Come fall, the tourists retreat and rates drop, making Vancouver prime terrain for exploratory visits. Activities I try to complete the 6-mile walk around the Stanley Park Seawall at least once every time I'm in Vancouver, not just to work off all the good meals I've been eating, but primarily because it is one of the most enjoyable urban walks around.
Clear days offer vistas of mountains and scores of seabirds.
If you enjoy farmers markets, there are two close to downtown Vancouver, and each is different enough to make visiting both worthwhile. Visitors with an interest in the native peoples of the area will want to visit the Museum of Anthropology at the University of British Columbia, as well as some of the fine galleries that specialize in native art, many of which are located in Gastown. The sea wall runs all the way along the perimeter of the park. Most shops are clustered in the blocks between Granville and Jervis streets. Exploring galleries, tasteful gift shops, and the island's houseboat community make good daytime activities, while restaurants, pubs, and theaters lure people to stay until the wee hours.