what to do in Vancouver?

[lucy1234]

After 7 days cruise, we arrived in Vancourver at 7:00 am. Our flight back home at late night. So we have about 10 hours in Vancourver. And it is our first time in this city too.

 

I think it is not enough time to go to Victoria. Any suggestions?

[ellbon]

After 7 days cruise, we arrived in Vancourver at 7:00 am. Our flight back home at late night. So we have about 10 hours in Vancourver. And it is our first time in this city too.

 

I think it is not enough time to go to Victoria. Any suggestions?

 

stanley park, grouse mt, china town, gas town. grandville island.. need more???

[Putterdude]

My recommendation in this type of situation is to check your luggage and take one of the HOHOs. They will show you a great deal of the city in the time you have available. I am inclined to recommend the Trolley over the Big Bus only because the Trolley has live narration while the Big Buss's is taped.

As for checking your luggage, you can use Priority Baggage Service at Canada Place, now they close in the late afternoon but for an additional fee they will transfer your luggage to their location at YVR for you. The other alternative is to take it to one of the nearby hotels and give the bell desk a tip for holding it in there luggage lock up until you return.

 

 

http://www.vancouvertrolley.com/

http://www.bigbus.ca/

http://www.prioritybaggage.ca/

[cruise1bob]

We had the same timeframe in Vancouver last June. We checked our big luggage at the airport for a nominal fee, rented a car with GPS and took off for the whole day. We took one carry-on packed with whatever we needed for the day. We spent a good part of the day at Stanley Park, drove to the suspension bridge (Callipano ?)which was amazing and had dinner downtown before returning to the airport. The entire day was relaxing and effortless. We did not have enough time for the aquarium or the gardens, which if we go again we will definitely make time for. We took a red eye back to the east coast.

Vancouver was one of the highlights of our trip.

[Mrs007]

After 7 days cruise, we arrived in Vancourver at 7:00 am. Our flight back home at late night. So we have about 10 hours in Vancourver. And it is our first time in this city too.

 

I think it is not enough time to go to Victoria. Any suggestions?

 

How late is your flight? We are booking with LandSea. They said they would pick us up across the street from Canada Place and could handle our luggage during the tour. Then they are dropping us at our hotel - which is near the airport, so they might be able to drop you at the airport. Give them a call. http://www.vancouvertours.com/tours/north-shore-tour/

[lymah]

Don't forget to check out the Canada forum. I read tons of good info. there about Vancouver.

[Putterdude]

How late is your flight? We are booking with LandSea. They said they would pick us up across the street from Canada Place and could handle our luggage during the tour. Then they are dropping us at our hotel - which is near the airport, so they might be able to drop you at the airport. Give them a call. http://www.vancouvertours.com/tours/north-shore-tour/

 

I can confirm that Land/Sea aka Vancouver Toours are great operators.

[BayStateguppy]

Depending on how active you are....

We rented bikes and rode around Stanley Park. It was one of my favorite things we did on our vacation. A nice level paved path w/ gorgeous scenery.

There is also a bus tour that I believe is free.

 

We also went to Capilano Suspension Bridge. This was a lot of fun. Kids will love it.

 

I have a review and some pics in my trip report below.

[Funcouple]

Rent bikes just down from the pier and bicycle around stanley park..... gorgeous and easy... give yourself at least 1.5 hours. more time will give you a more relaxing time.

[mew1]

My recommendation in this type of situation is to check your luggage and take one of the HOHOs. They will show you a great deal of the city in the time you have available. I am inclined to recommend the Trolley over the Big Bus only because the Trolley has live narration while the Big Buss's is taped.

 

 

 

http://www.vancouvertrolley.com/

 

http://www.bigbus.ca/

 

http://www.prioritybaggage.ca/

 

I want to THANK YOU so much, I am following this plan, thanks to your post, it really saved me so much frustration, trying to figure things out. I appreciate your help. I leave for my cruise in about a week, and can't wait. Again thanks

mew1

[Putterdude]

You are most welcome, I hope that you have a wonderful cruise, have great time in our city and hurry back.:)

[Blendermagician]

We did the HOHO trolley because it seemed like the perfect solution to see the city. WRONG! We got off at some rose garden (the first stop for us) but we could not get on another trolley for an hour and a half because every trolley was full. We finally got on one and stayed on it to the end, because we were afraid to get off, because if we couldn't catch another one we would miss our train to Seattle. It is a wonderful concept but poorly executed! We were sorely disappointed and frustrated. They needed more trolleys to handle the volume of passengers.

[Putterdude]

We did the HOHO trolley because it seemed like the perfect solution to see the city. WRONG! We got off at some rose garden (the first stop for us) but we could not get on another trolley for an hour and a half because every trolley was full. We finally got on one and stayed on it to the end, because we were afraid to get off, because if we couldn't catch another one we would miss our train to Seattle. It is a wonderful concept but poorly executed! We were sorely disappointed and frustrated. They needed more trolleys to handle the volume of passengers.

 

I could see this happening at the Rose Garden in Stanley Park as it is the first stop on the Red Route and of course if people are not getting off then there isn't room for people getting on. This could be acute in the shoulder seasons when cars are 40 mins apart but less so during high season when the gap is only 20 mins. They also have floater cars and if someone is left behind then the operator is supposed radio for one and the lag time is supposed to be only about 20 mins. I will also say that this is only the first complaint I have seen about this excursion.

[ellbon]

I did not use it last time but would this time to get deeper into the park and walk back to hotel.. also a good way to get to Gastown if you do not want to use the water taxi/ferry.

[Putterdude]

I did not use it last time but would this time to get deeper into the park and walk back to hotel.. also a good way to get to Gastown if you do not want to use the water taxi/ferry.

 

I am not sure why anyone would use the water/taxi ferry, it goes no where near Gastown.

However, the Vancouver Trolley now makes 6 seperate stops within Stanely Park.