Vancouver tours

Things to do in Vancouver

Vancouver can be a curious blend of nature and city life, where you're as likely to find yourself gazing at the mountains as you are navigating the urban sprawl. A local guide could show you a side of Vancouver you might not stumble upon otherwise. Imagine meandering through Stanley Park, with its ancient trees and the ocean's low hum as your backdrop, or perhaps indulging in the culinary delights of Granville Island, where the market buzzes with an eclectic mix of flavours. Opting for a private tour can transform the experience, bypassing the usual tourist traps and offering a glimpse into the city's more intimate stories. If you’re looking for more inspiration, take a look at our curated list of things to do in Vancouver. Explore Vancouver your way At ToursByLocals, we believe that how you explore is just as important as where you go. That’s why every Vancouver tour is private, flexible, and built around you: Move at your own pace, skip the crowds, make connections and follow your curiosity. Find local guides offering private tours in Vancouver for every interest, including: Nature and Wildlife tours: Walk Stanley Park’s forest trails and seawall with your guide to spot harbour seals, great blue herons, and towering cedars. Venture to Lynn Canyon or the Reifel Bird Sanctuary to cross a suspension bridge and watch bald eagles and migrating snow geese in season. Art and Culture tours: Explore Mount Pleasant’s mural corridors and Chinatown laneways, then step into the Chinese Canadian Museum in the Wing Sang Building. Visit the Bill Reid Gallery for Northwest Coast art and drop by Granville Island studios to watch makers at work on hands-on culture tours. Downtown is very walkable, and SkyTrain, SeaBus, and buses connect many tour meeting points across the region. For mountains, forests, or wineries beyond the core, you can book a chauffeured tour or ask your local guide about tours with private transportation. This isn’t a one-size-fits-all itinerary, you can tailor your private tour to match your interests, pace and personality with a local who knows Vancouver inside and out. Walking tours & neighbourhoods Take a private walking tour to explore Vancouver, and while you're at it, consider adding a few popular neighborhoods to your itinerary with a local guide. There's no better way to get to know a neighborhood than with someone who knows it inside out. - Gastown: Perfect for cultural tourists, Gastown combines historic charm with modern flair. You can explore cobblestone streets, unique boutiques, and local eateries in this vibrant area. - Granville Island: Known for its artistic community, Granville Island is great for families and those seeking meaningful connections. You can visit artisan workshops, explore the public market, and enjoy waterfront views. - Kitsilano: Ideal for outdoor enthusiasts and families, Kitsilano offers beautiful beaches, parks, and a lively atmosphere. It's a great spot for a picnic or a walk along the shoreline. - Yaletown: For those interested in nightlife and dining, Yaletown offers trendy restaurants, bars, and a bustling energy. It's a chic neighborhood with a mix of historic and modern architecture. Day trip ideas from Vancouver If you have a free day in Vancouver, think about easy day trips to nearby cities, islands, and mountain valleys, and shape your tour around nature, food, or coastal views that match your pace. Sea-to-Sky to Squamish and Whistler: Follow a scenic coastal highway with stops for short walks to waterfalls and lookouts, then choose time in Squamish for easy trails and granite viewpoints or keep going to Whistler for village strolls and alpine lakes, which suits hikers, photographers, and families who want variety in one day. Victoria on Vancouver Island: Ride the ferry for harbour views, then explore Victoria’s walkable Inner Harbour, historic streets, and cafés, and add neighbourhood gardens or seaside paths if you like a calmer day built around heritage, tea rooms, and ocean scenery. Bowen Island: A short ferry from Horseshoe Bay brings you to forest trails, quiet beaches, and the small village at Snug Cove, so you can hike, rent a kayak, or linger over lunch, which fits if your tour leans slow and local. Steveston and Richmond: Visit the fishing village boardwalks, wooden docks, and cannery history in Steveston, then sample Asian food courts and night-market bites in Richmond, a good mix if your interests sit at the crossroads of riverside stories and serious eating. These day trips work well as private tours, and your tour can focus on nature, food, history, or a bit of each without rushing. A private tour with a local guide is the best way to really get to know a place. Skip the crowds, follow your interests, and see a side of Vancouver most travellers miss.