The 9 best things to do in British Columbia

Cradled between rugged Pacific shores and snow-capped peaks, British Columbia is a wild mosaic of ancient rainforests, vibrant cities and untamed adventure. Grizzlies roam old-growth valleys, surfers chase Pacific swells and Indigenous stories echo across the land. Whether you crave powder, culture or quiet moments in nature, BC’s endless variety and its seven national parks invite you to explore deeper, stay longer and discover the wild heart of Canada's West no matter what time of year.

Here are the best things to do on your next trip to British Columbia.

1. Explore Vancouver by bike

Vancouver’s bike scene is legendary, thanks in part to 320km of designated bike lanes and the city’s crown jewel: the Stanley Park Seawall. The Vancouver Seawall is a breathtaking 28km ribbon of paved path and the longest uninterrupted waterfront trail on the planet. It loops gracefully around Stanley Park’s forested peninsula, then unfurls along Vancouver’s beaches, rainforest, bustling marinas and glittering downtown skyline, offering ever-changing views of ocean, city and mountains at every turn.

Local tip: Make a day of it and stop in at Granville Island, Stanley Park Brewing and other seaside hotspots. If you’re riding as far as Jericho Beach and Spanish Banks, grab some fish and chips and a pint at the waterside Jericho Sailing Centre's Galley Patio & Grill – a local favorite and hidden gem of the city.

2. Visit a provincial or national park

Whether you’re wandering through ancient forests, paddling across glassy lakes, surfing the waves or simply soaking in the silence, BC’s 629 provincial parks and seven national parks invite you to slow down, explore and reconnect with the wild within. From the crashing surf of Pacific Rim National Park Reserve near Tofino to the thundering waterfalls of Wells Gray Provincial Park, the glacier-capped peaks of Yoho National Park or the dramatic spires and wildflower-laden trails of Bugaboos Provincial Park, each protected place offers its own brand of adventure and awe.

Local tip: Check out the Alpine Club of Canada for epic hut stays. Some popular provincial parks near Vancouver require free day passes that must be reserved ahead of time online. Also, you can save a bit of money by purchasing an annual national parks pass if you plan to visit multiple parks during your trip.

3. Ski or snowboard BC’s iconic mountains

The legendary Powder Highway is a dream come true for skiers and snowboarders, linking some of the world’s most legendary resorts, each with a distinct personality. At Kicking Horse, high above the Columbia Valley, you’ll find expert terrain, steep chutes and panoramic views – best enjoyed over a memorable meal at the mountaintop Eagle's Eye Restaurant. Fernie Alpine Resort is a powder paradise, famous for its laid-back vibe and bowls that seem to go on forever. Revelstoke Mountain Resort boasts the longest vertical drop in North America and enchanting tree runs in a rare inland rainforest, while Red Mountain is a low-key haven for powder hounds who want big terrain without big crowds.

Steering off the Powder Highway into the Okanagan, families and ski junkies alike flock to Silver Star near Vernon, Sun Peaks outside Kamloops and Big White close to Kelowna – each renowned for their light-as-air “champagne powder” and charming, walkable villages.

And two hours from Vancouver, Whistler Blackcomb is the crown jewel of Canadian skiing, famed for its Olympic legacy, vast terrain (the largest in North America) and a legendary après ski scene that buzzes long after the lifts stop spinning. It’s an essential bucket-list stop for snow lovers of every stripe.

Planning tip: Purchase an Epic Pass or Epic Day Pass in advance to save at Whistler Blackcomb and grab an IKON Pass to save on lift tickets across other ski resorts.

4. Visit the Great Bear Rainforest

Remote, wild and breathtakingly biodiverse, the Great Bear Rainforest is the world’s largest coastal temperate rainforest – a place where old-growth cedars meet glacier-fed fjords and the rare spirit bear roams. This is not a destination you simply stumble upon; getting here requires intention and a sense of adventure, but the rewards are profound and unforgettable. The most common and affordable way is by visiting the Bella Coola Valley. Get here by plane, on a multi-day road trip or by ferry from Port Hardy on Northern Vancouver Island. Spot grizzlies and eagles feasting on salmon, soak in natural hot springs, or experience the power of Indigenous storytelling at Copper Sun Journeys.

For an experience that will get you to the most places in the Great Bear Rainforest, join a Maple Leaf Adventures sailing itinerary, navigating hidden inlets and wildlife-rich estuaries with expert guides and conservationists. Or stay at the Indigenous-owned Spirit Bear Lodge for intimate bear viewing and cultural connection. At the bucket-list-worthy Nimmo Bay Resort, ultra-luxury eco-adventures are thoughtfully crafted. Guests can snorkel and forage for their own food, unwind with forest sound baths and wellness experiences, paddleboard or kayak tranquil waters, and relax in waterfall-side hot tubs or floating saunas.

5. Participate in an Indigenous cultural experience

To truly know British Columbia, start by connecting with the original stewards of the land. Organizations like Destination Indigenous and Indigenous Tourism BC make it easier than ever to seek out authentic, meaningful experiences led by Indigenous hosts. In Vancouver, step beyond the usual Stanley Park stroll and join a Talking Trees tour with Talaysay Tours – an Indigenous guide shares the stories and significance of ancient cedars and berry bushes, revealing the park’s deeper identity as a gathering place for Coast Salish peoples long before it became a city icon.

Downtown, the Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art offers a window into the vibrant world of contemporary Indigenous art, honoring the legacy of Haida master Bill Reid. Farther afield in Lillooet, Xwisten Experience Tours invites you to witness the ancient practice of dip-netting for salmon and explore reconstructed pit houses on the land where St’at’imc people have thrived for millennia.

Planning tip: For an immersive overnight stay, Indigenous-owned lodges like Klahoose Wilderness Resort in Desolation Sound offer a rare blend of eco-adventure and cultural connection – think wildlife tours, floating woodfire saunas, and the chance to listen to stories where mountain, rainforest and ocean meet.

6. Explore and surf Vancouver Island

Vancouver Island is a wild, wave-lashed paradise where surfers, foodies and nature lovers find their groove. In Tofino, the surf capital of Canada, you can catch Pacific swells on expansive beaches like Chesterman and Cox Bay, then warm up with craft coffee or soak in cedar hot tubs and saunas. Beyond the breaks, explore ancient cedars in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, paddle serene inlets or join Indigenous-led tours to learn about the island’s deep-rooted cultures. Down island, Victoria charms with its walkable Inner Harbour, lush gardens and a vibrant culinary scene fueled by local farms and foragers.

7. Taste and cycle your way through wine country

Raise a glass in the sun-drenched Okanagan, British Columbia’s fruit-laden wine region where lakeside vineyards, rolling hills and big skies set the scene for endless summer days. Start your journey in Osoyoos, Canada’s hottest town, where the desert landscape meets Indigenous-owned Nk’Mip Cellars for award-winning pours and cultural experiences. Driving north toward Penticton, you’ll want to stop at the District Wine Village in Oliver (check their summer concert schedule!), Burrowing Owl’s vineyard and restaurant (reservations recommended) and the creative cellars of Rust Wine Co and Rainmaker Wines.

In Penticton, the legendary Naramata Bench beckons with over 40 wineries perched above Okanagan Lake and connected by the scenic Kettle Valley Rail Trail – a converted rail line perfect for biking between tastings. Cycle from vineyard to vineyard, pausing for farm-to-table meals, orchard views and a dip in the lake.

Detour: The Myra Canyon section of the Kettle Valley Rail Trail traverses 18 trestle bridges, two steel bridges and two tunnels – all with breathtaking mountain views. Bike rentals are available at the trailhead. The recently restored and reopened Adra Tunnel makes for an epic start to a mostly downhill journey to Penticton through the vineyards.

8. Visit the Richmond Night Market

If you crave the kind of electric, late-night energy you’d find in Bangkok or Taipei, Richmond Night Market is your golden ticket – minus the jet lag. With over 100 food stalls and 500 dishes, the 25-year-old night market is the largest in North America.

Local tip: Try Bao Buns, Chef James’s skewers, Ponchos Birria tacos and Aloha Boys’ flying noodles.

9. Soak in some hot springs

BC’s location on the Pacific Ring of Fire makes it a natural hotspot for geothermal activity, creating ideal conditions for bubbling hot springs. While some off-road and off-grid natural springs can be found by the brave and adventurous, most visitors can enjoy the comfort and amenities of developed hot spring resorts found throughout the province. In Nakusp, soak in the lakeview pools at Halcyon Hot Springs Resort or relax at the smaller Nakusp Hot Springs. Visit the Indigenous-owned Ainsworth Hot Springs, famous for its steamy caves and stunning lakeside views or take a dip in the uniquely cliffside pools of Radium Hot Springs in Kootenay National Park. For a more natural experience, visit Lussier Hot Springs, where you can dip into riverside pools surrounded by forest (just be ready for a long gravel road).

Planning tip: For more hot springs to explore on your travels, check out the Hot Springs Circle Route.