Vancouver
Guide to Vancouver's Cherry Blossoms

Spring Meetings in Vancouver - Know Before You Go

Spring Meetings in Vancouver - Know Before You Go!

Spring is a great time to visit Vancouver as the city awakens from winter and starts to head outside to tree-lined streets and parks that are quite literally awash in blossoms! Even if you have just a couple of hours between sessions to do some sightseeing, you’ll want to make the most of your time, and we’re happy to help you do just that with this guide we’ve put together.

 

Cherry Blossoms in Spring

 

Weather

Vancouver’s temperatures begin to warm up over the spring months of March, April and May but they’re still quite cool. Temperatures hover between 7˚C – 19˚C (45˚F – 66˚F) during the day, dipping by about 5˚C (10˚F) overnight. If you’re heading up to Vancouver’s local mountains, expect snowy conditions into April: what might be a sunny spring day in downtown can still feel like winter up on the mountain. Check Vancouver’s current and historical weather conditions online here.

What to Wear

Because the temperature is quite mild, it’s best to dress in light layers. Make sure to pack a rain jacket and an umbrella, and if you’re thinking of heading up to the local mountains (especially in March or April), make sure you bring warmer items you can layer on. Bring some good walking shoes – Vancouver is a great place to explore on foot!

meeting coal harbour waterfront

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.

Convention Centre Meetings

Grab A Deal

Your delegate badge comes with perks! When you’re out exploring the city, shopping and dining, remember to bring it with you to enjoy exclusive discounts and offers. See a list of offers here.

Gastown Lamplighter

Vancouver's Spring Highlights

Full Size: Group at Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden

Top Sightseeing Options

  • Even with a couple of hours of free time during your stay, you’ll have plenty of time to get an authentic Vancouver experience. Grab a False Creek Ferries mini-tugboat over False Creek to Granville Island, stroll around Stanley Park, or hop on board a hop-on, hop-off bus.
     
  • Most of Vancouver’s attractions are open year-round, but there are some spots that top our list during spring. Chinatown’s Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden combines spring blooms with a healthy dose of culture. It’s also a great time of year to head out to the University of British Columbia’s campus for some sightseeing; along with the UBC Botanical Garden, make sure you visit the stunning First Nations collections at the Museum of Anthropology, and the Beaty Biodiversity Museum.
     
  • Organized sightseeing tours can be a great way to take in as much as possible in a limited amount of time. Hop-on, hop-off tours such the one offered by Westcoast Sightseeing have stops at most of the city’s top attractions. Explore the North Shore with Landsea Tours day tour which includes Grouse Mountain, Capilano Suspension Bridge Park and more. Or take to the skies on a Harbour Air flightseeing tour, cruising over downtown, the mountains and the ocean.
     
  • This spring, Vancouver Art Gallery presents French Moderns: Monet to Matisse, 1850-1950  (Feb 21 – May 20, 2019).  Or delve into the region’s First Nations culture with a visit to the Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art or smaller, independent spaces such as Coastal Peoples Fine Arts Gallery in Gastown. 
     
  • Vancouver’s shopping scene will not disappoint. Downtown shopping is centered 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. If you’ve got some extra time to head further afield, check out our neighbourhood guide for other suggestions.
     
  • 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, and the season usually runs through to April, with Blackcomb Mountain offering spring skiing through mid-May. Even if you don’t ski, attractions like the Peak2Peak gondola linking the two mountains, and the lively, walkable village make it worth a visit. The province’s capital city, Victoria makes a charming day trip at this time of year, especially if accessed via a scenic 35-minute float plane ride.

 

Need More Information?

There’s a lot of information to process here, but perhaps we missed something that’s close to your heart. In that case, check out Inside Vancouver – Destination Vancouver’s blog dedicated to what’s going on the city and tips from locals. We’re looking forward to seeing you in our city soon, so follow us on social media for further trip inspiration or to ask a questions or two: