We spent a December afternoon in Granville Island and as a first-time visitor to Vancouver it was the best way to get introduced to the city. See how we spent our afternoon here!
Tip: We drove to the island, but there’s only so much parking, so if you want to easily find a spot, go in the morning!
Take in the Vancouver views
Cities by the water are my favorite! We drove to Granville Island and went right to the docks to take in the views of Vancouver. Spend some time walking around the island to get views from all angles!
Shop at the Granville Island Public Market
The indoor Granville Island Public Market is the main attraction of Granville Island Vancouver. We went on the Friday after Christmas, so it was packed! Here you’ll find food and produce vendors, restaurants with little spots to eat, and shops! Spend some time walking around this area and buying some unique goodies.
Eat lunch at The Sandbar
We wanted to get away from the hustle and bustle of the market to eat lunch, so we headed to the second floor of The Sandbar to grab lunch with awesome views of Vancouver. We ordered the shrimp dumplings, clam chowder, and fish and chips. Everything we had was amazing, and the service was even better!
Have a drink at Liberty Distillery
After lunch it was time for some drinks, so we chose Liberty Distillery. There’s also a brewery on the island but we unfortunately didn’t have time for that 🙁 At Liberty Distillery you can choose from drinks with vodka, gin, or whiskey. They also have a great menu!
Shop local at Make Vancouver
There’s lots of fun shops on Granville Island Vancouver, but our favorite is Make Vancouver. It’s full of fun, locally made goods that make for great souvenirs or gifts! You can even make some of your own gifts with their embroidery and engraving experience – so cool!
Browse the local Net Loft Shops
Another market on Granville Island is The Net Loft Shops. It’s also located indoors but is full of local artists, studios, and shops. A great place to find something unique!
Take photos under the Granville Island Vancouver sign
Another iconic sign of Granville Island Vancouver is the sign right under the bridge that leads to the island. Take the sidewalk and snap some photos to remember your trip! This road can get busy though, so watch out for cars while crossing.
Things to do outside Granville Island Vancouver
Explore Shannon Falls
Have some extra time? Head North of Vancouver into the mountains and take in the awesome views of Shannon Falls. It’s located right off the highway and is an easy 5 minute hike to the falls. Reminds me of Switzerland!
Visit Whistler
Heading to Whistler? We spent 3 days in Whistler where we skied, visited Scandinavian pools, and ate some great food. Check out our 3 day itinerary here!
Related post: Things to do in Whistler BC
That’s a wrap on our afternoon on Granville Island Vancouver. To see a map of everywhere we visited, plus more, click on the map below!
