by Grace McRae-Okine
There isn’t much time left to tick the last items off your summer to-do list. If you’re looking to squeeze the most out of the last remaining bits of summer in Vancouver, look no further than this handy guide! [Photo courtesy of iStock/zennie]
You’ve promised yourself, your coworkers, your sister and your best friend that you were going to tackle the Grind at least once this year, and your window of opportunity is closing! The trail is only open from spring through fall, with no hard date yet set for closure, but it’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to planning your trip up “Mother Nature’s Stairmaster.”
Whether you’re in it for the ‘gram, a tan or a quick bit of exercise, Vancouver’s plentiful beaches will only stay sunny and warm for so long. Our recommendation is to head to Kits Beach for a day of family fun, grab a kayak or canoe while out on the water at Deep Cove Beach, or make the trek out to UBC on an especially warm Sunday this September and give yourself one last good roast at Wreck Beach (clothing optional – and don’t forget the sunscreen!)
When the warm weather hits, Vancouverites can’t help but head outside to take in concerts and festivals on plazas, beachfronts, parks and out in the wilderness. There’s still time to catch some tunes in the great outdoors – check out the Summer Nights Concerts at the PNE (featuring top acts like Mother Mother and The B-52s), pop rock kings Spoon at the Malkin Bowl on September 2nd, or folk rock favourites Fleet Foxes, also at the Malkin Bowl, on September 13th.
There are few things more “Vancouver” than the tradition of visiting the PNE (Pacific National Exhibition), running from August 19th through September 4th. The unofficial end to summer comes as the PNE closes, so mark your calendar now to make sure you don’t miss out on all the thrills and spills, carnival food, craft beer, midway games, concerts and so much more.
While they may not be plentiful, the patios that Vancouver does have to offer are killer. Don’t waste any time in treating yourself to an evening on Vij’s amazing rooftop patio or convincing your work friends to join you for a happy hour frosé at the Cactus Club in Coal Harbour. The clock is ticking!
The Labour Day long weekend that kicks off September is the perfect time to get out of town on a weekend getaway from the city. Bowen Island is but a 20-minute ferry from the terminal at Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver, the Okanagan Valley is a world-class destination for wine lovers nestled just a few hours from Vancouver, and nothing beats a beach stroll or surf in beautiful Tofino.
