While some mourne the ending of summer others jump into the crisp air of fall in September in Vancouver. While the traffic jams of the back-to-school commute get us all a bit frustrated in September there are plenty of great things to do in Vancouver now that fall is approaching. Below you will find a list of 10 great things to do in Vancouver in September and hope this helps you get out in about in Metro Vancouver for the last little bit of summer and the beginning of fall!
Things to do in Vancouver in September
In This Article
- 1 Things to do in Vancouver in September
- 1.1 Take a Hike
- 1.2 Vancouver Canadians Baseball
- 1.3 Watch Vancouver’s Professional Sports Teams
- 1.4 Shop on Robson Street
- 1.5 Take a Wine Tour
- 1.6 Book a Photoshoot
- 1.7 Staycation in the City
- 1.8 Go Whale Watching in September
- 1.9 September Vancouver Food Tours
- 1.10 Granville Island Food Tour
- 1.11 Take a Brewery Tour
- 1.12 See Vancouver from A New Perspective on a Float Plane
- 1.13 Fly Over Canada’s Howl over Canada
- 1.14 Day Trip to Victoria and See Butchart Gardens
- 1.15 Granville Island Food Tour
- 1.16 Vancouver Fringe Festival
- 1.17 Maan Farms Haunted (Fall)
- 1.18 Metro Vancouver Pumpkin Patches
- 1.19 Blodel Conservatory
- 1.20 Lost Souls of Vancouver Walking Tour
- 2 September Concerts in Vancouver
- 3 Vancouver in September: What to Pack
- 4 Weather in Vancouver in September
- 5 Is September a good time to Visit Vancouver
- 6 Things to do in Vancouver by Month:
Take a Hike
While many September days are still warm and sunny (amidst cool breezes), when you get a dry day, hit up one of the popular local hikes! The summer crowds are gone and the fall foliage is stunning all over Metro Vancouver. Check out these easy hikes in Metro Vancouver to get yourself started!
September in Vancouver offers fitness and hiking enthusiasts to enjoy the last of the Grouse Grind. If you have been meaning to do it all summer, now is your chance.
Note that the Grouse Grind is closed as of Sept 5th. Joffre Lakes is also closed. Click here for current information on Joffre Lakes reopening
Vancouver Canadians Baseball
Take me out to the ballgame! Enjoy the footlong hotdogs, the peanuts, and the sushi run. It is all there for you when you watch the local minor league Vancouver Canadians at Nat Bailey Stadium. If you have never attended a game, this is one of the best summertime activities in Vancouver!
Location: Nat Bailey Stadium 4601 Ontario St
Dates: Sept 1, 2, 3, 15, 16, 17
Watch Vancouver’s Professional Sports Teams
It is not just the Vancouver Canadians that are in action.
The BC Lions play Sept 2nd against Montreal and September 22nd against Edmonton.
The Canucks return to the ice against Edmonton on Sept 30th.
The Vancouver Whitecaps play DC United on September 30th at BC Place
Shop on Robson Street
In its prime area roughly between Burrard and Jervis Street, Robson Street has every store that you could desire for your fashion wants. Summer goods will be on clearance and the windows will be full of new fall styles! Popular footwear retailers, lingerie and beauty products are all here. You can also pick up some popular Vancouver souvenirs and things you can only get in Canada at souvenir shops Grand Maple Gift and Canadian Crafts on Robson.
Take a Wine Tour
On weekends in September, grab a date or a friend and take a wine tour in the Fraser Valley The Tour picks up from Vancouver and takes you into the Fraser Valley (about 45-60 minute drive). Then, get to know the Fraser Valley, just outside Vancouver, on this 5.5-hour tour that hits three area wineries. With a small group of 15 passengers or fewer, take in views of British Columbia’s largest agricultural area and taste several wines. A light lunch is included. Enjoy a light lunch of cheese and charcuterie platter at a local winery.
Dates: Saturdays and Sundays in September
Book Online: here
Book a Photoshoot
Booking a photoshoot is always on the to-do list and the September in Vancouver is the perfect time to book a local photoshoot and update your photos! When it is tough to plan ahead, use this site when booking a photoshoot.
Flytographer caters to people in the city who do not have a local photographer. Their turnaround time for delivering photos is amazing! If you use the code LINDSAY you will save $25 off your booking!
Staycation in the City
September is a great time of year for a Vancouver Staycation. Hotel deals are abundant at this time of year and crowds are minimal in the city as most locals are back to the fall routine of work and school and extracurricular activities. Check out some of the best Vancouver hotels with pools to enjoy that last little bit of summer!
Go Whale Watching in September
Whale Watching season continues into the early fall. Prince of Whales offers whale watching on a covered vessel it is one of the best whale watching tours in Vancouver. Their office is located in Granville Island and their vessel departs from the same area. When you book with Price of Whales, experience whale watching in true comfort and style along the waters off Vancouver. You have the opportunity to see several types of whales (depending on the time of year) with orcas generally being the main attraction, as well as an assortment of sea lions, sea birds, and other marine species. Marvel at the beauty of the Gulf Islands, San Juan Islands, and Howe Sound on this 3-6 hour adventure. Price of Whales operates with a 62-foot covered vessel built for whale watching, and designed to minimize its ecological footprint. You can choose to be inside or outside and can choose from 3 viewing areas on 2 levels.
WANT TO BOOK A TOUR? Check out the Prince of Whales Whale Watching tours online with GET YOUR GUIDE or BOOK ON VIATOR HERE
September Vancouver Food Tours
The Legendary Gastown Food tour takes you through the cobbled stone streets of Vancouver’s oldest neighborhood. Enjoy local craft beer, Japanese Kar-age style chicken, freshly made Sicilian Tortellini with local wine, battered fish with hand-cut fries, tasty Carolina-style pulled pork BBQ sandwiches, organic smooth soft ice cream, creamy awarding winning cheesecake, and delicious hand-made chocolates!
On this 2.5 hour walking food tour, professional improv comedy actors full of passion for the city and its food will share fascinating and funny little-known stories about Vancouver and its “Wild West” history that dates back 150 years. This is one of the most popular things to do in Gastown and you will learn about Gassy Jack, Gastown’s notorious founder and the stories that him famous and put Vancouver on the map.
Tickets: Buy your tickets online here
Granville Island Food Tour
Take a Granville Island Food tour and embrace one of the best places to visit in Vancouver.
Explore the Granville Island Public Market, a top Vancouver attraction, with an off-duty chef on this 2-hour food walking tour. With your in-the-know guide, make your way through the vibrant stalls and sample homemade culinary delights, such as maple-cured salmon, ciabatta bread, artisanal chocolates, Canadian cheeses and just-made doughnuts. Sip a delicious chai tea latte and get to know Granville Island’s craft beer scene, art galleries and specialty restaurants. Bring your appetite!
Get your tickets: here
Take a Brewery Tour
Craft beer is all over Metro Vancouver. Why not find out more about this bubbling industry with a behind-the-scenes brewery tour!
Enjoy a taste of Vancouver’s hip craft brewery scene at three highly rated breweries. You’ll sample a nice variety of locally crafted brews while someone else does all the driving. Meet downtown at the Waterfront Station for a small group tour that includes VIP tours at each of the breweries, plus priority seating to get you to the beer quicker!
Book Online: here
See Vancouver from A New Perspective on a Float Plane
As the leaves change colors, a floatplane tour offers unbeatable views of downtown Vancouver, Stanley Park, and the North Shore mountains. It is a vantage point that few get to see and is even more beautiful with the golden colors of fall.
Location: 1055 Canada Pl, Vancouver
Booking Details: Online here
Fly Over Canada’s Howl over Canada
The award winning Fly Over Canada has a seasonal spectacular starting on the 29th of September in Vancouver. Named HowlOver Canada, ioin Biker Mama the Witch on an unforgettable Halloween flight ride for all ages. HowlOver Canada lets you soar through the skies with a band of spooky sidekicks on your way to a music festival that’s out of this world. There’s still broom—but get your tickets today. HowlOver. It is suggested to buy tickets online in advance.
Tickets: Book your tickets online in advance here for the lowest price and to ensure availability.
Dates: TBD for 2023
Location: 201 – 999 Canada Place Vancouver, BC
Important Notes: The queue is partially exposed to the elements. Ensure you wear proper attire. It is recommended to buy tickets online in advance.
Day Trip to Victoria and See Butchart Gardens
If you are visiting Vancouver or even you are a local, get out of town and take a day trip to Vancouver Island. It can easily be done in a day and you can enjoy Victoria’s waterfront, or local attractions like Butchart Gardens.
If you want to take an organized tour, there are tours online that start from downtown Vancouver.
Tickets: Here
Granville Island Food Tour
Take a Granville Island Food tour and embrace one of the best places to visit in Vancouver.
Explore the Granville Island Public Market, a top Vancouver attraction, with an off-duty chef on this 2-hour food walking tour. With your in-the-know guide, make your way through the vibrant stalls and sample homemade culinary delights, such as maple-cured salmon, ciabatta bread, artisanal chocolates, Canadian cheeses and just-made doughnuts. Sip a delicious chai tea latte and get to know Granville Island’s craft beer scene, art galleries and specialty restaurants. Bring your appetite!
Get your tickets: here
How to get there: read how to get to Granville Island
Vancouver Fringe Festival
The Vancouver Fringe Festival is the best arts festival in the city, hands down. It is located on Granville Island and each September you will find hundreds of performances.
Dates: September 7th to 17th
Location: Granville Island (How to get to Granville Island)
Maan Farms Haunted (Fall)
Outside of Vancouver, Maan Farms Haunts, the creators of the Scariest Corn Maze in Canada, are back at it, bringing four dedicated experiences for 2023 under the theme of Agatha’s Witching Hour. They include Homestead, The Way Down, Slaughterhouse, and Midway.
They also have goat yoga available Sept 21st 6:30pm and Sept 30th 2pm
Seasonal treats include wine-filled ‘blood’ bags at the Blood Bar, Naan Tacos, Mad Jack Pumpkin Spice wine, and Creepy Cloud Cocktail along with signature favourites, such as the Double Pumpkin SpiceCream, field-to-plate pumpkin pie, Pumpkin Spice Mini Donuts, and Mama Maan’s legendary butter chicken bowls, samosas, and chai tea.
TICKETS: Available now. buy online here
DATES: haunted Starts Sept 29th. Goat Yoga is available Sept 21st and 30th. The market is open daily and stay tuned for the pumpkin farm.
Metro Vancouver Pumpkin Patches
September in Vancouver means that the pumpkin patches around Metro Vancouver are starting to open. Check out these lists of Pumpkin Patches to see opening dates for the 2023 pumpkin patch season: Pumpkin patches in Vancouver, Pumpkin Patches in Langley, Pumpkin Patches in Surrey, Pumpkin Patches in Abbotsford. If you want some more ideas, check out these things to do in the Fraser Valley in September!
Blodel Conservatory
Blodel Conservatory offers beautiful flowers and exotic birds inside a giant dome in Vancouver’s Queen Elizabeth Park. Get a taste of the tropics and view over 500 species of flowers and over 200 species of birds.
Lost Souls of Vancouver Walking Tour
Walk through alleyways and the back streets of Gastown and get a glimpse into Vancouver’s rough and rowdy past on a walking tour of the historic neighborhood. Hear haunting tales of the city’s darkest days, when fires, smallpox, and gold dust fever swept through the frontier outpost. Visit the neighborhood’s landmarks and historic sites as your guide evokes the thieves, hustlers, and vagabonds that made the west so wild.
Location: 356 Water St
Tickets: Online here
September Concerts in Vancouver
- Ed Sheeran: Sept 2nd, BC Place
- Bonnie Rait: Sept 3rd, Queen Elizabeth Theatre
- Kansas: Sept 6th, Queen Elizabeth Theatre
- Pixies & Modest Mouse: Sept 9th, Doug Mitchell Sports Centre UBC
- Beyonce: Sept 11th, BC Place
- Lionel Ritchie: Sept 12th, Rogers Arena
- Coldplay: Sept 22nd and September 23rd, BC Place
- Arctic Monkeys: Sept 23rd, Pacific Coliseum
Vancouver in September: What to Pack
September can have summer sun and fall wind. Layers are the best thing to be packing if you are visiting Vancouver at the end of summer! You will want a light waterproof jacket if you get a rainy day, but light layers should get you by most of the time. Bring closed-toed shoes and some type of waterproof footwear.
Weather in Vancouver in September
Vancouver has a moderate climate for most of the year. But plan for rain.
Is September a good time to Visit Vancouver
September is the end of the high season in Vancouver. The summer months are the peak season to visit Vancouver, so if you want to visit without crowds, September will see fewer visitors but it is still a great time to enjoy the city! You will experience the fall foilage all over Metro Vancouver and could luck out with a stretch of multiple sunny days, especially in the early parts of the month.
Things to do in Vancouver by Month:
Things to do in January in Vancouver
Things to do in Vancouver in February
Things to do in Vancouver in March
Things to do in April in Vancouver
Things to do in Vancouver in May
Things to do in Vancouver in Summer
Things to do in Vancouver in October
Things to do in November in Vancouver
Things to do in December in Vancouver
Lindsay Nieminen is the creator of UncoveringBC.com. She grew up and still lives in the suburbs of Vancouver with her family. She aims to inspire inform, and educate others about traveling in her home province of British Columbia. She is also the creator of carpediemourway.com which aims to show parents how to seek out adventure at home or abroad, with their children in tow!