Suspension Bridge

DH wants on the itinerary to walk a suspension bridge.

Anyone been to both the Capilano (in Vancouver) and Yukon and can suggest which one of the two? Are they both pretty much the same thing?

I looked at the Yukon website, there is no mention of the admission fee. Does anyone know if there is a cost?

Can't speak for the Yukon suspension bridge but the Capilano is more than just a bridge - it is full tourist attraction - in addition to the bridge there is the Cliff Walk, the Tree Walk to name just a few.

In addition we have the Lynn Canyon Suspension bridge in North Vancouver has well - it is a free bridge as it is part of a municipal park.

While the Yukon Bridge may be free you will still have to pay to get there.

Hope this helps some and some of the other locals will be along with there opinions as well.

Cheers!

Dennis

Can't speak for the Yukon suspension bridge but the Capilano is more than just a bridge - it is full tourist attraction - in addition to the bridge there is the Cliff Walk, the Tree Walk to name just a few.

 

In addition we have the Lynn Canyon Suspension bridge in North Vancouver has well - it is a free bridge as it is part of a municipal park.

 

While the Yukon Bridge may be free you will still have to pay to get there.

 

Hope this helps some and some of the other locals will be along with there opinions as well.

 

Cheers!

 

Dennis

I also can't chime in about the Yukon bridge. The Capilano Suspension Bridge is an amazing thing to see and do. Just think, you'll be watching TV and yell out - hey! I've been there! There is nothing that I've done to compare it to regarding bridges. The Lynn Valley one, while free is also much smaller. It has a fun park you can explore and some cool views of the freezing rushing mountain water. Cap Bridge is easy to get to and you will get a "touch" of the Vancouver feeling. If you hire a car, you can continue on up Capilano Road to the fish hatchery and then the Capilano Dam and then Grouse Mountain. All on the same road.

Skip the Yukon bridge very short and does not even compare to Capilano in my books

When we were there yes there was a charge for the Yukon bridge but that was a few years ago..

Definitely do Capilano Suspension Bridge - well worth the money - as a local I pay and go often... plus getting there is easy as they run a free shuttle bus right from the cruise ship terminal to the bridge daily starting at 9am

Other things that might interest you

Info on Vancouver from a local!

My favorite must do attractions are

1) Grouse Mountain – http://www.grousemountain.com – this is a wonderful scenic mountain only about 15 mins from downtown Vancouver. Ride the airtram to the top for lots of fun activities that include a loggers show, birds of prey show, 2 movies (1 about the Vancouver area and 1 about the 2 Grizzly Bears who make their home on Grouse Mtn) ride a chair lift higher up the mountain to visit the wind turbine that generates approximately 30% of the power required for Grouse Mountain Resort and visit with 2 live Grizzly Bears. Thrill to a 2 hour Zip Line Tour. Enjoy a meal in any of the restaurants. Caveat only spend the money to go up on a clear day.

2) Capilano Suspension Bridge – http://www.capbridge.com – this is Vancouver’s oldest tourist attraction and I still enjoy visiting it! Located on Capilano Road just before you reach the Grouse Mountain parking lot. Walk across a suspension Bridge originally erected in 1889 over the Capilano Gorge. This bridge stretches 450’ end to end and hovers 230’ above Capilano River. Wonder the trails thru the rain forest, walk thru the treetops on the new Tree Top Adventure, traverse a Cliff Top walk, visit the trading post for a huge selection of souvenirs, watch native weavers and/or carvers at work.

3) Capilano Fish Hatchery is also located on Capilano Road and is a great place to view salmon jumping up the fish ladders to get around the Cleveland Dam. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capilano_River_Regional_Park

4) Lynn Valley Suspension Bridge – http://www.lynncanyon.ca - is also located in North Vancouver and is much less touristy than Capilano but it also is not as spectacular. The bridge is slightly higher above the water but much shorter in span. Located in a Provincial Park this bridge comes with some nice hiking trails and you will find an ecology centre in the park as well as picnic tables and a food concession outlet. Should you choose to enjoy the Lynn Valley Suspension Bridge always cross the suspension bridge first and then hike down the trail to the lower (Twin Falls wooden) bridge to cross back over the Lynn Valley River and return to your car – that way you are hiking downhill rather than uphill. It is also free to visit this suspension bridge!

5) Stanley Park – http://www.vancouver.ca/parks/parks/stanley/ - is the crown jewel of Vancouver's parks. As one of North America's largest urban parks, covering over a 1000 acres and offering an abundance of activities. Enjoy the totem pole collection near the Brockton Point Light House, hiking trails, beaches, water parks for the kids (young & old), rose gardens, miniature train, aquarium –http://www.vanaqua.org – many view points, and several restaurants.

6) Vancouver Aquarium – http://www.vanaqua.org – is Canada’s largest aquarium and is committed to the conservation of marine life and education. Located in Stanley Park this is a fun place for the family to visit.

7) Fly Over Canada incorporates state of the art technology in an Imax theatre to show you supernatural Canada, Fly from coast to coast taking in breath stealing views of Niagara Falls, Lake Louise, The Rockies & more. Spectacular! http://www.flyovercanada.com

8) Gas Town – the location where Vancouver originated. The name is derived from a very colorful character named Gassy Jack who was one of the first settlers in the area and a salon keeper – while in Gas Town don’t miss your photo op with the statue of Gassy Jack and by the Steam Clock.

9) At the start of Gas Town is the Harbor Centre Tower http://www.vancouverlookout.com a great spot to start your tour of Vancouver with a birds eye view of the city. Either take the elevator up to the lookout level or go to the top and enjoy a meal in the revolving restaurant.

10) China Town is only about 6 blocks over from Gas Town and is the largest China Town north of San Francisco. While in China Town enjoy a visit to the Dr Sun Yat Sen Classical Gardens http://www.vancouverchinesegarden.com and also make sure you visit the world’s thinnest building it is only 6’ wide!

11) Granville Island – http://www.granvilleisland.com – is a huge public market area which not only sells fruit & veggies but you can also buy frozen fish to be shipped to your home. Many artists make this their home and you can watch them at work in their studios – making this a great place to buy unique souvenirs. The Granville Island Brewery is also located here and you can stop in for a free tour & tastes. There are theatres for live performances and many fine restaurants. A fun way to get to Granville Island is via the Aquabus – http://www.theaquabus.com

12) Burnaby Village Museum – http://www.burnabyvillagemuseum.ca – is an open air museum with over 30 restored homes, shops, school, church and a 1912 carousel situated on 10 acres

13) Gulf of Georgia Cannery – http://www.gulfofgeorgiacannery.com – is a restored fishing cannery located in the historic fishing village of Steveston (part of Richmond). Here you see exhibits that showcase the history of the fishing industry in British Columbia. Once finished in the museum it is great fun to walk along the fishing docks and see the fishing boats which are selling their catch. There are also some excellent restaurants located here.

14) The Vancouver Maritime Museum located on the shore of English Bay is fun for the whole family with lots of hands on exhibits for the kid in all of us. Here to you will find the ship St Roch which the RCMP sailed from Vancouver to Halifax via the Northwest Passage and then completed the return journey in 1944. You actually get to tour this ship. http://www.vancouvermaritimemuseum.com

15) Queen Elizabeth Park http://www.vancouver.ca/parks/parks/queenelizabeth The 130 acre (52 hectare) park is one of the most beautifully maintained public parks in the world. Second only to Stanley Park in annual visitations, it receives nearly 6 million people a year who marvel at its superior standard of garden plantings.

The park was originally quarried for its rock which served to build Vancouver's first roadways. In 1929 the Board proceeded to acquire the property which had become an abandoned eyesore but still served as the site for two holding reservoirs for the City's drinking water. Dedicated as a park by King George VI and his consort, Queen Elizabeth (the present Queen's mother) on their much lauded visit to Vancouver in 1939.

16) Fort Langley is the restored wooden fort built by the Hudson’s Bay Company as a trading post. It is the origin of British Columbia and was the first capital. This Fort is operated by the Federal Parks Board. http://www.fortlangley.org

17) If you are a wine lover you might want to rent a car and spend a day visiting a few of the many (23 Licensed) excellent wineries located in the Fraser Valley only about a 1 hour drive from your hotel. Almost all of the wineries offer free tastes & tours. Two of the wineries have excellent restaurants on the premises. This makes for a very fun and relaxing day. http://www.bcwine.com (click on the Fraser Valley button)

18) VanDusen Botanical Garden is a scenic 55- acre garden of international renown – a living museum of plants collected from around the world and artistically displayed amidst rolling lawns, woodlands and five tranquil lakes, all in the heart of Vancouver and just 15 minutes from downtown.

Due to Vancouver’s mild climate, plants bloom at the Garden year-round. This same climate creates a unique environment where plants from varying climate regions thrive and grow – at VanDusen you will see plants from the southern hemisphere, tropical areas and the high Arctic tundra along side native species. The Elizabethan Maze (one of only six in North America) provides year-round fun.

19) UBC Botanical Garden located at the University of British Columbia covers 110 acres and includes an Alpine, Asian, Native, Food, and Japanese Gardens. http://www.ubcbotanicalgarden.org There is also a treetop walk which is great for “fit” explorers who are not afraid of heights – however I would not recommend it for anyone who has any mobility issues. Also these gardens are not as well maintained as I would expect a botanical garden to be!

20) Enjoy a FREE walking tour of Vancouver. The Gastown tour starts in front of the Vancouver Art Gallery and ends at the statue of Gassy Jack in Gastown. The Downtown tour starts at the Vancouver Art Gallery and ends at the Olympic Cauldron. The China Town tour starts at the Vancouver Art Gallery and ends at the Chinese memorial statue. All of these tours start at 11am. The Granville Island Tour starts at 3pm at the bus stop just at the entrance to Granville Island. Check these tours out at http://www.tourguys.ca The Tour Guys have added an afternoon walking tour of Granville Island and 2 evening tours….

21) For the FOODIES in the gang! Check out 2 companies that offer food tasting tours http://www.foodietours.ca and http://www.offtheeatentrack.ca – both offer an excellent tour!

http://www.foodietours.ca visit much more high end restaurants in the heart of the west end of Vancouver (tourist/hotel district)

while http://www.offtheeatentrack.ca concentrates on more casual independently owned eateries in various areas of Vancouver! (Gastown, Main Street Area, Vancouver East)

I just enjoyed Foodietours “Guilty Pleasures Gourmet Tour” and was very impressed with the organization, quality of restaurants & refreshments, guides knowledge of foods and the eateries we were visiting as well as the area we were walking in. Felt it was excellent value for the money provided you did not spend the extra $20. For the alcohol! This company also offers a tasting tour on Granville Island Public Market and of the Vancouver Street Food Carts.

As for Off the Eaten Track - this company offers culinary tasting tours of various areas of Vancouver. The brunch tour visits local establishments in East Vancouver while the dinner tour concentrates on the Main Street area and the Railtown Urban Eats tour is an area adjacent to GasTown. All are Fabulous! The Railtown Urban Eats tour would blend well with the free walking tour offered by http://www.tourguys.ca … you could easily do the free walking tour of GasTown and then meet up with this tour company for your lunch - the food is plentiful & wonderful you will not leave any of the tours hungry!

For the tourist in town you actually meet at Waterfront Station and the company drives you to the tour location and then of course back at the end. Just to give you a hint of what to expect - the Gems of Main Street tour started in a Chocolate Shoppe – how can it be anything but wonderful when one starts out with chocolate…. And of course we must mention the rum cocktail concoction at the Tiki Lounge paired with a pork slider & the Pizza Joint owned and run by a chef who actually worked at the Vatican making pizza for the Pope – now if it is good enough for the Pope it has to be good enough for us! After 5 great stops with the history of the area being shared by our guide Bonnie we were all absolutely stuffed! Great job Bonnie!

22) A new addition to the Vancouver scene. The Richmond Olympic Experience located at the Richmond Olympic Oval. Visitors are welcomed by a sculpture paying tribute to the volunteers who made the 2010 Vancouver Games possible. You will then be whisked away on an interactive journey that celebrates the Olympic spirit. A multimedia theatre takes you to the heart of the Olympic dream through a series of multimedia galleries evoking the triumphs, tragedies, controversies and celebrations of Olympic history. Thrilling interactive sport simulations including a virtual ski jump will get your heart racing. Outside the Oval, you can follow the incredible journey of the Olympic torch across Canada via a commemorative torch relay trail through the outdoor plazas.

23) Rogers Arena Get a behind-the-scenes look at one of the premier sports and entertainment facilities in North America with a Rogers Arena tour. See where, for over 15 years, we’ve thrilled and entertained fans from all over the world, staged the best of the best in entertainment and sports, and welcomed over 25 million fans through our doors. Experience first-hand the “cathedral of hockey” that brings in millions of fans coming to see the Vancouver Canucks live (Hockey), and where history was made when the Canadian women's and men's hockey teams marked their moments in history during the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games. Stadium behind the scenes tours are Wed – Sat at 10;30am, 12 (noon) and 1:30pm!

24) BC Place is BC’s Premier multipurpose stadium, hosting sport, exhibitions and live entertainment, right in the heart of Downtown Vancouver. Home of the BC Lions Football Club, Vancouver Whitecaps FC (Soccer) and the BC Sports Hall of Fame. This state of the art facility intrigues with its retractable roof, 800 WIFI ports and 1,100 digital screens. The 36’ façade is lit up by thousands of individually- addressable LED lights that create colour animations bringing life to the Vancouver skyline.

Vancouver has a bunch of hop-on hop-off buses

http://www.vancouverpinkbustours.com/

http://www.vancouvertrolley.com/tours/hop-on-hop-off

http://bigbus.ca/home/

BC Happy Girl

4) Lynn Valley Suspension Bridge – www.lynncanyon.ca - is also located in North Vancouver and is much less touristy than Capilano but it also is not as spectacular. The bridge is slightly higher above the water but much shorter in span. Located in a Provincial Park this bridge comes with some nice hiking trails and you will find an ecology centre in the park as well as picnic tables and a food concession outlet. Should you choose to enjoy the Lynn Valley Suspension Bridge always cross the suspension bridge first and then hike down the trail to the lower (Twin Falls wooden) bridge to cross back over the Lynn Valley River and return to your car – that way you are hiking downhill rather than uphill. It is also free to visit this suspension bridge!

Grrr - my quote isn't working. BC Gal: you might check into whether or not your description is up to date. We usually run by there most of the times we are in Vancouver because we used to live on Peters Road, which is the one the runs directly into the park. Last time we were there in July there were tons of people there. I did a U-turn and left it was so crowded. They have added something new but we never took the time to check it out personally so I don't remember what it is.

Ahhh, those were the days. The days when you spring was in the air as you heard the sirens go by to rescue the very stupid people who don't believe in reading signs and jump the fences and pretend to fall of the bridge and do.

DH wants on the itinerary to walk a suspension bridge.

 

Anyone been to both the Capilano (in Vancouver) and Yukon and can suggest which one of the two? Are they both pretty much the same thing?

 

I looked at the Yukon website, there is no mention of the admission fee. Does anyone know if there is a cost?

Skip the Yukon bridge very short and does not even compare to Capilano in my books

When we were there yes there was a charge for the Yukon bridge but that was a few years ago..

The Yukon bridge is a significant distance from Skagway. I think you will enjoy other Skagway activities instead of the Yukon bridge.

For elevation junkies.... there are several Vancouver pre/post-cruise bridges worth checking out.

• Capilano. It's a marque attraction in Vancouver. I will say you must go there even if you go to the Yukon bridge also. Love crossing the bridge in December. In the dark.... the bridge is bottomless https://www.capbridge.com/
  
• Lynn Valley. Free and great for hikers. http://lynncanyon.ca/
  
• Sky Pilot. You need to rent a car or get on a tour for this bridge. At an elevation of 2900 feet. It's higher than the Freedom Tower in New York! http://www.seatoskygondola.com/adventures/suspension-bridge
  
• UBC Botanical Gardens has a canopy bridge that some may be interested in checking out. http://www.familyfuncanada.com/vancouver/canopy-walk-ubc-botanical-garden/
  

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My bus went by the Yukon bridge.... thought....

 

The Yukon bridge is a significant distance from Skagway. I think you will enjoy other Skagway activities instead of the Yukon bridge.

 

For elevation junkies.... there are several Vancouver pre/post-cruise bridges worth checking out.

 

• Capilano. It's a marque attraction in Vancouver. I will say you must go there even if you go to the Yukon bridge also. Love crossing the bridge in December. In the dark.... the bridge is bottomless https://www.capbridge.com/
  
• Lynn Valley. Free and great for hikers. http://lynncanyon.ca/
  
• Sky Pilot. You need to rent a car or get on a tour for this bridge. At an elevation of 2900 feet. It's higher than the Freedom Tower in New York! http://www.seatoskygondola.com/adventures/suspension-bridge
  
• UBC Botanical Gardens has a canopy bridge that some may be interested in checking out. http://www.familyfuncanada.com/vancouver/canopy-walk-ubc-botanical-garden/
  

 

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We thought about visiting the Yukon Bridge either before or after our venture to Green (Emerald) Lake.

Wow, with tax the Capilano Suspension Bridge is almost $40.00 per person now. Yowsa! :p

Wow, with tax the Capilano Suspension Bridge is almost $40.00 per person now. Yowsa! :p

When I was a kid it was free because we used to run the trails by the Salmon Pools, jump the fence and take those trails down. It was a lot of work but we were poor so we made do. :D

Wow, with tax the Capilano Suspension Bridge is almost $40.00 per person now. Yowsa! :p

And for BC residents that is an annual membership and with that membership you get discounts on guests and other services.

Cheers!

Dennis

Would love to go to Capilano while in Vancouver in June. Wondering if I need to purchase Canadian money to use while in Vancouver or do most places accept US currency? We will only be there for 1 day pre-cruise.

Wondering if I need to purchase Canadian money to use while in Vancouver or do most places accept US currency? We will only be there for 1 day pre-cruise.

It's a good idea to have some Canadian money. Many places here will accept your US currency as a courtesy to you, but your change will be in Canadian dollars. Best to use a US credit card - you'll get a heckuva exchange rate in your favor! :)

Another vote for credit card. I hate having excess foreign currency when the trip is over.

When do you need foreign currency....

• do you plan to take public transit? Capilano has a free shuttle.
  
• economical restaurants that don't take credit cards. eg Costco dogs.
  
• some taxi's.... Ask the driver if their credit card machine works prior to boarding.
  

Also any small 'impulse buy' items, as even stores that do accept credit cards frequently refuse to take them for purchases under $5.

While the best rates are from ATMs, unless you have a very nice bank that refunds foreign ATM fees it's inefficient to take out less than $100 or more.

Even though the 'courtesy' exchange rates round generously in the vendors favour (e.g. to the nearest 5 or even 10 cents), breaking one US $20 on a modest purchase to then have some local currency is a cheap way to get some funds for snacks, a couple of transit tickets etc.

Thanks for all your advice on the foreign currency. I've checked with my credit card and there are no transaction fees to use it in a foreign country, so that's good. I also like the idea of making a small purchase with a $20 US bill so that I'll have some Canadian currency to make small purchases with.

Here is another question....

I am travelling with my little autistic girl (12) she is able to walk but I have a specialty stroller mostly for airport transfers as she is not able to carry her own carry-on.

I read on the bridge website that no wheelchair or strollers are allow on the bridge.... Would I be able to enter the premises and perhaps leave the stroller at an office and walk some of the bridge and take pictures?

Are the lights at night time active by the 26 of May?

What other activities can we do while in the Capilano surrounding area?

Thanks

Aj

There is a huge parking lot for strollers when I go there. You limit yourself to 10% of the park if you are unable to cross the bridges.

-totems

-capilano history

-gift shop

-cafeteria

-washrooms

Nothing nearby but lots of hiking trails.

Canyon lights is only available in December. Sunset in May is around 9pm. The park closes at 8pm.

There is a huge parking lot for strollers when I go there. You limit yourself to 10% of the park if you are unable to cross the bridges.

-totems

-capilano history

-gift shop

-cafeteria

-washrooms

 

Nothing nearby but lots of hiking trails.

 

Canyon lights is only available in December. Sunset in May is around 9pm. The park closes at 8pm.

Thanks for your reply.....

At a normal walking pace.... How long does it take to cross the longest bridge?

Thanks in advance

Aj

Remember it is a suspension bridge and can and does sway most of the time - while you can certainly walk part way across and turn around as was mentioned you will miss many of the attractions on the other side - it is about three steps down to get onto the bridge and similar on the far side - my concern is how will she react to the swaying of the bridge - there is also the cliff walk - it's before you cross the bridge but has many steep stairwells - another thing that I will mention that might be of benefit as it applied to a friend of mine last year - there may be a reduced rate for a person accompanying a person with a disability.

Hope this helps.

Cheers!

Dennis

Remember it is a suspension bridge and can and does sway most of the time - while you can certainly walk part way across and turn around as was mentioned you will miss many of the attractions on the other side - it is about three steps down to get onto the bridge and similar on the far side - my concern is how will she react to the swaying of the bridge - there is also the cliff walk - it's before you cross the bridge but has many steep stairwells - another thing that I will mention that might be of benefit as it applied to a friend of mine last year - there may be a reduced rate for a person accompanying a person with a disability.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Cheers!

 

Dennis

Thanks for your concerns,,,,, believe me....I am more concern about how I will handle the walk....then her..... I am watching every video on the bridge on YouTube.

It is my intention to make her wear her walking hardness.... Which enables me to control her steps easier ..... I know she will love it.... We did the Zip line in Roatan last year, she rode Tandem with one of the guides.... Laughing at every zip while I was terrified ....

So in order to cross the bridge we need to walk the cliff first ?

Do i need to walk back in order to retrive our stroller ??

Thanks

Aj

Thanks for your concerns,,,,, believe me....I am more concern about how I will handle the walk....then her..... I am watching every video on the bridge on YouTube.

 

It is my intention to make her wear her walking hardness.... Which enables me to control her steps easier ..... I know she will love it.... We did the Zip line in Roatan last year, she rode Tandem with one of the guides.... Laughing at every zip while I was terrified ....

 

So in order to cross the bridge we need to walk the cliff first ?

 

Do i need to walk back in order to retrive our stroller ??

If crowds and motion is a concern.... consider a visit before 10am or after 5pm when the bus tours haven't arrived or gone.

You cross the bridge and must return to exit or retrieve your stroller.

The suspension bridge cross the canyon.... cliffwalk stays on the East canyon wall behind the gift shop. You can do either first.

Hope you enjoy your trip and trek across the suspension bridge - come back at a later date and let us know how it went.

Cheers!

Dennis

The main bridge can be crossed in 3 minutes. (1.5 blocks? 140 meters/460 feet) Your cruise ship is longer.

 

If crowds and motion is a concern.... consider a visit before 10am or after 5pm when the bus tours haven't arrived or gone.

 

You cross the bridge and must return to exit or retrieve your stroller.

 

The suspension bridge cross the canyon.... cliffwalk stays on the East canyon wall behind the gift shop. You can do either first.

 

Thanks so much for the map and good wishes.....

I am defenately coming back with an stamped certificate I MADE IT.... If they are still available as seen on online videos....

Will head out first thi g in the morning.... Thanks for the tips!!!

Aj

Some additional thoughts....

• they say 1 in 20 is unable to cross the bridge. Don't be discouraged. However, you might think it's poor value to go there and find the bridge is too intimidating to cross.
  
• In China, some way walking the Great Wall is a must. I believe crossing the Capilano Bridge is a must in Vancouver. Advertised as the eighth wonder of the world in 1921.
  
• If walking is a challenge/concern.... the nearby Grouse Mountain may be a better choice to spend the time. The Gondola will take you up the mountain with your stroller. Your child may enjoy the Bear breakfast if they are an early riser....
  https://www.grousemountain.com/products/breakfast-with-the-bears
  

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