Vancouver what to see

[tokyo]

I have 2 full days to explore Vancouver, post Alaska cruise. I would like to use local transport to get around the city. I have done some research and there seems lots to see. As my hobby is photography could anyone suggest "must see" places in the city. I would be happy to just wander around the city, but it would be nice if my wandering took me to a couple of "must see" places.

[rome2009]

Local transport around the city core is easy to use and frequent. Outside of the city area is another matter. It all depends what you are looking to experience in Vancouver. If you are willing to take taxis (expensive) then you will be able to see much more. On the other hand, the area that is serviced by the bus / skytrain (metro) / seabus system will get you to many places in the two days you are here. And, walking will also get you to numerous places in the downtown core. So, must sees: IMHO - for photography buffs: Stanley park- lots of areas where great shots can be taken; Granville Island; Londsdale Quay (wonderful view of the city); Grouse Mountain on a clear day; English Bay. To name a few. Again, it all depends what you are interested in seeing, doing, and shooting!

[BCHappyGal]

Below is my list of many of Vancouver's great attractions most with web site addresses...

Many of these are easily accessed by public transit and an all day pass on our public transit system cost $9.00 pp CAD and you can use your credit card to purchase said pass in one of the transit machines in the Skytrain or Seabus Stations (our metro & bus ferry system) To find out the bus routes & bus numbers to get from point a to point b log onto http://www.translink.bc.ca

 

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 and visit with 2 live Grizzly Bears. 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 over the Capilano Gorge, wonder the trails thru the rain forest, walk thru the treetops on the new Tree Top Adventure, 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 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. http://www.lynncanyonparkguide.bc.ca It is also free to visit this suspension bridge!

5) Stanley Park – http://www.city.vancouver.bc.ca/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 at Brockton Point, hiking trails, beaches, water parks for the kids (young & old), rose gardens, miniature train, petting zoo, aquarium –http://www.vanaqua.org – hollow tree, many view points, and several restaurants. During the summer months there is a free shuttle bus that you can ride around the park on.

6) 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.

7) 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.

8) 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.classicalchinesegarden.com and also make sure you visit the world’s thinnest building it is only 6’ wide!

9) 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. May 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

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

11) 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.

12) 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

13) Queen Elizabeth Park – http://www.greatervancouverparks.com/QEPark01.htm -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.

14) 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.pc,qc.ca/fortlangley

15) If you are a wine lover you might want to rent a car and spend a day visiting a few of the many 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.

16) If you are a real animal lover than here is my latest find “Mountain View Conservation & Breeding Centre” It is located in Fort Langley about an hour drive from downtown Vancouver. Mountain View Conservation and Breeding Centre is a leading non-profit Canadian facility that breeds endangered species in family groups for re-introduction back into their natural habitat in Canada and around the world. This facility is not a zoo their goal is to breed rare and endangered wildlife and re-introduce these animals back into their natural habitats. Presently Mountainview hosts over 50 species of the world’s most threatened animals and birds. See animals such as the spotted dog from India, Giraffes, and much much more. Here you do not wonder around as in a zoo rather you are given a guided tour with commentary on each animal group. Check it out at http://www.mtnviewconservation.org

17) 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.

18) 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

19) Dazzle your senses when you visit Minter Gardens nestled against 7000 foot Mt. Cheam in beautiful 'Super Natural' British Columbia. One of the most spectacular show gardens in the world! Eleven themed gardens are designed to dazzle the senses with massive displays of artistic floral designs.

Minter Gardens is located 90 minutes east of downtown Vancouver just off the Trans-Canada Hwy. #1 at exit #135. http://www.gardeningbc.com

[tokyo]

It seems there is pleanty to do and see during my 2 days.;)

[calgal729]

Thanks BCHappyGal, what a wonderful list of things to do! What hotel(s) would you recommend in the mid price range in the downtown area? We're looking for something centrally located thats walking distance to public transporation and some of the attractions you mentioned. Also, what is the easiest/least expensive way to get to Victoria from Vancouver, and would we need more than one day to see Victoria?

[BCHappyGal]

To answer your questions:

#1 - a cheap hotel in downtown Vancouver - the owrd cheap Hotel & downtown Vancovuer do not go together well... There are some chains i.e. Days Inn - Holiday Inn etc but be careful of location due to area of city. My suggestion would be to try bidding on Priceline. Lots of people have got great deals on Priceline for 4* hotels in the heart of downtown Vancovuer ... hotels such as the Hyatt, Westin Bayshore etc.

 

#2 - The cheapest way to go to Victoria would be using the BC Ferry System. to see Victoria in 1 day is possible but very long and I would suggest taking a tour as offered by such vendors as Greyline. They will pick you up at your hotel early and return you late at night. The buses have priorty boarding on the ferries so arrive at the last minute and drive on then are off loaded first.

Your next option would be to rent a car and take the car over ont he ferry cost is around $50. for car & driver each way. The ferry trip takes approx 1.5 hours each way and the terminal on both sides are about a 45 minute drive outside the cities. You must arrive at the terminal at least 45 minutes before sailing time to line up.

 

For a more relaxing time in Victoria I would suggest renting a car and staying overnight in Victoria. Probably get a cheaper hotel there too.

[scottbee]

Thanks BCHappyGal, what a wonderful list of things to do! What hotel(s) would you recommend in the mid price range in the downtown area? We're looking for something centrally located thats walking distance to public transporation and some of the attractions you mentioned. Also, what is the easiest/least expensive way to get to Victoria from Vancouver, and would we need more than one day to see Victoria?

 

All depends what you want to see. There's a ton to see in Victoria and the south island. Remember that Victoria is a small amount at the very southern tip (the last 20 of 350 miles) of Vancouver Island. Vancouver Island itself is somewhat larger than Vermont.

 

Anyway, as for getting there, the cheapest way is by city bus. From downtown Vancouver you take the 601 bus to Ladner and then transfer to the 620 bus to Tsawwassen ferry terminal ($5 total) . From there walk onto the ferry ($13) and at the Victoria end take the #70 downtown bus ($2.25). Total travel time is a little over 4hrs.

 

Pacific Coach Lines have a direct bus that drives onto the ferry, but isn't much faster in the end and costs $45.

[Putterdude]

To answer your questions:

#1 - a cheap hotel in downtown Vancouver - the owrd cheap Hotel & downtown Vancovuer do not go together well... There are some chains i.e. Days Inn - Holiday Inn etc but be careful of location due to area of city. My suggestion would be to try bidding on Priceline. Lots of people have got great deals on Priceline for 4* hotels in the heart of downtown Vancovuer ... hotels such as the Hyatt, Westin Bayshore etc.

 

 

I concur, over the past 2 weeks we have been reading of successful Priceline bids in these hotels as well as the Westin Grand for just over $100 (US) p.n. Ordinarily in Vancouver during cruise it is very hard to find any hotel for much under $150.