Everyone knows Vancouver of course, but what about North Vancouver? Communities such as North Vancouver, West Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, and others, are all part of Metro Vancouver, and often included when one talks about “going to Vancouver”. But they each have their own character and specific attractions, and our North Vancouver Bed & Breakfast innkeepers are a great source for all the details on some of those lesser known places that you might want to explore.
North Vancouver climbs up the North Shore Mountains, so it is wooded, lush and green, and pretty steep in places, and gets its fair share of rain. But the views over Vancouver towards Vancouver Island and Washington State are fantastic.
The most famous attraction is of course the Capilano Suspension Bridge. along with Cliffwalk and Treetops Adventure. But there’s another suspension bridge in North Vancouver at Lynn Canyon, a favorite of innkeeper Crystal at Crystal’s View Bed & Breakfast. Lynn Canyon Park first opened in 1912 and is now a 617 acres favorite destination, with many hiking trails as well as the suspension bridge. Quite a different park is Waterfront Park, with open areas, great city views, plus it’s right beside the seabus that can take you into downtown Vancouver.
Great view from North Vancouver over downtown Vancouver
One of innkeeper Keith at Willows B&B’s favorite parks is Whytecliff Park, which unfortunately is actually in West Vancouver! This small park has something for everyone; a lovely sheltered beach, spectacular viewpoint, grassy area with picnic tables, a bit of rock climbing for the kids. There is great diving off the park, and the waters of the park were designated Canada’s first Salt Water Marine Protected Area in 1993. One of Keith’s favorite North Vancouver restaurants is Kypriaki Taverna, offering good wholesome Greek food at reasonable prices.
You can’t visit North Vancouver without stopping at the Lonsdale Quay Market for a more urban experience. The Market features not only fresh food vendors but artists and crafters, all located on the lower Lonsdale waterfront, again right near the seabus terminal. All the innkeepers at our North Vancouver Bed & Breakfasts have picked up some fresh local produce for their delicious breakfasts there at some point!
A delicious breakfast starter!
And why not end your visit to North Vancouver with a trip up Grouse Mountain, the Peak of Vancouver! If you’re a fitness buff, you can hike the Grouse Grind but if you want to take it easier and enjoy the views on the way up, take the gondola! You can have “breakfast with the bears”, visit a working beehive, take a 2-hour zipline adventure across Grouse and Dam mountains, or get up close and high, really high, on a wind turbine! And everywhere enjoy the spectacular views! We did say North Vancouver climbs the North Shore Mountains right, so really, you just can’t miss the views from almost anywhere!