Take a Wellness Day in Vancouver
In Vancouver, you can relax and re-energize in nature while enjoying the benefits of urban life. Use this one-day itinerary to plan a day that focuses on wellness, reduces your carbon footprint, and includes a bit of indulgence.
Breakfast
Start your day with a healthy breakfast at one of Vancouver's cafes. The Birds and The Beets in Gastown has a welcoming modern/industrial interior and a menu that features several types of upscale toast, vegan muesli, breakfast sandwiches, and lots of coffee options.
Or head to Bread x Butter Cafe near the Vancouver Art Gallery. Their extensive breakfast menu is available all day long and includes yogurt parfaits, muffins, and a range of creative egg toasts inspired by cuisines from around the world.
Ride the Seabus
Relax and enjoy the view as you float across Vancouver Harbour on the Seabus, a passenger ferry that's part of Vancouver's transit network. Be sure to grab a sea near the window so you can gaze up at the North Shore Mountains or the city skyline behind you.
Lunch To-Go in Lower Lonsdale
Pick up a to-go lunch at one of the cafes and food stalls in the Lonsdale Quay or the nearby Lower Lonsdale neighbourhood. WELA inside the Lonsdale Quay has tons of vegan and vegetarian options. They make delicious wraps, bowls, and smoothies. Or head to Buddha-Full a few blocks away on West 1st Street. They offer a variety of plant-based bowls, wraps, and salads along with smoothies and coffee.
A Mindful Hike in Lynn Canyon
Stash your to-go lunch in your backpack and head to the Lonsdale Quay bus loop to catch bus 228 Lynn Valley to the stop on Lynn Valley Road at Peters Road. Travelling by transit keeps your carbon footprint small and lets you relax and enjoy North Vancouver's beautiful scenery.
Hop off the bus and walk a few blocks west into Lynn Canyon Park. As you follow the trails along the edge of the canyon, take time to slow down and engage your senses. Hiking can be a great way to engage in the Japanese practice of forest bathing. It's a form of mindful meditation in nature as you focus on the sounds, scents, and sights all around you.
Use the park map to plan your route. The Twin Falls Loop takes about 45 minutes. From there, you can extend your hike to Thirty Foot Pool, which is a great spot to sit in quiet contemplation as you eat your packed lunch.
Coffee in the Shipyards District
Take bus 228 Lonsdale Quay back to Lonsdale Quay, then walk one block east to the Shipyards District. This recently revitalized area of shops and restaurants blends modern construction with industrial heritage. Grab a coffee at Nemesis Coffee in the Polygon Gallery, then wander around. Be sure to walk out along the pier for incredible views of downtown Vancouver across the inlet.
Artisans on Granville Island
Next, head back into Vancouver on the Seabus and make your way to Granville Island. To get there directly you can take bus 50 False Creek South from the Seabus dock at Waterfront station. If you want a more scenic option, take the Canada Line Skytrain from Waterfront Station to Yaletown Station, and then walk a few blocks to the dock to catch the Aquabus or False Creek Ferries to Granville Island.
While it was once a dense cluster of industrial buildings on a sand bar, today Granville Island is a hub for artists and foodies. Wander the narrow lanes and duct into the repurposed buildings to discover art galleries, boutiques, artisan workshops, and restaurants. Don't miss the gourmet food stalls at the Public Market, artisans at the Net Loft, or unique children's toys at Kids Market.
Relax at the Spa
Finish your day by relaxing at Circle Wellness on Granville Island. This unique indoor/outdoor spa provides private spa pods for up to 2 people. Your 90- or 120-minute session includes exclusive access to an open-air shower, a cedar soaking tub, a sauna, a cold water plunge pool, and a heated radiant stone relaxing area. Most areas are open to the sky and have living plant walls, letting you experience the tranquility of nature in the middle of the city.
Experience an Immersive Dinner
Indulge in an immersive culinary experience at Dark Table in Kitsilano. It's a short trip from Granville Island on bus 4 UBC, 7 Dunbar, or 14 UBC. Dark Table is a pitch-black blind dining experience that lets you mindfully concentrate on the flavours of the food once your sense of sight is removed. Blind or visually impaired servers will guide you through the meal.