submit your entry to Global Learner Support.