Vancouver...How many days should we plan?

[jlijny]

We are planning a northbound cruise to Alaska (July). We would like to spend a few days pre-cruise in Vancouver. Assuming that we will want to see all the "touristy" spots (Gastown, Chinatown, Stanley Park, Grouse Mountain, Suspension Bridge, etc. etc.), how many days should I plan? Is two enough? Also, if we plan to stay at a hotel downtown (i.e. Pan-Pacific), what is the best way for us to get around to all these spots? Are any of them within walking distance, or do we need a taxi? How do you get to Grouse Mountain and the Suspension Bridge? Any info you can share will be appreciated. Thanks

[scottbee]

We are planning a northbound cruise to Alaska (July). We would like to spend a few days pre-cruise in Vancouver. Assuming that we will want to see all the "touristy" spots (Gastown, Chinatown, Stanley Park, Grouse Mountain, Suspension Bridge, etc. etc.), how many days should I plan? Is two enough? Also, if we plan to stay at a hotel downtown (i.e. Pan-Pacific), what is the best way for us to get around to all these spots? Are any of them within walking distance, or do we need a taxi? How do you get to Grouse Mountain and the Suspension Bridge? Any info you can share will be appreciated. Thanks

 

All of these places are reachable (easily) on the local bus system. I know that sounds like slumming it, but it really isn't. The subway/elevated trains (Skytrain), the buses and the Seabus are all on the same ticket, and the tickets are really inexpensive. Even an all day pass is only $9.

 

For example, from the Pan Pacific to Grouse Mountain (and Cap Suspension Bridge), you walk next door to Waterfront Station, take the Seabus to the north shore, and a bus from their straight up the mountain. Doesn't get much easier, and probably just as fast as a taxi. Everywhere you've mentioned has great bus service... http://translink.bc.ca/ has a good journey planner on it too.

 

This map shows a lot of transit options for the cruise traveller, the seabus/bus link up to Grouse, but that's just an example. http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=100934763039761071004.000467645fcda21dd87b2&ll=49.304195,-123.087387&spn=0.065479,0.181789&z=13

[Urban trekker]

I have lived here all my life 62+ years and still find that there are places that I never visited in the region.

 

Scott has given a good general overview of how to get around and I hope that BC Happy Gal will be around and post her list of sights to see in the area.

 

Cheers

 

Dennis

[jlijny]

Thanks to both of you. I appreciate all the good advice. It looks very easy to do. Can we accomplish this in 2 days, or should I plan for 3?

[scottbee]

Thanks to both of you. I appreciate all the good advice. It looks very easy to do. Can we accomplish this in 2 days, or should I plan for 3?

 

My first recommendation would be to buy a travel book which covers all of Vancouver, and not just the top 5 tourist spots.

 

I do think that a visit up a local mountain is worthwhile, if only for the view. Grouse Mountain being the obvious choice. Want to save some money? Hike the Grouse Grind, a popular hike UP ground mountain.

 

Stanley Park is also a great site to visit, and a walk along the seawall is a beautiful thing.

 

Personally I don't think Gastown (a bunch of tourist shops, and an antique-looking steam clock built in the late 70s) is really worth while.

 

Chinatown is interesting, although it's only one of many chinatowns in Vancouver. If you really want to see REAL chinese food for example, I would ride the skytrain out to the Metrotown area, and visit the 'Crystal Mall', an almost entirely Chinese shopping mall, with a food court that really does look like you've landed on another continent. Either that or the Aberdeen Mall in Richmond. This is where the Chinese community live these days.

 

Food. Vancouver has a ton of great food, and especially a lot of asian restaurants. It's hard to beat the INDIAN food available in the city, but again, it's the suburbs where that happens.

 

So many more options in Vancouver; Gardens, Beaches, Hiking in the moutains; cultural history (the museum of Anthropology is excellent); the Granville Island public market, and probably 100s of other things that might interest you.

[Urban trekker]

Hopefully BC Happy Gal will forgive me for cutting and pasting the following - it's her 5***** list of what to do in Vancouver.

 

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 near the Brockton Point Light House, hiking trails, beaches, water parks for the kids (young & old), rose gardens, miniature train, petting zoo, aquarium –http://www.vanaqua.org – 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 don’t miss “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 Africa, 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

 

 

Apologies and thanks!!!

 

Cheers

 

Dennis

[LeftcoastBC]

Minimum of two depending on when you arrive... If you wanted you could spend way longer :)

Enjoy planning

[LindaKE]

When do the salmon run in Vancouver?

[ellbon]

I spent two days in vancouver- not enough time. going back for 2 more days becasuei have decided thati needed 2 days in Whistler.

 

add in Granville island. I did use LandSeas Rours for grouse mts and found i had enough time in all three stops. will use them to get to Whistler. I loved Chinatown and the little Japenese garden there. gastown is ok for shopping but there are better palces for that too.

 

Staying at the Pan you can walk to Chinatown and to Stanley Park and back. looking forward to sleeping there agian. do eat in Sails there.. worth all pennies.

[tiyana4]

All of these places are reachable (easily) on the local bus system. I know that sounds like slumming it, but it really isn't. The subway/elevated trains (Skytrain), the buses and the Seabus are all on the same ticket, and the tickets are really inexpensive. Even an all day pass is only $9.

 

For example, from the Pan Pacific to Grouse Mountain (and Cap Suspension Bridge), you walk next door to Waterfront Station, take the Seabus to the north shore, and a bus from their straight up the mountain. Doesn't get much easier, and probably just as fast as a taxi. Everywhere you've mentioned has great bus service... http://translink.bc.ca/ has a good journey planner on it too.

 

This is exactly what we did....local transpo to all the tourist spots. We hopped the Sky Train right at the Hyatt to Canada Place to the Sea Bus to the bus depot to Grouse, Capilano, and all around N. Vancouver. We had not used mass transit in years before we did it here and found it to be a efficient and inexpensive solution. We were there 3 days pre-cruise and could have spent much more time seeing the museums and branching out to other areas like Victoria. Vancouver is a wonderful city and we are planning a 2nd visit early next summer.

[Langley Cruisers]

When do the salmon run in Vancouver?

 

In the Fall - around now, actually.

[Sally Forth]

When do the salmon run in Vancouver?

 

You can see the Adams River Run at Hell's Gate in mid-July (dark shadows viewed from a hundred feet up, but still thrilling), but the actual salmon runs are in October. IMO, the best viewing is at Weaver Creek, northwest of Harrison Hot Springs.

 

Viv

[jean s]

We did the northbound cruise to Alaska and stayed in Vancouver for three nights. We stayed at the Westin Bayshore and loved it. In addition to many of the places mentioned we also took a bus tour to Victoria. The bus picked us up at our hotel, drove right onto the ferry and then around Victoria Island. We spent quite a bit of time at Bouchart (sp?) Gardens. It was so beautiful. We also spent time in the city of Victoria where we had lunch and visited the waterfront and a natural history museum. We booked this trip through the hotel and even though it was a littel pricey, it was well worth the money.

[Keith1010]

I would spend two to three days pre cruise; ideally three. We would walk and/or take cabs to the places you mentioned. We have done this a few times. Pan Pacific Hotel is a great choice.

 

Keith

[2 Long 2 Retire]

;) If you are planning a few days in the Vancouver area, Entertainment Books is offering a discount for their Vancouver Book for 2010. In November it was going for $40. Right now it is being offered for $20 plus free shipping. They offer many 2-for-1 attractions along with restaurant and shopping discounts. This seems like it may be very worthwhile.

[buelah111]

Something else to consider is adding a couple of nights in Whistler. It is a spectacular 2.5 or three hour drive from Vancouver and well worth the hassle of a car rental, in my mind. There are several waterfalls to visit and we saw black bear along the road two separate places. I think the scenery was just as beautiful as the portions of Alaska that I saw (we did a roundtrip, so no Denali to compare it to) and perhaps my favorite part of the trip.

[SMSACE6]

I would spend two to three days pre cruise; ideally three. We would walk and/or take cabs to the places you mentioned. We have done this a few times. Pan Pacific Hotel is a great choice.

 

Keith

 

I agree, at the very least two days, but three is better. So much to see and do in this great city and surrounding areas. I spent 5 days ( not related to a cruise ) and still didnt get to see and do all I wanted. Enjoy your visit, and your cruise.:)

[ellbon]

I got 5 between Vancouver and Whistler. I want time to breathe..

[Earl Rosebery]

I do think that a visit up a local mountain is worthwhile, if only for the view. Grouse Mountain being the obvious choice. Want to save some money? Hike the Grouse Grind, a popular hike UP ground mountain.

 

.

 

The Grouse grind is NOT a hike. It is a serious climb suitable only for fit, serious athletes. Take the aerial tram.