Freecouver Format: Paperback

A day out in and around the most expensive city in Canada doesn’t have to break the bank––if you know where to go.

Planning a day out? Hosting visitors from out-of-town? Looking for ways to entertain the kids on a budget?Award-winning travel writer John Lee and Rebecca Bollwitt (aka Miss604) havegot you covered.

Whether you love fascinating museums and amazing galleries or prefer unexpected art trails and hidden gem gardens, they’ve tracked down the best free activities and attractions throughout Metro Vancouver.Each entry includes a first-hand description, location details and a website address. And all entries are cross-referenced by type, theme, location and accessibility/activity level.

Alongside dozens of Vancouver attractions and activities, you’ll also find under-the-radar options in Richmond, Surrey, Port Moody and beyond.

Planning a great low-cost day out for locals and visitors has never been easier.

John Lee is an award-winning, British-born Vancouver writer whose stories have appeared in more than 150 different outlets around the world, from the BBC to the Los Angeles Times and from The Guardian to National Geographic Traveler. Penning a weekly Globe and Mail travel column for several years, he has also worked on more than 25 Lonely Planet guidebooks, mostly covering Vancouver and the wider region. John is also the publisher of the hugely popular online Vancouver Christmas Guide.

Rebecca Bollwitt has been writing about life in BC since 2004 on the award-winning blog, Miss604.com. With over 25 years of digital publishing experience, she has authored and edited eight books on the subject. She is also a professional photographer and monthly columnist for Megaphone Magazine, and serves as a Vice President of the BC Entertainment Hall of Fame. In 2025, Rebecca was presented with the City of Vancouver’s ‘Award of Excellence’ for Entrepreneurship.