10 Outdoorsy Things to Do Around Vancouver This Labour Day Weekend

August 18, 2021

6 min read

Coastal park with autumn trees, sandy beach, people walking, and tall buildings in the background under a cloudy sky.

As summer winds down, Labour Day weekend is a great time to get outdoors and enjoy the good weather. There are tons of adventure options to choose from. Use our list of the best outdoorsy things to do around Vancouver to make your long weekend plans.

Try Fishing

From guided charters to casual fishing off a pier, there are lots of ways to fish the rivers, lakes, and ocean near Vancouver. You can catch salmon, sturgeon, trout, crabs, and more. Use our guide to discover six different ways to go fishing near Vancouver.

A person fly fishing in a river wearing waders and a cap, with a green inflatable boat on the rocky shore and mountains in the background.

Go for a Bike Ride

Labour Day is a great time for a bike ride. With lots of bike lanes and separated bike paths, Vancouver has lots of places to cycle. Use our list of easy bike rides around Vancouver to get you started. Experienced road cyclists looking for a challenge should check out our list of the best hill climb cycling routes. This might also be the weekend to try an e-bike. Electric bikes make pedalling easier, so you can bike further with less effort. If trails are your thing, our city has that too. Check out some of the places to mountain bike around Vancouver.

A group of people cycling on a paved path along a waterfront during sunset with mountains in the background.

Go Flightseeing

One of the most unique ways to experience the beauty of Vancouver’s mountains is from the air on a flightseeing tour. Local floatplane and helicopter tour companies have lots of fun options to choose from. Book a scenic floatplane tour to alpine lakes and glaciers with Harbour Air or an epic helicopter flight over the mountains of the North Shore and the Sea to Sky region with Sky Helicopters.

Red helicopter flying near a rocky, snow-covered mountain peak with a view of distant islands and water under a partly cloudy sky.

Head to a Park

Since it’s surrounded by nature, Vancouver has lots of pockets of wilderness nestled into the city. You can explore forests, meadows, wetlands, and shorelines, all close to home. Check out our recommendations for 15 urban parks that feel like wilderness. Or use our park guides for Pacific Spirit Regional Park, Lighthouse Park, Belcarra Regional Park, Capilano River Regional Park, Golden Ears Provincial Park, and Cypress Provincial Park.

Five canoes and one kayak lined up on a rocky shore with a lake and mountains under a cloudy sky in the background.

Take a Free Guided Tour at the Sea to Sky Gondola

Head high into the mountains above Howe Sound on the Sea to Sky Gondola in Squamish. Get your bearings at the summit with a complimentary interpretive tour. You’ll learn about the alpine environment and local indigenous culture as you walk the Spirit Trail with your guide. If you’ve got kids, don’t miss the Alpine Alley Family Tour. It includes rock climbing, chains, ropes, a slide, and animal games to keep little ones entertained.

Yellow gondola cable car labeled Sea to Sky Gondola above forested mountains with a river and snow-capped peaks in the background

Picnic in Nature

The Vancouver area has lots of stunning nature parks a short drive from the city. Pack a picnic basket, then head to one of our suggestions for the best places to picnic in nature near Vancouver. You can dine next to the ocean, at a lake, in the forest, or at the beach.

Four people sitting on a beach at sunset, with one person reading a book and others engaged in conversation near large rocks.

Go for a Hike

September is the end of prime hiking season in Vancouver. The snow in the mountains has melted so you can reach the highest peaks. If you’re up for a challenge, choose from our lists of epic hikes around Vancouver or the best summer hikes. But if you want something more mellow, we have a list of easy summer hikes. Or delve into our “hike of the month” archives for even more ideas.

People standing and sitting on a large rocky cliff overlooking a winding road, forested mountains, and a body of water under a cloudy sky.

Go Whale Watching

Vancouver is one of the best locations in the world for whale watching. Several pods of orcas live here year-round and you can also see humpback, grey, and minke whales as well as dolphins, seals, sea lions, river otters, porpoises, and eagles. Whale watching season runs from March to October, but you can go on a wildlife boat cruise all year long. Find whale watching tours.

Two people in red jackets on a boat, one pointing towards distant mountains across the water.

Hit the Beach

Summer is almost over so Labour Day weekend is a great time for one last trip to the beach. Located on the Pacific Ocean, Vancouver has twenty different beaches to visit. Check out a new-t0-you beach, then use our list of the best things to do at Vancouver’s beaches to plan the day’s activities.

Crowded sandy beach with people sitting and walking near water, city buildings and trees in the background.

Go Paddling

Get out on the water this long weekend. Vancouver has lots of great places to go kayaking and most have rentals too. If you want to stand instead of sit, try out stand-up paddleboarding (also known as SUP). If it’s your first time, consider signing up for lessons or a tour.