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!
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.
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
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.
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.
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!
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
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! ;)
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
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?
Taylor says
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!
Mariah says
Oh my gosh look at that food! It all looks so fresh! What do you use to take photographs? They look great!
Warren @ Blog to Taste says
I've heard Granville is fun for an afternoon. I didn't make it there when I traveled to BC.
Heather with WELLFITandFED says
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.
Chelsea says
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!
Catherine says
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.
Amanda Rinehart says
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!
Leah says
Looks like a great time! Oh, and all the food at the market? I would be in love!
Tiffany says
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!
Linda Spiker says
Wow love that market! I've never been to Vancouver but would love to go!
Maya says
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!!
Libby says
Vancouver BC is one of the places on my husband and my travel list! I am definitely pinning this to start planning a trip!
Meredith {MarthaChartreuse} says
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.
Erin @ Platings and Pairings says
The food options at the market look AMAZING! Plus, can I just say I love the pic of you and your daughter? Too cute!