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    Urban Bliss Life » Blog » Things to Do in Granville Island (Vancouver BC)

    Published: July 5, 2016 / Updated: August 8, 2021 by Marlynn Jayme Schotland · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Things to Do in Granville Island (Vancouver BC)

    40 shares

    Traveling to Vancouver BC? Check out my guide of Things to do In Granville Island: a fun stop with endless food & drink options, activities, events, and more for travelers of all ages!

    Things to Do in Granville Island Market, on UrbanBlissLife.com

    Nestled in the middle of the bustling metropolis of Vancouver BC in southwestern Canada, just over the Canada/US western border, is Granville Island.

    About 10 million visitors stop by here each year. With more than 300 businesses, dozens of events throughout the year, and lots of indoor/outdoor activities and attractions on the island that visitors of all ages will love, Granville Island is one of the places I highly suggest you visit when traveling to Vancouver BC. Here are a few of my favorite things to do in Granville Island.

    Things to do In Granville Island

    Did you miss my other road trip to Vancouver BC posts? Be sure to read about Where to Stay in Vancouver BC and Where to Eat & Drink in Vancouver BC: Big Rock Urban Brewery to catch up!


    Granville Island Public Market

    Things to do In Granville Island: Public Market

    The main hub of the island is the Public Market, which was first built in 1979. If this is your first time to Granville Island, and especially if you are short on time, make this your first stop. You can't miss this!

    Here, locals and tourists alike can shop for fresh produce, seafood, and local artisan cheeses, pastries, handmade pastas, beautiful floral arrangements, and food products like specialty olive oils and more. It's a vibrant, busy indoor market that is a feast for all senses.

    Vendors change their products sometimes seasonally, depending on what's available. Here's a taste of what we were able to find during our spring visit at the Granville Island Public Market.

    Things to do In Granville Island public market
    vegetable stands in granville island
    fruit stands in granville island
    Travel to Vancouver BC: What to Do in Granville Island Market, on UrbanBlissLife.com
    cheese stands in granville island
    Travel to Vancouver BC: What to Do in Granville Island Market, on UrbanBlissLife.com
    fresh pasta in granville island public market
    cakes in granville island public market
    flowers in granville island public market

    In addition to shopping for plenty of goodies to take home, the Granville Island Public Market is a great place to grab a bite to eat and a drink with your family and/or friends.

    One of the many things to do in Granville Island is eat! Rows of tables and chairs inside the market are flanked with a wide variety of food vendors on both sides. Here, you'll find the many different cuisines that make Vancouver BC such a diverse, exciting food scene: Mexican, Thai, Chinese, Filipino, Seafood, BBQ, Indian, Italian, classic American fare and more are all represented here.

    Things to do In Granville Island: food court
    Travel to Vancouver BC: What to Do in Granville Island Market, on UrbanBlissLife.com

    We were here with three adults and four kids, and everyone found something they enjoyed for lunch.

    In addition to some indoor seating, on a nice day, you can also take your lunch outside and watch the boats go by... not to mention, you can watch the children chasing all of the pigeons. Be careful of bird droppings outside! Otherwise, it's a very pleasant spot to enjoy a leisurely meal. You have a fantastic view of the city!

    Travel to Vancouver BC: What to Do in Granville Island Market, on UrbanBlissLife.com

    After lunch, walk out along the waterfront, or you can choose to take a boat ride and view the beautiful city on water.

    Kids Market

    Things to do In Granville Island: kids market

    There are SO many kid things to do in Granville Island. One of the places I highly recommend if you have kids ages 10 and younger is the Kids Market. Located near the entrance of the island, you can't miss this large, bright yellow and red building. Inside the Kids Market, your kids will love running through and bouncing around in the kids' play space, as well as shopping for toys, puppets, sports items, and games inside.

    My favorite little detail: the kid-sized entrance by the main front door. It's also Marlynn-size! ;)

    Travel to Vancouver BC: What to Do in Granville Island Market, on UrbanBlissLife.com

    Nearby, you and your kids can also walk to the riverfront, where they can choose from different playgrounds to run off some energy, and feed the many resident ducks and geese.

    Granville Island Brewing

    Things to do In Granville Island: granville island brewing

    While Vancouver BC now has a booming craft beer scene, it wasn't always the case, and the Granville Island Brewery was BC’s first craft breweries. Here, you can enjoy classic pub food and sample their many beers on tap before exploring your next Vancouver BC adventure!

    Visit Granville Island

    Whether you are with a baby, toddler, tween, teenager, or adult children, Granville Island offers so many incredible activities, eateries, great shopping, and events for the whole family to enjoy. This is also a great spot for couples and for multi-generational family trips!

    When you are traveling here, I suggest following the directions listed on the main Granville Island website.

    You can also map it to:
    Granville Island Market
    1661 Duranleau
    Vancouver BC, Canada V6H 3S3

    Granville Island Public Market Hours:  7 days a week, 9am - 7pm
    Kids Market Hours: 7 days a week, 10am – 6pm

    Have you ever been to Granville Island? If so, what was your favorite part? If not, what would you most look forward to visiting here?

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      Reader Interactions

      Comments

      1. Taylor says

        June 18, 2017 at 9:50 am

        I so wish I could go back here soon! I really didn't have enough time to explore the market and didn't even get to check out the brewery. You've inspired me to want to visit Vancouver again!

        Reply
      2. Mariah says

        July 07, 2016 at 2:21 pm

        Oh my gosh look at that food! It all looks so fresh! What do you use to take photographs? They look great!

        Reply
      3. Warren @ Blog to Taste says

        July 07, 2016 at 12:14 am

        I've heard Granville is fun for an afternoon. I didn't make it there when I traveled to BC.

        Reply
      4. Heather with WELLFITandFED says

        July 06, 2016 at 8:25 pm

        I so love GI. My sister used to work at the Art's Club and would sneak me in when I was 19. Major fun memories there! You did a great review and I love that there are so many summer programs they offer and fun summer events.

        Reply
      5. Chelsea says

        July 06, 2016 at 8:17 pm

        Isn't it funny- I've lived in Vancouver for years (like, 10+ years) and I've been to Granville Island ONCE, haha. I need to visit more!

        Reply
      6. Catherine says

        July 06, 2016 at 8:08 pm

        I LOVE going to public markets when I travel. Even if I don't get a whole lot, it gives me a flavor of the locale (see what I did there?). I still remember the best-ever tomatoes I have ever eaten were at Pike Place and I dream of someday tasting those again.

        Reply
      7. Amanda Rinehart says

        July 06, 2016 at 5:27 pm

        I've always wanted to visit Canada! (Or maybe move there given how this election season in the US is going!) haha. This looks like fun!

        Reply
      8. Leah says

        July 06, 2016 at 4:59 pm

        Looks like a great time! Oh, and all the food at the market? I would be in love!

        Reply
      9. Tiffany says

        July 06, 2016 at 4:43 pm

        Last time I was in Vancouver we meant to go here but never got the chance. I'll definitely make the time on the next trip!

        Reply
      10. Linda Spiker says

        July 06, 2016 at 4:38 pm

        Wow love that market! I've never been to Vancouver but would love to go!

        Reply
      11. Maya says

        July 06, 2016 at 3:32 pm

        Yup Granville Island is one of my favourite places to go to in Vancouver for sure! I had to do a double take on your sea urchin photo... very cool, but very odd looking creatures as well!!

        Reply
      12. Libby says

        July 06, 2016 at 1:21 pm

        Vancouver BC is one of the places on my husband and my travel list! I am definitely pinning this to start planning a trip!

        Reply
      13. Meredith {MarthaChartreuse} says

        July 06, 2016 at 11:59 am

        Oh how I wish Portland had something like this! Every time I visit New York, Seattle or even DC I envy that level of urban life.

        Reply
      14. Erin @ Platings and Pairings says

        July 06, 2016 at 11:12 am

        The food options at the market look AMAZING! Plus, can I just say I love the pic of you and your daughter? Too cute!

        Reply

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      Marlynn Jayme Schotland 2021 profile pic

      Hi! Thanks for stopping by! I'm Marlynn - a cookbook author, writer, photographer, and mom of two teenagers + a lovable lab retriever. Here you'll find my fast, easy, and delicious recipes, wine pairings, and travel guides. I hold a WSET 2 with Distinction in wine, and am a member of Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) and the International Food, Wine, and Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA).

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