A whirlwind 40-hour trip to Vancouver, British Columbia is just what a girl needs sometimes. Granted, Vancouver is like Seattle’s Canadian cousin in every possible way. Every once in a while, there’s a desire to get lost.

Getting around, where to stay

I arrived to Vancouver via Bolt Bus. This trip was so last minute that most of the hostels were booked, except for St. Clair Hotel-Hostel. I was willing to spend a little extra this time, since the location was right in the city center.

When it comes to getting around the city, using a Compass card can make it easier. It’s a pass that gives you access to the public transit system, such as buses and the SkyTrain. As of today, it’s $10.25 CAD for a day pass.

The first night in Vancouver

Vegan food or bust!

One of my favorite things to do is eating my way through a new city. The first thing I did was go to Indigo Age Cafe and tried their delicious salad wrap with mixed greens. It gave me lots of energy for the rest of the night, as I walked through the city. The restaurant also offers vegan high tea, but it needs to be reserved in advance.

For dessert, I went to Vegan Pudding & Co right next door, where you can find coconut- and soy-based puddings. There are classic flavors such as chocolate and vanilla, and then there are Japanese-inspired flavors such as matcha and sesame. They provide complimentary whipped cream if you want to eat it immediately. It’s smooth and silky, as pudding should be.

The second day

I woke up early and had breakfast before running to Stanley Park, a lap around it, and back to the hostel. The 400-hectare public park features beaches, lush gardens and attractions throughout, as well as historic landmarks and a restaurant. I just stayed on the main walking path that morning, which is 10 km.

I went to the Vancouver Art Gallery, where there are multiple rotating exhibitions. My favorite current show there is Moving Still: Performative Photography in India, where photography is used to explore themes of gender, cultural identity, and migration.

Currently, the Vancouver International Jazz Festival is also happening in Downtown, right in front of the art gallery.

Vancouver Vegan

For lunch, I went to Virtuous Pie, a vegan pizzeria that seems to be a favorite for both vegans and omnivores alike. The cheesiest pizza on the menu is called Grandma Pie, and it was such melty goodness. With pizza that good, it’s easy to see why people flock there.

Later for dinner, I stopped by Wallflower to eat vegan poutine smothered in vegetable-based gravy and cheese sauce. When in another country, you might as well try the dish it’s best known for. It hit the spot.

Meow, meow, meow

Of course, the Vancouver visit wouldn’t be complete without a trip to Catfé. This cafe had 15 cats when I went in, and they were all so overwhelmingly cute. It’s recommended to reserve for a spot in advance, because those can fill up fast.

Catfé also sells coffee and pastries, such as these Hello Kitty-shaped macarons. They aren’t vegan, but they sure are adorable. I got a slice of vegan peppermint chocolate cake instead. We could take our food in, but we’d have to make sure the cats wouldn’t get to it.

Street art in Vancouver

I mostly walked around Commercial Drive and Mt. Pleasant, known to be two artsy areas in the city. Both have incredible street art that liven up the neighborhoods. Vancouver also has its own mural festival, which is one big street art party spanning over a week in August. The results are beautiful.

Pride weekend

Vancouver was also having a little Pride celebration in one of the parks along Commercial Drive. There were so many colorful people and I felt right at home! Then again, the city is just like Seattle.

Winding down with the city

I was on my way back to the hostel from Mt. Pleasant when I stopped by Aperture Coffee Bar, a trendy cafe with rustic touches. Sometimes you just need a pick-me-up after running and walking all day. They have a library, and it’s a little cozy, but the vibe is chill and friendly.

Places in Vancouver generally close a little early, say around 6:00 to 8:00. Some places might be open later. I’m not really the type of person who stays out late often anyway. It was such an amazing full day, and the health app on my iPhone said that I walked and ran a total of 19 miles!

One last walk around

The next morning, I walked through Gastown as the city was waking up. Gastown is a historic district dating from the 19th century, and it was known as Vancouver’s downtown. Today, the remnant Victorian buildings now feature art galleries, souvenir shops, restaurants, and chic cocktail lounges. It’s akin to Seattle’s Pioneer Square neighborhood.

For breakfast, I had a vegan Earl Grey doughnut from Cartems Donuts. They have several vegan flavors, such as chocolate, vanilla, and maple walnut.

I went back to Seattle later that morning. Even though I did the exact same things as I would in Seattle, sometimes there’s a desire to wander around in an unfamiliar city without knowing a soul. Getting lost and finding one’s way back again is what someone might need occasionally, if only to come back bright-eyed with pleasant experiences. I can’t wait to come back.