Bonjour l'été, et comment ça va?

Summer is officially here. Vancouver is officially muggy.

What to do now? Still waiting for the weather to improve? Still waiting for that one pay check that could afford you the first flight to Honolulu? Why be bored while you wait? You live in one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. Let's explore it!

Here's my list of things to do in Vancouver over the summer.

ATTRACTIONS

Coo over some baby animals at the Vancouver Aquarium.

Visit the Da Vinci exhibit at Science World (running from April 28th to September 3rd).

Have a donut, ride some roller coasters and watch an animal show or two at the Pacific National Exhibition and Playland.

SPORTS (for when hockey is not around)

Cheer on the Vancouver Whitecaps FC at BC Place (matches from March 10th until October 27th).

Check out the Vancouver Whitecaps FC Women (matches from May 13th until July 15th).

Enjoy a ball game with the Vancouver Canadians on Scotiabank Field at Nat Bailey Stadium (games from June 21st until August 26th).

FOOD

Have a gelato at Bella Gelateria on West Cordova.

Buy goodies and eat goodies at the Richmond Night Market (from May 8th to October 8th).

Pick up some seafood at the fishing boats along Steveston Fishing Village.

Share a poutine or war at Belgian Fries on Commercial Drive.

Visit the food carts Downtown.

OUTDOOR/NATURE

Brave the Grouse Grind.

Go on a forest adventure at the Capilano Suspension Bridge (Cliffwalk pictured).

Take a stroll around Burns Bog.

Walk along the grey sands of White Rock Beach.

Get sunburnt at the Vancouver Pride Parade and Dyke March (August 5th).

MUSIC

Buy tickets to Summer Playland Festival 2012 (July 6th until 8th).

Camp out like a hipster up in Squamish for the Live At Squamish musical festival (August 24th until 26th).

Take a date to the Vancouver International Jazz Festival (running June 22nd until July 1st).

Be cultural at the Vancouver Francophone Summer Festival (from June 14th until 24th).

Hang out at Jericho Beach for the Vancouver Folk Music Festival (July 13th until 15th).

THEATRE/MOVIES

Watch some fucking musical theatre (hell yes) at the Granville Island Stage and the Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage.

See a Shakespeare play at Bard on the Beach (performances from May 31st until September 22nd). 

See the Broadway production of Mary Poppins at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre (performances from July 17th to 22nd).

Watch movies galore from all over the world at the Vancouver Queer Film Festival (showtimes from August 16th to 26th).