One sunny day, four stops: a botanical garden with its own beehives, Canada’s largest aquarium, the Stanley Park seawall on a tandem, and Gastown after dark. It was enough — and we wouldn’t change a thing.
This was the third day of our trip to British Columbia. The day before, we’d driven from Canmore to Vancouver in one go, and now we had a whole day for the city itself.
After the long drive, Nika stayed behind to rest at the Airbnb with our friend, so this time it was just the two of us. The weather was glorious — warm and sunny all day. We headed out early in the morning and got back at around eight in the evening.
Our Route for One Day in Vancouver
The order was: VanDusen Botanical Garden → Vancouver Aquarium → Stanley Park → Gastown.
It works because it runs from the south of the city to the north and finishes where you most want to be in the evening. The garden is a calm start while it’s still cool. The aquarium and Stanley Park go together, because the aquarium sits right inside the park. And Gastown comes last, when the heat eases and the lights come on.
Getting Around and Parking
We drove between every stop and used the car parks at each one.
Parking in Vancouver is paid almost everywhere, and the price is different at every lot. We didn’t keep track of the exact amounts — just budget for it as a separate line in the day’s costs.
Morning: VanDusen Botanical Garden
We spent about two hours here. We bought tickets online — $31.21 including tax for two — and buying online makes an adult ticket a dollar cheaper.
It’s a wonderful place for a walk, and what stuck with us most was a small apiary of two beehives right inside the garden.
Hours, prices and what’s there are in our guide to VanDusen Botanical Garden.
Midday: Vancouver Aquarium
Another two hours or so. Tickets were bought online: $94.90 including tax for two. The price depends on the day, and entry is by timed ticket.
It was busy. What impressed us was that the wildlife isn’t only indoors — there are open-air pools outside as well.
Tickets, time slots and what to know are in our guide to the Vancouver Aquarium.
Afternoon: The Stanley Park Seawall on a Tandem
We rented a tandem bike from Jo-E Bike Rentals for $20 an hour and rode the seawall, the waterfront path that circles the whole park. It took about three hours: the waterfront, the bridge, and stops along the way.
Rentals, the route and how long to allow are in our guide to Stanley Park and its seawall.
Evening: Gastown
We were in Gastown in the evening, though not late — just a walk. What stayed with us was the famous steam clock, very good ice cream, and crowds of people out on summer patios by the cafés. That’s a rare sight in Winnipeg, so it felt like a small treat of its own.
And the main tip from this day: see Gastown in the evening. That’s when the lights give it its charm and the summer heat has eased — though it does get busier.
What the Day Cost
| What | Amount |
|---|---|
| VanDusen Botanical Garden, 2 tickets online | $31.21 with tax |
| Vancouver Aquarium, 2 tickets online | $94.90 with tax |
| Tandem, about 3 hours at $20 | roughly $60 |
| Parking | extra, different at every stop |
| Food and ice cream | extra |
Tickets and bike rental came to roughly $186 for two, not counting parking and food.
Was One Day Enough?
It was. We spent as long as we wanted everywhere, never rushed, and didn’t have to skip anything. If we did it again, we wouldn’t change a thing.
Route, Costs and What to Bring
Route. VanDusen Botanical Garden → Vancouver Aquarium → Stanley Park → Gastown. All the points are on the map above.
Time. A full day, from early morning to eight in the evening. About two hours at the garden, two at the aquarium, three on the seawall, and the evening in Gastown.
Know before you go.
- Buy garden and aquarium tickets online: it’s cheaper at the garden, and the aquarium uses timed entry with limited tickets at the door.
- Parking is paid almost everywhere.
- Save Gastown for the evening.
- VanDusen doesn’t allow pets, so if you have a dog, plan who it stays with.
Where to read next. Canmore to Vancouver drive — how we got here.
Last checked: September 2026. The route, the order of stops, the time at each place, the prices we paid, the tandem rental, the weather and the impressions of Gastown are all firsthand from August 10, 2026. We don’t remember the exact parking costs, so we haven’t listed them.
Sources checked: the official pages of VanDusen Botanical Garden and the Vancouver Aquarium (rates, hours, policies), and Jo-E Bike Rentals. Prices and hours change — confirm before you travel.
