Insider Itinerary: Wellness Weekend

The vibrant, seaside neighbourhood of Kitsilano was the epicentre of 1960’s hippie culture and it remains a hotspot for healthy eating, yoga, and various fitness activities to this day. After a morning wander along Kitsilano Beach with coffee or tea in hand, stroll over to Radish (1876 West 1st Avenue) for some healthy eats. If we’re opting for brunch, we love the Turkish Eggs with braised greens and chickpeas. But truth be told, their delicious, fresh lunch bowls on rice or quinoa are our go-to. We’re also fans of the Cashew Kale Caesar Salad. But Radish isn’t a strict health food kinds of place, so if you want to opt for a mimosa or pizette, we won’t tell anyone.

Mingled among the colourful shops on West 4th is TurF Kitsilano (2041 W 4th Avenue), a very Vancouver-ish fitness studio, retail shop, and healthy café combo. Check out their calendar for drop-in classes like ‘Meta’ –  described as “a signature TurF class designed to move the body physically and energetically, work the heart and lungs, and increase endurance. Elevated by a curated and energizing playlist, we move to the beat of the music.”

Looking to kick back after an afternoon of exercise? Expanding your mind is always an option at H.R. MacMillan Space Centre (1100 Chestnut Street), where there are plenty of exhibits and shows to discover new things beyond our planet. Lean back in Vancouver’s only planetarium theatre and experience events like ‘Surfing the Solar System,’ where you will have a chance to see Earth from the perspective of astronauts on the International Space Station. After getting comfortable as an armchair astronomer, make sure to check out the half-metre Cassegrain telescope in the Observatory for a little personal exploration of the skies.

The first of its kind anywhere, Circle Wellness Spa is completely private, and completely self-guided, but smack-dab in the middle of Granville Island. The five-step experience moves you from open-air shower to a cedar soaking tub before you enter the WellPod – a modern sauna-like room. From there, you take a cold plunge and then relax on a bed of radiantly-heated river stones. Sessions are 90 or 120 minutes and give you the whole space, meaning that it’s the same price whether it’s just you or you bring a friend.

Step over to Chinatown to slow things down a little, with a private, traditional tea tasting at Treasure Green Tea Company (227 East Georgia Street) with second-generation tea master, Olivia – the shop’s proprietor. Learn etiquette, brewing methods, and enjoy premium custom teas like West Lake Long Jing, Dragonball Jasmine, or Superior Roast Iron Buddha while discovering the histories behind them.

Proving that eating a plant-based menu is no hardship at all, The Acorn on Main Street is one of the city’s best restaurants, and not just “good for a vegetarian place”. Their Michelin-recommended menu is based on locally grown and foraged ingredients and comes with a Zero-Waste Commitment making it good for your own wellness, but also the health of the planet. Don’t expect veggie burgers and chick’n strips here. Expect to have your mind blown by what plant-based cuisine can be.