We recently asked ChatGPT to plan a 3-day, 2-night trip for us on our way to Vancouver, and honestly, we were blown away! We handed over the reins completely, asking it to take care of everything—from meals to sightseeing—down to the times of each activity. All we knew going in was our hotel and flight details.
Since neither of us knew much about the city (and we didn’t have that one super-organized friend to plan it all), we figured why not give ChatGPT a try? Spoiler alert: it didn’t disappoint!
Our ChatGPT-Powered Vancouver Itinerary
This was our first time asking ChatGPT to create a trip itinerary for us, and we weren’t sure what to expect. We had no idea where to start, so we were excited to see what it would come up with!
It’s actually our second time traveling to Vancouver together, but this trip, we wanted to make it more memorable than our last. The previous visit was for a friend’s baby shower, which was amazing, but this time, we were ready to explore the city!
What’s in This Post
We had already booked our flights and accommodation before turning to ChatGPT. We decided to stay at The Douglas again since we loved it during our last visit. The hotel’s stylish design, friendly staff, and unbeatable location in the heart of Vancouver made it an easy choice.
Not knowing exactly what to include in our itinerary, we decided to leave it all up to ChatGPT and let ourselves be surprised. In no time, ChatGPT gave us a complete itinerary for our trip! It had everything mapped out, from restaurant recommendations to activities. We started making reservations right away and, to our surprise, managed to get tables at all of the suggested spots.
Putting ChatGPT’s Recommendations to the Test
While some activities required us to adjust the timings due to availability, we made sure to stick to ChatGPT’s plan as closely as possible. We’ll highlight the changes we made along the way and share ChatGPT’s original recommendations so you can see how everything fit together.
Day 1: Arrival and City Exploration
10:00 AM: Arrival in Vancouver
We arrived in Vancouver right on schedule, with no delays on our flight. Instead of arranging a transfer from the airport to the hotel, we opted for the transit system. It was a breeze! We simply followed the signs to the transit station and purchased our passes there. The Douglas is located in Yaletown, conveniently close to a subway stop.
11:00 AM: Check-in at The Douglas
Although check-in was officially at 4:00 PM, the wonderful staff at The Douglas allowed us to check in early. It was busier than our last visit, but everyone was so friendly and welcoming.
12:00 PM: Lunch at Medina Cafe
Our first meal recommendation from ChatGPT was at Medina Cafe, and we were excited to return! We had visited this spot during our last trip to Vancouver and loved it. Known for its delectable waffles, Medina Cafe had a long line when we last came, but this time we made a reservation, which got us seated right away.
Nick chose the short ribs (Fricassée), while Eartha went for the lamb meatballs (Les Boulettes). Of course, we couldn’t resist ordering the famous waffles too!
1:30 PM: Explore Granville Island
After lunch, ChatGPT sets us off to explore Granville Island. It’s a vibrant area filled with shops, galleries, and a public market. We were especially looking forward to visiting Lee’s Donuts. A funny story from our last visit: we spotted a massive line but decided to come back later, only to find the shop closed! This time, we made sure to queue up and see what all the hype was about. We quickly understood why people are willing to wait!
3:30 PM: False Creek Ferry Ride
Right next to Granville Island is the dock for the False Creek Ferry Ride. We booked a 45-minute cruise that took us around the picturesque waters of Vancouver. It was a delightful way to experience the city from a different perspective. There’s something incredibly calming about being on the water!
5:00 PM: Stanley Park
After our cruise wrapped up, we decided to walk along the seawall towards Stanley Park. The cruise ended back at Granville Island, where we hopped on another ferry to reach the dock and began our walk.
The seawall is an iconic feature of Vancouver, stretching for miles with stunning views. Although exploring the seawall wasn’t part of ChatGPT’s original recommendations, we were determined to experience it for ourselves. The walk took us about two hours, and the scenery was simply breathtaking.
8:15 PM: Dinner at Blue Water Cafe
Modified from ChatGPT’s recommendation of 7:00 PM
After our lengthy walk, we were both tired and hungry. We initially planned to dine at Blue Water Cafe at 7:00 PM, but we couldn’t secure a reservation for that time. Regardless, we were eager to enjoy some seafood.
Dining at Blue Water Cafe was a highlight of our day! The seafood was incredibly fresh and beautifully presented. We made sure to savor every bite of our delicious meals.
Day 2: Activity-Packed Day
Day 2 was filled with excitement and packed with activities. We made several modifications to the itinerary to better match our mood, but we ensured that we still covered all the recommended experiences from ChatGPT.
8:00 AM: Breakfast at Forage
We kicked off our day with breakfast at Forage, an award-winning restaurant located at Robson Street. It was just a 20-minute walk from The Douglas, which served as a perfect warm-up for the day ahead.
Forage boasts a minimalist and open atmosphere that makes you feel right at home. We ordered Eggs Benny and Shakshuka, but the standout for us was definitely the coffee! Even the patrons sitting next to us couldn’t stop raving about it. The coffee, named Mogiana Espresso Coffee, was made from beans sourced from Brazil, all grown right here in Canada. Who knew?
9:30 AM: Grouse Mountain Grind
Modified from ChatGPT’s recommendation of 9:00 AM: Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
After breakfast, we made our way to Waterfront Station and hopped on the Free Shuttle Bus to Grouse Mountain and Capilano Suspension Bridge Park. We felt lucky that this service was available during our visit, as we were initially unsure how to reach the Grind without a car.
We decided to tackle the Grouse Mountain Grind first, motivated by our friends’ recommendations. The Grind is a steep hike filled with numerous stairs, and it’s an incredible workout! While the path is well-maintained, it gets progressively steeper as you ascend. Just a heads up: there’s no option to hike back down; you’ll need to grab a gondola ticket for the descent.
12:30 PM: Lunch at The Alpine Restaurant on Top of Grouse Mountain
Modified from ChatGPT’s recommendation of 12:00 PM: Lunch at The Nook
We finished the Grouse Grind just in time for lunch at the restaurant atop the mountain. The view from the highest peak in Vancouver is nothing short of spectacular, making our meal even more enjoyable.
After lunch, we took the gondola back down, which offered a quick six-minute ride but was still a remarkable experience.
2:30 PM: Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
Modified from ChatGPT’s recommendation of 1:30 PM: Grouse Mountain
From Grouse Mountain, we took public transportation to Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, a perfect way to cool off after our adventurous hike. This beautifully maintained park offers various thrilling experiences.
As soon as you enter, you’re greeted by the famous suspension bridge, which stretches across Capilano River. The feeling of walking across the bridge, especially with a crowd, is exhilarating. On the other side, you can explore the Treetops Adventure, where you’ll be surrounded by trees that are around 500 years old! Walking along the hanging bridges connecting the treetops was both fun and relaxing.
4:30 PM: Return to Downtown Vancouver
We rode the Free Shuttle Service back to Canada Place, close to Waterfront Station. From there, we took the subway to our hotel to freshen up and relax after such an eventful day. We were ready for more exploration!
7:00 PM: Evening Walk in Gastown
Modified from ChatGPT’s recommendation of 10:00 PM: Evening Walk in Gastown
We were eager to see Gastown, so we decided to visit before dinner. Since we had a long day, we figured an earlier stroll would be more manageable. Plus, we wanted to avoid walking late in the evening since Gastown is about a 20-minute walk from our hotel.
We were lucky enough to catch the steampunk clock in action! Talk about perfect timing! If you’re curious, we filmed the whole moment—check out the clip below!
8:00 PM: Dinner at Hawksworth
We capped off our day with dinner at Hawksworth, a chic fine dining restaurant located at Rosewood Hotel Georgia. The ambiance was sophisticated, and we noticed many diners celebrating special occasions, just like us!
Each dish that arrived was a work of art, beautifully presented and of exceptional quality. You can see from the photos we took just how proud the restaurant is of its culinary creations. It was the perfect way to conclude our action-packed day in Vancouver.
Day 3: Departure from Vancouver
As we prepared to fly back from Vancouver in the afternoon, we were determined to make the most of our last day in the city. While we had a few recommendations from ChatGPT, we decided to switch things up since we were still a bit sore from the adventures of Day 2.
8:30 AM: Coffee at Artigiano and Stroll by the River
Modified from ChatGPT’s recommendation of 7:00 AM: Coffee at Revolver (Closed when we were there)
It was Sunday, and we anticipated starting our day at Revolver Coffee. Unfortunately, when we checked Google, we discovered it was closed for the day. Not wanting to miss out on our caffeine fix, we turned to ChatGPT for an alternative, which led us to Artigiano, just a five-minute walk from The Douglas.
Artigiano quickly became another coffee favorite of ours, and they even offer their own specialty coffee brand. If you’re a fan of unique treats, don’t miss their specialty chocolate made right here in Vancouver!
With our steaming cups of coffee in hand, we took a leisurely stroll along the river, soaking in one last breathtaking view of Vancouver before heading home.
9:30 AM: Soak in the Hot Tub at Marriott Parq
Modified from ChatGPT’s recommendation of 8:00 AM: Breakfast at Jam Cafe
After all the walking and outdoor fun from the previous days, we decided to prioritize relaxation. Instead of having breakfast, we opted for a soothing soak in the hot tub at the rooftop of Marriott Parq. It was the perfect way to unwind and recharge before our departure.
11:00 AM: Check Out at The Douglas and Head to the Airport
We wrapped up our trip with a smooth check-out at The Douglas and then took an Uber to the airport. Reflecting on our time in Vancouver, we felt grateful for the amazing experiences we shared.
Our Verdict: ChatGPT’s Itinerary
We had an incredible time in Vancouver! Our trip was truly eventful, and many of the experiences we enjoyed were thanks to ChatGPT’s thoughtful recommendations. Here’s what we loved and some adjustments we’d make for our next trip:
What We Liked About the Itinerary
- Diverse Range of Activities
ChatGPT provided us with a fantastic mix of activities, blending city exploration with nature adventures. It also suggested a variety of dining options, from popular hotspots to local favorites. Without these recommendations, we likely wouldn’t have discovered such a rich array of experiences to enjoy during our trip.
- Balanced Activity Scheduling
The timing and sequencing of our activities were thoughtfully balanced. More adventurous or intense activities were paired with lighter, more relaxing ones, providing us with much-needed breaks. This thoughtful pacing made our trip enjoyable and helped us recharge for the next adventure.
- Effortless Itinerary Planning with ChatGPT
Using ChatGPT was incredibly straightforward! We didn’t need to provide excessive prompts; we simply shared our arrival and departure dates, along with our hotel information in Vancouver. In seconds, it generated a comprehensive list of activities and lunch recommendations. The results were presented in a clear table format, complete with timings, making it super easy to follow. This made our trip hassle-free and allowed us to focus on enjoying every moment!
Modified Vancouver Trip Itinerary
What We Would Modify
While we had a fantastic experience working with ChatGPT, we plan to make some modifications to ensure the itinerary better aligns with our preferences. Here are the adjustments we would make to our prompt:
- Setting a Budget
While we thoroughly enjoyed the restaurants and activities, we didn’t establish a budget for our trip. For reference, we typically spent about $250 on each dinner. It would be interesting to see how effective the recommendations would be if we had specified a budget upfront.
- Communicating Transportation Needs
We didn’t inform ChatGPT about our transportation situation. While reviewing distances on maps, we noticed that some locations were quite far from each other, averaging about a 20-minute walk. We also had to figure out transportation options, like getting to Grouse Mountain for the Grind. If we had mentioned our transportation preferences, we believe ChatGPT could have provided more efficient recommendations that grouped nearby attractions.
- Highlighting “Must-Do” Activities
We didn’t communicate our desire to tackle the Grouse Grind hike to ChatGPT. By the end of Day 2, we were so exhausted that we could barely walk! If we had specified our priorities, it might have helped in planning a more balanced itinerary.
Final Thoughts
Overall, we found the ChatGPT itinerary to be a fantastic resource, offering a great overview of activities in the city that we might not have considered otherwise. Initially, we felt a bit overwhelmed by the numerous activities, but we soon realized that the itinerary was quite manageable. Moving forward, we’ll customize our plans based on our budget, transportation options, and specific highlights we want to experience in the city.
We’re definitely looking forward to our next trip planned with ChatGPT, as we truly enjoyed having a well-structured plan. We’re excited to see how ChatGPT can adapt to our preferences and any restrictions we may have.
If you’ve had a similar experience or have questions about using ChatGPT for your travels, share your thoughts in the comments below or connect with us on social media! We’d love to hear from you!
2 responses to “Exploring Vancouver: Can a ChatGPT-Planned 3-Day Adventure Really Be Done?”
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Rohogy
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