Vancouver for the Long Weekend: A Guide for Ontarians

Looking to make the most of your next long weekend without dealing with border chaos, pricey exchange rates, or jet lag? You’re not alone. More and more Ontarians are skipping the States and heading west—for good reason. Vancouver is a direct flight away, has no customs delays, and offers the perfect mix of relaxation, nature, culture, and cuisine. It’s the ultimate Canadian city break, and it fits beautifully into a three-day itinerary.

Here’s how to do it right.

Fly West in the Morning, Hit the Seawall by Afternoon

Direct flights from Toronto, Ottawa, and Hamilton land in Vancouver multiple times a day, and with a time difference working in your favour, you can leave in the morning and be exploring by early afternoon. No passport? No problem. No customs wait, either. Within an hour of landing, you can be walking along the Stanley Park seawall or sipping a drink at a waterfront patio.

Day One: Coastline Strolls, Fresh Eats, and Sunset Views

Ease into your weekend with a gentle afternoon walk or bike ride around Stanley Park. It’s one of the most iconic urban parks in the world, and you’ll see why the second you hit the path: mountain views, ocean breezes, and totem poles that tell the story of this land.

Keep the coastal theme going with dinner in English Bay, Gastown, or at Granville Island’s Public Market. If you’re travelling with kids, grab takeout and watch the boats drift by. If it’s adults-only, you’ll find dozens of patios with BC wine and local craft beer flowing.

Day Two: Nature Meets Culture

Start your Saturday with a little elevation—Capilano Suspension Bridge Park is a must for first-timers. The free shuttle from downtown makes it easy to get there, and once you’re across the bridge, you’ll enter a temperate rainforest unlike anything in Ontario. Treetops Adventure and the Cliffwalk are both thrilling and family-friendly.

Afterwards, explore Vancouver’s cultural side. Head to the Museum of Anthropology at UBC (reopening soon), or the Bill Reid Gallery downtown, both of which showcase stunning Indigenous art and history. Prefer shopping? Mount Pleasant and Main Street are full of indie shops, record stores, and cafés worth lingering in.

Dinner that night? Treat yourself to seafood at Boulevard, or Peking Duck at iDen & Quanjude—the only Michelin-starred Chinese restaurant in Canada. Long weekend = long dinner. Enjoy every bite.

Day Three: Lazy Brunch, One More Adventure in Vancouver

There’s no shame in sleeping in. Sunday brunch in Vancouver is a sacred ritual, with great options in Kitsilano, Commercial Drive, and Mount Pleasant. You’ll find everything from smoothie bowls to dim sum to smoked salmon bennies, all made with local ingredients.

If you’ve got time before your flight, choose your adventure:

• Take a ferry to Granville Island
  
  
• Rent a kayak in False Creek
  
  
• Go for a final walk at VanDusen Garden
  
  
• Lounge at Kits Beach or grab a scoop at Rain or Shine Ice Cream
  
  

The best part? You’ll be back home before bedtime, with zero border stress and a camera full of West Coast memories.

Why Stay in Canada? Because It’s Worth It.

Let’s be honest—travelling to the U.S. has become a bit of a hassle. Between long lineups, weak exchange rates, and travel insurance costs, it often feels like more trouble than it’s worth. Vancouver, on the other hand, delivers big-city energy and natural beauty in equal measure. It’s a uniquely Canadian experience, from the food to the forests.

For your next long weekend, skip the border lineup and see what’s waiting on the other side of the Rockies. Vancouver is closer, easier, and far more rewarding than you might think.