What's the weather like in Vancouver in March
Temperature
The beginning of spring is fairly obvious in Vancouver and often occurs in late March. The average temperature rises to 7°C with daytime averages of 10°C, often up towards 12°C by the end of March. Nights are still chilly with temperatures dipping down to 3°C, and on rare occasions falling to -1°C.
Rainfall
March is still rainy in Vancouver, with rainfall totals near 110mm for the month. On average it rains for 20 days in March. The chances of rain remain a fairly constant 47% throughout the entire month. By this time of year it's usually too warm for snow to fall, even in the higher greater Vancouver areas.
Sunshine Hours
With longer days and decreasing rain, Vancouver sees an average of six hours of daylight every day in March. By the end of the month the days have increased to 12 hours 51 minutes almost a full two hours longer than March 1st. The chances of an overcast or mostly cloudy sky are a steady 68% throughout the month.
Humidity
The relative humidity starts to decline in the beginning of March, continuing that trend until autumn months. Relative humidity averages 68% throughout the month, making the air fairly comfortable despite all the rain.
Wind
Winds continue to decline in March, averaging 5.5 mph for the month and tapering off to 5.1 mph by the end of March. Winds are predominantly out of the east with periods of northerly and increasing southerly winds.
Water Temperature
It's still a little too cold to go for a swim in the Pacific waters, and you probably wouldn't want to with all the rain and cold air temperatures anyways. The average water temperature is 8°C during March and that includes both open coastlines and harbors.
Dress Code
Cold air and rainy skies will call for umbrellas, rain gear, and waterproof footwear if you're visiting Vancouver in March. Depending on snowfall, some of the nearby ski hills may be open as well, so you may want the appropriate snow attire. Check the Vancouver forecast for a better idea of expected conditions prior to your visit. Vancouver is a very casual city and dressy attire is rarely needed, even in the nicer restaurants and nightclubs.
Vancouver Hotels in March
Hotel BLU
The four-star Hotel BLU in the Robson District is one of Vancouver's best luxury boutique hotels in Vancouver's entertainment center. This new hotel has won the GreenLeader Bronze award for its sustainability practices. The contemporary rooms feature hardwood floors, spacious bathrooms, and large, comfortable beds. Guests may choose from standard rooms, multi-room suites, and lofts with high ceilings. Modern luxuries include tablet computers, bedside charging ports, and Internet-connected TVs. Guests with pets pay a little extra and receive an extra bed for their companions. Hotel BLU also provides guests with an indoor pool, jacuzzi, sauna, and loaner bicycles for exploring the city. Fresh & organic breakfast is included in their breakfast lounge.
Moda Hotel
The 68-room Moda Hotel resides in a historic building in Vancouver's Entertainment District, constructed in 1908. The comfortable rooms blend modern luxury with historic charm in a truly unique style that will make your stay memorable. Long-term suites and small junior rooms are available on the property; all rooms feature large flatscreen TVs, luxurious linens, and large work desks. Moda has a number of dining establishments on the property, including an Italian Trattoria, an upscale sports bar, and a wine & cocktail lounge. Moda is located right in the middle of numerous shopping outlets, restaurants, theaters, and hip bars & nightclubs. Moda is pet-friendly.
Barclay Hotel
One of the more affordable options in the Robson Street area is the two-star Barclay Hotel. You won't find luxurious accommodations at this property, but you will find a warm staff and comfortable rooms from which you can base your explorations of the greater Vancouver area. You can reserve everything from small single rooms to larger suites, all with comfortable beds, sufficient bathrooms, a mini-fridge, and sitting areas. Barclay Hotel does not have an elevator, so be sure to ask for a ground room if you have mobility issues. You'll definitely enjoy these clean rooms and the easy accessibility to the outstanding shops, cafes, and restaurants in the immediate vicinity.
Comfort Inn Downtown
The recently renovated Comfort Inn Downtown provides 82 boutique-style rooms in the heart of downtown Vancouver. The old building, built in 1908, beautifully blends modern styles with the building's heritage. The new, non-smoking rooms are exceptionally clean with soft beds and spacious bathrooms. All rooms include phone charging stations and flatscreen TVs. Guests of the Comfort Inn Downtown will enjoy other perks including VIP access at neighboring bars and restaurants. The hotel's convenient location between Vancouver's outstanding shops, bars, and restaurants does mean that you may experience some noise, especially on the ground floors.
Bars and Restaurants
Bacchus Restaurant & Lounge
The Wedgewood Hotel near Granville Street houses the elegant Bacchus Restaurant & Lounge, an unforgettable elegant dining experience. This old-world style restaurant features a French-inspired menu with duck fois grais, mushroom risotto, rack of lamb, and seared halibut. The restaurant's sommelier will assist you in picking the perfect wine to accompany your dinner. Bacchus is also known for their afternoon high tea, with a wonderful selection of finger sandwiches, scones, and other pastries. You'll find a number of loose-leaf green and black teas along with herbal infusions. Bacchus is open daily from 6:30AM until 10PM; the lounge remains open until after midnight.
Forage
The farm to table experience is becoming one of the newest trends in restaurants, and the appropriately-named Forage is a wonderful example of this. A rotating, seasonal menu takes center stage at the casual restaurant with a warm ambience located in the Robson area. Family-style dining is encouraged, so order a few plates for the table and share the artisan creations. Forage serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Popular dishes include the mushroom omelette with goat cheese, award-winning seafood chowder, salmon ceviche, and bison steak with oyster mushrooms. Forage also has an outstanding cocktail and wine menu. Forage is open during the week from 6:30AM to 10AM and then from 5PM to 10PM. On weekends they start breakfast at 7AM and close at 11PM. Brunch is served on the weekends from 10AM until 2PM. Reservations are accepted.
Trattoria
Kitsilano's Trattoria serves amazing fresh Italian food you won't forget. This moderately-priced restaurant has an amazing pasta selection with the classics like gnocchi, spaghetti bolognese, and penne arrabiata. Other entrees include stuffed eggplant, salmon, and the hand-tossed pizza is a crowd favorite. Trattoria is also open for a weekend brunch from 10:30AM until 3PM, serving eggs benedict, mushroom omelettes, and caramelized banana waffles. Pizzas and salads are also on the brunch menu. Trattoria also features weekly specials like 50% off wines for Wine Wednesdays and $13 pastas on Tuesdays. Trattoria is open during the week from 11:30AM until 12AM and on the weekends from 10:30AM until 12AM. Many of the dishes can be made gluten-free.
Biercraft Wesbrook UBC
Beer connoisseurs need to reserve a meal at Biercraft. This enjoyable restaurant features over 120 Belgian and craft beers both from the tap and in bottles. To tame your hunger while enjoying this large selection of beers, Biercraft's bistro menu has you covered for brunch, lunch, and dinner, using only local ingredients. Share tapas with your table, like Belgian frites, edamame, and pork lettuce wraps. Or order one of their artisan sandwiches or burgers. Dinner options include steak frites, seafood risotto, and Hungarian paprika chicken. There is also a large mussel menu as well. This Biercraft is in Wesbrook Village across from Norman Mackenzie Square. Biercraft Wesbrook is open daily from 11AM until midnight.
Things to do in Vancouver in March
Explore Gastown
Gastown is one of Vancouver's original neighborhoods and still feels that way today. Take a walk down the cobbled sidewalks and take in the old-world architecture that makes this neighborhood so interesting. One of Gastown's most iconic attractions is the historic steam clock at the corner of Cambie and Water streets. It is one of the last remaining steam clocks in the world. Don't miss the statue of Gassy Jack, the sailor that Gastown is named after. Pop into the many shops, art galleries, and stay for dinner at either the Old Spaghetti Factory or the Flying Pig. Gastown gets a new life after dinner when the popular bars and nightclubs, like The Bourbon and Alibi Room open for business.
MacMillan Provincial Park
Forget about busy Vancouver city and go for a walk in MacMillan Provincial Park, located on Vancouver Island. MacMillan Provincial Park is home to the Cathedral Grove, one of the most accessible & largest groves of old-growth giant Douglas firs in the world. The park is comprised of 745 acres and numerous short hiking trails where you can admire the giants towering above you, some over 800 years old. Pets are allowed on leashes and visitors are asked to stay on the trails. This is not just for conservation purposes but also for visitor safety. A massive windstorm on New Year's Day in 1997 toppled many of the old trees and some areas of the park have never reopened. The park is home to many species of birds, black bear, and elk.
Bloedel Floral Conservatory
Queen Elizabeth Park is home to the world-renowned Bloedel Floral Conservatory, a spectacular collection of exotic plants, flowers, and birds. The massive glass dome is a Vancouver landmark and the temperature-controlled climate is perfect for the many species to thrive. Inside there are over 200 birds comprised of scarlet Macaws, African parrots, and exotic finches flying freely throughout the dome. Learn about the three different climate zones and how their associated ecosystem works, in the tropical, subtropical, and desert habitats. The Bloedel Conservatory also has one outstanding restaurant you should try during your visit, called the Seasons in the Park. Conservatory hours are from 10AM to 5PM daily.
Whale Watching
March is the beginning of whale migration season in the Pacific Northwest. Beautiful orcas, humpback whales, minke whales, and gray whales pass through the waters near Vancouver. Fortunately there are a number of tour operators to assist you in your quest to see these amazing animals. The tour operators all take wildlife seriously and will get you as close as you can while giving these massive mammals the respect they deserve. Your watercraft options include everything from small kayaks, rubber zodiacs, and large ferries. You can also find operators to spot whales from seaplanes. If you can't make it in March, the season runs through summer and tapers off towards October.
