30 Things to Do in Vancouver on a Rainy Day (Complete Guide!)

Vancouver receives a lot of rain (about 146 centimeters annually), and luckily there are tons of things to do on a rainy day. North Vancouver, which is closer to the mountains, receives an estimated 252 centimeters! Vancouver receives even more rain than Seattle (also famous for its rain), which receives about 94 centimeters each year. Most of this rain falls during October through March.

To make the most of your trip to Vancouver, it’s important to have a plan for rainy days. In this post, I’m sharing the best things to do in Vancouver on a rainy day (both indoors and outdoors!). 

If you’re planning a trip to Vancouver BC, it’s very likely that you will encounter the rain. And that’s okay! Don’t let rain stop you from enjoying the city. If you’re prepared, there’s no reason why you can’t have an amazing trip to Vancouver. If you set your expectations for rain during your trip, you’ll be prepared to enjoy every minute. There are plenty of indoor activities to choose from!

From the Author: My favorite things to do in Vancouver on a rainy day are: visit the Vancouver Aquarium, Granville Island, and the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden.

Indoor Activities in Vancouver BC for a Rainy Day

1. Vancouver Lookout

The Vancouver Lookout is perched on top of the Harbor Centre skyscraper. It’s one of the tallest buildings in Vancouver. When you go to the top, you’ll get an almost aerial view of the city (553 feet/168 meters high up). The observation deck will give you 360 degree views of the city. Visibility distance will depend on how much it is raining, but it’s the perfect place to go if there’s a light drizzle. 

2. Vancouver Aquarium

Head to Stanley Park to visit the Vancouver Aquarium. The aquarium has over 30 exhibits with 65,000 animals. While you’re there, you’ll learn all about local marine wildlife. There is a portion that is outdoors to see the larger mammals. Bring a rain jacket so you can head outside too. We really enjoyed the Vancouver Aquarium, and you can read all about our recent trip to the Vancouver Aquarium.

3. Fly Over Canada

At Canada Place, you can find the Fly Over Canada experience. It will feel as if you are flying when you are suspended with your feet dangling in front of a giant film screen. The experience is 8 minutes long and features footage of scenes from Canada. This experience also includes special effects, such as water, air, and smell. 

4. Science World

Science World is located inside a giant spherical-shaped building. (You might have been wondering what that building was if you have seen the Vancouver skyline!) Science World was built in 1986 for the World’s Fair and contains a number of science exhibits that will keep you informed and entertained. 

5. Granville Island Public Market

Make sure you include Granville Island Public Market on your itinerary. The market contains over 50 vendors and is the place to go to try a variety of quintessential Vancouver foods. You’ll want to be sure to stop at Lee’s Donuts, ChocolaTas, A La Mode Pie, and Popina Canteen for a Puff Cream. We wrote about our favorite places to eat at Granville Island Public Market.

6. Vancouver Art Gallery

A great way to learn about a city is to see its art. The Vancouver Art Gallery has a number of visual arts exhibitions. There are specific exhibitions by First Nations artists as well as artists from Asia. (The gallery contains the Institute of Asian Art.)

7. Museum of Anthropology

The Museum of Anthropology (MOA) is located at the University of British Columbia. Currently they are offering tickets for timed entry. If you are a traveler that enjoys learning about different cultures (isn’t that why we travel?), then this is a great place to learn about cultures from around the world, including those local to British Columbia. The MOA is currently closed on Mondays. 

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8. Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art

Bill Reid is a famous local Vancouver artist that was born to a Haida mother. He began exploring his cultural heritage through his art. The Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coastal Art is the only public gallery in Canada that is focused on contemporary Indigenous Northwest Coast Artists. Currently the gallery is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. 

9. Bloedel Conservatory

You can pretend that you are in a tropical paradise while it is cold and raining outside while you’re at the Bloedel Conservatory. The giant dome contains a warm and tropical environment for a variety of plants and birds.

10. Museum of Vancouver

The Museum of Vancouver (MOV) features collections and exhibitions related to indigenous stories, the history of Vancouver, and much more. This is a great place to start your visit to Vancouver to get better acquainted with the city’s history and cultures.

11. Vancouver Maritime Museum

Vancouver has a rich maritime history and the Vancouver Maritime Museum shares that history with its visitors. It’s located in Kitsilano, which is a beautiful beach with views of the Vancouver skyline across the water. Some of the permanent exhibitions share the history related to local lighthouses, tugboats, and fireboats. 

12. HR MacMillan Space Centre

Located near the Museum of Vancouver is the HR MacMillan Space Centre. Many locals simply call it “the planetarium.” The space features the Planetarium Star Theatre, GroundStation Canada Theatre, Cosmic Courtyard Exhibit Space, and the Gordon Southam Observatory. If you like outer space, this is the place to go. 

13. Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden

A walk in the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden is beautiful whether it rains or shines. The park is located in Chinatown, so there’s tons to see within walking distance of the park. We recently visited the garden on a rainy day, and we discovered it’s the perfect rainy day activity! Most of the walkways are completely covered, so we were able to stroll through the gardens while staying dry. This was also the perfect activity for us during the pandemic, because we were able to do an outdoor activity with our daughter while still staying dry. We wrote all about our experience at the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden.

14. Pacific Centre Shopping Mall

Spend a day shopping at the Pacific Centre Shopping Mall. This mall contains over 100 stores.

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15. Vancouver Public Library

Whether or not you intend to sit down and read a book, be sure to head over to the Vancouver Public Library just to see the building itself. It reminds me of the Roman Colosseum the way the walls curve around. This is a great place to take some unique photos. And if you want to read some books about Vancouver BC, check out City of Glass by Douglas Coupland or Stanley Park by Timothy Taylor.

16. Roedde House Museum

Several days a week for limited hours, the Roedde House Museum is open to the public. The house is a picturesque Late Victorian era home. 

17. Rogers Arena

If it aligns with your schedule, check out the Cancucks play at Rogers Arena. It’s an authentic Canadian experience that you won’t want to miss! 

18. BC Sports Hall of Fame

And if you are a big sports fan, you might appreciate visiting the BC Sports Hall of Fame. There are many ongoing exhibitions that showcase Canadian sports, and there’s a special exhibit on the 2010 Winter Olympics.

19. Breweries 

There are a number of craft breweries in Vancouver. Many of them offer tours in addition to beer flights. Steamworks Brewpub has famous craft beers, and Brewhall is an extremely large beer hall that’s perfect for waiting out the rain. 

20. Spa day

On a rainy day you can retreat for a day at the spa. We recommend Sense, a Rosewood Spa, at Hotel Georgia. They have an elegant pool and a luxurious treatment menu. 

21. Improv Comedy

Head to Granville Island and watch a comedy show at the Improv Centre (previously known as Vancouver Theatresports). 

22. Escape Room

There are a few different escape rooms in Vancouver BC. One such escape room is i-Exit, where you’ll work as a team to try to solve puzzles to escape the room within 60 minutes. Currently they have the following themes: Pirates on the Rocks, Doomed to Win in Las Vegas Nevada, Party at the Studio, and The Matrix.

23. Wineries

Vancouver is a couple of miles away from the Fraser Valley, which is a location filled with award-winning wineries. Some wineries you might want to visit include Chaberton Estate Winery, Glass House Estate Winery, and Township 7 Vineyards & Winery.