Amazing Things To Do In Vancouver In The Rain

Tucked at the base of the North Shore mountains, Vancouver, Canada, is known for its frequent rain, making it the country’s third wettest city. This steady drizzle creates a lush, temperate rainforest feel—especially in winter, when rain far outweighs snow.

Metro Vancouver sees about 2,350 mm (93 inches) of rain annually, with July as the driest month. While many travelers dread rainy weather, don’t let it dampen your plans. Instead, we’re sharing some Vancouver rainy day activities to enjoy during a few days in Vancouver, Canada.

Most Vancouverites embrace the rain in their everyday lives. Not me, however. I was born on a tropical island and still resign myself to want to live in a warm climate, even though Vancouver is my home.

Vancouver In The Rain: Activities For Children

If you’re traveling to the lower mainland with children, there are plenty of fun things to do when it rains.

1. Take A Virtual Flight Over Canada

• Location: 201 – 999 Canada Place | Open: Mon to Thurs 3 pm to 7 pm Fri to Sun, 11 am to 7 pm

Flyover Canada is an immersive flight simulation at Canada Place in downtown Vancouver, thrilling for both kids and adults. Soar over Canadian landmarks like Niagara Falls, the Rockies, and prairie fields—all without boarding a plane.

The ride engaged all our senses with wind, mist, and scents, creating a vivid, unforgettable experience. In winter, it transforms into a sleigh ride to Santa’s workshop.

Flyover also offers virtual journeys to places like Iceland, Hawaii, and the Canadian Rockies. After flying over Iceland, I was ready to book a real trip to see its waterfalls up close.

2. Stargaze At The MacMillan Space Centre

• Location: 1100 Chestnut Street | Open: Mon to Fri 10 am to 3 pm, Sat 11 am to 5 pm

Ever dreamed of being an astronaut? Located in scenic Vanier Park, Vancouver’s small space-themed museum offers great views of English Bay and is a fun stop on a rainy day.

Though a bit outdated and pricey, kids will enjoy the interactive exhibits, space suits, and rocket parts. Relax in the planetarium for an educational show through the solar system, featuring stars, black holes, and galaxies. Don’t miss the chance to touch a real meteorite and moon rocks.

3. Enjoy The Tropics At The Aquarium

• Location: 845 Avison Way in Stanley Park | Open: Daily 10 am to 5 pm

The Vancouver Aquarium has undergone many changes over the years, with the biggest transition of no longer keeping whales in captivity. However, the outdoor area has a great selection of sea lions, penguins, dolphins, sea otters, and seals.

Most of the Vancouver Aquarium’s top exhibits are indoors—ideal for a rainy day. Explore the Amazon gallery with sloths, exotic birds, and vibrant plants, or visit tanks featuring local West Coast marine life like salmon.

Many larger sea mammals are rescues, and your visit supports the Aquarium’s rehab and conservation efforts. Highlights include tropical frogs, reef sharks, and rescued sea turtles. But my favorites are the mesmerizing jellyfish

For kids into creepy crawlies, there are spiders, snakes, crocodiles, and even fruit bats. It’s a fun, educational outing for the whole family.

4. Play Mini-Golf At Castle Fun Park

• Location: 36165 N Parallel Road, Abbotsford | Open: Daily 10 am to 10 pm

Castle Fun Park in Abbotsford is a great rainy-day escape and popular for kids’ birthday parties. Along with an outdoor mini-golf course, it features two themed indoor courses—an undersea adventure with shipwrecks and a jungle course with dinosaurs.

Other indoor attractions include batting cages, a laser maze, driving range, arcade games, bumper cars, and more.

5. Get Interactive At Science World

• Location: 1455 Quebec Street | Open: Wed to Sun 10 am to 5 pm

Science World, located at 1455 Quebec Street by False Creek, is a striking dome-shaped museum perfect for all ages. This non-profit features interactive exhibits, a rotating special display, and a massive Omnimax Theatre showing high-def science and nature films.

Play with water tables, dance on drums, and solve puzzles—there’s something for everyone, from toddlers to adults. It’s an ideal rainy-day escape where hours fly by indoors.

6. See The Salmon Run At Capilano’s Fish Hatchery

• Location: 4500 Capilano Park Road, North Vancouver | Open: Daily 8 am to 4 pm

Located on the Capilano River in North Vancouver, the Capilano Salmon Hatchery offers free, self-guided tours where visitors can learn about the salmon life cycle.

During salmon runs, we’ve watched fish leap up the falls, navigate the salmon ladder, and swim through glass viewing channels to their spawning grounds. Steelhead appear March–April, but peak viewing is July–November with Coho and Chinook.

Nearby, the Capilano Suspension Bridge is also worth visiting—even in the rain. The dense forest canopy offers natural cover, making it a scenic all-weather stop.

7. Seek Adventure At The Kids Market

• Location: 1496 Cartwright Street | Open: Daily 10 am to 6 pm

If it’s raining and your children have oodles of energy, head over to Granville Island. The peninsula not only houses Vancouver’s well-liked market and a slew of restaurants, but it has a “kids only” market too. 

The indoor market is the ideal place to browse its unique selection of kid-friendly stores. The indoor adventure zone provides the ideal environment for the little ones to burn off their energy.

Girls of all ages will love to explore the costume store with endless ideas for dress-up play. For the older kids, the arcade supplies hours of fun. 

Vancouver In The Rain: Activities For Adults

While the following Vancouver activities are more suitable for adults, some of these are kid-friendly too.

8. Have High Tea At Neverland

• Location: 1066 West Broadway | Open: 11 am to 5 pm

While the tradition of afternoon and high tea started in the United Kingdom, travelers can enjoy the event worldwide. Neverland Tea Salon serves amazing high tea in a whimsical setting. High tea isn’t just for adults, as the tea salon offers a “Tinkerbell Tea” for those under 12 years of age.

Neverland has gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, and vegetarian options. With unlimited tea to enjoy with finger sandwiches and delicate pastries, you can feel like you’re having tea in jolly old England.

9. Go Karting Indoors!

• Location: 2100 Viceroy Place, Richmond | Open: Daily noon to 10 pm

TBC Indoor Kart Racing in Richmond offers high-speed thrills on a 13-turn track with karts reaching up to 70 km/h. Open to ages 11 and up, it’s the perfect rainy-day activity for adrenaline seekers.

A top-tier timing system lets you race against others and test your skills. Reservations are recommended, but drop-ins are welcome. Just bring closed-toe shoes—and your sense of adventure!

10. Admire the Architecture At The Vancouver Library

• Location: 350 West Georgia Street | Open: Daily 11 am to 6 pm except for Thurs 1 pm to 8 pm

Like the Museum of Anthropology, Vancouver’s downtown library is an architectural gem. Its curved, Colosseum-like design houses nine floors of books, study areas, and light-filled spaces accented with greenery.

Even if you’re not into reading, the stunning design alone is worth a visit. So, take a look, grab a book, find a nook, and maybe you’ll be hooked on reading! (I almost sound like Dr. Seuss!)

11. Experience Culture At The Museum Of Anthropology

• Location: 6393 NW Marine Drive | Open: Tues to Sun 10 am to 5 pm

Just 20 minutes from downtown, the Museum of Anthropology at UBC is a must-visit on a rainy day. Designed by Arthur Erickson, the striking glass building overlooks the ocean and hints at the treasures inside.

The museum showcases First Nations totem poles, canoes, masks, and the world’s largest Bill Reid Haida art collection. Free tours are included with admission, offering insight into the cultural significance of key pieces.

Among anthropology museums, Vancouver’s stands out as one of the best.

12. Delight The Senses At Granville Island Public Market

• Location: 1689 Johnston Street | Open: Daily 9 am to 6 pm

Granville Island offers both outdoor spaces and plenty of indoor shopping. We enjoy the market, rain or shine, for its fresh bread, vegetables, and seafood—perfect for dinner ingredients.

Browsing the market feels nostalgic, like old days when families bought fresh food daily from local vendors. After eating, explore artisan shops selling unique local products for some shopping therapy.

13. Be a Sleuth At The Police Museum

• Location: 240 E Cordova St | Open: Thurs to Sat 10 am to 5 pm, Sun noon to 5 pm

Fans of Criminal Minds or Law & Order will love the Vancouver Police Museum, housed in the old city morgue. On rainy days, explore autopsy rooms, crime labs, and displays of weapons, forensic photos, and criminal artifacts on a self-guided tour.

Well-documented exhibits detail the city’s crime history. Interestingly, it’s North America’s oldest police museum.

14. Get Inspired At The Vancouver Art Gallery

• Location: 750 Hornby Street | Open: Daily 10 am to 5 pm except for Tues and Fri noon to 8 pm

The Vancouver Gallery, like some art exhibits, is always changing. Without a permanent collection, its rotating shows focus on contemporary and modern art. Traditionalists might prefer to visit only during special events.

I last went during a Picasso exhibit, which I enjoyed. Picasso’s works were on one floor, while other levels featured contemporary art and photography.

Most artworks allowed photography, with clear signs indicating restrictions and staff enforcing rules.

The gallery offers free or donation-based entry on Tuesday evenings (5–8 pm) and on the first Monday of each month for seniors (10 am–1 pm).

15. Avoid Vancouver Rain On A Brewery Tour

Vancouver is a hotspot for both Michelin dining and craft beer. With a booming brewery scene, a tour is a great way to escape bad weather and sample local brews. Beer lovers can hop on a shuttle and taste unique flavors while learning each brewery’s process. Every stop offers something different.

Foodies can join beer and food tours, pairing brews with local cuisine. It’s a fun way to explore the city with friends.

16. Get Warm At The Bloedel Conservatory

• Location: 4600 Cambie Street inside Queen Elizabeth Park | Open: Fri to Mon 11 am to 4:45 pm, Tues to Thurs 10 am to 3:45 pm

Stay warm and dry in the steamy Bloedel Conservatory, a tropical escape in Queen Elizabeth Park. Affordable and easy to find, it’s home to 500+ plant species and over 100 birds.

Though small, the dome offers a rich experience for all ages. Kids will love spotting birds, while adults can soak in the lush atmosphere. I especially enjoyed the parrots—one named Blanca even did tricks at the entrance, drawing a cheerful crowd.

17. Admire Aerial Views Of Vancouver

• Location: 555 W Hastings Street at Harbour Centre | Open: Winter Hours (Oct to May) 9 am to 9 pm, Summer Hours (May to Oct) 8:30 am to 10:30 pm

Located downtown, the Vancouver Lookout offers 360-degree views of Stanley Park and the city from False Creek to the waterfront at Canada Place and Gastown. Even in the rain, Vancouver is a beautiful city, and having a bird’s eye view gives a different perspective.

One of the great things about visiting is that a ticket purchase allows you to visit multiple times a day. So, ride the glass elevator to the top during daylight hours and come back later for the sunset.

Like the CN Tower, the Lookout also has a revolving restaurant available for lunch and dinner. It’s the perfect sky-high venue for a romantic date night (even when it’s dreary outside).

While we all prefer the non-liquid sunshine, residing in a rainforest, we can’t always avoid the wet weather. Living in Vancouver, I can safely say it’s a beautiful city, rain or shine. 

18. Relive History At The Vancouver Maritime Museum

• Location: 1905 Ogden Ave | Open: Thurs to Sun 10 am to 5 pm

Step back in time at the Vancouver Maritime Museum and explore Canada’s ocean history through model ships and exhibits. Though compact, the A-frame building is packed with artifacts, and exhibits continue outside, including NASA’s Ben Franklin sub and heritage boats at the dock.

The highlight is the St. Roch, a 1940s wooden police schooner—the first ship to circumnavigate North America and the second through the Northwest Passage. Visitors can board the preserved vessel and see its tight, icy living quarters. Don’t miss the video on its historic journey.

To save money, get an ExplorePass for one-time entry to this museum, the MacMillan Space Centre, and the Museum of Vancouver.

Final Thoughts

Just outside the city, Vancouverites can discover other gems like the Britannia Mine, a former copper mine that operated for 70 years. Most of its exhibits are undercover, so it makes for a nice day trip on a rainy day.

If you need a little lift on a wet day, check out “Rain or Shine,” an ice cream parlor guaranteed to make you smile. Made from locally sourced natural ingredients, it makes unusual but extraordinary flavors like honey lavender, blueberry balsamic, and London fog.