5 Magical Trips from Vancouver You’ll Never Forget (Tofino, Whistler, Seattle & More)
Vancouver island - What an ambiance!
Vancouver isn’t just an awesome city — it’s a launchpad. There’s a reason why people flock to live there — at least the ones who can afford it — and why it’s our favorite city in the whole world. If you’ve ever been to the Pacific Northwest, you understand what we’re talking about. In every direction, you’ll find moody forests, glacier lakes, indie cities, and coastal villages where life runs on West Coast time. These aren’t your average “day trips or excursions.” Some are close. Some are wild. All are absolutely worth it.
We’ve personally visited each of these places (except one — it’s high on our list), and if you visit Vancouver, venture out. You won’t regret it.
Whistler
Inukshuk in Whistler
Distance: 2 hours
Why go: Alpine adventure and spa-level peace
How to get there: Drive the Sea-to-Sky Highway (you'll want to stop often). Rent a car or join a small-group tour. You can also take a cheap bus from Vancouver. I paid 1$ at the time — with WiFi!
Whistler isn’t just for snowboarders in winter and mountain bikers in summer. It’s a choose-your-own-adventure paradise. One minute you’re hiking through wildflower meadows, the next you’re floating in a hydrotherapy pool tucked into a forest. And the village itself is so cute!
Our perfect Whistler day? Drive the Sea-to-Sky Highway (oh, what an inspiring name!), hike Train Wreck Trail with its colorful graffiti-covered boxcars, dip into Lost Lake, then spend golden hour at the Scandinave Spa in total silence.
Want more speed? The Peak 2 Peak Gondola is a must — and so is zipping over valleys on a highline.
On your way up or down, stop at Squamish and Shannon Falls.
👉 Rent a car via DiscoverCars
👉 Book a zipline or snowmobile tour on Viator
Eli’s happy place
Lost Lake is my (Eli) happy place — the one I return to in my mind when I need calm, focus, or a moment of stillness in meditation. I once swam there at 5 a.m., completely jet-lagged, as the sun crept over the trees — just me and hundreds of baby frogs jumping along the shore. It’s peaceful, magical, and quietly unforgettable.
2. Vancouver Island (make it a weekend… or a lifetime)
Distance: 1.5–6 hours (depending on your destination)
Why go: Beaches, forests, pure nature, plain paradise
How to get there: BC Ferries or floatplane from downtown. Bring a car or rent one on the island.
Ok, this isn’t a day trip. And even a weekend is wayyy too short, because you’re going to want to stay forever.
Vancouver Island is the kind of place where your shoulders — and your jaw — drop three inches the second you arrive. We went camping, and this is how we’ve explored it:
▸ Victoria
Elegant and walkable, and a lovely base to explore the island. That said, do venture out! Wander the Inner Harbour, grab high tea at the Empress (yes, it’s worth it), bike the Galloping Goose Trail, and eat your way through Chinatown.
👉 Visit British Columbia’s capital with a tour on Viator
▸ Tofino
The first time I arrived in Tofino, I thought I was in paradise. I actually had a very similar feeling when I saw the Lofoten Islands, Norway, for the first time. This place is just too beautiful to be real! Wild surf, misty beaches, rainforests and towering pines. Surf in the rain, watch bald eagles over the sea, eat some fresh fish, hike the Rainforest Trail, explore tide pools, and end your day in a cedar hot tub. Can you imagine a more perfect day?
👉 Find an accommodation in paradise — errr, Tofino — on Booking
👉 Find nature tours on Viator
▸ Telegraph Cove & the North
Yes, that’s off the beaten track — and that’s why we love it! We kayaked at dawn through silent coves. While orcas were nowhere to be seen that day, we saw hundreds of bright orange and purple starfish, and just being there was magical. Telegraph Cove is tiny but mighty, with cabins on stilts and views that look Photoshopped.
👉 Go whale watching or kayaking in Telegraph Cove via Viator
Track your own sea animal!
Follow a real whale, sea turtle, shark, or dolphin as it swims through the wild blue. Fahlo’s ocean-themed bracelets fund marine conservation and give you live tracking access — names, locations, and movement updates included. Great gift, great cause, and 20% off with our link.
👉 Get 20% off Sea Life Bracelets
▸ Bonus Stop: Coombs & Little Qualicum River
This stretch of Vancouver Island serves up surprises. In Coombs, the roof of the Old Country Market is literally alive — with goats grazing on top of it. Grab some cheese or local jam and marvel at the most chill rooftop crew you’ve ever seen.
Nearby, head to Little Qualicum River or Top Bridge Park, where the water glows turquoise on sunny days and locals leap off cliffs into deep, clear pools. It’s cold, it’s perfect, and it feels like a secret.
3. Capilano Suspension Bridge & Grouse Mountain
Capilano bridge is touristy, yes. But so picturesque!
Distance: 20–30 min from downtown
Why go: Close to the city, far from boring
How to get there: Bus, taxi, or bike from downtown Vancouver. Both are in North Vancouver and easy to reach.
Sometimes the most magical places are in your backyard. The Capilano Suspension Bridge may be a tourist staple, but it still makes our heart race (especially when it sways). The Cliffwalk feels like walking through a forest fairy tale — or the opening scene of a Jurassic Park sequel.
From there, head up to Grouse Mountain. The Skyride gondola gives epic views of Vancouver’s skyline and sea. In summer, check out the lumberjack show or spot the rescue grizzlies. In winter? Snowshoe under the stars. It’s cheesy. It’s great.
👉 Get gondola tickets via Viator
👉 Book your tickets to Capilano Bridge via Viator
4. Harrison Hot Springs
Distance: 2 hrs
Why go: Steamy pools and lake views
How to get there: Drive from Vancouver via Highway 1. No public transport — rent a car for full flexibility.
We haven’t made it here yet, but it’s penciled for our next trip as it looks fab after a hike! Harrison Hot Springs is one of those places people whisper about when they want to truly unwind — like, turn-off-your-phone-and-prune-in-the-hot-water unwind.
Soak in the mineral springs (you can access them at the resort if you stay overnight), stroll the lakeside path, or paddle out on a SUP and forget what day it is. Nearby, Sasquatch Provincial Park adds forest trails and scenic viewpoints if you want to earn your soak.
👉 Book your stay via Booking
👉 Rent a car via DiscoverCars
5. Seattle, USA
Distance: 2.5–3 hrs (border traffic dependent)
Why go: Tick a new country (if you haven’t been to the US), indie vibes, chowder and more coolness and prettiness than you can handle!
How to get there: Drive south via I-5. Bring your passport, visa and/or ESTA depending on your nationality. Make sure to check the latest regulations to enter the USA. You can also take a bus, train, or seaplane.
If Vancouver is West Coast chic, Seattle is West Coast grunge — in the best way. The drive's short, the border is (usually) manageable, and the reward is huge: bookstores, seafood, espresso, beautiful views everywhere and murals for days.
While Seattle is infamous for its rain, we got sunny weather the two times we were there!
Start at Pike Place Market (stop for award-winning chowder at Pike Place Chowder — yum), catch the fish-tossing chaos, sip at the OG Starbucks (touristy but historic), then dive into MoPOP or walk the waterfront. For the best views of Seattle’s skyline, skip the Space Needle and head to Kerry Park — especially at sunset. You’ll get the skyline, Mount Rainier (on a clear day), and that postcard-perfect shot.
Off the beaten track, don’t miss Fremont — Seattle’s self-proclaimed "center of the universe." It’s artsy, weird, and full of personality. Expect vintage shops, a troll under the bridge, and street art around every corner.
Accommodation tip: If you’re not a fan of big cities and you’re driving, book accommodation in pure nature just 20 minutes away from downtown. Last time, we booked a rental apartment in Burien, right on the beach — which was private at night — with breathtaking views on Puget Sound and Mount Rainier. The owner told us otters would sometimes have their babies in their boat shed. Awww!
👉 Book a bus ticket on Omio
👉 Book a dreamy accommodation around Burien/Tacoma on Booking
Penguin Trampoline tip:
On my last trip, I had a birthday dinner at Anthony’s in Des Moines — right by the water. The seafood pasta was rich and perfect, and the blueberry cobbler? Made with fruit grown on the slopes of Mount St. Helens. Between the view of the Sound and Mount Rainier showing up on the horizon, it was one of those simple, unforgettable meals.
Here is a playlist to get in the mood:
So many worlds, one Vancouver! From soaking in forest spas to watching whales from a kayak, these trips remind us why Vancouver is more than just a postcard-perfect city. It’s a jumping-off point into real-life (not just Insta) wonder.
Some are close. Some need a full weekend. All will make you feel like you’re a world away.
Need gear? Check our packing guide or Amazon packing list.
Need travel insurance? We use Heymondo and get 5% to 15% off through our exclusive link.
Want More?
We’re working on full guides to some of these spots:
🌊 The Ultimate Vancouver Island Guide — Road trip loops, wild beaches, goat roofs, and surf towns that still feel like secrets
☀️ Summer Plans in Vancouver — Beach, picnics, and the art of not leaving the city to feel far away
🐻❄️ Churchill, Manitoba – The Town of Polar Bears — The polar bear capital of the world. No roads in, plenty of wildlife out.
