2 Days in Vancouver: The Ultimate Weekend Itinerary
If you’re working full-time and looking for your next weekend getaway, Vancouver is a great place to visit for only 2 days. It’s easy to reach from the West Coast and surprisingly full of things to do, eat, and experience.
I spent a long weekend there over Labor Day, and honestly, I didn’t expect to love it this much. But with the perfect mix of cozy neighborhoods, coastal views, unique restaurants, and walkable city streets, Vancouver kind of won me over. Here’s exactly how I’d recommend spending your 48 hours.
TLDR: 2 Days in Vancouver
Day 1: Canadian Classics & Unique Experiences
- Kick off with Tim Hortons
- Ride the AquaBus to Granville Island
- Craft beer flights at Granville Island Brewing
- Wine and snacks at Vancouver Urban Winery
- Blind dining at Dark Table
- Dive bar vibes at The Roxy
Day 2: Sights and Staples
- Coffee and croissants at Honolulu Coffee
- Shop in downtown or visit museums at Vancouver Art Gallery
- Pasta lunch at Robba da Matti
- Seawall walk from English Bay to Stanley Park
- Dinner at Jingle Bao
- Late-night poutine from Fritz and boba from Xing Fu Tang
Day 1: Food Markets, Blind Dining, and Dive Bars
Start your day with a Canadian classic
There’s no better way to start your trip than with breakfast at Tim Hortons. It’s a staple for a reason and gives you a taste of local life.
We went there for our first breakfast, and it was the easiest way to fuel up before diving into the day. I got the chicken sandwich, which doesn’t seem like a breakfast item, but it was actually pretty yummy! The coffee was pretty good too. It’s not anything fancy, but it’s familiar and comforting in the best way.
Ride the AquaBus to Granville Island
After eating, walk over to the water and hop on the colorful AquaBus ferry and head over to Granville Island, one of Vancouver’s most beloved spots for food and local crafts. I loved the the little ferry, it was adorable and such a fun experience.
Once there, stroll through the Granville Island Public Market, grab lunch from one of the many food vendors. I loved how relaxed the whole experience felt. We wandered the stalls, picked up souvenirs, and grabbed some pizza and pasta before heading to the brewery nearby.
I recommend you do the same and swing by Granville Island Brewing for a casual tasting.
When we visited, we split a beer flight —it was the perfect intro to the city. One of the perfect activities to make the most of just 2 days in Vancouver!
Sip and snack at Vancouver Urban Winery
If you get snacky like me but want to continue the vibe, head to Vancouver Urban Winery—a sleek, welcoming spot in the downtown eastside where you can unwind with local wines and shareable bites. It’s a great in-between stop to recharge before dinner or a night out.
After our afternoon on Granville Island, we came back to the city and stopped here for a wine flight and a charcuterie board. The space was beautiful—high ceilings, rustic wood, and this calm, cozy energy that made it really easy to just sit and hang out. It was the perfect mix between the casual afternoon market vibe and the more immersive experience we had planned for dinner.
Go to a blind dining experience
Make dinner a full-on sensory adventure at Dark Table, where you eat in total darkness and are guided by visually impaired servers.
I was honestly a little nervous going in because you can’t see anything. But once we settled at the table, I got really into it. You choose your meal based on a few basics (like vegetarian or not vegetarian), but the rest is a mystery.
I couldn’t see my friends, but hearing them try to guess what they were eating had us all cracking up. The whole experience is led by individuals who are visually impaired, to raise awareness and show what it is like to walk a day in their lifes. It was one of the most exhilirating experiences I’ve had while traveling–not only from the 2 days in Vancouver, but all of my travel experiences. I left with a new perspective and unique memories, and I couldn’t recommend it more!
Pro Tip: I recommend making a reservation in advance, before your trip. It gets busy since it’s such a unique experience!
End with a low-key night out
Wrap up the day with a laid-back bar night on Granville Street. The Roxy is your go-to for cheap drinks, pool tables, and an easygoing crowd. You can also go to the Living Room, it’s a cute bar with great cocktails.
We weren’t in the mood for anything too wild, so we started with the Living Room. It was the perfect cocktail bar vibe to just chill and talk. As the night got later, we headed over to the Roxy. Just solid music, a decent crowd, and that classic dive bar comfort.
Day 2: Ocean Walks, Cozy Cafes, and Dumplings
Fuel up with coffee and carbs
Start the morning at Honolulu Coffee, a great little café with tropical vibes and strong espresso.
I got a croissant sandwich and a latte, and both were way better than I expected. It was just one of those quiet moments where you’re sitting with a warm drink and realize you’re in a whole new city—it set a nice tone for the second day of your 2 day Vancouver trip.
Shop downtown or visit the Vancouver Art Gallery
Before heading to lunch, it’s worth carving out a little time to explore downtown Vancouver. Robson Street is the hub for shopping, with a mix of local boutiques and big-name brands, while the Vancouver Art Gallery offers a relaxing dose of culture just around the corner.
When we went, we ended up strolling through Robson without much of a plan and it was super fun! We had a great time meandering around and enjoyed the walk and sights, especially since there’s tons of stuff going on in Robson square.
Stop for lunch at a neighborhood Italian spot
Make your way to Robba da Matti, a cozy and authentic Italian restaurant known for its handmade pasta and friendly atmosphere.
We met up with friends here and I ordered the rigatoni—it was perfectly cooked and hit all the right notes. The vibe felt welcoming and local, not touristy, and the staff was super chill. If you’re craving carbs after a long walk, this is exactly where you want to be.
Walk from English Bay to Stanley Park
Take a walk along the seawall, starting at the Inukshuk monument by English Bay and making your way toward Stanley Park—one of the most beautiful urban parks in the world.
This was a beautiful part of the trip. The sun was out, the breeze was light, and it felt like the whole city was out walking, biking, and just enjoying the day. We took our time strolling the path, stopping to admire the views and just soak up the coastal energy. I highly recommend visiting this area in your 2 days in Vancouver, because it shows the more outdoor side that the locals love.
Try rainbow dumplings for dinner
After your walk, grab dinner at Jingle Bao, a playful spot serving rainbow-colored soup dumplings, each with a different flavor. It’s actually pretty close to the park, we walked over when we went.
This place was such a fun surprise. The dumplings come in every color, and you can actually see them being made through the window. We didn’t even have a reservation and were seated quickly. Each flavor had a little twist, and I ended up loving the spicy ones the most.
Pro Tip: Make a reservation in advance. We had to wait a while because it’s such a popular place! If you do have a wait time, enjoy watching them make the rainbow dumplings at the front of the store.
Late-night bites: poutine and boba
No trip to Canada is complete without poutine, and Fritz has one of the best in the city. I wasn’t sure what to expect from poutine, but the version here totally won me over—crispy fries, rich gravy, and melty cheese curds all layered up.
Afterward, if you still have an appetite, stop by Xing Fu Tang for some brown sugar boba made fresh on the spot. You can also go before your walk to have something to munch on while you stroll.
I liked it because of the quality boba, but also because I could actually see them stirring the pearls in brown sugar syrup right before serving. It was a perfect sweet ending to the trip.
Final Thoughts
While I wish we had more time here, I felt like we got to see a lot of sides of Vancouver in just 2 days. With a little planning and some PTO magic, we packed our weekend with unique meals, ocean views, and just enough chill time.
If you’re looking for a short international escape that won’t wipe you out, Vancouver’s your place. If you want to check out my other tips and tricks from Vancouver, you can find them all here.
