7 Indoor Activities in Vancouver for Outdoor Lovers

October 13, 2021

3 min read

A group of people sitting and smiling on a boat with snow-capped mountains and their reflection in a lake at sunset.

Vancouverites don't always shy away from a hike in the rain. We embrace the wet-weather adventures, since that is the reality of living in a rainforest. But even the most outdoorsy among us would sometimes just rather stay indoors. The good news? You can still tap into your adventurous side without venturing outdoors. From rock climbing to mushroom foraging experiences across the city, here are some of the best indoor activities in Vancouver for outdoor lovers.

Indoor Athletic Activities in Vancouver

Rock Climbing

If you're an adrenaline seeker, one of the most thrilling things to do in Vancouver indoors is to scale a giant rock wall. The Greater Vancouver area has over a dozen indoor rock climbing gyms from the Fraser Valley to the Squamish area. Most gyms have beginner climbing classes as well as outdoor climbing courses when you feel ready to take on the extra challenge.

Origins Parkour

If you’ve always wanted to try parkour, check out Origins Parkour, which has locations in Vancouver and Port Moody. They offer classes for both adults and kids, or you can try out the equipment during their open practice sessions. Once you’ve tried parkour indoors, check out our recommendations for where to practice parkour around Vancouver.

Indoor parkour gyms with obstacle courses and foam pits labeled Vancouver and Port Moody.

Nature-Inspired Rainy Day Activities in Vancouver

Vancouver Aquarium

Take a trip to the underwater world with a visit to the Vancouver Aquarium, located inside the lush rainforest of Stanley Park. The Aquarium is one of the top attractions in the city and a go-to indoor activity on a rainy day in Vancouver. Hang out with barking sea lions or stare for hours at the mesmerizing jellyfish. Don’t miss the Amazon Gallery, where you can experience the heat, humidity, and wildlife of the Amazon rainforest, all indoors.

Two children silhouetted against a large aquarium filled with numerous small jellyfish.

Online Foraging Classes

Learn how to gather, prepare, and cook local mushrooms and other wild edibles in one of Chef Robin Kort's online foraging classes. Chef Robin’s Swallow Tail Tours offers in-person foraging classes and mushroom walks, but you can also learn at home at your own pace.

Bright orange mushroom growing among green moss and brown leaves on forest floor

Bloedel Conservatory

Step inside the dome at the Bloedel Conservatory in Vancouver's spectacular Queen Elizabeth Park. This lush, domed indoor oasis is home to over 100 exotic bird species and 500 varieties of plants and flowers. It’s a temperature-controlled environment, so it’s tropical inside year-round.

Lush green tropical plants under a large glass dome ceiling with a geometric metal framework.

FlyOver Canada

Experience a virtual flight coast to coast with FlyOver Canada. This unique immersive attraction uses state-of-the-art technology to create the illusion of flying. You’ll hang in front of a 20-metre spherical screen that takes you through 18 different quintessentially Canadian landscapes. Special effects, including wind, mist, and scents, complete the experience, making it one of the most unique indoor things to do in Vancouver.

Wildlife Cams

Who says you can't spot wildlife while relaxing at home? Check the Stanley Park Heron Cam for a close-up look at life in a busy heron colony. Grouse Mountain’s resident grizzly bears, Grinder and Coola, can be seen live on the Bear Den cam. The Vancouver Aquarium also has several live webcams, including the particularly adorable otter cams.