SEE VANCOUVER IN ONE DAY WITH THESE THREE TOP ACTIVITIES

1 – RIDE THE HOP ON HOP OFF BUS 

Explore the city at your own pace and spend as much (or as little) time as you want at the multiple stops on this route. Hop on, hop off tours are the best way to see Vancouver on your first day in town – you get a real feel for the different areas of the city so you can plan the rest of your stay. In town for just one day? A Hop On, Hop Off sightseeing pass is the best way to see the must-see sights of Vancouver.

The Vancouver Hop On Hop Off Bus by Grayline Westcoast Sightseeing has been around for over 40 years and operates year round. This bus tour allows you to experience the top Vancouver sights and attractions at your own pace.

2 – EXPLORE GASTOWN WHILE YOU SOLVE A MYSTERY

Gastown is arguably Vancouver’s most famous tourist destination and definitely one of downtown Vancouver’s most walkable tourist attractions.  Gastown is home to the famous Gastown Steam Clock and the site of Vancouver’s early history. It’s not difficult to imagine the wild west, port town of Vancouver in the 1880’s when you visit. As unique as Gastown itself, Vancouver Mysteries runs an outdoor murder mystery in Gastown called Crime in Downtown that is not available anywhere else. Experience this unique, very Vancouver adventure while you are here. It’s an outdoor escape good (like an escape room but stretched across the city)! Choose your start time and then watch for the detective who will meet you to give you everything you need to solve the case. You have two hours to solve the murder – can you collect the clues and catch the killer? A detective meets you again at the end of the experience to collect back gear, calculate your score and take your team photo. Each team also receives a certificate with their score.

• This is not an app – it is real fun and you will receive a detective kit and map to use during the experience. A real person in character as a detective meets you at the start and end of the experience.
• This is NOT a guided walking tour – you will not be following a tour guide and listening to them describe the sights. You will also not be grouped with other guests – you and the people you sign up with are an individual team, exploring Gastown on your own.
• Hop Off and Solve a Mystery – (and then, Hop On again!) All Vancouver Mysteries sightseeing experiences starts and ends close to stop #1 (Canada Place) and stop #10 (Gastown Steam clock) on the Hop On Hop Off tour allowing you to solve a mystery before, during or after the bus tour.

Vancouver Mysteries has four different outdoor escape games – each one is a different theme and features a different part of downtown Vancouver. Choose from our detective murder mystery Crime in Downtown in Gastown, spy adventure Secret Mission in the downtown entertainment and shopping district, ghost hunt Ghost Patrol in the business district or explore scenic Coal Harbour with superhero quest Heroes & Villains. Choose your adventure!

3 – SEE THE CITY FROM THE SKY

Are you afraid of heights? Ride a glass elevator up to the top of one of the most iconic buildings in Vancouver’s skyline! The Vancouver Lookout is an observation deck that provides a 360 degree view of Vancouver, the Burrard inlet and the North Shore mountains.

• This attraction is very close to the start and end of Vancouver Mysteries outdoor games and a few minutes away from at least two stops on the Hop On Hop Off tour making it the perfect addition to a day tour of Vancouver sightseeing.
• The Vancouver Lookout is also directly across the street from the train to the YVR (Vancouver International Airport) which is only 30 minutes away. If you have purchased this bundle for an airport layover you can start or end your day with this attraction.

VANCOUVER SIGHTSEEING

• Listen to a recorded commentary during your Hop On Hop Off tour to learn about significant landmarks and city history. Follow the instructions on your ticket to download the AudioMe App and don’t forget your own pair of Headphones. Choose from: English, French, Spanish, German, Japanese, Korean, and Mandarin.
• Vancouver Lookout admission also includes an Audio Guide in several languages! Chose from English, French, German, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Portuguese, and Spanish.
• The Vancouver Mysteries game book in your detective kit includes facts about Vancouver, including information about city history and landmarks. The game route takes you along Gastown’s cobblestone streets past historic sites, landmarks and iconic architecture. Gastown is also the best part of Vancouver to shop for souvenirs and has a vibrant night life (restaurants, bars and don’t forget our hit murder mystery dinner show Murder is a Drag).

CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE

The best thing about this Vancouver tour package is that YOU get to decide how you spend your one day in Vancouver and the order of the activities! You can also choose to do the 3 activities on different days when you book the package or even extend the Hop On Hop Off from 24 hours to 48 hours.

Tips to make the most of your one day in Vancouver: 

• Take advantage of a 15% discount on the regular menu at Stock and Supply if you show your booking confirmation of a Vancouver Mysteries game when you arrive (does not include alcohol or happy hour menu).
• Remember to bring your reading glasses for the Vancouver Mysteries game.
• Remember to bring your headphones and your smartphone if you want to listen to the audio tours for the Hop On Hop Off and Vancouver Lookout parts of this experience.
• Check out the Hop On Hop Off Bus route here. It’s a live map so you can see the bus locations!
• Dress appropriately for the weather. Ask your hotel to lend you an umbrella if you don’t have one (or purchase one – they make great souvenirs).

Vancouver Sightseeing in Winter

Here are some additional tips if you are visiting Vancouver during Winter:

• The Hop On, Hop Off busses may run less frequently so keep that in mind when you plan your day. Remember, you don’t have to get off at every stop – on rainy days you might prefer to ride the route and enjoy the views from inside the bus.
• Plan your visit to the Vancouver Lookout for sunset and then head to one of the many restaurants nearby for dinner (or take the elevator one floor up to the revolving restaurant Top of Vancouver).