Vancouver hotels, your thoughts please

[Cheryl H]

Close to Cap bridge itself, you're looking at only Grouse or the Hatchery (Google Map with all three - feasible to walk, but easier to take bus to GM or cab to hatchery).

 

If you return on the free shuttle (from either Cap or Grouse) they drive through a little of Stanely Park, but don't stop - which means you blow right past the Aquarium. Walking back from Canada Place is almost 40 minutes, longer if you stick to the Seawall rather than the boring office tower streets on the direct route.

 

The cauldron is well worth visiting - NB: it will not be lit, unless you are in town on a very special occasion indeed - and is very close to PP, on the second part of the Convention Centre. Follow the sidewalk along the road, rather than the Seawall, so it's easily spotted - the Seawall is quite a bit lower than the cauldron (there are elevators & stairs though). It's worth coming here again after dark if you can to see the 'Lego whale' lit up (you'll know it when you see it).

 

Gastown is easily reached from the PP too - you can walk to see the Steamclock and Gassy Jack statue, grab a bite in one of the many bars & restos around if the timing works. Stick to Water Street and don't go beyond Gassy and there will always be plenty of other tourists around even if it's late.

 

Wow! Thanks for all that great information. So on the map to Jack Poole Plaza, is the cauldron located behind it by the water?

[martincath]

Wow! Thanks for all that great information. So on the map to Jack Poole Plaza, is the cauldron located behind it by the water?

The cauldron is closer to the street than the water. Just put the map into Satellite mode and zoom in and you'll see the edge of it peeking out from behind the boring tower building - it's just below all of the little round red & white tables.

 

If you have Google Earth installed, you can do a virtual flyby from basically any angle to get a better view (although the columns become a bit distorted) - best way to see it is probably to make use of other peoples upload photos, e.g. this one from the Olympics, lit up at night, and this one as it looks now in daytime.

[Cheryl H]

Thank you very much!

[debnjoe1438]

:DThanks to all who kept this thread going. Getting great information.

[ArubaGal]

Thinking of day trip from Vancouver to Victoria or Whistler

Any opinions?

[Cheryl H]

Thinking of day trip from Vancouver to Victoria or Whistler

Any opinions?

 

We love Victoria! If it were me, I'd book with Harbour Air for a 30 minute flight from Vancouver harbour to Victoria's harbour. That will leave you more time to explore for the day. We loved shopping on Government Street, and took a water taxi over to Barb's Fish and Chips for lunch (Fisherman's Wharf). The kids were feeding the seals right off the dock there. You could check out the Fairmont Empress Hotel, or tour the Craig Darrock. We also did a carriage ride around town.

 

Sorry I cannot speak about Whistler. We've not had the opportunity to go there yet.

[martincath]

Thinking of day trip from Vancouver to Victoria or Whistler

Any opinions?

In cruise season, odds are slim to none that you can ski up at Whistler. While it's in a beautiful location, with mountains all around, and has been reinventing itself as a four season destination for quite a while now, skiing is still the biggest of the big tickets - with the notable exception of the Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre, Whistler is a cultural wasteland; outdoor pursuits and food are really the only draws other than just looking at the scenery.

 

The only plus compared to Victoria IMO is that you don't need a ferry or plane to get there - hire car, drive up the very scenic Sea to Sky highway, and *bam* you're there two hours later.