Photo: Heath Moffatt
And just like that, it’s 2020. The start of a new year tends to be when most of us make resolutions, goals and lists, and want to focus on our health and wellness. Sometimes that falls by the wayside come February—but it’s 2020, and we’re all seeing clearly now, right? No excuses, especially when Vancouver is full of ways to keep happy and healthy all year round. So save this link to your favourites list, because here’s your Vancouver wellness bucket list for January through June.
Vancouver and its surrounding area are your 2020 wellness oyster. And wellness isn’t just about being super active, it’s about enjoying life in a healthy way that works for you. There’s something for everyone, from lovely walks to yoga to tasty food, overall happy experiences, and marathons and hikes. Find your 2020 endorphins in Vancouver.
January 2020
Photo: Gabrielle Mustapich
Feast during Dine Out Vancouver (Jan 17-Feb 2)
Possibly my favourite food related event of any year, Dine Out Vancouver is Canada’s largest food and drink festival. January 17 marks the start of 17 days of dining, food-forward events and experiences designed to give local and visiting culinary enthusiasts the opportunity to taste the best flavours of the city. Perfect for a night out with friends or date night, and most restaurants offer vegetarian options and can cater to dietary restrictions and allergies with advance notice. Reservations are a must, so click here!
Photo: RUNVAN
Sign up for the race of your life
Time to start training! Vancouver is home to renowned international running events that bring runners from around the world. Which one will you lace up your shoes for?
- Vancouver Sun Run (April 19)
- BMO Vancouver International Marathon (May 3)
- Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon & 5k (June 28)
- lululemon Seawheeze (August 15)
February 2020
Photo: British Columbia Magazine
Ice skate at Robson Square
Enjoy some old-fashioned fun with the beloved winter tradition of skating at Robson Square’s outdoor rink. (Confession: I’ve lived in Vancouver all my life and I’ve yet to do this. Which is why it’s on my own 2020 list!) Lace up your skate in the heart of downtown Vancouver. While not strictly getting your step on, skating certainly gets your legs moving. Admission is free if you bring your own skates, otherwise skate rental is $5 per pair. Helmets are also available. Click here for more info.
Photo: Tourism Vancouver / Grouse Mountain
Hit the slopes
Strap on your snowboard, skis or snowshoes. Not only can you see twinkling lights of local ski mountains—Cypress Mountain, Grouse Mountain and Mt Seymour—from Vancouver, they are just a short drive away from the city. With lifts opening in the morning, and certain runs open until 10 pm, you can pack as much skiing or riding into your day as you can handle.
March 2020
Photo: Chad Chomlack/ Scandinave Spa
Soak away your cares at Scandinave Spa
Immerse yourself completely in the beauty and serenity of Whistler‘s Scandinave Spa. Experience the age old Scandinavian tradition of hydrotherapy and its energizing and relaxing benefits, as well as massage treatments to relax your muscles from a day exploring or catching the last month of ski and snowboard season.
Photo: Lonely Planet
Hop on transit for a day trip
Metro Vancouver is made up of 21 municipalities and the City of Vancouver is just one of them. Hop on the Skytrain to check out Port Moody’s Brewers Row or Burnaby’s Metropolis Shopping Centre, the Canada Line to visit Richmond’s Steveston Village, or on the Seabus to cross the Burrard Inlet to Lonsdale Quay. Find out more about Vancouver’s neighbours here.
April 2020
Photo: Vancouver Sun Run
Run the Sun Run (April 19)
The Vancouver Sun Run is Canada’s largest 10K road race. Run through a beautiful scenic course that highlights Vancouver’s downtown core at Burrard Street and Georgia Street, the world famous Stanley Park, and Cambie Street Bridge for the final stretch across the bridge to the finish line. And be sure to celebrate your achievement a the wrap party held at BC Place! Click here for more info and to register.
Photo via Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival event gallery
Experience the joy of the cherry blossoms
The Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival (April 2-26) is the city’s signature (and very Instagram-worthy) springtime event and annual celebration of cherry blossoms inspired by the age-old Japanese cultural tradition of hanami (flower viewing). Hailed as an “intra-community arts and culture festival”, VCBF offers a wide range of actively engaging, cultural and multifaceted community events. These include multicultural performances, guided cycling, tree talks and walks, poetry and photo contests. More info can be found here.
David Suzuki recently wandered the fields at Bloom. | Photo: Abbotsford Bloom Tulip Festival
Wander the tulip fields
Another floral-related bucket list item is to wander the fields of the Abbotsford Bloom Tulip Festival. Follow your nose down the highway to the Fraser Valley and enjoy the breathtaking display of colour and other eye-catching activities in the field. Bloom’s 2020 dates will be released early this year. Stay tuned!
May 2020
The challenging Grouse Grind Trail. | Photo: Vancouver’s North Shore Tourism
Go for an epic hike
May is around the time that both the Stawamus Chief in Squamish and the Grouse Grind in North Vancouver open up for hikers to enjoy—either the hike, the end view or both. Each are epic, but accessible, hikes for all levels. Bring food for a sky-high picnic at the Chief or give your legs a post-Grind rest at Grouse Mountain’s bistro.
Photo: RUNVAN
Run the BMO Vancouver Marathon
Continuously ranked one of the top destination marathons in the world, the BMO Vancouver Marathon is a scenic Boston Qualifier. Runners will experience their 42.2km (26.2 miles) adventure next to beaches, through natural parks, and along Vancouver’s Seawall. Click here for more info and the register.
June 2020
Photo: Hubert Kang
Yoga with a mountain view
Unroll your mat at the beach, at the top of Grouse Mountain and at various other scenic outdoor spaces in the city for a guided outdoor yoga class. Outdoor yoga classes in Vancouver include:
- lululemon Summer Yoga Series (FREE – various dates/times)
- Mat Collective (FREE – various locations/dates/times around Vancouver)
- Peak Yoga at Grouse Mountain (Saturday mornings)
Photo: Scotiabank Half Marathon
Run the Scotiabank Half Marathon & 5K (June 28)
The Scotiabank Half Marathon consistently hosts over 5,000 runners, making it one of the largest half marathons in the area. Race down (yes, down!) a scenic point-to-point course from UBC to Stanley Park. With a net drop of almost 300ft and a consistently competitive elite field, this event has produced the fastest half-marathon times ever run in BC. For more info and to register, click here.
Stay tuned for for what to add to your wellness bucket list from July to December!
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