Fall Meetings in Vancouver - Know Before You Go!
So you’re attending a meeting in Vancouver this fall? Lucky you! The leaves are turning colour, the arts scene is warming up, and autumn delicacies are popping up on menus. Here’s our guide to help you prepare for your visit and make the most of your time in Vancouver.
- Weather
- What To Wear
- Getting Around
- Grab A Deal
- Vancouver's Fall Highlights
- Top Sightseeing Options
- More Information
Weather
Temperatures cool down in Vancouver over the fall months of September, October and November, and things get a little rainy as well. But overall, the climate is quite mild, with temperatures ranging from a sunny 18˚C (65˚F), through to a rainy 9˚C (48˚F) in later months. Check Vancouver’s current and historical weather conditions online here.
What To Wear
Plan on dressing in light layers, and pack a rain jacket and an umbrella for wet days. If you’re thinking about heading up to the local mountains, make sure you bring a warmer layer as well as gloves, scarf and a hat. Bring some good walking shoes – Vancouver is a great place to explore on foot!
Getting Around
- You’ll most likely be flying into Vancouver International Airport, and you’ll find that the easiest way to get to downtown is by hopping on the Canada Line light-rail service – just look for the “Trains to the City” signs! The 30-minute trip is CAD $9.25, and tickets can be purchased by credit card on the platform. Alternatively, taxis are available and charge a flat fee from $31 - $35 for downtown zones.
- Once you’re downtown, walking is often the best option in our compact, very walkable city. Most hotels are within a 10-minute stroll of the Vancouver Convention Centre, and you can easily walk to many downtown attractions including those in Gastown, Stanley Park and Robson Street. Just ask your concierge for a map (and possibly an umbrella!)
- Taxis, Lyft and Uber are also available in Vancouver.
Grab A Deal
Your delegate badge comes with perks! You’ll save on admission to some of our top attractions, enjoy special offers at some of our favourite restaurants, as well as savings at spas, boutiques and on tours. See a list of offers here.
Vancouver's Fall Highlights
- Vancouver’s fall festival schedule offers lots of arts-focused options, including the acclaimed Vancouver International Film Festival and the Eastside Culture Crawl —an opportunity to explore the studios of the city’s independent artists and craftspeople.
- Fall signals the beginning of hockey season for the NHL’s Vancouver Canucks, playing at downtown’s Rogers Arena. But you can also still catch a late season Vancouver Whitecaps soccer match, or BC Lions Canadian football game – their seasons wrap in October and November respectively.
- Check our Calendar of Events for more information about what's happening in the fall.
Top Sightseeing Options
- The city’s seawall starts at the Vancouver Convention Centre and travels 10 kilometres (6.2 miles) around Stanley Park and then further around the waterfront. On a sunny fall day, a stroll or bike-ride along the route makes for a great way to spend a few hours. Or grab an Aquabus mini-ferry over False Creek to Granville Island. The spot is famous for its public market, but you’ll also find plenty of tempting cafes, artisan studios and other souvenir-worthy diversions.
- Fall can be an especially lovely time to visit Vancouver’s attractions. Rise high above the city at the Vancouver Lookout to get your bearings. Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden is also a great rainy-day option (yes, a garden in the rain!) as it’s designed to be enjoyed throughout all 12 months. Capilano Suspension Bridge will give you a glimpse into our temperate rainforest – while there, thrill seekers should check out the attraction’s Cliffwalk feature!
- Organized sightseeing tours can be a great way to take in as much as possible in a limited amount of time. Westcoast Sightseeing’s hop-on, hop-off buses have stops at most of Vancouver’s top attractions. Check out Landsea Tours for for day-long or half-day trips. Or incorporate a bit of exercise into your sightseeing with a Cycle City bike tour or Rockwood Adventures’ interpretive rainforest walk.
- Be sure to visit the acclaimed Vancouver Art Gallery right on Robson where you will be able to see Vikky Alexander: Extreme Beauty (Jul 6 – Oct 27, 2019). Head to North Vancouver for the stunning new Polygon Gallery, with its collection of photography and media art. Delve into the region’s First Nations culture with a visit to the Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art or the Museum of Anthropology at UBC.
- Downtown shopping is centred around Robson Street, with Pacific Centre mall (home to both Holt Renfrew and Nordstrom department stores) anchoring one end. Stroll nearby neighbourhoods like Yaletown and Gastown for independent boutiques and shops, or hit McArthurGlen Designer Outlet (just two train stops from the airport) to fill your suitcase with deals.
- Exploring Vancouver’s diverse neighbourhoods is a great way to spend the afternoon, hanging out with the locals. Grab a coffee and wander downtown areas such as hip Yaletown, the beach-side West End, or historic Gastown.
- Vancouver makes a great starting point for exploring British Columbia. So you might want to extend your stay by a couple of days to see more of our province. The world-class ski resort of Whistler is just two hours from downtown Vancouver. The mountain usually opens in November for skiing, but day trips to take in the amazing mountain scenery and lively village are always recommended. The province’s capital city, Victoria makes a charming day trip, especially if accessed via a scenic 35-minute float plane ride. And fall in the Okanagan Valley, B.C.’s wine country, is a beautiful (and delicious) way to experience the harvest season.
- Looking for more ideas? Visit our Itineraries page for a suggested two-day schedule for getting the most out of Vancouver during your stay.
Need More Information?
We’re looking forward to seeing you in Vancouver really soon. We know there’s a lot of information to absorb here, but perhaps you’re looking for something more specific. In that case, check out Inside Vancouver – Destination Vancouver’s blog dedicated to what’s going on the city and tips from locals. Follow us on social media for further trip inspiration or to ask a questions or two:
- Instagram: @destination_vancouver
- Twitter: @MyVancouver
- Facebook: @InsideVancouver