Things to do in North Vancouver

For a first visit, The Shipyards in Lower Lonsdale is the easiest anchor. The official North Shore tourism page describes the Quay Market and Food Hall with more than 80 shops, the SeaBus terminal, waterfront paths, restaurant patios and a plaza that's a splash park in summer and an ice rink in winter. The market is indoors and the waterfront is right outside, so it works in most weather. TransLink says the SeaBus crossing takes 12 minutes, and a boat leaves every 15 minutes during the day, so missing one isn't a big deal. Check the live TransLink schedule before planning your return sailing, and remember that other stops may need a bus or a car.

Deep Cove and the mountains pull the other way. Deep Cove suits a paddle, a beach sit or a coffee at Cafe Orso, but the official page says on-street parking is very limited and in high demand, so a lot or a different plan beats circling. Grouse Mountain and Lynn Headwaters suit a bigger outing, though conditions and ticket options change, so check each official page on the day. The Grouse Grind is a steep climb, so we'd save it for a date who's actually asked for a workout. And if you both genuinely love trails, Norvan Falls at Lynn Headwaters is the one we'd look at first.