Vancouver's Best Places

02/03/2025

SPACE MARINES AT ZERO LATENCY VANCOUVER VR GAME

We played Space Marine Defenders of Avarax at Zero Latency at Kingsgate Mall in Vancouver the other day and it was so much fun. Highly recommended! Zero Latency has a location at Willowbrook Mall in Langley too. For details about the place and its games, see https://vancouversbestplaces.com/entertainment/zero-latency-virtual-reality-games-vancouver/

The experience was so realistic. It felt like we were real Space Marines, or at least in a real Space Marines movie. We had such a blast! Can't wait to do it again!

Zero Latency VR Kingsgate Mall Mount Pleasant BIA Tourism Langley Willowbrook Shopping Centre

01/03/2025

SAVE AN EXTRA $100 ON E-BIKES AT THE BC BIKE SHOW!

The BC Bike Show is happening at Canada Place this weekend, on March 1st and 2nd. It's a fabulous place to learn about, test ride and buy bikes. And guess what! Two of the Lower Mainland's top e-bike stores will be there and they are offering extra special deals on their bikes! For details about the event, see https://vancouversbestplaces.com/events-calendar/festivals-and-events/outdoor-adventure-travel-show/bc-bike-show/

North Vancouver's OHM Bikes and Reckless Shipyards will both be at the BC Bike Show this weekend, and both are offering followers and fans of Vancouver's Best Places a bonus $100 discount on the purchase of a new e-bike, and that's on top of their other BC Bike Show deals. Just tell them you heard from us that they'll give you an extra $100 off, and they will! (The offers are valid both at the BC Bike Show and at their North Vancouver store locations until next weekend.)

Both OHM Bikes and Reckless Shipyards are exceptional bike companies. The first is, arguably, Canada's premier e-bike manufacturer. OHM has been designing and assembling its own electric bicycles for years at its North Shore factory location. It was a pioneer of Canadian e-bike manufacturing, and it's based right here in Metro Vancouver!

Reckless Shipyards, meanwhile, is a North Shore-based bike store that sells e-bikes from around the world. In 2023 they won the Service Excellence Award from the North Vancouver Chamber of Commerce for their outstanding dedication to service excellence and customer satisfaction, an award we can say they truly deserved based on our experience with them.

The products and customer service at both OHM and Reckless are exceptional! We know, because we've bought e-bikes from both companies. We couldn't be happier with those decisions, and we can't recommend both places enough! If you're in the market for an e-bike, definitely check these two companies out!

If you go to the BC Bike Show (or the next time you're on the North Shore and in the market for a new e-bike), be sure to test ride the bikes at OHM Bikes and Reckless Shipyards. Also when you buy a bike from either of these companies at the BC Bike Show this year, or anytime at their stores between now and March 8th (for OHM) or March 9th (for Reckless), remember to mention "Vancouver's Best Places". Do this and they'll give you an extra $100 off your new e-bike! And that's on top of the special discounts they are already offering at the BC Bike Show! (Note: Some conditions may apply.)

(The music in this video is Rock Me Better by Lesfm from Pixabay.)

BC Bike Show Outdoor Adventure & Travel Show - Vancouver Vancouver Convention Centre Reckless Shipyards: Ebikes, Skis & More OHM Electric Bikes Reckless Bike Stores LOCO Vancouver's North Shore North Vancouver Chamber The Shipyards District

01/03/2025

FESTIVAL TASTINGS ARE TODAY & TOMORROW

Tonight and tomorrow are your last chances to attend the Festival Tastings at the Vancouver International Wine Festival. There is one tonight. On Saturday there's one in the afternoon and then another in the evening. For details, see https://vancouversbestplaces.com/events-calendar/festivals-and-events/vancouver-international-wine-festival/

The Festival Tastings are amazing events! There are hundreds of wines to choose from and sample! There is no better place to discover new favourites to love!

Tickets are still available to all three events (as of the last time we checked). Tickets are also still available for the Delta Air Lines Tasting Lounge tomorrow night.

If you like wine, and want to discover new ones, you should treat yourself to one of these events! You'll find wines from around the world, including ones from 20 BC wineries.

Vancouver International Wine Festival BCL Vancouver Convention Centre

27/02/2025

FIRST IMPRESSIONS THEATRE & JIM BYRNES CONCERTS

Some fabulous theatre is happening in Deep Cove in North Vancouver currently. In early March there is also some terrific blues music to enjoy. For details, see https://vancouversbestplaces.com/north-shore/north-vancouver/deep-cove/deep-cove-theatre/deep-cove-first-impressions-theatre-north-vancouver/

First Impressions Theatre is a great community theatre company in North Vancouver. They perform at Deep Cove Shaw Theatre. In March they have the Broadway country musical Pump Boys & Dinettes which runs until March 8th. On March 1st and 8th they also host a couple of concerts with actor and JUNO award-winning blues musician Jim Byrnes.

Get your tickets while you can! And go early to shows. Deep Cove is arguably one of the most beautiful places in the Lower Mainland!

Jim Byrnes First Impressions Theatre Deep Cove Kayak Centre Vancouver's North Shore

Vancouver's Best Places is a resource for people wanting to find the best places and things to do in Vancouver including attractions, festivals and events.

26/02/2025

UPCOMING TRY EVENTS RUNNING RACES

The Vancouver Chocolate Run is this weekend and the Shamrock'n Race is in March too! Both are lots of fun and part of the Try Events Series of running events. For details about the run this Saturday, see https://vancouversbestplaces.com/events-calendar/vancouver-running-races/vancouver-try-events-running-races/vancouver-chocolate-run/

The Vancouver Chocolate Run is on Saturday, March 1st. It takes place around the seawall at Stanley Park (which means the routes are nice and flat). There are 5K, 10K and half marathon runs to choose from.

The next race in the series after the Vancouver Chocolate Run is the Shamrock'n Race which happens on Sunday, March 16th. The St. Patrick's Day-themed event takes place at Burnaby Lake Regional Park and features 5K, 7 mile and half marathon routes.

If you like running and fun events, you'll want to check out these races. And if you have friends who like to run, make sure they know about these opportunities too (especially if your friends also like chocolate).

TRY EVENTS Explore Burnaby

The Vancouver Chocolate Run by Try Events is a set of races around Stanley Park in March. There are 5 km, 10 km and half marathon (21 km) runs.

25/02/2025

VANCOUVER WINE FESTIVAL TICKETS ARE SELLING OUT!

The Vancouver International Wine Festival is happening now and some of its biggest and best events are coming up soon! Many of the festival's events are already sold out, and tickets for others are going fast! Got your tickets yet? For details, see https://vancouversbestplaces.com/events-calendar/festivals-and-events/vancouver-international-wine-festival/

The International Festival Tastings events are when over 120 wineries from around the world offer samples of their various wines. That's a lot of potential samples to choose from! The International Festival Tastings are amazing events (and a wine lover's dream). There is no better opportunity to sample wines and discover new favourites!

The International Festival Tastings take place on the Thursday, Friday and Saturday of February 27th & 28th and March 1st. They happen this year in Ballroom C at the Vancouver Convention Centre. (A couple of years ago they were held at Canada Place which is where this video was filmed.)

On February 28th and March 1st there is also the Delta Air Lines Tasting Lounge. It features comfortable seating, a selection of additional wines, and appetizers in an exclusive atmosphere. Tickets to this event also include access to the International Festival Tastings happening at the same times.

Again, most of the festival's events have either already sold out or will very soon. As of the last time we checked, tickets are still available for the International Festival Tastings and Delta Air Lines Tasting Lounge events. They are also still available for the West Coast Wine Allstars, Cool Climate California and Taste of the Coast, but that's about it. If you want to attend one of these events, you better buy your tickets as soon as you can!

The Vancouver International Wine Festival is one of, if not the, biggest and most prestigious wine festivals in North America. Arguably, it's the very best. If you like wine, you'll want to attend at least one of its events. And if you only go to one event, and you want to sample a wide range of wines, then we highly recommend you attend one of the International Festival Tastings. We'll be at the one on Thursday. Might we see you there?

TIP: Make a night out of your experience and stay overnight at a downtown hotel!

Vancouver International Wine Festival Stay Vancouver Hotels Vancouver Convention Centre Downtown Vancouver ARC Iberico Imports Chaberton Estate Winery BCL California Wines D'oro Gelato e Caffè Downtown Delta Air Lines Italian Chamber of Commerce in Canada - West Hullo Ferries Canada Place

21/02/2025

FAN EXPO STARTS TODAY AT THE CONVENTION CENTRE!

FAN EXPO Vancouver runs from 3 pm to 8 pm on Friday, from 10 am until 8 pm on Saturday, and from 10 am until 5 pm on Sunday. It's going to be an awesome event! For details, see https://vancouversbestplaces.com/events-calendar/festivals-and-events/vancouver-fan-expo/

This video shows scenes of the event from last year. Doesn't it look like fun!

Actors you can expect to see at FAN EXPO Vancouver this weekend include William Shatner from Star Trek (a.k.a. Captain Kirk), Hayden Christensen from Star Wars (a.k.a. Anakin Skywalker), and Andy Serkis from The Lord of the Rings (as the voice of Gollum).

At FAN EXPO Vancouver you might run into Christopher Lloyd from the sitcom Taxi (1978), the Klingon Commander Kruge in Star Trek III, and “Doc” Brown from Back to the Future. Also from the first Back to the Future film is Claudia Wells who played Marty McFly’s girlfriend, Jennifer Parker. There will likely be John Rhys-Davies too (a.k.a. Gimli in The Lord of the Rings trilogy and Sallah in Indiana Jones), and Gordon Cormier (a.k.a. Aang in Avatar: The Last Airbender).

Supernatural celebrities at the event this year include Mark Sheppard, Jared Padalecki, Jim Beaver, Mark Pellegrino, Alexander Calvert, Ruth Connel, DJ Qualls and Samantha Smith. There will also be Bonnie Wright (a.k.a. Ron Weasley’s little sister Ginny from the Harry Potter franchise), and Resident Alien actress Alice Wetterlund.

Other celebrities expected at the event this weekend are Alan Tudyk from both Star Wars and Firefly as well as Lucas Grabeel from High School Musical. Amir Talai, Blake Roman and Erika Henningsen from the animated TV musical comedy Hazbin Hotel will likely be there too.

Got your tickets yet? Better get them soon!

FAN EXPO Vancouver Toy Traders Vancouver Comic Show Vancouver Convention Centre Downtown Vancouver

21/02/2025

THEATRE, CONCERTS AND OTHER SHOWS IN METRO VANCOUVER

The forecast is for rain over the next few days. That's okay though as there are so many great plays, performances and other things to see indoors at area theatres. For a list of what's showing, see https://vancouversbestplaces.com/entertainment/vancouver-shows-and-entertainment-calendar/

In the last week or so of February there are films, comedy shows, dance performances, plays, drag shows, improvisational theatre, musicals and kid-friendly productions. There are also events with Latin music, Indian music, Indigenous dancing, Bollywood dancing and more.

In the weeks ahead, other things to look forward to are choir concerts, Blues music, black & white classic films, dinner theatre shows, classical early music concerts, a French Canadian festival and the list goes on!

Vancouver International Film Festival Just For Laughs Vancouver The Dance Centre Vancouver Civic Theatres Metro Theatre Vancouver Latincouver Place des Arts The Improv Centre Experience Flyover First Impressions Theatre Carousel Theatre for Young People What The Frock Productions Presentation House Theatre Laudate Singers Highlands United Church Chor Leoni Festival du Bois Vancouver Welsh Men's Choir - VWMC Early Music Vancouver
Deep Cove Stage Society Vancouver's North Shore Downtown Vancouver

Metro Vancouver has music, theatre and concerts happening all year. Here is the calendar listing of upcoming performances throughout the Lower Mainland.

20/02/2025

WHAT TO DO IN METRO VANCOUVER THIS WEEKEND

So much is happening in the Lower Mainland on the weekend of February 21st to 23rd. There is a wine-tasting gala, bridal fair, comic & fan culture conference, shows and so much more! To see what's happening, click https://vancouversbestplaces.com/events-calendar/vancouver-weekend-events/

Highlights of the weekend include the Vancouver International Wine Festival's Bacchanalia Gala, FAN EXPO Vancouver, West Coast Wedding Show, Canada Rugby Sevens, Brazilian Carnaval, Earlybird RV Show, and Just for Laughs Comedy Festival. The Art of Banksy is also in town, and it's your last chance of the year to see Love Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge.

There are several shows happening in Vancouver this weekend (which is great as it looks like we're in for some rain, so indoor activities will be especially popular).

February is Black History Month which features a number of events including films at the VIFF Centre. There is Pump Boys & Dinettes with First Impressions Theatre on the North Shore and The Screamer (Le Criard) with Carousel Theatre on Granville Island. A couple of drag shows with What the Frock Productions take place at the Legion on Commercial Drive too.

Also this weekend there are films about both Canada and Hawaii at FlyOver at Canada Place, and Matriarchs Uprising 2025 contemporary dance performances at the Scotiabank Dance Centre. At Place des Arts in Coquitlam there is The Art of Sarod which is an Indian classical music event.

We hope you have an awesome weekend!

Vancouver International Wine Festival FAN EXPO Vancouver West Coast Wedding Show Rugby Canada Vancouver Sevens Latincouver Earlybird RV Show & Sale The Art of Banksy. Without Limits Capilano Suspension Bridge Park Just For Laughs Just For Laughs Vancouver Vancouver International Film Festival First Impressions Theatre Carousel Theatre for Young People What The Frock Productions The Dance Centre Experience Flyover Place des Arts

Wondering what to do in Vancouver this weekend? Lots of events are happening in the Lower Mainland including festivals, theatre performances and more.

18/02/2025

FAN EXPO VANCOUVER IS THIS WEEKEND!

Three days of "unlimited fandom" are happening at the Vancouver Convention Centre on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday of February 21st to 23rd. FAN EXPO Vancouver is an amazing event! For details, see https://vancouversbestplaces.com/events-calendar/festivals-and-events/vancouver-fan-expo/

FAN EXPO Vancouver is a convention for people who like movies, anime, comics, superheroes, science fiction, and other forms of fan culture. The event attracts people from all over the world, including celebrities.

TV and movie personalities attending the event this month include Hayden Christensen (a.k.a. Anakin Skywalker from the Star Wars franchise), William Shatner (a.k.a. Captain Kirk from Star Trek), and Gordon Cormier (a.k.a. Aang from Avatar: The Last Airbender). All three of these actors are from Canada, and two of them were born in Metro Vancouver!

Other international stars who'll be at the event in Vancouver this year include actors from Back to the Future, Supernatural, Battlestar Galactica, Harry Potter, Raiders of the Lost Ark. The Lord of the Rings and other classic shows.

If you like movies, science fiction, superheroes, comics, anime, cosplay and other elements of pop culture and fan culture, you won't want to miss this event!

The video in this post shows scenes from FAN EXPO Vancouver a few years ago. We can't wait to see it this month!

FAN EXPO Vancouver Toy Traders Vancouver Comic Show Vancouver Convention Centre Downtown Vancouver

18/02/2025

LAST CHANCES TO SEE LAUDATE SINGERS!

One of the best choirs in Vancouver has only two more concerts, ever! If you want to see the Laudate Singers you'll have to go to their concert on either March 2 or April 12, or both! For details, see https://vancouversbestplaces.com/entertainment/vancouver-choirs-music/laudate-singers-choir/

Laudate Singers is a professional-level chamber choir based on Vancouver's North Shore. Lars Kaario is the choir’s Artistic Director who founded the group in 1995. After 30 years leading the choir, Lars is about to retire (which is why they will be performing only two more concerts).

Both events take place at West Vancouver United Church on Vancouver's North Shore. The concert on March 2 is Passion: A Farewell Note which is sung a ca****la. You can watch the performance live at the church, or online as it will also be livestreamed (where you can enjoy the singing at your convenience anytime between March 2 and March 31).

Passion: A Farewell Note showcases some of the Canadian pieces that Laudate has commissioned over the years including works by Chris Sivak, Bruce Sled, Tyler Peterson, Moshe Denburg, Emile Deedes-Vincke and André Luiz Machado. Also choral jewels by Ešenvalds, Bruckner, McGlynn, Whitacre, Martin, and Monteverdi.

To give you an idea of what to expect at the first concert, the video in this post shows the Laudate Singers performing a ca****la the piece I am a Fountain, You are my Water by André Luiz Machado.

The second concert, the one on April 12, is A French Affair. You can also see it either in person at West Vancouver United Church or livestreamed online. The performance features not only the Laudate Singers, but also the Paragon Singers, Baroque Orchestra and other guests.

Laudate Singers Society acknowledges the financial support of the City of North Vancouver and the District of North Vancouver through the Arts & Culture Grants Program of the North Vancouver Recreation & Culture Commission, the District of West Vancouver through their community grant programs, the Province of BC, and the Canada Council for the Arts.

Laudate Singers West Vancouver United Church Vancouver's North Shore West Van District North Vancouver Recreation & Culture

17/02/2025

VANCOUVER WINE FESTIVAL STARTS THIS WEEK!

Who likes wine? Who’s got their tickets to the Vancouver International Wine Festival yet? Over a dozen events have already sold out (and tickets for many of the other events are selling fast)! Better book your spot while you can! For details see https://vancouversbestplaces.com/events-calendar/festivals-and-events/vancouver-international-wine-festival/

20 Canadian wineries are participating in the festival this year, as are 100 or so other wineries from 15 different countries. This is a world-class event! If you like wine, you won’t want to miss it!

The video in this post shows scenes from one of the Festival Tasting Room events from a couple of years ago. In 2025 the same event takes place on the Thursday, Friday and Saturday of February 27th & 28th and March 1st. In addition to these events, at the festival there are lots of wine seminars, dinners and other wine tasting opportunities. The festival is a wine lovers dream!

TIP: If you want to make a night out of your wine festival experience, if you book a hotel at a participating place in downtown Vancouver through the website StayVancouverHotels.com, you can get a free ticket to one of the Tasting Room events! That's a fabulous deal! If you stay one night at a participating hotel you can get one free ticket that's worth between $119 and $139. Book two nights and you can get two tickets!

Vancouver International Wine Festival Stay Vancouver Hotels Vancouver Convention Centre Downtown Vancouver California Wines Bard on the Beach Blue Grouse Estate Winery Cannon Estate Winery Chaberton Estate Winery Country Vines Winery Da Silva Vineyards & Winery Jason Parkes Customs La Frenz Winery Poplar Grove Winery Quails' Gate Road 13 Vineyards Sage Hayward Vineyards BCL ARC Iberico Imports

16/02/2025

LUNARFEST AND THE LANTERN CITY IN VANCOUVER

Lunar New Year's Day was in late January. Year of the Snake celebrations continue, however, with LunarFest and The Lantern City. For details see https://vancouversbestplaces.com/lunarfest-vancouver-lunar-new-year-events/

On the Family Day Long Weekend there are LunarFest artists markets, dumpling games and craft workshops at Granville Island. There are also lantern art displays with The Lantern City on Granville Island and at the Bentall Centre as well as in the Robson Plaza, Pendulum Gallery, and šxʷƛ̓ənəq Xwtl’e7énḵ Square in front of the Vancouver Art Gallery.

Next week there are also guided tours of the Comics on the Island exhibition at the Pendulum Gallery (which is across the street from the Vancouver Art Gallery at 885 West Georgia Street).

The lanterns you'll see in this short video clip are in the We Are Family art installation at Robson Plaza. They won't be there for much longer, so you better head downtown soon if you want to see them!

LunarFest Vancouver The Lantern City Granville Island UBC Robson Square Vancouver Art Gallery Downtown Vancouver

16/02/2025

TCHAIKOVSKY CONCERT AT THE ORPHEUM THEATRE ON SUNDAY

The VAM Symphony Orchestra performs Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 5 at the Orpheum on Feb. 16th. Tickets cost between just $8.76 and $19.06 (including online fees). That's so affordable! If you like classical music, you should check it out! For details see https://vancouversbestplaces.com/entertainment/vancouver-choirs-music/vancouver-academy-music-symphony-orchestra/

Music performed at the concert includes the following:

- Tchaikovsky's Sleeping Beauty Waltz
- Prokofiev Piano Concerto No.3 with soloist Allen Ding
- Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 5

Vancouver Academy of Music Vancouver Civic Theatres Vancouver Symphony Orchestra Downtown Vancouver

The Vancouver Academy of Music is a wonderful place for music lessons and programs for all ages. It's also home base for the VAM Symphony Orchestra.

15/02/2025

FAMILY DAY LONG WEEKEND IN METRO VANCOUVER

Looking for things to do this weekend? There is a lot happening! For ideas on what to do and where to go, visit https://vancouversbestplaces.com/best-things-on-family-day-long-weekend/

Highlights of the weekend include the Invictus Games and Love Lights at Capilano Bridge. There are also fireworks at area ski hills and special activities with either free or discounted admission at a number of attractions.

There is an Open House with family-friendly activities at Queen Elizabeth Theatre on Saturday. All weekend there are also Lunarfest activities at Granville Island including craft workshops, a market and dumpling games.

Also in Vancouver, there are outdoor adventure games with Vancouver Mysteries, including the family version of Heroes & Villains. Every day of the year, if you use the promo code BESTPLACES10 you'll save 10% with their games. Use the promo code FAMILY20 for a game on the holiday Monday, however, and you'll save 20%.

On the holiday Monday there is free admission at the Vancouver Maritime Museum and Fraser River Discovery Centre. Admission is also 50% off all weekend at Britannia Mine.

Lots of shows are happening this weekend including ones with the Just For Laughs comedy festival at various venues, and at The Improv Centre on Granville Island.

This is the final weekend of the season for the comedy Sinners at Metro Theatre and the opera Flight at Queen Elizabeth Theatre. There is also a play about a tough-as-nails grandma at Presentation House on the North Shore, plus the Bacon & L’eggs drag show with What the Frock Productions at the Howe Sound Taphouse.

This is a great weekend for music too. Early Music Vancouver has its Lumen Festival happening. The VAM Symphony Orchestra has its Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 5 concert at the Orpheum. There is also the Matriarchs Uprising 2025 at the Scotiabank Dance Centre.

There are special activities at Fort Langley, the Chinese Canadian Museum and Museum of Surrey, and goat yoga at Maan Farms in Abbotsford. In Richmond there is a children's arts festival. There are free Family Day activities at the Albion Community Centre in Maple Ridge as well.

However you spend the Family Day Long Weekend, we hope you have an awesome one!

Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 Capilano Suspension Bridge Park Vancouver's North Shore Grouse Mountain Resort Cypress Mountain LunarFest Vancouver Vancouver Civic Theatres Granville Island Vancouver Mysteries Vancouver Maritime Museum (official) Fraser River Discovery Centre Britannia Mine Museum The Improv Centre Just For Laughs Vancouver Metro Theatre Vancouver Vancouver Opera Presentation House Theatre What The Frock Productions Vancouver Academy of Music The Dance Centre Fort Langley National Historic Site, Parks Canada Museum of Surrey Chinese Canadian Museum Maan Farms Country Experience & Estate Winery City of Maple Ridge Early Music Vancouver Howe Sound Brewing

Looking for something to do on the BC Family Day Long Weekend in February in Vancouver? There are so many fun activities to choose from.

14/02/2025

VANCOUVER RESTAURANTS ON VALENTINE'S DAY

Looking for a place to take your sweetheart for dinner tonight (or later this weekend)? Then check out our list of restaurants to consider in downtown Vancouver and on the North Shore at https://vancouversbestplaces.com/vancouver-valentines-day-restaurants/

Capilano Suspension Bridge Park PIER 7 restaurant + bar The Lobby Restaurant & Lounge Vancouver's North Shore Pinnacle Hotel at the Pier The Shipyards District The Quay H2 Kitchen + Bar The Westin Bayshore, Vancouver Stay Vancouver Hotels H Tasting Lounge Tutto Restaurant & Bar Pinnacle Hotel Harbourfront Vancouver Marriott Pinnacle Downtown Hotel Showcase Restaurant & Bar

A great way to celebrate Valentine's Day is with a fancy dinner date. Below are a number of Vancouver restaurants that have special menus on February 14th.