Vancouver · WALKING TOURS
This is the shortlist you would send a friend: 14 walking tours worth the money, each with its price, its traveller verdict and the one thing to know before you commit.
Walk about five to eight easy city blocks through Gastown with an English-speaking guide such as Sean, Rachel, Andrea, or Connor. Stop for roughly six to seven food tastings and three to four drinks, including karaage, pasta, poutine, waffles, beer, and wine. Come hungry, wear good shoes, and expect stairs.
“Delicious food and drink! Our tour guide Connor, was enthusiastic and shared so much of Vancouver’s history.”
Follow a costumed storyteller through Gastown’s alleys, cobblestones, and landmarks as real events become a gothic theater piece. Expect tales of the 1886 fire, smallpox, the Klondike, Madam Birdie Stewart, and an unsolved murder. Guides include Vanessa, Chris, Zoe, Joelle, and Colin.
“We learned some about the gastown. The stores where interesting. Our guide was very nice. Would recommend.”
Join chef and guide Bob Sung for a four-hour walk through Vancouver Chinatown. You’ll visit the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, sample sweet and savory foods, enter tea, cookware, and herbal shops, learn about Chinese Canadian history, and sit down for a dim sum lunch.
“I discovered Bob Sung’s Chinatown tour through an online blog post, and it was an amazing experience for me and my parents! Bob was such a great tour guide; he was so knowledgeable about Chinese Canadian history, especially related to Vancouver. I will also be going back to some of the restaurants/bakeries/shops we visited because the food & tea we sampled were amazing (& I saw so many other delicious items to try). My perception and experiences of Vancouver’s Chinatown have been enriched by Bob, and I recommend that anyone who plans to go to Vancouver’s Chinatown sign up for this tour! Even if you’ve already visited Vancouver’s Chinatown before,…”
Walk from Water Street through downtown and Gastown with guides such as Glenn, Rob, Lenard, and Rachel. Hear sharp stories about Prohibition, mobsters, corrupt politicians, showgirls, racism, and Vancouver’s railway boom, ending near Main and Alexander streets with a skyline view.
“Our tour guide Will was friendly and enthusiastic. We learned some interesting things about the history of Gastown. We would recommend it.”
Start at Canada Place and walk through downtown Vancouver to Gastown, stopping at the Marine Building, library, Robson Street, Victory Square, Waterfront Station, and the Steam Clock. Guides such as Fiorella, Daniel, Alexis, and Monica share city stories, food tips, and ideas for the rest of your stay.
“Easy walking tour but a bit lacking in seating for people like me with back and knee problems. Information given on many of the buildings very interesting. Only part that was poor was the information at the War Memorial Park was very uninformed, especially about Canadas contribution to the Allied cause and ignoring Canadas membership of tha Commonwealth.”
Join Colin Spratt, a big-tree expert and BC Big Tree Committee member, for a three-hour walk through Stanley Park. Expect ancient cedars, towering Douglas firs, old maps, historic photographs, Coast Salish history, forest ecology, and a maximum of 10 participants.
“Extremely knowledgeable and enthusiastic about big trees and the history of the area. We are so glad we decided to book this tour. We would recommend this to anyone traveling to Vancouver”
Join a local guide such as Glenn, Rob, Aislynn, Aman, or Cole for a two-hour walk through Stanley Park. You’ll hear Indigenous history, visit Deadman’s Island, see the Brockton Point totems, trace old crime stories, and enjoy seawall views. Expect moderate walking and all-weather conditions.
“Our guide Amon was excellent and extremely knowledgeable about the history of Stanley Park and shared this knowledge with our small group in a very clear, easy to follow style of communication. We left the tour feeling we had learned a lot and would highly recommend this walking tour.”
Start at Waterfront Station and walk into Gastown with a guide such as Arsham, Ali, Landon, or Nicole. Expect five substantial tastings, a cocktail for guests 19 and older, Vancouver history, and stops at Miku, Meat & Bread, Lee’s Donuts, Pourhouse, and Gringo.
“Landon took us to several local restaurants. The walk itself is not far, all within a couple city blocks. Our original guide had to cancel at the last moment and Landon, fortunately, was able to jump in.”
Meet a Lokafyer at your hotel, a landmark, café, or another central spot, then shape a private Vancouver walk around your interests. Guides such as Vania and Jackie have led personalized outings covering major sights, local tips, shopping, street art, and neighborhood stories.
“Guide was nice but had just moved to Vancouver and knew nothing about the city or even how to get around. Waited so long to rate because I didn’t want to make her lose her job.”
Join a First Nations Cultural Land Ambassador for a gentle 90-minute walk from the Stanley Park Bus Loop to Beaver Lake. Guides such as Gavin, Shay, Alfonso, and Candace share personal stories, Coast Salish traditions, plant uses, and Indigenous tea along shaded forest trails.
“Alfonza was an outstanding tour guide. He was knowledgeable and generously shared his personal story. I learned so much! I highly recommend it.”
Walk from Olympic Village through False Creek and Mount Pleasant with an English-speaking guide such as Alexis, Erica, Andrew, or Fran. See changing mural art, visit Beaumont Studios, meet local artists when possible, and taste local beer at two breweries. Groups are limited to 12.
“I had an amazing time! We were lucky to have an amazing weather as well, but I am sure, our guide could have made any day sunny! Great alleyways and corners that you'd never see without a guide!”
Take the SeaBus from downtown Vancouver to North Vancouver for six food tastings, three alcoholic drinks, and a guided walk through Lonsdale Quay and the Shipyards District. Guides such as Rachel, Kelsey, Kate, and Anna lead the three-hour tour in groups of up to 16.
“Lots of fun. Great tastes. Interesting present day and history of the shipyards. Kelsey was very upbeat.”
Spend three hours with a small group exploring Vancouver’s Olympic Village, Honest to Pete coffee, Beaumont Studios, and Mount Pleasant murals. Guides such as Alexis, Amy, Joshua, and Kelly add local history and artist insight. The tour includes a latte, coffee cupping, and a non-caffeinated drink for minors.
“Very interesting tour of a part of Vancouver that we hadn’t visited previously. We learned a lot about the area. The art was great and the coffee was terrific.”
Walk from Olympic Village Square through Mount Pleasant’s murals, hidden art spaces, and Beaumont Studios, then taste four 4-ounce beers and one local craft beer at Electric Bicycle Brewing and BREWHALL. Guides such as Erika, Erica, Fran, and Andrew bring local stories to the route.
“Erika was a wonderful guide, my boyfriend and I were very lucky to be alone with her for this tour. We learnt a lot of things about Vancouver and Canada in general ! Thank you so much”
Pick a shoreline, a mountain or a table.
