What to do?

[Shmoo here]

DH and I are flying into Vancouver in the early afternoon and departing the next day. We are staying at a hotel in the airport.

 

Any suggestions as to what we can see/do for 1/2 day, evening?

 

Maybe a suggestion for where to eat dinner?

 

Thanks

:)

[Putterdude]

Here is link to a tour that a lot of cruisers really enjoy on the morning of their cruise, as you can see they pick you and your luggage up at your hotel, give you a great tour and then deliver you and your luggage at Canada Place in lots of time for your cruise.

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

[Shmoo here]

Here is link to a tour that a lot of cruisers really enjoy on the morning of their cruise, as you can see they pick you and your luggage up at your hotel, give you a great tour and then deliver you and your luggage at Canada Place in lots of time for your cruise.

 

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

 

 

Thanks for the link. However, we're flying out the next day to the Yukon Territories, not departing on a cruise.

 

We were just looking for something to do besides sit in the hotel for the afternoon/evening.

 

:)

[LeftcoastBC]

Canada Line will take you downtown in 30 mins. Restaurants galore. :)

 

Steveston:http://www.steveston.bc.ca/ is an area easily gotten to from the airport and quite interesting with some great restaurants also.

[Putterdude]

Thanks for the link. However, we're flying out the next day to the Yukon Territories, not departing on a cruise.

 

We were just looking for something to do besides sit in the hotel for the afternoon/evening.

 

:)

 

Being a cruise board one may have assumed that you were doing a cruise but that aside there are many things to do in Vancouver. LeftcoastBC has given you some good suggestions I would only add that things that you may want to see would be Stanley Park and Granville Is.

[BCHappyGal]

You might want to consider activities in Richmond where the airport is such as going to Steveston the original fishing port which today has neat little shops and a very nice Fisheries Museum.

 

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 higher up the mountain to visit the wind turbine that generates approximately 30% of the power required for Grouse Mountain Resort and visit with 2 live Grizzly Bears. Thrill to a 2 hour Zip Line Tour. 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.vanaqua.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

[martincath]

A ton of things to do suggestions above already - on the restaurant front, what are you looking to eat and what's your budget? Vancouver is very cosmopolitan with a wide range of prices and almost any food genre you could want - I'd be happy to recommend somewhere if you can narrow down what you want. A $ range on the budget is particularly useful, as cheap/moderate/inexpensive/pricey have different definitions for every wallet;)

[Shmoo here]

Being a cruise board one may have assumed that you were doing a cruise but that aside there are many things to do in Vancouver. LeftcoastBC has given you some good suggestions I would only add that things that you may want to see would be Stanley Park and Granville Is.

 

Putterdude - I'm sorry I wasn't clearer in my post. I asked here because I used CC for our Alaska cruise in 2009 and don't know of other places to ask. I did say thanks for the link, because we're going to do another cruise and this is a nice link to use for then.

 

BCHappyGal - Wow! Thanks for the info. It gives us a nice overlook of what's available.

 

A ton of things to do suggestions above already - on the restaurant front, what are you looking to eat and what's your budget? Vancouver is very cosmopolitan with a wide range of prices and almost any food genre you could want - I'd be happy to recommend somewhere if you can narrow down what you want. A $ range on the budget is particularly useful, as cheap/moderate/inexpensive/pricey have different definitions for every wallet;)

 

martincath - Personally, We eat pretty much anything (except I'm not real big on seafood :rolleyes:). I'll get with DH and sort of figure out a price range to let you know.

 

Thanks, everyone.

:)

[no fuss travel]

If you like Chinese food, Richmond is excellent for that. You would just need to catch the Canada Line to Bridgeport Station, then change lines to go to Richmond Centre. There is a fair number of excellent Chinese restaurants around Aberdeen Mall.

[jtsbusiness]

Hi

 

My son and I are flying in from the UK on Sat noon to be joining our cruise ship Sun noon. We will then be returning and staying in Vancouver for a couple of days before joining the Rocky Mountain train. We will be staying at the Blue Horizon Hotel.

 

Can you recommend cheap but good restaurants in the vicinity. Haven't worked out $ yet, but really as cheap as possible but good not trashy food. I tend to like plain food, but my son loves experimenting and also is a pasta addict. He is also a fitness person and loves to run/swim if possible. Are there any good venues nearby. (He is mid-30s)

 

Not sure if my nerves could tolerate him driving in foreign country, so is there any good public transport links that would enable us to see as much as possible of your lovely city.

 

Thanks for sharing your extensive knowledge with us. It is so good to get first hand information.

[Putterdude]

You are in restaurant heaven on Robson Street, I will link a listing of some 100 Robson St.& Westend restaurants. The hotel itself has a lap pool and a fitness but in addition you have the Stanley Park seawall which is very popular with joggers. Vancouver has an excellent transit system and you can purchase an all day pass for $9.75, they are available in many convenience stores in the city, in your case they will be available at the London Drug Store at 1187 Robson St., 1/2 block from your hotel. Vancouver also has 3 HOHOs which you may want to consider, the Vancouver Trolley which is my favourite stops right at the Blue Horizon.

 

 

http://www.urbanspoon.com/n/14/1319/Vancouver/Robson-Street-West-End-restaurants

 

http://vancouver.ca/parks/parks/stanley/seawall.htm

 

http://tripplanning.translink.ca/

 

www.vancouvertrolley.com/

 

http://www.bigbus.ca/

 

http://www.vancouverpinkbustours.com/

[INDIANA JOE]

Hi

 

My son and I are flying in from the UK on Sat noon to be joining our cruise ship Sun noon. We will then be returning and staying in Vancouver for a couple of days before joining the Rocky Mountain train. We will be staying at the Blue Horizon Hotel.

 

Can you recommend cheap but good restaurants in the vicinity. Haven't worked out $ yet, but really as cheap as possible but good not trashy food. I tend to like plain food, but my son loves experimenting and also is a pasta addict. He is also a fitness person and loves to run/swim if possible. Are there any good venues nearby. (He is mid-30s)

 

Not sure if my nerves could tolerate him driving in foreign country, so is there any good public transport links that would enable us to see as much as possible of your lovely city.

 

Thanks for sharing your extensive knowledge with us. It is so good to get first hand information.

We stayed at the Blue Horizon in 2010 before our cruise and really enjoyed the area. We did the trolley to see a lot of the area and highly reccommend. Robson street is a great area to explore and a good central area to venture out to explore. Check out Granville Island, Gastown, Stanley Park and enjoy Vancouver.

[no fuss travel]

Granville Island restaurants tend to be pricey for what value you receive. One of the best restaurants for pasta that I have been at is Antons on Hastings Street in Burnaby. The plates are so large you have enough leftovers for your meal the next day. I have not seen anyone walk out of the restaurant without a Styrofoam box with their leftovers.

[scottbee]

Granville Island restaurants tend to be pricey for what value you receive. One of the best restaurants for pasta that I have been at is Antons on Hastings Street in Burnaby. The plates are so large you have enough leftovers for your meal the next day. I have not seen anyone walk out of the restaurant without a Styrofoam box with their leftovers.

 

Anton's is one of those great places for that; however the OP is staying downtown, and Anton's is in Burnaby on E.Hastings.

 

That being said, there's a HUGE selection of restaurants in the downtown core, and without knowing tastes, price range it's virtually impossible to choose for them. However; http://www.dinehere.ca/ is an excellent resource for metro Vancouver restaurants.

[Shmoo here]

Hi, everybody!

 

OP, here.

 

Well, after talking it over with DH, we're probably interested in a burger/steakhouse kind of restaurant, with a budget of about $15-$20 per person.

 

We're still not too sure about the area of town we're going to head out to, but it's either Steveston or downtown (maybe :rolleyes:)

 

Thanks for all your help.

:)

[scottbee]

Hi, everybody!

 

OP, here.

 

Well, after talking it over with DH, we're probably interested in a burger/steakhouse kind of restaurant, with a budget of about $15-$20 per person.

 

We're still not too sure about the area of town we're going to head out to, but it's either Steveston or downtown (maybe :rolleyes:)

 

Thanks for all your help.

:)

 

Vera's burger shack (Davie)

Moose's Down Under (W.Pender)

 

would be my choices for a burger downtown.

[Tweedy]

Vera's burger shack (Davie)

Moose's Down Under (W.Pender)

 

would be my choices for a burger downtown.

 

I'd throw Joey's (http://www.joeyrestaurants.com/#theLocation) into the mix of burger places downtown. There are two locations; one at Burrard and Pender, the other at Burrard and Robson. I second Moose'e Down Under. It's not visible from the street and you could accidentally walk by it.

[martincath]

I can only think of one place you'll get a decent steak dinner for that budget in downtown: Save On Meats

 

Hamilton Street Grill in Yaletown wouldn't be much over your budget for a very generous sized steak ($26 for a 12oz New York w/starch & veg) and HSG consistently places among the top 3 Steakhouses in town in the Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards (and their burger and several other options are in the $15-20 range).

[seaworthy1]

How about Chinese food? Anyone reccomend a moderately priced restarant? Also I read that Vancouver has great street food.

[martincath]

How about Chinese food? Anyone reccomend a moderately priced restarant? Also I read that Vancouver has great street food.

Good timing to ask about street food - a new batch of carts just got announced. This map shows all of our carts - click the names to get a little more info (and Google the ones you like the sound of - most have websites or Facebook pages). Personally I like Roaming Dragon, Re-up BBQ & Kaboom Box.

 

If you're in town in Night Market season (May 18-Sep 9 in Chinatown; May 11-Sep 16 Richmond) you can wander the stalls nibbling on all sorts of Asian foods; year-round Foo's Ho Ho provides good value.

 

I'm sure others on here can recommend some more good value Chinese places; personally I'm more likely to dine Japanese at one of the local Izakayas (Guu & Hapa are the two best-known names, both have a few branches, but I usually frequent Alpha as I really enjoy their sushi rolls).

[Shmoo here]

Thanks, everyone! This has been extremely helpful.

 

Keep the suggestions coming, if you have any.

 

:)