Need something to do this weekend? Here are five spots in Greater Vancouver that will make your visitors want to extend their stay.

Shipbuilders' Square, Wallace Mews Road, North Vancouver

The North Shore may seem a world away from Vancouver's downtown core, but a quick jaunt over the Lion's Gate Bridge or, better yet, a trip via SeaBus (a nifty attraction in itself!) will take you to Shipbuilders' Square, North Vancouver's scenic waterfront, and a significantly less crowded alternative to the Stanley Park seawall. The site boasts gorgeous views of Vancouver's skyline from across the water, plus plenty of shops and restaurants, including an impressive Tap & Barrel that serves up one of the best beer selections and patios in Metro Vancouver. A short walk away, you'll find Lonsdale Quay Market—North Van's answer to bustling Granville Island—where you can explore an array of local vendors hawking handcrafted art, specialty foodstuffs, and one-of-a-kind gifts and souvenirs. The real party, however, takes place on Friday nights, when the square is transformed into the Shipyards Night Market with live music, local artists and designers, a fully licensed beer garden, and more in-demand food trucks than your famished self can handle. And if you're hosting an out-of-towner who appreciates a little history, don't worry: the square was built to honour the thousands of men and women who worked onsite during the 20th century, when it served as the launching point for more than 450 merchant-marine vessels, wartime cargo ships, and other boats.

Quarry Rock, Deep Cove

The section of the Baden-Powell trail that heads east out of Deep Cove rewards you and your active visitors with a made-in-B.C. vista like none that can be had in town. But first, you’ll have to find the trail head near Panorama Park, at the end of Panorama Drive. The trail is easy, with steps, bridges, and burbling streams, winding through a lush B.C. rain forest of Douglas fir and hemlock for about 45 minutes, till you reach a clearing and the giant rock: from this towering vantage point, you can wow your guests with views of Indian Arm, the mountains around Belcarra, and even faraway downtown Vancouver. You’ll want to take your time up here, bring a picnic, and look down on what appear to be tiny toy boats. Treat everyone after the return to Deep Cove with an espresso at Cafe Orso or wine and charcuterie on the patio of the Arms Reach Bistro. And don’t forget to pretend this is how you spend every day on the West Coast.

Buntzen Lake, 5000 Sunnyside Road, Anmore

A picturesque view of lush forest, serene waters, and cute kids making sandcastles along the beach—it’s an ideal way to show off Vancouver summers to your guests from afar. Located a 45-minute drive from Downtown Vancouver, Buntzen Lake is where you can grill hot dogs on a barbecue (propane only) for a gourmet picnic, take a dip in the refreshing lake, or try your luck at fishing from the movie-set-like dock. But the activities aren’t limited to beach-side fun—this tucked-away gem is also home to beautiful hikes that can take you through scenic coastal rain forest or to a mountaintop viewpoint. Some of the trails are Eagle Ridge, Buntzen Lake, and Diez Vistas—the last being one of the most popular hikes in Greater Vancouver because of its challenging routes and stunning views. So before you make your way here with visitors from out of town, be sure to decide if you’ll be spending a relaxing day next to the lake, or getting ready to gear up for a six- to eight-hour hike. Because flip-flops don’t cut it on the trails at Buntzen.

Westham Island and the George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary, Ladner

The century-old swing bridge that connects Ladner to Westham Island, between the Fraser River estuary and the ocean, is worth the trip alone—and your guests will want to stop at the spot to take some pictures. But that’s just the entryway to an idyllic pastoral landscape with killer views of the North Shore mountains. You can easily spend a day here showing out-of-towners that West Coast living is not just about craggy trails and old-growth forest. The fertile land here is perfect for fruit-growing, so you’ll be able to hit the blueberry-picking farms. We like the old-fashioned, family-run Emma Lea Farms, with an ice-cream shop that serves up its specialty with some of the fields’ fresh fruit, an old tractor for kids to play on, and picnic tables that look out on the crops. And don’t miss the cozy Angel Estate Winery, with its fruit wines; the cranberry and blackcurrant are favourites. But don’t indulge too much: at the end of the road, you and your visitors will want to wear off your calories with a walk through the trails of the bird sanctuary, which boasts 300 species; summer may not be as active a time as winter, but you’ll still spot tons of shorebirds, goldfinches, and other feathered friends while taking in expansive views of the wetlands and ocean beyond.

Top of Vancouver Revolving Restaurant, 555 West Hastings Street

Offering fine dining at 553 feet (or 167 metres for metric enthusiasts), the Top of Vancouver restaurant is a unique culinary experience. With unobstructed views of the city, mountains, and ocean, its stellar location is perfect for persuading those out-of-towners that Vancouver is—as British Columbia’s slogan used to proudly proclaim—the “Best Place on Earth”. With the restaurant slowly revolving once every 60 minutes, it’s worth sticking around for at least two hours to watch your favourite landmarks transform as the sun sets. Serving lunch, brunch, and dinner on varying schedules, the venue has plenty of culinary excitement to keep you in your seat. Offering everything from baked whole lobster to escargots and lamb shank, the menu has a range of seafood, pasta, meat, and poultry to satisfy the pickiest of foodies. True, the restaurant is a little on the pricey side—we’re talking a conservative $60 a head for a three-course meal—but we can’t think of anywhere else you’ll be able to enjoy that 360 degree view without investing in some Coal Harbour real estate. Just look at it this way: a trip to the Top of Vancouver restaurant is actually saving you a few million dollars.