What to do in Vancouver???????

[believer33323]

We have a June 24Th cruise with RCCL and have decided to fly into Vancouver on the evening of the 21st. Everyone tells us that we need to see Vancouver. So does anyone have any ideas of what is great to see. Sites, Restaurants, ( Good hole in the wall types too)

[Budget Queen]

IF your first trip here, the Hop on Hop off bus is a great option to get orientated. Stanley Park is definately worth a look.

[Putterdude]

There are a plethora of things to see and do in Vancouver some of the main things would include:

Grouse Mountain Skyride

Capilano Suspension Bridge

Gastown

Stanley Park

Canada Place

the Olympic Cauldron

Granville Island

Robson Street

There are two HOHO's which offer a two day pass and they are a great way to see a lot of Vancouver in a little time. I would be inclined to do the full tour on the first day and then go back to the places that interested me the most on the second day. Of the 2 HOHOs I tend to recommend the Vancouver Trolley as the narration is live and on the Big Bus it is canned.

Vancouver has an excellent transit system and almost everything can be accessed via a transit...but on transit there is no narration of course. An all day pass can be purchase for $9 at most convenience stores.

There are some excellent Vancouver treads in both the Canada and West Coast forums.

 

http://www.vancouvertrolley.com/

http://www.bigbus.ca/

http://tripplanning.translink.bc.ca/

[june18susy]

We have a June 24Th cruise with RCCL and have decided to fly into Vancouver on the evening of the 21st. Everyone tells us that we need to see Vancouver. So does anyone have any ideas of what is great to see. Sites, Restaurants, ( Good hole in the wall types too)

 

i have lived in van my whole life, ( born here), van has some of the best ethnic food in the world. such as, indian, thai, different regions of china, vietnamese, and amazing sushi. what do you like?, also there are walkable interesting neighborhoods, such as main st, commercial dr, chinatown, japantown, and an indian market. plus italian , ethiopian, spanish, etc....

[scottbee]

i have lived in van my whole life, ( born here), van has some of the best ethnic food in the world. such as, indian, thai, different regions of china, vietnamese, and amazing sushi. what do you like?, also there are walkable interesting neighborhoods, such as main st, commercial dr, chinatown, japantown, and an indian market. plus italian , ethiopian, spanish, etc....

 

Pretty much everything except Mexican (although Salsa&Agave in Yaletown is pretty good)

[BCHappyGal]

Here is info on lots of things to do.

 

I would recommend Grouse Mtn and Capilano Suspension Bridge as must sees and they can be done very easily via public transit. Buy an all day pass for $9 and take a bus to the Waterfront station - there transfer to the SeaBus for the ride accross the harbour to North Vancouver. You will dock at the Lonsdale Quay Public Market. Walk thru the market and exit at the north end where the buses are there take the Capilano Road bus and ask the driver to tell you when to get off for the Capilano Suspension Bridge. Enjoy the Bridge, Tree Top Walk, Nature Trails, Gardens and Trading Post then reboard another Capilano Road bus still going up the hill. The end of this bus route is the bottom station for the air tram up Grouse Mountain. Once up the mountain you will enjoy several hours of fun. There is also a good restuarnt and cafe for lunch or dinner. When finished just reboard the Capilano Road Bus and ride it back to Londale Quay then the SeaBus back to Waterfront Station...Once back at Watherfront station when you exit the station turn left and you are at the entrance to Gas Town Vancouver's historic downtown district which is full of shops and restaurants.

 

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 – http://www.lynncanyon.ca - 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. It is also free to visit this suspension bridge!

5) Stanley Park – http://www.vancouver.ca/parks/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) Vancouver Aquarium – http://www.wanaqua.org – is Canada’s largest aquarium and is committed to the conservation of marine life and education. Located in Stanley Park this is a fun place for the family to visit.

7) 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. During the summer months there is a free walking tour of Gas Town for times call 604-683-5650

8) 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.

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

10) The city of Vancouver has laid out self guided walking tours of 4 distinct historical neighborhoods in Vancouver – Gastown; Chinatown; Yaletown; & Shaughnessy – these walking tours along with a historical introduction to each neighbourhood can be found at http://vancouver.ca/commsvcs/planning/heritage/walks/index.htm

11) 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. Many 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

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

13) 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.

14) 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

15) Queen Elizabeth Park http://www.vancouver.ca/parks/parks/queenelizabeth 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.

16) 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.fortlangley.org

17) 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. Two of the wineries have excellent restaurants on the premises. This makes for a very fun and relaxing day. Check out the Fraser Valley Wine Association web site for a map of winery locations and a brief description of each winery http://www.fvwa.ca

18) 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

19) 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.

20) 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

21) 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.mintergardens.com

22) Enjoy a FREE walking tour of Vancouver. This 2 hour tour starts in front of the Vancouver Art Gallery and ends at the Steam Clock in Gastown. This tour runs Tuesdays & Saturdays at 1pm and reservations are required. Check it out at http://www.tourguys.ca

[MJN]

DH and I are also going to be in Vancouver on July 6 & 7 before boarding the Radiance of the seas on the 8th. It will be our first time in Vancouver and I can't wait to use your suggestions. This is awesome! Thank you for posting such great suggestions. MJN :)

[Poorlittle]

Great list BCHappyGal! Thank you! Our ship arrives at 7 30 am after our cruise.We figure to start exploring Vancouver by 9 30 or earlier. We Have all that day to tour Vancouver. The next day we are doing an all day tour of Victoria. If we were to follow your itinerary for Grouse Mtn and Capilano Bridge, about how much time should we allow for this. We do want to see Stanley Park and some of the other areas you described.

[BCHappyGal]

I would head out to Grouse Mtn & Capilano Suspension Bridge first thing in the morning...caveat only go up Grouse Mtn if it is a nice clear day - if it is rainy or overcast you will not enjoy the view which is a big part of Grouse Mtn...Stopping at Capilano Suspension Bridge first and allow about 1.5 hours for this - (this also allows the day to warm up a bit and any mist time to burn off before you head up the mountian) this should get you to the Mtn well before noon and I would have lunch up top and plan to spend about 4 hours there... then heading back to Vancouver I would then do GasTown and if tiem permist walk over to China Town as they are so close together - planning to have dinner in Gastown...and leave Stanley Park for the next day.

 

All of the above can be easily done on an all day public transit pass costing $9. (less for seniors)

 

If you have any questions on the above ask away.

[roundpond]

BCHappyGirl, we will be in Vancouver 9/21-9/23. Do any of above suggestions change in the Fall? ie, earlier closing times, less frequent transit, etc.? Thank you!

[bracket_mom]

BCHappyGal thanks for the extensive list of to-dos in Vancouver. We will have one day there before leaving on our july 23 cruise. I had done some research and many of the things on your list were on my list, too. It's always helpful to have advice from others who have been there before.

[scottbee]

BCHappyGirl, we will be in Vancouver 9/21-9/23. Do any of above suggestions change in the Fall? ie, earlier closing times, less frequent transit, etc.? Thank you!

 

By then the weather might have turned, I'm not sure I'd recommend Grouse on an overcast day. As for transit, it actually gets more service in the fall (for students); you'll be fine.

[believer33323]

I purchased a 2 for 1 day pass on the Hop On-Hop off trolley. I was $78.00 for the two of us for 2 days. Seemed like a nice deal. They go to just about everywhere in Vancouver.

From the site:

Tour at your own pace

 

Our Hop-on, Hop-off City Attractions Tour is the easiest way to enjoy Vancouver’s most popular areas: Stanley Park, Chinatown, Gastown, Granville Island and more! Our tour features a live commentary so you’ll have the opportunity to learn what makes our spectacular city so special.

http://www.vancouvertrolley.com/

[Putterdude]

The Trolley people are great operators and I am sure that you will enjoy your tours. :)

[Pocahantas]

About how long is the full tour?? We get to Vancouver around noon on June 26th and will check in to the Pan Pacific. I was thinking the full tour might be a good way to get a good overview of the city that first afternoon.

[believer33323]

About how long is the full tour?? We get to Vancouver around noon on June 26th and will check in to the Pan Pacific. I was thinking the full tour might be a good way to get a good overview of the city that first afternoon.

 

It completes the entire loop around the Vancouver and Stanley park in about 2 hours. Go to the link below for thier brochure. Notice that it includes the ferry to Granville Island for free.

http://www.vancouvertrolley.com/sites/default/files/ebrochure/van_trolley_ebrochure_2011.pdf

[Putterdude]

About how long is the full tour?? We get to Vancouver around noon on June 26th and will check in to the Pan Pacific. I was thinking the full tour might be a good way to get a good overview of the city that first afternoon.

 

The last tour ends just before 5pm so you would have to judge for yourself the value of it once you get downtown and checked in at the Pan Pacific. One thing that I did notice is that in the brochure appears to be calling for a 40 min interval between trolleys, that does get reduced to 20 mins in the summer.

If that doesn't work for you, here is another tour for the next morning which is excellent.

 

http://www.vancouvertours.com/pre-cruise-vancouver-city-tour

[Cruiseorr]

Thank you BChappygal for so many excellent ideas! We only stayed overnight on our last visit to Vancouver and won't make that mistake again. We're planning several days there post cruise this May.

 

One item that might be added to the list for those who like to shop, and want to bring back something unique to B.C. The jade found near Vancouver is considered to be the finest in the world, and some consider it better quality than Burmese Jade. It's called Polar Jade, and the reason a lot of people don't hear about it is because they are shipping nearly all of it off to China, where it is highly sought after.

[Putterdude]

One item that might be added to the list for those who like to shop, and want to bring back something unique to B.C. The jade found near Vancouver is considered to be the finest in the world, and some consider it better quality than Burmese Jade. It's called Polar Jade, and the reason a lot of people don't hear about it is because they are shipping nearly all of it off to China, where it is highly sought after.

 

You raise a very good point about BC Jade and indeed it is of a very high quality. My concern is being knowledgeable about what you are looking at and where to purchase it. Even though I have lived in BC all my life I have never purchased any and do not know of any reputable dealers of it....maybe someone can fill in this blank.

[Pocahantas]

It completes the entire loop around the Vancouver and Stanley park in about 2 hours. Go to the link below for thier brochure. Notice that it includes the ferry to Granville Island for free.

http://www.vancouvertrolley.com/sites/default/files/ebrochure/van_trolley_ebrochure_2011.pdf

 

The last tour ends just before 5pm so you would have to judge for yourself the value of it once you get downtown and checked in at the Pan Pacific. One thing that I did notice is that in the brochure appears to be calling for a 40 min interval between trolleys, that does get reduced to 20 mins in the summer.

 

If that doesn't work for you, here is another tour for the next morning which is excellent.

 

http://www.vancouvertours.com/pre-cruise-vancouver-city-tour

 

Thanks to both of you for the info!

[account4fun]

I would head out to Grouse Mtn & Capilano Suspension Bridge first thing in the morning...caveat only go up Grouse Mtn if it is a nice clear day - if it is rainy or overcast you will not enjoy the view which is a big part of Grouse Mtn...Stopping at Capilano Suspension Bridge first and allow about 1.5 hours for this - (this also allows the day to warm up a bit and any mist time to burn off before you head up the mountian) this should get you to the Mtn well before noon and I would have lunch up top and plan to spend about 4 hours there... then heading back to Vancouver I would then do GasTown and if tiem permist walk over to China Town as they are so close together - planning to have dinner in Gastown...and leave Stanley Park for the next day.

 

All of the above can be easily done on an all day public transit pass costing $9. (less for seniors)

 

If you have any questions on the above ask away.

 

 

This is pretty much exactly what we have planned! My question is how do you get to Gastown from the #236 bus? We are staying at the Pan Pacific is that helps.

[Putterdude]

The #236 bus is going to take you from either the Capilano Suspension Bridge or Grouse Mountain to the Lonsdale Quay where you will transfer to the SeaBus which will bring you across the harbour to Waterfront Station. Exit Waterfront Station, turn left on Cordova St. and within two blocks you will be entering the Gastown area.

[geomarc]

It completes the entire loop around the Vancouver and Stanley park in about 2 hours. Notice that it includes the ferry to Granville Island for free.

http://www.vancouvertrolley.com/sites/default/files/ebrochure/van_trolley_ebrochure_2011.pdf

 

:confused: The trolley schedule says stop #21 is Granville Island (west 2nd @ Island Market). So, can you take the trolley there and then the ferry back. Is that how the one way ferry ticket works?

 

Also, is that stop #21 Granville Island the market? We want to visit the Granville Island Brewery while we are there. ;)

[Putterdude]

:confused: The trolley schedule says stop #21 is Granville Island (west 2nd @ Island Market). So, can you take the trolley there and then the ferry back. Is that how the one way ferry ticket works?

 

Also, is that stop #21 Granville Island the market? We want to visit the Granville Island Brewery while we are there. ;)

 

You can do it the way you have proposed or in reverse. The Trolley does not go on the island itself, there is a short level walk involved. Check the Granville Island Brewing website re their tours.

http://www.gib.ca/tours-tastings.php

[Charlie_Neri]

I would head out to Grouse Mtn & Capilano Suspension Bridge first thing in the morning...caveat only go up Grouse Mtn if it is a nice clear day - if it is rainy or overcast you will not enjoy the view which is a big part of Grouse Mtn...Stopping at Capilano Suspension Bridge first and allow about 1.5 hours for this - (this also allows the day to warm up a bit and any mist time to burn off before you head up the mountian) this should get you to the Mtn well before noon and I would have lunch up top and plan to spend about 4 hours there... then heading back to Vancouver I would then do GasTown and if tiem permist walk over to China Town as they are so close together - planning to have dinner in Gastown...and leave Stanley Park for the next day.

 

All of the above can be easily done on an all day public transit pass costing $9. (less for seniors)

 

If you have any questions on the above ask away.

 

Hi,

 

My friend and I are interested in going to Vancouver for a day (maybe 1.5 day). We will be flying into Seattle and the plan is to take the train (most prefer) or bus or rent a vehicle. Driving is the least prefer of our preference (as we're both very bad with directions).

 

I have looked into the schedule for the train and it appears going to Vancouver, the time will be from 7:40am - 11:40am or 6:50pm - 10:50pm. From Vancouver to Seattle, the time is 6:40am - 11:05 am vs. 5:45pm - 10:10pm. I prefer the train because it appears to be the least hassle regarding Custom.

 

Will we be able to do Vancouver in one day (or rather 5 hours) if we want to hit Grouse Mountain, the Capilano Suspension Bridge, Stanley Park and hit shops for souvenirs? If so, how would it work (i.e: What bus do we take from the train station in Vancouver?). If we're not able to hit all that in those areas of attraction in a few hours (5 hours), what would you recommend doing for just that time we will be actually in Vancouver?

 

It would be nice if we could get to Vancouver earlier to make the most of our day. I thought about taking the pm train ride into Vancouver the day before so we can get a hotel and be ready for our excursion the next day. Is it very safe (we're 2 woman in our late 20s)? We are also on a budget so it's an idea we're playing with but not too sure on.

 

Thanks for all the help in advance.

 

Cheers,

 

Charlie