Canada Place
Canada Place is one of Vancouver's most iconic landmarks and a popular gathering place on the downtown waterfront.
With its distinctive five white sails, Canada Place is an unmistakable icon of the Vancouver skyline. Originally built as the Canada Pavilion for the Expo '86 World's Fair, this landmark building now serves as a major cruise ship terminal, convention centre, and community gathering space. It offers stunning harbour views and a variety of free and ticketed attractions.
Why Visit Canada Place?
- Iconic Architecture: The sail-topped structure is one of Vancouver's most photographed buildings, recognized around the world.
- Stunning Views: Enjoy incredible, unobstructed views of the Vancouver harbour, Stanley Park, and the North Shore mountains.
- Hub of Activity: It's a bustling centre for events, from Canada Day celebrations to the FlyOver Canada ride.
- Ultimate Convenience: Located right next to Waterfront Station, it's one of the easiest landmarks to visit via public transit.
What to See & Do
- Walk the Canadian Trail: Stroll along the west promenade and learn about Canada's provinces and territories through informative plaques set into the walkway.
- Experience FlyOver Canada: Take a thrilling multi-sensory 4D flight ride that takes you across Canada from coast to coast. This is a ticketed attraction located at the north end of the building.
- See the Sails of Light: After dark, the five sails are illuminated with a mesmerizing display of constantly changing colourful lights.
- Hear the Heritage Horns: Listen for the first four notes of "O Canada" played by the ten powerful Heritage Horns, which sound daily at 12 noon.
- Visit the Olympic Cauldron: Just to the west of Canada Place is the impressive cauldron from the 2010 Winter Olympics. It's only lit on special occasions but is a great photo op day or night.
Food & Drink Options
- Food Court & Cafes: A food court inside the convention centre and various cafes offer quick and casual options.
- Pan Pacific Hotel: The hotel, located within Canada Place, has several restaurants and lounges with spectacular harbour views.
- Nearby Restaurants: The surrounding area has a huge variety of dining options, from pubs to fine dining.
Pro Tips & Local Insights
- Walk the Entire Promenade: For the best views, walk the full loop around the building, from the Canadian Trail on the west side to the cruise ship viewing area on the east.
- Canada Day: If you're in Vancouver on July 1st, Canada Place is the centre of the city's largest Canada Day celebration, with free live entertainment and evening fireworks.
- Watch the Cruise Ships: During the summer cruise season, it's a great spot to watch the massive ships arrive and depart.
Nearby Attractions (Transit-Friendly)
- Gastown: Vancouver's oldest neighbourhood, with Victorian architecture, cobblestone streets, and unique shops, is just a short walk east.
- Vancouver Convention Centre: The west building, with its living roof, is an architectural attraction in its own right and is connected to Canada Place.
Facts For Your Visit
Fee: No (fees for some attractions)Canada Place Hours:
Opening hours may differ on holidays
- Monday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Thursday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Saturday: Closed
- Sunday: Closed
Address: 999 Canada Pl, Vancouver, BC V6C 3T4, Canada
Phone: (604) 775-7200
Canada Place Reviews
Rated out of 5
I had a wonderful experience visiting Canada Place. The location offers breathtaking views of the waterfront, and the unique architecture makes it one of the city's most recognizable landmarks. The promenade is perfect for a leisurely stroll, and there's always something interesting happening nearby. I would definitely recommend stopping by. Canada Place is one of the highlights of Vancouver. The combination of stunning views, waterfront pathways, and nearby restaurants creates a great place to explore at any time of day. The area is welcoming, well maintained, and offers excellent opportunities for photography. I would highly recommend adding it to your itinerary.
michael lantz - 2 months ago
Clean & Near place. Also safe. Pleasant view of sea, sea plane, helicopters and cruiser ship. Harbour on one side and view of Stanley park the opposite side. A must place for the tourist visitors. Easy access from Waterfront Metro station
Gangadharan Ruppa - a month ago
Canada Place is a beautiful waterfront location that is home to Vancouver’s cruise terminal and surrounded by various tourism and cruise companies. It offers stunning views of the city skyline, especially during sunset when the scenery becomes even more impressive. It is a great place to walk around, enjoy the waterfront atmosphere, watch the ships, and take beautiful photos.
Liza Hafner - 2 months ago
Canada Place was one of my favorite spots to visit in Vancouver. The waterfront views are absolutely stunning, especially with the mountains, harbor, and seaplanes taking off in the background. I found myself spending much more time here than I expected, just walking along the promenade and taking in the scenery.
The area has a relaxing atmosphere with plenty of places to sit, watch the boats, and enjoy the fresh ocean air. It's also within walking distance of Gastown, Coal Harbour, and the Vancouver Convention Centre, making it a perfect stop while exploring downtown.
One of the highlights for me was seeing the iconic white sails up close—they're even more impressive in person than in photos. Whether you're visiting during the day or around sunset, the views are incredible and make for some amazing pictures.
If you're visiting Vancouver for the first time, Canada Place is a must-see. It perfectly captures the beauty of the city and was one of those places that made me want to stay just a little longer. I'll definitely be back on my next trip.
Olivia - a month ago
Directions
| SkyTrain Line | Nearest Station | Walking Time |
|---|---|---|
| Expo, Canada & Millennium Lines | Waterfront Station | ~2 Minutes |
How to get to Canada Place by SkyTrain
No bus needed. From Waterfront Station, exit and walk west on Cordova and go right (north) on Howe Street. The iconic sails of Canada Place are straight ahead.
Map & Instant Route Finder
Click&Go Map and Route Finder with public transit, walking, driving or cycling directions. Get up-to-the-minute transit times for your route.
Accommodations near Canada Place:
Photo Gallery
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Enjoying the view from the Promenade around Canada Place -
It is free to learn about Canada's history along the Canadian Trail -
Canada Place with the sails lit at night. -
Photo Credit: Dennis S. Hurd - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Dennis S. Hurd - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Dennis S. Hurd - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Dennis S. Hurd - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Dennis S. Hurd - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Dennis S. Hurd - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Dennis S. Hurd - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: sillygwailo - cc license via Flickr -
![Glasses [IMG_0787]](https://farm66.staticflickr.com/65535/53902876036_0a3bc5ed0e.jpg "Click to Enlarge")
Photo Credit: Kesara Rathnayake (kesara.lk) - cc license via Flickr
