Have you been searching for the best things to do alone in Vancouver this year?
Join us as we run through our favorite solo activities that’ll fill up your itinerary in a flash.
If you’re traveling to Canada as a solo traveler, you may be looking activities you can do solo. And that’s where we come in!
We’ve rounded up a huge list of the best things to do alone in Vancouver that will brighten up your trip in no time.
From amazing tours to viewing platforms and beaches, there’s something on this list to suit everyone.
Now let’s do this thing!
32 of the Best Things to Do Alone in Vancouver…
Do a tour of Gastown
The first spot on our list of things to do alone in Vancouver is a glorious tour of Gastown!
There’s an incredible walking food tour here that’ll take you through the best eateries around this historic part of town.
But you can easily do a self-guided version based on TripAdvisor reviews and local recommendations if you prefer!
Walk around Stanley Park
Next on our list of things to do alone in Vancouver, we have the wonderful Stanley Park!
Sure, this is one of the more touristy options – but it’s a classic for a reason.
You can hop on a horse-drawn carriage ride, explore the greenhouses, explore the local flora, or just spend an hour people-watching.
The sky’s the limit when your surroundings are this stunning!
Granville Island Public Market
Next on our list, it’s checking out Granville Island Public Market.
Granville Island Public Market is such a great location for foodies, and if you want to try some amazing local produce – this is the place to be!
It’s a great location for solo travelers in Vancouver as it’s super casual, fun, and safe too. We definitely recommend it for the best things to do alone in Vancouver!
If you want to take a guided tour around the market – I really recommend this amazing tour!
Get on the SeaBus
You don’t want to miss the SeaBus when you visit Vancouver, trust me!
A SeaBus adventure is essentially an adventure cruise through Vancouver that takes you to Lonsdale Quay.
It’s an excellent way to see the city on the cheap as the passenger ferry carries up to 395 people per trip!
Just be sure to check the schedule in advance to seamlessly work it into your list of things to do alone in Vancouver.
Visit one of the many beaches
You might be surprised to hear this, but visiting the city’s beaches is one of the best ways to spend time alone in Vancouver.
Second and Third Beach are both lush places to hit after visiting the Seawall.
But you can also check out Kitsilano or English Bay depending on where you’re based.
Just grab a book, a picnic, and some sunscreen and you’ll have one of the best things to do alone in Vancouver ready to rumble.
Grab some seriously good coffee
Next up on our list – it’s grabbing a simple cup of coffee!
Now, Canadians love their coffee, and some beautiful coffee shops are perfect for exploring in Vancouver.
No matter which neighborhood you’re stopping in, I can almost guarantee there will a grat coffee shop something nearby.
If not, Café La Foret is beautiful and lets you pick up a couple of cakes while you’re around!
Check out Granville Island
Heading to Granville Island is one of the best things to do alone in Vancouver if you have a day to spare.
You’ll need to hop on a ferry at False Creek, but once you’re there, you can enjoy beers, walks, and food at the Public Market!
Look around the stores on Main Street
Visiting Main Street is one of the activities that you need to experience in Vancouver.
Not only is it loaded with cute cafes and restaurants, but there are tons of boutiques and shops to explore.
Throughout the year, you’ll also spot events like the Vancouver Mural Festival and the Farmers Market popping up.
Visit Queen Elizabeth Park
If you adore exotic birds and florals, then you’re bound to appreciate Queen Elizabeth Park.
This spot boasts tons of natural greenery, and it’s a gorgeous place to meander around on a sunny day!
Whether you want to walk the green paths or go birdwatching, this belongs on any list of things to do alone in Vancouver.
Come on, talk about a relaxing afternoon!
Take a food tour!
One of my favorite activities when traveling solo, is always taking a food tour.
First of all, food tours are amazing ways to meet other travelers, and it’s a really low-key way to spend the day with new company (if you’re feeling a little lonely).
Secondly, food tours are a great way to check out the local food scene and see what the city has!
I recommend this specific food tour of the Gastown district!
Get lost in Vancouver Flea Market
Our next idea for things to do in Vancouver alone, is the wonderful Vancouver Flea Market.
If you love bargain hunting, and finding hidden treasures, then you’re going to absolutely adore wandering around this amazing local market.
Flea markets are always a great place to spend a few hours, and Vancouver Flea Market is one of the top ones!
Check out the Museum of Anthropology
Feel like exploring art and culture in the city?
Well, you should add the Museum of Anthropology to your list of things to do alone in Vancouver!
It’s packed with a huge range of Northwest Coast First Nations artwork which is perfect for exploring Canada’s historical side.
Take a harbor tour
Another wonderful choice for solo travelers is taking a harbor tour of the city.
Seeing the Vancouver coastline is a great way to see the city’s skyline, and it’s a really wonderful way to spend the evening.
Because of how the harbor tours are organized, they’re really easy and low-key to enjoy by yourself too!
Click here for my harbor tour recommendation!
Explore Grouse Mountain
Grouse Mountain is a little further out of the city than some of the suggestions on this list of things to do alone in Vancouver – but we promise it’s worth the journey!
We actually recommend booking a day tour, that includes both Grouse Mountain, and the fun Skyride too!
It’s a great way to spend the day with a friendly group of people, and see some great parts of the city.
Wander around Chinatown
Next up on our list of things to do alone in Vancouver – it’s wandering through Chinatown!
We’ll always recommend grabbing a portion of dim sum, but you can also check out Millennium Gate.
Oh, and don’t forget the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden too!
Seriously, you can spend a whole hour here just relaxing and taking in the gorgeous art (and lilypads!).
Read more about solo travel: 15 best places in the USA for solo female travelers
Walk through the Vancouver Art Gallery
Speaking of art, why not add the Vancouver Art Gallery to your list of things to do alone in Vancouver this year?
This place is constantly popping with new exhibits and pieces as it’s the biggest art museum in Western Canada.
So, even if you’re a local, this is one of the best solo activities to embrace your cultural side!
Visit the Catoro Café
If you’re on the hunt for super-cute solo ideas (that’ll soothe your soul!), we’ve got you.
The Catoro Café is an incredibly popular cat café in Vancouver that gives rescue cats the chance to socialize and get adopted.
Who knows – you may just walk away with a new best friend if you’re relatively local to the area!
Take a bicycle tour of the city
If you want to see Vancouver with the help of a tour guide, but fancy something a bit different to a walking tour – this is such a great choice!
I love this bike tour of Vancouver because the tour guides are super knowledgeable and the route is perfect!
Explore the Seawall
We couldn’t write a list of the best things to do alone in Vancouver without mentioning the iconic Seawall.
Believe it or not, this is the world’s largest uninterrupted waterfront path and stretches 10km around Vancouver.
Taking an average of 13,123 steps to complete, it’s a great way to impress your Fitbit or Apple Watch!
And hey, who doesn’t love walking along the waterfront and taking in the sights of a city?
We know we do.
The Capilano Suspension Bridge
If you’re looking for cool things to do alone in Vancouver, throw on your hiking shoes and visit the Capilano Suspension Bridge.
It’s a total gem of an activity that will make adrenaline junkies squeal with delight – and that’s because the bridge is wobbly.
Although, this might be one of the ideas that you should skip if you’re afraid of heights.
But otherwise, enjoy the luscious forestry and gorgeous views! Click here for park tickets!
Ride in a seaplane!
Flying in a seaplane is one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences, and if you’re traveling alone in Vancouver, it’s one of those amazing things to treat yourself to!
Yes, it’s expensive, but Vancouver is one of the best places in the world to experience the magic of a seaplane, so it’s well worth it!
We recommend booking with this company (click here)!
Head to a yoga class
Looking for things to do alone in Vancouver that’ll make you feel Zen and limber? We’ve got you with a yoga class at Karma Teachers!
This spot is completely non-profit and aims to bring yoga to the community in Vancouver without bleeding you dry.
Whether you’re into sun salutations or meditation, this is one activity that’ll chill you OUT.
Street Art & Craft Beer Walking Tour with Tasting
Next on our list of things to do alone in Vancouver, it’s the fun Street Art & Craft Beer Walking Tour.
This great tour features two of our favorite things… street art (of which Vancouver has plenty!) and beer!
As we’ve mentioned, guided tours are great ways to meet new people and spend the day with company, and this tour specifically has great energy and attracts a nice crowd of people.
You’ll follow a fun and friendly guide through the alleyways of Mount Pleasant and visit The Beaumont Studios in Vancouver to admire street art on this walking tour. All of this, and you’ll also stop at local breweries on the way to sample some of the city’s best craft beer!
Book your tickets by clicking here!
Read your way through MacLeod’s Books
Sometimes, the best things are simple, relaxing, and free!
You can head to MacLeod’s Books and settle in as you flick through a few books.
Although we recommend buying one and taking it to a local park or coffee shop, you can easily pinch pennies if you must!
Visit The Cinematheque
Next on our list, it’s the wonderful ‘Cinematheque‘ movie theater.
If you’re into movies, and you don’t mind visiting the cinema alone – then we really recommend visiting The Cinematheque.
It’s one of the city’s best movie theaters and it’s an absolutely wonderful and unique place to explore, and then sit and enjoy the latest movie release!
Go on a whale-watching tour
Canada is known for its whale-watching opportunities, so why not head out on the water to spot some wildlife?
This is one of the best things to do alone in Vancouver as you can easily slide onto a tour last minute as a single traveler.
Plus, who doesn’t want to round off their trip to Canada by seeing a super-majestic whale? Click here to book tickets!
Take the Forbidden Vancouver tour
Next up on our list of things to do alone in Vancouver, it’s the Forbidden Vancouver Tour.
On this fun and unique tour, you’ll delve into Vancouver’s darkest history and explore the city on foot with a friendly and knowledgable guide.
This walking tour is packed with the city’s most scandalous prohibition-era stories, things you won’t have heard of before! You’ll see a side of Vancouver you never knew existed.
Go shopping at Robson Street
Our next suggestion for things to do alone in Vancouver is a trip to Robson Street for some retail therapy!
This is one of the oldest commercial streets in the city and is THE place to visit for souvenirs and brand-name goodies.
And hey, there’s no harm in window shopping if you’re low on cash!
Visit the Vancouver Lookout
The next idea on our list of the best things to do solo in Vancouver belongs to the gorgeous Vancouver Lookout.
Considering how amazing the views are from here (360-degree panoramas!), we’re surprised that it’s not more frequently visited.
You just take a glass elevator 168 meters above the city and you’ll see everything from Stanley Park to Gastown!
Bloedel Conservatory
Bloedel Conservatory is a stunning location in the heart of Vancouver, and it’s a great option for things to do in Vancouver alone.
If you love nature, plants and wildlife – you’re going to adore it here.
Take a day trip to Maple Ridge
Our next suggestion for things to do alone in Vancouver, it’s taking a day trip to Maple Ridge.
This gorgeous little town is located a short distance from Vancouver, and it’s one of the best ideas – especially if you’re keen to explore more of the local area.
Maple Ridge is like a storybook town and we think you’re going to adore it.
People watching at the waterfront
Another great idea for things to do alone in Vancouver, is people watching at the waterfront.
This is something you can enjoy totally free (although we do suggest spending a few dollars on a cup of coffee to enjoy at the same time!).
The waterfront is a perfect place for people watching, so obviously I love it.
We hope our list of things to do alone in Vancouver has given you plenty of ideas and inspiration!
Whcih of these activities will you be checking out first? Let us know!
