Vancouver Info if needed

[Urban trekker]

Yes you will have plenty of time to enjoy Grouse - it won't be dark until about 10PM although some of the free shows - lumberjack, birds of prey may not run that late - if it is a clear day catching the sun setting over the Vancouver Island mountains will be a specialo treat.

 

You are about two blocks from Waterfront Station - it's the old historic CPR station and is our transportation hub - you will take the the seabus across to Lonsdale Quay and then the #236 bus to Grouse - cost is $3.75 for the two zones - less for seniors - only go if the weather is clear.

 

Hope this helps

 

Cheers

 

Dennis

[Alaska_2012]

Thank you, Dennis! Y'all are so kind to answer all of our questions. :)

[missouri01]

We have never been to Vancouver and our flight home after debarkation is a bit after 2pm the same day. Any recommendations for a driver service that will give a 2hour city tour before dropping us off at the airport? I checked out the recommended tour operators' scheduled times and they aren't until later in the day or were a 4 hour option that gets us to the airport too late.

[Putterdude]

I am not aware of such a service. You may want to look into a limo which would run you about $75/ hr plus 12% tax and tip, or a taxi which I would guess to be about $50/hr.

 

http://www.aerocar.ca/rates/hourly-rates

[missouri01]

Thanks so much, Putterdude!

 

I contacted a taxi service and was told that 2 hours on the meter would be almost $200....but he said to talk to a taxi driver when we get there to play "Let's Make a Deal." I have done that in the Caribbean but didn't know it worked that way anywhere else. If we had another couple from our roll call with the same intentions, the limo service would be a pretty good value. Maybe I will try that and leave the negotiating with a driver as a last resort. :)

[Urban trekker]

Just got an email from Trip advisor with a list of the best Vancouver restaurants.

 

http://www.tripadvisor.ca/TravelersChoice-Restaurants-cRestaurants-g154943

 

Cheers

 

Dennis

[LeftcoastBC]

Just got an email from Trip advisor with a list of the best Vancouver restaurants.

 

http://www.tripadvisor.ca/TravelersChoice-Restaurants-cRestaurants-g154943

 

Cheers

 

Dennis

 

Just a note: These are TRAVELERS picks. Some of them are not ranked all that high when overall rankings are considered (read locals included)

[Putterdude]

Happy Canada Day to everyone on July 1st. For anyone in the city that day here is a link to the activities at Canada Place which include a day of entertainment, music, parade and evening fireworks.

 

http://www.canadaday.canadaplace.ca/Schedule

[Urban trekker]

Yes Happy Canada Day weekend to everyone - make sure to come down to Canada Place for the big parade - you might even be lucky enough to see me as I will be route marshalling somewhere on the course.

 

Also it was a great night at BC Place stadium last night when Geroy Simon caught that long bomb and finally broke the receiving yards record - even this about to be old fart was up on his feet clapping and cheering.

 

Cheers

 

Dennis

[Flinng]

We are a party of 12 looking for a good restaurant with a view. I have read through this thread and see cannery and aqua vista listed. How about Seasons In the Park?

 

We want good food and great view. There are 4 teens and one chid included in our group. We are staying on Pender.

[LeftcoastBC]

Cannery Is No More.

 

Seasons in the Park is very nice but the view is limited by trees....If I recall very little from the restaurant.

 

Aqua Riva may be closed also. (Local posters may know more)

 

Check out the Boathouse menu and then either Kits or Beach would be ok for views. http://www.boathouserestaurants.ca/vancouver-restaurant-locations.php

 

Top of Vancouver restaurant at Harbour Center great views and food comes second.

[Urban trekker]

Aqua Riva is closed.

 

Cactus Club has a new location right on English Bay - great place to see the sunset and hip enough for the teens.

 

There is a Milestone's next door to the Boathouse on English Bay and across the street from the new Cactus Club.

 

While a little further to go - Monk McQueens would be another option.

 

Cheers

 

Dennis

[martincath]

Any preference as to what you want a view *of*? And budget for the meal?

[tallcva3344]

http://www.urbanspoon.com/nf/14/1319/1335/Vancouver/Robson-Street-West-End/Italian-Restaurants

 

http://www.vancouverdine.com/carderos

 

http://liftbarandgrill.com/

 

http://www.urbanfare.com/store/coal-harbour

 

You seem to be knowlegable about Vancouver. I am coming in one night at 7:30 on the 9th before my cruise on the 10th. Is the River Rock Casino Resort a good place to stay for the night?

 

I would go downtown if there is a free hotel shuttle service to one of the more expensive hotels. Just in for the night before the B2B. H

[Tweedy]

You seem to be knowlegable about Vancouver. I am coming in one night at 7:30 on the 9th before my cruise on the 10th. Is the River Rock Casino Resort a good place to stay for the night?

 

I would go downtown if there is a free hotel shuttle service to one of the more expensive hotels. Just in for the night before the B2B. H

 

 

It's definitely a convenient hotel to stay in and on the newer side. The majority of the hotels in downtown Vancouver do not have free shuttle service to the airport. The hotel is only a couple of stops (5 min ride) from the airport on the Canada Line. There is a walkway to the hotel from the train. The waterfront station from the Bridgeport station is approximately 20 minutes. The Bridgeport station can be busy during the weekdays during rush hour but commuter traffic is lighter after 9am.

[tallcva3344]

It's definitely a convenient hotel to stay in and on the newer side. The majority of the hotels in downtown Vancouver do not have free shuttle service to the airport. The hotel is only a couple of stops (5 min ride) from the airport on the Canada Line. There is a walkway to the hotel from the train. The waterfront station from the Bridgeport station is approximately 20 minutes. The Bridgeport station can be busy during the weekdays during rush hour but commuter traffic is lighter after 9am.

 

It is only $156 + taxes and I guess I will take a taxi to the ship on Friday (how long a trip from the hotel?). How much for the taxi (I guess around $40??). I will have a little entertainment there. We just felt that we would not get to a hotel until a little before 9:00pm.

 

I saw a train track near the Radison we were first considering. Is that an option to get to Canada Place? H

[Flinng]

Yes thanks for all the suggestions. We are willing to spend 25-40 per person. We would prefer a place with a view close to Canada Place. We are staying at Pender and Burrard area. Is it fairly easy to get to Boathouse via taxi? Lift looks nice but they don't take reservations.

[Urban trekker]

Cardero's is another place that has a waterfront view and would fit your price range.

 

It is a short ride less than $10.00 taxi ride from your hotel to the boathouse.

 

Hope this helps

 

Cheers

 

Dennis

[tallcva3344]

It is only $156 + taxes and I guess I will take a taxi to the ship on Friday (how long a trip from the hotel?). How much for the taxi (I guess around $40??). I will have a little entertainment there. We just felt that we would not get to a hotel until a little before 9:00pm.

 

I saw a train track near the Radison we were first considering. Is that an option to get to Canada Place? H

 

May be a dumb, but do we use US dollars and understand that a taxi fare of $40 can be paid in either US or Canadian dollars (they are about the same in value)? H

[scottbee]

It is only $156 + taxes and I guess I will take a taxi to the ship on Friday (how long a trip from the hotel?). How much for the taxi (I guess around $40??). I will have a little entertainment there. We just felt that we would not get to a hotel until a little before 9:00pm.

 

I saw a train track near the Radison we were first considering. Is that an option to get to Canada Place? H

 

If you're looking at the Raddison on Number 3 Road in Richmond, then yes the skytrain station (essentially across the street) will take you straight downtown to 3 blocks from Canada Place. $3.75/ea (2.50 weekends). The stations have elevators, and are easy roll on roll off trains for your luggage. Get out at Waterfront Station, and use the elevator on the platform (don't go down the tunnel into Waterfront itself) to exit onto W.Hasting street, and it's a short 3 block (slightly downhill) walk from there.

[Putterdude]

May be a dumb, but do we use US dollars and understand that a taxi fare of $40 can be paid in either US or Canadian dollars (they are about the same in value)? H

 

Yes, taxis will accept your US dollars, however you will very likely get your change in Canadian funds so you would be advised to keep your bills small.

[martincath]

Yes thanks for all the suggestions. We are willing to spend 25-40 per person. We would prefer a place with a view close to Canada Place. We are staying at Pender and Burrard area. Is it fairly easy to get to Boathouse via taxi? Lift looks nice but they don't take reservations.

Lift do take reservations, though their own website caps out at 10 on the dropdown menu - but you can call them or book 12 people via Open Table if you want to earn points... Their view is more mountain-y than the Boathouse as they're on the same side as Canada Place, but the price-point is higher than your indicated range, very few main courses under $30.

 

I think the Boathouse is looking like the only place that fits view, takes resos for large tables, and under $40 per person for (I assume) 3 courses (though it's very easy to get into $50+ territory with seafood or steak dishes...). Cactus Club Cafe *should* be taking reservations in English Bay at some point though - if I were you I'd book Boathouse now as a safe bet, and check with CCC just before you come to Vancouver. If they'll let you book, go there instead (IMO a better menu, similar pricing, and since CCC block Boathouses view from the ground floor you're much more likely to get a table you can actually see well from in CCC...)

[jrh61]

What is the best way to get from the ship at Canada Place to the Days Inn downtown? Google maps calls it a 5 minute walk, but we'll be dragging a large suitcase plus carryons for each person. Would it be an easy enough walk with roller suitcases? If not, will getting a cab for 4 people plus luggage be easy enough at the curb?

[Putterdude]

What is the best way to get from the ship at Canada Place to the Days Inn downtown? Google maps calls it a 5 minute walk, but we'll be dragging a large suitcase plus carryons for each person. Would it be an easy enough walk with roller suitcases? If not, will getting a cab for 4 people plus luggage be easy enough at the curb?

 

You will have a full 3 + block walk, come out of Canada Place Terminal up onto to the street, turn right a block to Burrard St., turn left and walk 3 blocks to Pender St., turn left and the hotel is mid-block....it's a pretty easy, slightly up hill walk. If you feel you can't handle it with your luggage then you will need a mini-van cab, they will be available and the fare will be less than $10.

[Tweedy]

What is the best way to get from the ship at Canada Place to the Days Inn downtown? Google maps calls it a 5 minute walk, but we'll be dragging a large suitcase plus carryons for each person. Would it be an easy enough walk with roller suitcases? If not, will getting a cab for 4 people plus luggage be easy enough at the curb?

 

I work across the street from the Days Inn. Yes, it is about a 5 minute walk from Canada Place. While Putterdude's directions are good, there is a slight incline up Burrard Street.

 

 

When you exit the ship, follow the signs for 'City'

Take the elevator up to the to the Convention Center floor

Walk out the doors and there is a crosswalk where you would catch one of the doubledecker tour buses

Walk between the buildings to the next crosswalk... this is Cordova

Again, walk between the buildings through the little park (there is a ramp on your right rather then up the stairs). You are now at Hastings with a light

Use the right crosswalk and head to the next light. This is now Pender.

Don't cross the street but hang a right and midblock you will see the sign for Smiley's Pub and the Days Inn

 

 

Here's a link to a map (hope it works):

https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&msa=0&msid=204770372318860327957.0004c3f72c5d2ebe55d7d