Disembark in Vancouver, then what?

[flbeachmom]

We will disembark in Vancouver but have 4 days till our flight back home. Any ideas for things to do with families (with teens and adults) as day trips or overnights. Was wondering about Victoria.

[Putterdude]

Wow, that is kind of a blank cheque (that's Canadian for check).:)

We have a local poster who I am sure will be along with a comprehensive list of her favourite things to do.

I am thinking that the rental of a car and a day trip to Whistler would be in order or perhaps a trip to Victoria.

The HOHOs are a great way to see a lot of Vancouver itself, however in no particular order things that you may care to take in would include:

Stanley Park

Granville Island

Grouse Mountain

Capilano Suspension Bridge

Grouse Mountain

Robson Street

Gastown

 

In Victoria:

Butchart Gardens (of course)

Royal British Columbia Museum

Legislature Buildings

Empress Hotel

Government St.

However that is only the tip of the iceberg....there will be others along with great ideas.:)

[Urban trekker]

PD - is BC Happy Girl back yet - i think she stated she would be gone for some time - might have to find some of her posts and cut and paste her list.

 

To the OP - what age are the Teens - they would probably enjoy Whistler more than Victoria.

 

Cheers

 

Dennis

[Putterdude]

I hadn't realized that she was away, perhaps a cut & paste would be in order.

[Urban trekker]

"Just to let you know that I am off next week to enjoy my TA crusie aboard the Eclipse and will only return in June as we will remain in Europe for 3 weeks after the cruise."

 

So she should be back soon - will search for a post with the tourist info.

 

Cheers

 

Dennis

[Urban trekker]

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/plannin...alks/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

 

 

BCHappyGal

 

Cheers

 

Dennis

[flbeachmom]

Thank you, thank you, thank you! This is great information. I was kinda burned out planning the week before cruise thru Alaska that I was at the point I just wanted someone to tell me what to do. I will sit the kids 12-18 (girls) down with this list and tour book and see what they choose. Of course they never agree on anything so I will have to be the final vote.

[flbeachmom]

Also, If we did decide to go to Victoria or Whistler what is the best method of transportation there from Vancouver. thanks again

[Putterdude]

Also, If we did decide to go to Victoria or Whistler what is the best method of transportation there from Vancouver. thanks again

 

With a day trip to Whistler I would be inclined to rent a car.

Victoria, you have have several options:

• rental car and ferry...with four of you this would likely be the best option but during the summer a reservation is recommended for the ferry.
  
• Pacific Coach Lines operates a number of scheduled trips and excursions to Victoria and return.
  
• Transit, which is the least expensive but require several transfers.
  

I will add that the Victoria excursion is a long day involving almost 4 hours of travel in either direction but the ferry trip is extremely picturesque and the good investment of a day.

http://www.bcferries.com/

 

http://www.pacificcoach.com/

[BCHappyGal]

Hi all

I just got back last Sunday...and am still suffering from jet lag and the time change. I am ready for bed by 9 pm and then up at 5am :):)

 

Thanks for posting my list ....

with two teens along I would suggest

For the days you want to use our public transit system buy an ALL DAY PASS from a ticket machine or at a local corner store ($9.50 for all day)

 

day 1 - visit Capilano Suspension Bridge & Grouse Mtn to do this 1 take the public transit system - bus from your hotel to the SeaBus Station (Water Front Station (which was originally the Canadian Pacific western terminus Railway Station)) there take the Seabus accross Vancouver Harbor you dock on the North Vancouver side at Lonsdale Quay which is a public market. Walk thru the public market to the north exit and you are at the bus loop take the Capilano Road bus and ask the driver to tell you when you are at the Capilano Suspension Bridge or watch out the left hand side of the bus for the signs. Enjoy the Capilano Suspension Bridge (about1.5 hours) When finished exit the Suspension Bridge and reboard the public bus still going uphill and ride the bus to the end of the route and you are at Grouse Mtn lower air tram station. Grouse Mtn will take several hours but has restaurants & cafeterias for your lunch and even dinner if you wish. When finished just reboard a bus and ride it in reverse to get back to your hotel.

 

In the evening if you are not too tired visit Gas Town where you can see the sites shop for souvenirs and have dinner.

 

Day 2 - I would go to Steveston in Richmond to visit the Maritime museum and go whale watching if you have not already done this in Alaska.. Visit Stanley Park and Granville Island.

 

Day 3 - rent a car and drive out to the Fraser Valley (suburbs) and visit Fort Langley the original capital to British Columbia and a Hudson Bay Fort. Maybe stop at a couple of wineries (Mom & Dad fun) and take in the Mountainview Conservation Animal REserve (you have to prebook your tour here and it will be either a morning or afternoon time)

 

DAy 4 - Drive to Whistler with the car.

[Urban trekker]

Welcome back BC Happy Gal

 

Cheers

 

Dennis!