The 5 Best Tour Operators in Vancouver that Locals & Visitors Love
Best Tour Operators in Vancouver
Review by: Amelia Hall, Waterview Vancouver (Link to resource)
How we review
The guides: I verified if the company had guides who were good at talking to people and really knew Vancouver. It was a huge plus if they were bilingual to—to cater to tourists exploring the city.
The Tours: I took a few tours myself and checked the small details like punctual start times and smooth moves from one place to the next.
Tour variety: The amount and quality of tours mattered too. I looked for different tours that showed off what makes Vancouver special.
Reviews: I spoke with other people who took tours with these companies to see what stood out to them.
I once took a city tour while traveling abroad that was a total disaster. The guide barely looked up from their phone, rushed us through every stop, and offered little more than bored commentary. By the end, I was cold, grumpy, and done with tours.
Since then, I’ve stuck to self-guided exploring. But when my partner asked me to help look for a tour operator for his visiting relatives next year, I knew I couldn’t leave it to chance. Vancouver deserves better than the kind of experience I had.
Determined to find the best tour operators in Vancouver, I talked to previous tour joiners, reached out to operators, and even joined some tours. The ones below stood out for all the right reasons—engaging guides, thoughtful pacing, and actually good itineraries.
Historical Chinatown Tours
Address: 209 E Pender St
Contact Details: +1 604-418-8560
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday – 9 AM to 10 PM
Judy runs Historical Chinatown Tours, and she’s quite the expert—a historian, chef, activist, and big fan of dumplings. Her love for Chinatown and her ties to Vancouver really shine during her tours.
The Historical Chinatown Group Tour is her most popular tour. For more than two hours, Judy takes you through colorful streets, old buildings, family shops and the ins and outs of Chinatown.
I really enjoyed checking out Vancouver’s first authentic Chinese tea shop. The history of the place was interesting, but the friendly personalities and knowledge of the tea staff really made it special.
That aside, my favorite tour here is the Chinatown Walk, Historic Talk & Dim Sum tour. You get the full historical background along with a yummy dim sum lunch.
However, it’s a good idea to make your booking early as she can be hard to contact during peak hours.
Pros
Passionate historian
Engaging storyteller
Authentic insights of Chinatown
Delicious dim sum lunch
Cons
It can be hard to book during peak hours
She brings the history of Chinatown to life with heart and humour
“Chinatown Girl is a must-do in Vancouver!
Judy is incredibly knowledgeable, warm, and passionate—she brings the history of Chinatown to life with heart and humour. The tour is full of hidden gems and powerful stories that make you see the neighbourhood in a whole new way. Highly recommend!”
–S Bath, Google Reviews
Had a fantastic time at the Historical Chinatown Tours
“Our organization had a fantastic time at the Historical Chinatown Tours. Some of our staff feedback included: I had a wonderful time, and learned a lot about Chinatown and the history and struggles of Chinese immigrants. As an immigrant myself, it felt very meaningful to see just how much people had to struggle for what we now sometimes take for granted. I loved the tea tasting as well, and feel more attached to protecting Chinatown’s history. The connection to local history was significant and inspiring. It also sparked an idea for a possible music collaboration. I’m considering the possibility of rehearsing in the Chang Building or another historic location in Chinatown to enhance the cultural experience. I had such a great time that I’m bringing my family to Chinatown this weekend. All the activities we did were memorable and fun–and just fantastic!”
–Kam Kulewski, Google Reviews
