British Columbia, Canada is the kind of place that makes you recalibrate what spectacular means — and then immediately correct yourself, because “spectacular” still isn’t quite right. Canada’s westernmost province sits where the Pacific Ocean meets the Coastal Mountains, and the landscape that results is so varied and so beautiful that it tends to produce a particular kind of silence. The kind that happens on a ferry crossing from Seattle to Victoria, watching the Puget Sound open up as Vancouver Island slowly comes into view.
Vancouver Island operates at its own unhurried pace. Victoria’s Inner Harbour is one of the most charming waterfronts in Canada — dockside seafood, immaculate gardens, and a gentleness to the city that makes it feel like a world apart from the mainland. Butchart Gardens, set in a former limestone quarry just outside the city, has been in continuous bloom since 1904 and remains one of the most extraordinary horticultural experiences in the world.
Vancouver anchors the mainland with a sophistication that tends to surprise. A coastal city where the Pacific Northwest’s emphasis on sustainability, local ingredients, and outdoor living shows up in everything from restaurant menus to the hiking trails that begin at the city’s edge — it is one of the most rewarding dining cities in Canada and one of the most livable cities on the continent.
Whistler, two hours north along one of the most scenic drives in North America, is the alpine chapter. World-class ski slopes in winter, emerald lakes and mountain trails in summer, and a village anchored by grand mountain hotels that set the standard for resort luxury in Canada — it earns its reputation in every season.
This guide covers where to eat, where to stay, and the experiences that make British Columbia one of the most varied and beautiful destinations in the world.
Stay
Fairmont Chateau Whistler Staying at Fairmont Chateau Whistler showed me how lovely a full service hotel at the base of Whistler Blackcomb could be. ...
Hilton Vancouver Airport Hilton Vancouver Airport combines airport convenience, dependable service, and access to Richmond’s vibrant dining and culture ...
the DOUGLAS, Autograph Collection The DOUGLAS hotel is a modern hotel, connected to a popular casino, and close to great dining spots in Vancouver, British Columbia. ...Experiences
Après Teepee Snowshoe Tour with Whistler Snowshoe Snowshoeing in a forest outside of Whistler, BC was truly a magical, one of a kind experience in the winter wonderland of Western Canada ...
British Columbia: Winter Along the Western Canadian Coastline A visual gallery of moments from Vancouver and Whistler in British Columbia, Canada. ...
The Butchart Gardens The Butchart Gardens is a 55-acre garden featuring seasonal floral landscapes and immersive walking paths set on Vancouver Island, British Columbia ...Eat
Cactus Club Cafe – Richmond Cactus Club Cafe is a polished-casual dining spot that blends West Coast–inspired comfort food with bold Southern US flavored favorites ...
Chambar Chambar is a Belgian-inspired restaurant in Vancouver known for its refined European cuisine in a stylish, contemporary space ...
Fanny Bay Oyster Bar & Shellfish Market Fanny Bay Oyster Bar & Shellfish is a seafood-focused Vancouver restaurant specializing in fresh oysters, shellfish, and sustainable local seafood in a casual, waterfront-inspired setting ...
per se Social Corner per se Social Corner in Vancouver is a delightful food hall, serving mixed dining options from one delicious menu. ...
Red Fish Blue Fish Red Fish Blue Fish is a popular waterfront seafood shack set in a converted shipping container, known for sustainable fish and chips, tacos, and casual dockside dining on Victoria’s Inner Harbour ...
The Brickhouse Bar and Grill The Brickhouse Bar and Grill in Fernie, BC serves flavorful dishes such as burgers and salads, perfectly complemented by craft beers and cocktails ...
The Chalet Restaurant The Chalet Restaurant at the Fairmont Whistler's golf course was the first time I tried founde. I will say - it's unique. ...
The Mallard Lounge The Mallard Lounge at the Fairmont Whistler is the standard to what all bars in the Fairmont chain should be like. ...
The Wildflower The Wildflower at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler offered a lovely buffet breakfast to start my last day in Whistler. ...Related Reviews
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