2 days in Vancouver post cruise - head to Victoria or not?

[steelerfan7]

We will have the day we dock in Vancouver and another full day after a 7-day Alaska cruise. We are torn whether or not to spend an entire day going to Victoria (Pacific Coach tour) or spend both days in Vancouver. We have the 2 nights already booked at Sutton Place, so staying over in Victoria is not an option.

 

We have never been to either place, so everything will be a new experience. Stanley Park, Granville Island, Grouse Mountain, the suspension bridge, Gastown and Chinatown all sound fabulous, but so does Butchart Gardens.

 

I know everyone will say it's a personal preference, but we really need some guidance. How do you recommend we spend the two days to provide the best experience possible for a 40-something couple from Texas.

 

Thanks in advance!

[Putterdude]

Victoria is a lovely city and I certainly wouldn't say, don't go, but frankly there is just so much to see in Vancouver you won't be able to see it all in the few days you are here. :)

[Urban trekker]

Some of us like PD and myself who have lived all our lives or worked in the Metro Vancouver area probably haven't seen all the sights and sounds of Vancouver that our great city by the sea has to offer much less the time to see all the great sights of Victoria.

 

Forget the car idea - on top of the car rental rate you are looking at around $100.00 to take a vehicle on the ferry + plus in the summer time there can be a one or two sailing wait unless you want to fork over an additional $15.00 each way and reserve a space.

 

As for going by bus - Pacific Coach is the way to go but it's close to three hours from the time you leave downtown Vancouver to the time you arrive in downtown Victoria.

 

The first ferry is 7AM so to catch the bus for that you would have to be up very early - the last ferry back is usually 9PM so you wouldn't be back in your hotel room to also midnight and then have the cruise the next morning.

 

If you check some of the other threads on things to do you will find an excellent list of the 10 most popular things to do in the City.

 

If not BC Happy Girl will probably repost it here for you.

 

Hope you enjoy your visit to our great city and keep the questions coming - there are number of regulars that are more than happy to help answer your questions.

 

Cheers

 

Dennis