Vancity: take these 5 photos and I’ll believe you were here

chaos(erena)
Jul 10, 2017 · 4 min read

*snap snap insta insta* — oh, you went to Vancouver. I get it.

I always love when friends, acquaintances, or just people in general head over to Vancouver and show off pictures of them biking on the seawall or at the beach or of the ocean in general. We know and we love it — it’s all pretty. But if you want to prove that you actually visited Vancouver in its true sea to sky variety, take these 5 photos.

1/ 2010 Olympic Cauldron

Hooray for the 2010 winter olympics! It’s right next to the Vancouver Convention Centre and there’s a pixelated orca monument-like object. Check it out then take the stairs down to the seawall! If you keep walking along, you’ll see a house on stilts and eventually reach Stanley Park!

there was some sort of event going on when I took this photo in SEPTEMBER 2014

2/ Inukshuk at Sunset Beach

It’s great. There are a couple of other outdoor modern art pieces but you don’t get any more Canadian with the mountains in the back. Kudos to you if you watch the sunset from one of these benches or from Kits beach on the other side (not pictured).

3/ Totem Poles behind the Museum of Anthropology at the University of British Columbia

There are also totem poles in Stanley Park if you don’t want to drive all the way to UBC. But if you do make trek out to the prettiest university in Canada, you can check out the museum and take the stairs down to Wreck/Tower Beach while you’re at it!

4/ Skyline! Choose from either Queen Elizabeth Park, Cypress Lookout, or the peak of Grouse Mountain.

Are you car-less in this city? Head over to QE Park for an elevated view of the city with mountains in the background (I know, it’s a given).

this was like March so excuse the dead-ish looking trees

Is it winter? Do you ski/snowboard or do you want to? Take the Skyride up Grouse Mountain and chill at the top of the Cut or the Peak for a few minutes to take it all in. As always, bonus points if you’re there at sunset. Double bonus points if take pre-sunset, sunset, and night photos. Undisclosed perk of working at Grouse: taking photos of the view 24/7.

L to R: from the main chalet, from the top of the Peak, from the Skyride loading bay

Or there’s always Cypress Lookout! On a nice day, you have the Lion’s Gate Bridge, Stanley Park, Vancouver, and sometimes even Mount Baker in the views. I recommend stopping here after a hike or visit to Cypress!

5/ False Creek with the Science World View!

Here’s a day trip for you: have brunch at Sunshine Diner in Kits, head over to False Creek for some kayaking, then have dinner in Olympic Village (recommended: Craft Beer Market or Tap & Barrel). While you’re kayaking, you’ll see this thing — Science World! (also a very exciting place). I don’t have a photo of what it looks like from the water but it’ll be worth it, trust.

Scurry along, your Snap streaks and Insta followers await.

omnom(chaos)

paragraphs of travel & food & tech & events & overall chaos

chaos(erena)

Written by

Hi, I study EE, do STEM outreach, and write. chaoserena.me

omnom(chaos)

paragraphs of travel & food & tech & events & overall chaos

Welcome to a place where words matter. On Medium, smart voices and original ideas take center stage - with no ads in sight. Watch
Follow all the topics you care about, and we’ll deliver the best stories for you to your homepage and inbox. Explore
Get unlimited access to the best stories on Medium — and support writers while you’re at it. Just $5/month. Upgrade