Things to Do in Vancouver in March
March weather, activities, events & insider tips
Low Season · Budget Friendly
March Weather in Vancouver
Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance
50°F (10°C)
High Temp
37°F (3°C)
Low Temp
3.2 inches (81 mm)
Rainfall
70%
Humidity
⚠ Near-freezing temperatures, pack warm layers
Is March Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + Cherry blossoms start blooming across 43,000 street trees from mid-March - the pink petals along West 16th Avenue create a tunnel effect that Instagram hasn't ruined yet
- + Hotel rates drop 25-30% from summer peaks and half the cruise ships haven't arrived, so you'll grab a seat at Hawksworth without a reservation
- + Whistler still has 5 m (16 ft) of snow but day-trippers thin out - you can ski powder in the morning and be back for 6 PM ramen in Richmond
- + March brings Dine Out Vancouver's final two weeks where 300+ restaurants offer three-course menus at fixed prices, letting you sample the city's best without the usual bill shock
Considerations
- − March holds Vancouver's highest rainfall odds - expect 10 days of rain that arrives sideways thanks to Pacific storms, turning Granville Island's cobblestones into ankle-deep rivers
- − The seawall cycling crowd hasn't returned yet. But neither have most bike rental shops - you might find half the usual spots closed until April
- − Cherry blossom timing is maddeningly unpredictable - the trees might peak the week after you leave, and locals will smugly tell you 'should've been here last week'
Best Activities in March
Top things to do during your visit
Vancouver in March is a city shaking off winter. You will find it caught between Pacific Northwest mist and the first hints of spring. The air is damp. It carries the scent of wet cedar and salt from the harbour. The sky can shift from iron-gray to brilliant blue in a single afternoon. Locals emerge to walk beneath sudden canopies of pink blossoms along West 16th Avenue. These trees are a gift from Tokyo. The city's rhythm shifts with the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival. Guided walks trace the paths of flowering trees. Meanwhile, the Dine Out Vancouver Festival fills downtown with the sizzle of pans. Fixed-price menus let you taste the city's ambition. You will avoid summer crowds and higher prices.
Ancient Trees of Vancouver Walking Tour
culturalThe Ancient Trees of Vancouver Walking Tour passes towering Douglas firs and centuries-old western red cedars. Their bark is furrowed. It smells of damp earth and resin. You will hear the crunch of damp needles underfoot. Feel the cool, humid air that sustains these quiet giants in hidden urban groves.
This tour reveals the living history of the coastal temperate rainforest. It existed long before Vancouver was built around it.
Insider tip: Wear shoes with good grip. Paths under these ancient trees can be slick with March rain and fallen moss.
Vancouver Sailing Experience on a 50 foot Sailboat
cruiseThe Vancouver Sailing Experience on a 50 foot Sailboat lets you feel cool spray. Hear the snap of the mainsail as you glide past Coal Harbour and the slopes of Stanley Park. You will see the city skyline from the shifting perspective of the water. Gulls cry overhead.
Sailing has a serene escape from city streets. It provides impressive views of Vancouver's meeting of mountain and sea.
Insider tip: Layer your clothing. The wind on the water in March is brisk. Temperatures can drop quickly once you leave the dock.
Garibaldi Lake Hike & Photography
adventureThe Garibaldi Lake Hike & Photography journey takes you into the snow-dusted Coast Mountains. The trail may still be hard-packed and icy. It leads to a vista of a frozen, turquoise lake set against jagged peaks. You will feel the crisp, thin air. Hear only the crunch of your boots in the quiet alpine world.
This challenging trek rewards you with a landscape of stark beauty. It feels a world away from the rainy city below.
Insider tip: This hike requires microspikes or snow traction for your boots in March. The upper trail is almost certainly still covered in snow and ice.
Vancouver Foodie Tour: Downtown Vancouver Asian Food Tour
foodThe Vancouver Foodie Tour: Downtown Vancouver Asian Food Tour visits steam-filled kitchens and busy storefronts. You can taste the tangy kick of hand-pulled noodles. Sample the rich, aromatic broth of a simmering pho. You will smell frying garlic, toasted spices, and barbecuing pork.
This tour is a direct line to the authentic flavors of Vancouver's excellent Asian food scene. It includes good spots and established favorites.
Insider tip: Come very hungry. Portions are generous and designed to show the full breadth of Vancouver's offerings.
This month: This tour pairs with the city-wide Dine Out Vancouver Festival in early March. The festival highlights the variety of the local restaurant scene.
Aquabus Ferry Hop on Hop off Day Pass
transportThe Aquabus Ferry Hop on Hop off Day Pass grants access to brightly-colored mini-ferries. They buzz across False Creek like worker bees. You get views of houseboats, public art, and the geodesic dome of Science World. Feel the gentle rock of the boat. Hear the low hum of the electric engine as you dart between stops.
It is the most local and scenic way to navigate the Vancouver waterfront. A simple crossing becomes a memorable sightseeing journey.
Insider tip: Use the pass to visit Granville Island Market in the late morning. You will avoid the biggest crowds and have first pick from stalls of fresh seafood and ripe produce.
Vancouver Local Taste Trail
otherThe Vancouver Local Taste Trail guides you through independent coffee roasters and craft bakeries. Sample the nutty taste of small-batch espresso. Try the buttery, flaky layers of a freshly-baked croissant. You will smell roasting coffee beans and warm, yeasted bread in these neighborhood haunts.
This experience connects you to the artisans shaping Vancouver's everyday food culture. It goes beyond the famous restaurants.
Insider tip: Ask your guide about their favorite seasonal item available only in March. Local producers often feature early spring ingredients.
Where to Stay in Vancouver in March
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for March travellers.
March Events & Festivals
What's happening during your visit
Mid to late March
Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival
The city's 43,000 cherry trees create pink tunnels along residential streets, with guided walks explaining the 1971 Tokyo gift that started it all. Peak bloom happens mid-to-late March, turning West 16th Avenue and Queen Elizabeth Park into Instagram gold without the summer crowds.
Early March
Dine Out Vancouver Festival
300+ restaurants offer three-course menus at fixed prices, from Hawksworth's salmon to Lebanese mezze at Nuba. Two weeks of prix-fixe dining lets you sample the city's best without the usual bill shock, and March sees 70% less competition for tables than summer.
Packing Checklist
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Climate-specific gear, brand recommendations, and what to leave at home.
View Vancouver Packing List →Essential Tips
Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
Insider Knowledge
Hotel rates drop 25-30% from summer peaks. But book 3-4 weeks ahead since March business conferences pack downtown hotels Monday-Wednesday.
The best cherry blossom shots come at dawn when petals still hold raindrops. Locals know West 16th Avenue stays traffic-free before 7 AM.
Tacofino's food truck parks at Burrard and Pender on weekdays. The fish tacos hit different when you're slightly damp from Vancouver drizzle.
March kicks off Vancouver's food truck season. Track down Japadog's okonomiyaki hot dogs and the Tacofino truck at Burrard and Pender. But check Twitter since rain cancels them.
Avoid These Mistakes
Don't bank on Uber. Vancouver's rideshare coverage gets spotty in March rain, and cab companies lean hard on weather excuses for long waits.
Don't bail on Granville Island just because it's raining. The public market stays 100% indoors and serves better food than half the restaurants in town.
Don't chase cherry blossoms without checking bloom status. They might peak the week after you leave, and locals will smugly remind you 'should've been here last week'.
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