5 Cool Things to Do in Vancouver in Spring

Image: Pixabay/Steinchen

Balmy breezes. Blossoms. More sun. Warm weather is on its way back, along with your desire to get outdoors and explore Vancouver. Lucky for you, we’ve rounded up five cool things to do in Vancouver in spring. Go play outside!

5 Cool Things to Do in Vancouver in Spring

1. Bike the blossoms
Vancouver is home to over 130,000 street trees, many of which bloom in spring. Yes, we’re talking about pretty-in-pink cherry blossoms along with flowering plum and apple trees. The best way to experience the scale of the loveliness (whole streets bedecked in petals!) is to bicycle the blossom routes which are mapped by the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival organizers. While you’re at it, this is also the time of year weather-wise to start bicycle commuting. It’s awesome for fitness and the environment. Finding the right gear is easy; just browse the used bicycle ads.

2. Hit up the first spring farmers market
Vancouver farmers markets reopen in May, starting with Yaletown Farmers Market May 1. Next comes Trout Lake Farmers Market May 10, and Kitsilano Farmers Market May 11. Strolling, snacking and searching for warm-weather recipe inspiration = a joyous spring outing.

3. Cheer for the Vancouver Whitecaps
Okay so the Whitecaps Foortball Club isn’t Liverpool. They’re not even Sunderland. We know our local soccer team isn’t the best, but we like to think they’re improving. Maybe all they need is a little more support. Gather some friends and get out there and cheer. It’s like smiling when you’re grumpy. A little yelling and gesturing at a match will surely invigorate both you and them. Whitecaps tickets and jerseys are usually on offer cheap in the local classifieds. Don’t forget to dress the part.

4. Brunch on a patio
Vancouver loves brunch. And mimosas taste that much better in the sunshine. Sun-dappled brunch patios with a tempting menu by neighbourhood: the Oakwood (Kitsilano), Sophie’s Cosmic Cafe (Kitsilano), Chill Winston (Gastown), Cactus Club Coal Harbour, Bridges (Granville Island) and Tap & Barrel (False Creek).

5. Peep the baby blue herons in Stanley Park
We all know that Stanley Park  — so much wilderness on our urban doorstep — is a remarkable public space. But perhaps you didn’t know that every spring it’s home to to one of the largest urban great blue heron colonies in North America. The giant, awkward birds (2-metre wingspan!) have been coming back to make/have chicks since 1921. Spot them near Lost Lagoon, behind 2099 Beach Avenue. The chicks hatch in April and are super adorbs by May. Remember to use binoculars rather than get too close; human disturbance causes these at-risk birds to abandon their nesting areas.

 

Last modified: April 14, 2014