Hyper-Specific City Guide: How to Show Your Coffee-Loving Bookworm Cousin a Good Time in Vancouver

This is part of our Ultimate, Hyper-Specific Vancouver City Guide, featured in the May 2024 issue of Vancouver magazine. We’ve created 25 unique personas and 25 unique itineraries to match. If this to-do list for ‘Saskatoon bookworm cousin’ isn’t helpful, perhaps one of the other 24 bespoke schedules will be. Explore them all here. 

For the perfect rom-com feels, bring your cousin to Massy Books in Chinatown. She might just have a movie moment by touching hands with her future love interest while reaching for Pride and Prejudice. Get lost in the collection of books and paperbacks at this Indigenous-owned book nerd haven. Bonus: Check out Massy Gallery nearby for another ideal meet-cute spot. 229 E Georgia St.,
massybooks.com

Spend an afternoon whimsically staring into the tanks at the Vancouver Aquarium (general admission starts at $40). Share a playlist of ethereal, cinematic songs as you get hypnotized by the jellyfish. Introduce your landlocked cousin to the exciting world of marine life and the adorableness of sea otters, a.k.a. ocean puppies. 845 Avison Way, vanaqua.org

Fuel up in Gastown with the perfect pour-over from Revolver Coffee. Full of hip coffee snobs, digital nomads and downtown pros in the know, this artisanal coffee spot has more than one espresso variety for your latte fix. But why limit yourself? Grab a tasting flight ($8), featuring two espressos served straight and with milk; then it’s time to snag a spot on the streetside patio for some prime people-watching. 325 Cambie St., revolvercoffee.ca

Elevate your coffee experience by taking your to-go cup to the nearby Library Square rooftop garden for some breathtaking views of the city skyline as you try not to imagine dropping your phone. 350 W Georgia St., vpl.ca

Treat your Alberta Plains Jane to a quaint lunch at the charming Finch’s Tea House, known for its antique vibes and heritage building chic. There are plenty of gourmet salads, hearty soups and French-style baguette sandwiches, but make sure to grab a blue brie and pear sandy ($15) to complement all that espresso you just enjoyed (and to help soak up any excess caffeine). 353 W Pender St., finchteahouse.com

Take a stroll to Canada Place and watch the cruise ships and float planes take off as you remember how many things actually live in the ocean from your time at the aquarium (you swear you saw a whale fin emerge!). 999 Canada Pl., canadaplace.ca

Catch the epic sunset at Jericho Beach. Locals know to grab a seat The Galley at Jericho Sailing Centre’s primo patio for views of the sea, the skyline and the mountains—so yeah, it’s a flex. Sip on a Moody Ales Blood Orange Hefeweizen ($9), the beachiest beer on a menu with some impressive craft brewery options. Or, if you’re not feeling thirsty, skip the patio and just plop down on a log in the sand and watch the sky do its thing while nearby beach bums try to finish their SpikeBall game before it gets too dark. 1300 Discovery St., thegalley.ca

More from the Ultimate, Hyper-Specific Vancouver City Guide here.