From a new park in Vancouver to B.C.'s summer weather forecast, our weekly guide - This Week in Vancouver - has everything you need to know.
The B.C. city has a lot going on as we kick off June and it starts to feel like summer (yay!).
Here's everything you need to know if you're in Vancouver from June 3 to 9.
THINGS TO KNOW
🌲 A NEW PARK IN VANCOUVER
The district of West Vancouver has announced a new park along the region's mountainside. The new park is massive and almost twice the size of Vancouver's Stanley Park at 7.8 square kilometres. With a working title of Uplands, the park will protect 781 hectares of forest land, West Vancouver's mayor said. The protected areas will now include the new park, Cypress Provincial Park, Capilano and Seymour Watersheds and other parks within the District of West Vancouver.
🇨🇦 STRANGE CANADIAN LAWS
Did you know paying with too many coins for something is illegal in Canada and driving a snowmobile on a B.C. highway is also against the law? Canada has many laws and some of them are so strange that you might not even know you're breaking them. If you want to learn more, check out Narcity's Lisa Belmonte's list of 13 of the strangest laws in Canada.
☀️ BC'S SUMMER WEATHER FORECAST
BC's summer forecast is out and Vancouver is in for a "typical summer," according to The Weather Network. TWN says to expect periods of hot weather, especially in the interior. However, the heat will be less persistent and severe than what we saw last summer. There will also be more periods of scattered showers and thunderstorms than we've had in the past few summers. Dry weather and wildfires are also concerns.
😎 WEATHER
Looks like Vancouver will be getting a taste of summer weather this week. The week's forecast starts a bit wet with rain on Monday and Tuesday and a high of 16 C. The rain will be gone by Wednesday and the sun will shine the rest of the week, reaching a high of 25 C by Friday and staying through the weekend.
TRAVEL
❗CANADA'S TRAVEL ADVISORIES
If you're travelling to France this summer, you'll want to take note of a travel advisory. Canada's travel advisory for France warns residents to "exercise a high degree of caution" amid new safety and security concerns. Both the Olympic Games and the Paralympic Games will take place in France between July and September. According to the Associated Press, the country is on high alert with as many as 15 million visitors expected to attend the events.
Canada also has travel advisories for several popular Asian destinations, including India, China and Indonesia.
🛩️ AIR CANADA FLIGHT PASSES
Did you know Air Canada has a flight pass that allows you to prebook credits that can be redeemed for flights later on? You can even book unlimited passes that let you travel as much as you want for one fixed fee. These can be used in Canada, the U.S. and internationally. Air Canada's Flight Pass might be something you want to check out if you're a frequent flyer.
🚆 VIA RAIL'S ALL-INCLUSIVE VACATIONS
If exploring other parts of Canada by train has been on your bucket list, you should check out Via Rail's all-inclusive vacations from Vancouver. Via Rail has six packages on its website and each one looks like the most epic trip. Several of the packages include heading to the Canadian Rockies and offering the chance to travel as far east as Halifax.
🌊 BC'S 'LITTLE HAWAII'
If you love Hawaii, but can't afford a trip to the U.S. state right now, we have the next best thing. Why not take a trip to B.C.'s provincial park that has been dubbed 'Little Hawaii' thanks to its beauty, sparkling shoreline and tropical-like temperatures. The destination includes a bit of a drive and a trip on the BC Ferries, but it's worth the trip!
⛰️ BEST SUMMER ACTIVITIES IN WHISTLER
Whistler is another great idea for a fun weekend getaway, especially with all the summer activities you can do there. You can spend the day at Lost Lake, go zip-lining, explore an abandoned train wreck or take the gondola up for a hike. In case you need some inspiration, Narcity editor Morgan Leet lived in Whistler for a year and lists out all of her favourite things to do in Whistler during the summer.
📸 BEST THINGS TO DO ON A TRIP TO VICTORIA
As someone who moved from Ontario to Vancouver Island over eight years ago, I consider myself a local now and have a list of recommendations for anyone visiting Victoria this summer. From visiting the Butchart Gardens to driving to Mystic Beach and Tofino, there is no shortage of places you should make time for on your B.C. trip. Check out my list of 14 recommendations before you head to the beautiful B.C. island.
FOODIE NEWS
🍟 MCSHAKER FRIES AT MCDONALD'S CANADA
McDonald's Canada introduced McShaker Fries last week and some customers are 'Mclovin' the new addition. You can now get two flavours, Masala and Churro, with your fries and according to Narcity's Sarah Rohoman there's a clear winner between the two.
🍴 NEW TURKISH RESTAURANT NOW OPEN
A new Turkish restaurant called Istanbul Restaurant Vancouver has opened on Hastings Street. The new spot serves authentic and traditional foods like kebabs, soups and donair and uses only halal meat. Istanbul Restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
🆕 T&T SUPERMARKET LOCATION
The largest Asian retails in Canada is opening its second store in Burnaby. In a news release, T&T Supermarket says the second store will be located at Gilmore Place. It's set to open next summer.
VANCOUVER FESTIVALS AND THINGS TO DO
📚 $1 SUMMER BOOK SALE
North Vancouver City Library is hosting its annual summer book sale and the books are only $1 each. You'll also be able to get five magazines for $1 or you can fill a bag with books and/or magazines for $5. The book sale will run from June 3 to 15 in the lobby while supplies last.
📚PUBLIC DISCO GRANVILLE ISLAND DANCE PARTY
A free all ages block party is happening at Granville Island on June 8. The Public Disco Granville Island Block Party will mark the start of a four-part series and a busy summer full of outdoor cultural events. The block party will run from 2 p.m. until 10 p.m.
🇮🇹 ITALIAN DAY 2024
Celebrate Italian heritage at the 2024 Italian Day on the Drive. The event takes over Little Italy every year and thousands of people attend the cultural street festival for the food, music, dancing and vendors. Italian Day on the Drive runs from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. on June 9.
🎶 LANGLEY COMMUNITY DAY
There will be over 25 food trucks, live music, an artisan market and more at Douglas Park in Langley this weekend. Langley Community Day runs from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and you won't want to miss this fun family event!
😋 VEGAN NIGHT MARKET
Canada's premier plant-based night market is back in Vancouver. Starting on June 6 and running every two weeks until August 29, you can celebrate everything from plant-based food and drinks to cruelty-free clothing and cosmetics at the Vegan Night Market on Marine Drive. The first market of the season runs from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m. on June 6. Admission is free.
🎭 QUEER ARTS FESTIVAL
Vancouver's Queer Arts Festival kicked off on June 1. Various arts shows will take place around the city for the entire month of June and many of them are free to attend. This year's programming is titled The Ties That Bind and examines the bonds and complexities of Family.
That's a wrap on what's happening in the city from June 3 to 9.
Have a great week, Vancouver!
This article's cover image was used for illustrative purposes only.
