Photo: franck_c on Instagram 

Summer is coming, and the salty ocean breeze makes it a magical time in Vancouver. There are endless activities, festivals, and places to explore in Canada’s largest west coast city, so get out there and soak up all the sunshine you can. Consider this your Van-City bucket list for the adventurer, lounger, epicurean and culture buff in you. From kayaking, outdoor movies, night markets and dancing, here’s a go-to guide to help you make the most of the summer.

The Capilano Suspension Bridge Park

Spend a day walking among the trees at the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park. The bridge is a must-see for anyone who seeks adventure and wants to explore Vancouver’s beautiful forests. At 140 meters long (460 ft) and 70 meters (230 ft) above the Capilano River, the bridge was the first of its kind in North America, and it gives you a breathtaking bird’s eye view of the coastal forest.

Chinatown Night Market

Recently reinvented on a larger scale, Chinatown’s Night Market is well worth a summer evening visit. Dive into Vancouver’s Chinese culture scene and explore every entertaining feature the market has to offer. That being said, the highlight here is the food.  What’s better than a seemingly endless display of traditional Chinese cuisine such as of fish balls, bubble tea and dumplings? Expect to run into ping-pong tournaments and karaoke, and watch several of the city’s favorite food trucks roll in for the evening.

The Beaches

Whether it’s barbecuing or taking at dip at Spanish Banks, playing volleyball or watching fireworks at English Bay Beach, sunbathing  or enjoying Canada’s largest outdoor pool at Kitsilano Beach, or kayaking at sunset  at the scenic Jericho Beach, summer weather makes Vancouver’s already-stunning beaches the place to be.

Free Salsa Dancing at Robson Square

Turn the heat up this summer with a sexy date night fiesta and shake it to groovy Latin music in the heart of downtown Vancouver. Organized by DanceSport BC, the Robson Square Summer Dance Series offers free salsa dance lessons and performances in the months of July and August. Dance the night away under the Robson Square dome, in the heart of downtown Vancouver.

Summer Cinema at Stanley Park

Located in Stanley Park, one of the city’s main tourist destinations, more than 6,000 people attend a weekly outdoor movie night brought to you by Evo Car Share. Bring your blankets and lawn chairs every Tuesday of July and August in lounge front of a four storey inflatable movie screen. Take your Netflix and chill to a new level and watch new releases and old classics under the stars surrounded by the beautiful park and waterfront.