Find Tranquility on Your Vancouver Vacation

You don’t have to go far on a Vancouver vacation to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. Among the most relaxing experiences in Vancouver are the city's urban oases, spas, gardens and parks where you can unwind and embrace the tranquillity of nature.

Central Library Rooftop Gardens

The eighth and ninth floors of Vancouver’s Colosseum-shaped Central Library feature rooftop gardens that allow you to experience serenity in the heart of downtown. The gardens are open anytime the library is open, and are free to visit. If you want quiet, head to the Phillips, Hager and North Garden on the ninth floor to relax on a bench and enjoy the drought-resistant garden. Or bring a healthy salad from nearby Tractor Foods to the eighth-floor terraces to eat with a view of the city.

Forest Bathing in Stanley Park

While the popular Seawall around the edge of Stanley Park gets most of the attention, some of Vancouver's most peaceful outdoor activities can be found in the park's quiet, forested interior. A web of trails crisscrosses beneath towering trees and through groves of ferns, making it ideal for relaxed walks and forest bathing. Explore on your own, or sign up for a guided forest-bathing experience with cultural teachings from Indigenous-owned Talaysay Tours. For a healthy pick-me-up, stop by Oakberry on Denman on your way out of the park for an açaí bowl.

Aqua Lounge Spa at Parq Vancouver

If you book a treatment at Spa by JW or a hotel stay at the JW Marriott Parq Vancouver, you also get access to the rooftop Aqua Lounge. Day passes for the public are also available by request. Located on the 17th floor, this outdoor oasis features a hydrotherapy tub with stress-relieving jets, as well as chaise lounges that invite you to stay a while. After the spa, head to Provence Marinaside to enjoy a delicious West Coast seafood feast on their waterfront patio overlooking the marina.

Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden

Designed in Ming Dynasty style, the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden is a peaceful botanical escape in the heart of Vancouver’s Chinatown. It’s a great place to visit on a Vancouver vacation when you're ready to wind down, walk the garden paths or sit in quiet contemplation. You can also sign up for the public tea ceremony to enjoy the ritual of tea preparation and tasting.

Circle Wellness

If you need a reset, book a self-guided spa circuit at Circle Wellness on Granville Island. The private experience includes an open-air shower, an outdoor cedar tub soak, a sauna, and a cold-water plunge pool. The spa uses natural materials like stone and wood and is open to the sky, connecting you with nature without leaving the city. After your spa circuit, head to Fraser Valley Juice inside the Granville Island Public Market for freshly squeezed juice or a smoothie.

Yoga in the Park

If you need to chill out, book an outdoor yoga class with Mat Collective. This local yoga studio holds classes outdoors in parks. In the spirit of community, most classes are free or low-cost, but you do need to register in advance, and classes book up fast. The Sunsetter Sunday classes at English Bay include yoga and a beverage from Stanley Park Brewing to enjoy as you take in the sunset.

VanDusen Botanical Garden

The sprawling VanDusen Botanical Garden is an island of green in the middle of Vancouver. The 22-hectare garden contains over 7,500 plant species and features several dozen areas where plants are grouped by ecosystem or region. If you want tranquillity, head to the Stone Garden and Fern Dell on the western side of the garden where you can find a bench to sit back and take it all in. If you get hungry, pick up a picnic basket from The Garden Cafe. Or book a patio table with a garden view at The Shaughnessy Restaurant to enjoy dishes made with ingredients from the garden.

In winter, VanDusen Botanical Garden takes on a new feel with the Festival of Lights, where illuminated pathways create a calm nighttime escape.