{"id":1402,"date":"2026-04-22T17:27:17","date_gmt":"2026-04-23T00:27:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/canada.wordcamp.org\/2026\/?p=1402"},"modified":"2026-05-06T15:50:33","modified_gmt":"2026-05-06T22:50:33","slug":"explore-vancouver-between-sessions-at-wceh2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/canada.wordcamp.org\/2026\/explore-vancouver-between-sessions-at-wceh2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Explore Vancouver Between Sessions at WCEH2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

WordCamp Canada 2026 is shaping up to be our biggest event yet. While the sessions will be packed with talks on AI, automation, and enterprise-scale digital solutions, some of the best moments happen when you step outside the venue and explore the city around you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vancouver is a place where nature and innovation live side by side \u2014 mountains on one horizon, ocean on the other, and a buzzing creative community in between. Whether you have an afternoon or a full free day, here are some of our favourite spots to visit during your time here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Culture and Creativity: The Vancouver Art Gallery<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Start in the city centre at the Vancouver Art Gallery. Housed in a stunning former courthouse, it’s the cultural heart of Vancouver and well worth a visit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Current Highlights:<\/strong> Don’t miss “That Green Ideal: Emily Carr and the Idea of Nature,”<\/em> which explores the deep connection between the West Coast landscape and one of Canada’s most beloved artists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pro Tip:<\/strong> Check out “Free First Friday Nights” for a quieter, after-hours way to experience the gallery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Fuel Up: Granville Island & Gastown<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

No visit to Vancouver is complete without an afternoon at the Granville Island Public Market \u2014 it’s a full sensory experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Food:<\/strong> Grab a Honey Dip from the iconic Lee’s Donuts, browse pyramids of bright local fruit, pick up fresh-caught smoked salmon, or stop by Oyama Sausage Co. for artisan cheeses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Makers:<\/strong> Head outside the food hall to explore the Net Loft and Railspur Alley, where local artisans create everything from hand-blown glass to custom-made hats and Indigenous jewelry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From the island, hop on the False Creek Ferry toward Gastown \u2014 the city’s oldest neighbourhood. Watch the famous Steam Clock whistle every quarter-hour, then wander through the independent boutiques and galleries that line the cobblestone streets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Great Outdoors: Stanley Park & Beyond<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Stanley Park is Vancouver’s crown jewel \u2014 roughly 405 hectares of West Coast rainforest right on the edge of downtown, and one of the most beautiful urban parks in the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Seawall:<\/strong> The best way to experience it is on two wheels. Rent a bike and ride the Stanley Park Seawall loop (approximately 8.8 km). You’ll pass the Lions Gate Bridge, the historic totem poles at Brockton Point, and the iconic Siwash Rock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beaches:<\/strong> For a more relaxed pace, head to Third Beach or Sunset Beach for a quiet stroll along the sand and some fresh Pacific air.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Hidden Gems: Going Off the Beaten Path<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you have more time to explore, here are a few local favourites that don’t always make the tourist lists:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Commercial Drive:<\/strong> Known as “The Drive,” this neighbourhood is a melting pot of cultures \u2014 Italian bakeries next to Ethiopian cafes, independent coffee shops, and some of the best people-watching in the city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lonsdale Quay & The Shipyards:<\/strong> Take the SeaBus (a 12-minute ferry ride) from Waterfront Station to North Vancouver. The view of the downtown skyline from the water is hard to beat, and the Shipyards area is ideal for a casual waterfront dinner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Bloedel Conservatory:<\/strong> Tucked away in Queen Elizabeth Park, this tropical paradise is home to exotic birds and lush plants \u2014 a warm, peaceful escape no matter the weather outside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A Little More Time? Science World & Kitsilano<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Science World’s iconic geodesic dome at the end of False Creek is a city landmark worth seeing up close. Nearby, the neighbourhood of Kitsilano \u2014 “Kits” to locals \u2014 offers a laid-back beach vibe perfect for unwinding between sessions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Vancouver has a way of making you feel at home, whether you’re here for the art, the food, or the trails. We hope you get the chance to explore a little of what makes this city so special.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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See you in Vancouver for WCEH2026! \ud83c\udf41<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A reflection on how WordPress has shaped careers, businesses, and connections across Canada and an invitation for the community to share their journey as we build toward WordCamp Canada 2026.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15025819,"featured_media":1430,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[31],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1402","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-about-wordcamp"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/canada.wordcamp.org\/2026\/files\/2026\/04\/2-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1440&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/canada.wordcamp.org\/2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1402","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/canada.wordcamp.org\/2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/canada.wordcamp.org\/2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/canada.wordcamp.org\/2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15025819"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/canada.wordcamp.org\/2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1402"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/canada.wordcamp.org\/2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1402\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1431,"href":"https:\/\/canada.wordcamp.org\/2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1402\/revisions\/1431"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/canada.wordcamp.org\/2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1430"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/canada.wordcamp.org\/2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1402"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/canada.wordcamp.org\/2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1402"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/canada.wordcamp.org\/2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1402"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}