Fall for Vancouver!

Falling in love with Vancouver is easy when the seasons change.  Our top attractions refresh and reinvent at this time of year, welcoming new exhibitions, fresh décor and creating fun new experiences.  Singles, couples and families can all have a great time in Vancouver in the Fall.

Kick off the family fun at the Vancouver Aquarium, they are bringing back their Fin-tastic Fall Days starting October 1.  Which feature a new 4-D experience,  Octopus: Blue Planet II,  where you will dive beneath the surface to explore our planet’s oceans and one of the most captivating creatures that dwells there: the octopus. Discover how this eight-tentacled wonder masters physical and mental strengths to outwit and escape its underwater rivals including the pyjama shark and sally lightfoot crab. Wave after wave of excitement reveals extraordinary octopus’ behaviors and dynamic oceanic landscapes in this special effects experience inspired by the critically-acclaimed BBC series, Blue Planet II. Plus the Spooky Wet Lab returns along with the Deep Sea Maze, where the kids will be challenged to find their way out of a kelp forest in this kid-friendly adventure.   And of course, the 65,000 amazing animals that call Canada's largest aquarium home are waiting to share the fun.  More information about their fall activities can be found here VancouverAquarium.com 

Of course, Science World, and their always innovative programming is worth a family visit, this Fall check out the feature exhibition, James Cameron – Challenging the Deep, this captivating exhibition offers an immersive experience guiding visitors through the wonders of the Earth’s oceans, only available until January 1, 2024.  While the newly opened Creative Technology Gallery, co presented by RBC and Beedie, offers three rooms filled with wonder and possibility – Dream, Build, Play!  Kids of all ages can engage with interactive exhibits that feature movies, animation and video games made in BC!  Explore the ways storytelling can connect science technology, art and community.  Book both of these family activities and enjoy 20% savings, tickets are valid for an entire year.

For a less hands on adventure but equally stimulating exploration of Vancouver’s cultural scene,  visits to the Vancouver Art Gallery , the Museum of Vancouver or the Vancouver Maritime Museum, should be considered this month as they all offer feature exhibitions that are only here for short while.  The Vancouver Art Gallery's feature exhibit,  Parviz Tanavoli: Poets, Locks, Cages is the first major Canadian exhibition of works by the Iranian-born, Vancouver-based artist Parviz Tanavoli. The exhibition brings together over 100 major works—representing his six decade career—and spans the full breadth of his practice from sculpture and painting to printmaking and mixed-media assemblages, on display only until November 19.   While the Museum of Vancouver, hosts, for a very limited time, just until November 12, GHETTO, following successful shows at the 2021 Venice Architecture Biennale, in 2021, and at the Art Gallery of Ontario, 2022, this provocative exhibition explores the role of the architect and all citizens, to collectively establish a model of architecture that takes into consideration citizens of all backgrounds ethnicity, wealth and culturally diverse, to ensure inclusivity and belonging for all.  Add a visit to the Vancouver Maritime Museum for a little lighter fare, and explore the Wild & Wet Coast Rum- Running During Prohibition exhibit, on view until March 31, 2024.  Come explore the experience and motivations of 100’s of British Columbians who transported liquor via every manner of sea going vessel to Americans seeking some booze during that countries period of prohibition from 1920 to 1933, big adventure on the coastal seas!  Book all three, enjoy all Fall long, tickets are valid for an entire year, and save 25% on all of them.

Vancouver’s fastest changing neighbourhood, Chinatown, offers a cultural immersion unparalleled in the Lower Mainland.  Two unique visitor experiences are available for your exploration, and savings.  Dr Sun Yat Sen Classical Chinese Garden, open since 1986, is a tranquil oasis, explore the scholar’s garden and until November 30, take in the art of Jiangang Su, who was born in Suzhou China, his fine brushwork, which is delicate and clean, combines with his freehand work that is both illusory and ethereal, which fit in well with the Chinese classical gardens from his home city and which Dr Sun Yat Sen Garden is modeled after.  Then head up the street, to the Chinatown Storytelling Centre, this relatively new attraction, will take you on a journey through the history of Vancouver’s Chinatown and the people who created it and have left their legacy well beyond the streets that border this neighbourhood.  Beyond the permanent displays, enjoy this Fall’s feature exhibition Our Journey Continues, honours the multigenerational families who pursued their dreams and turned grievance into success. Book both and save 20%.