Vancouver Side Trip to Point Roberts, Washington?

[Horatio Snowblower]

We have three days booked in Vancouver before sailing for Alaska this summer. For one of those three days we will have a rental car, and we are thinking about how to make the best use of it.

 

As I'm a bit of a geography/cartography buff, I'm intrigued by Point Roberts, Washington, the peninsula that juts south of Vancouver that is actually part of the United States. We're wondering if the area is a good side trip given this is our first visit to Vancouver and we'll only have use of a car for a day? Or would we be better off just spending the day in North Vancouver, or even some other area?

 

FWIMBW, we are both US citizens, so if we did go I would hope we wouldn't have to spend a lot of time on formalities crossing the border in either direction. TIA for any information or suggestions you may offer.

[Tweedy]

Hi there;

 

You would definitely be better spending your time elsewhere. I spent my summers growing up in Point Roberts at our family's cabin. There really isn't much there to see. There is a small contingent of locals but on weekends, it is invaded by all the cabin owners who get away from the city. It is a small border crossing and you can be lined up for awhile depending on the time of day you go.

 

If you are already in North Vancouver, why not head up to Whistler for the day. It is a beautiful drive. There are some great restaurants and you could ride the Peak to Peak gondola ride. The ride takes you between Whistler Mountain and Blackcomb Mountain.

[BCHappyGal]

I agree with Tweedy

 

Point Roberts is a very small area with not much of anything...even the school children are bused out for their education..... and you will waste a lot of time crossing the border in each direction....

 

There is a lot of much better things to see and do in Vancouver...

If you just want an overview of Point Roberts drive to White Rock have a lovely lunch on the beach and look accross the bay at Point Roberts in profile...

 

However I would suggest you spent your short time with a trip to Whistler or any of the following ideas

 

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

[Putterdude]

Ut and his family owned a cottage there for years so I am sure he will be along with some sage advice. All I can remember of Pt. Roberts was years ago when the bars were closed on Sundays in BC we used to go down to the Breakers for Sunday Services.:D

[Horatio Snowblower]

Thanks everyone for your replies, and especially to BCHappyGal for her comprehensive list. I guess we'll save Point Roberts for a future trip, should we be so fortunate as to have one.

[LeftcoastBC]

Well if I was a Geography buff I would go.:) It is a neat kinda place with lots of Older growth trees with beaches, eagles and whales to go with a side trip.

A bunch of To-Go chicken from the Imperial Market Place and side dishes for a picnic lunch at Light House Park is worth the drive. There really is a chance of seeing whales also. 3 pods do the area. But of course you have to be lucky and it would be a bonus.

 

Recently they opened a very scenic area up as a park and a short walk will take you to the Bluffs looking back over at the Peace arch Border crossing on the SE point. There with some searching you will find one of the US Geographical markers...it's getting very close to the edge of the cliff and will be gone in in few short yrs I would think.

 

Oh and if it's a warm sunny day there still is no better place for a cold beverage that the outdoor Ocean side patio at Kiniski's Reef Bar.

 

A dinner with that Master, ageless MAX at the South Beach restaurant is also recommended. Outside if its' warm enough in the garden oceanside.

 

There is a little arts complex that is easy to find and bikes for rent in the same area.

 

Roughly 5 square miles of the USA surrounded by water on three sides and Canada on the North. Unique.

 

The crossing can be backed up at times when all the Canadians are enroute to pick up their parcels or getting cheap gas but there are two General entry positions and a nexus that move you along pretty well at most times.

South bound is slower generally than north bound for some reason. Fridays and Mondays of a long weekend I would also recommend Whistler ;) But that's pretty well the same at all border crossings.

 

Anything more specific ask away. We frequent the Point.

 

Getting to & from the Point you would/could see Ladner and purhaps visit the Steveston Area in Richmond as well as Richmond itself. Driving along the Fraser river in both area's.

 

It's way different than Vancouver and what most people see when in for a cruise.

[Urban trekker]

PD - thanks for the plug - we owned property - actually the family sub divided a 10 acre plat but internal bickering lead to the dissolution of the partnership with each partner getting a certain number of lots for there own use - unfortunately the early sudden death of my father halted any plans to put a cottage on the lots - Mom sold some of ours and the others were given to me and my brother but neither of us were interested in developing or had the financial resources to build on them so sold them off - it was also a hassle having to pay taxes and levies on this and that without any voting rights and the border crossing was becoming more and more of a hassle and that was before 9/11.

 

Left coast makes a good case of why you should visit the area - I remember that newer park area had just been made public property the last time I was down there and it does provide some good views.

 

If the person has spare time it might be worth a visit but if they are short of time I would give it a pass.

 

Cheers

 

Dennis

[Horatio Snowblower]

Well if I was a Geography buff I would go.:) ...

 

It's way different than Vancouver and what most people see when in for a cruise.

 

Oh, sure, you (and UT) had to go make it difficult again! ;)

 

Thanks for another point of view. I think we probably will pass on it this time and hope we get to visit Vancouver again. If that happens, we will be there

for certain.

 

I appreciate your taking the time to present the "why one should visit". And thanks also to whoever didn't move this thread out of the Canada forum! :D

[LeftcoastBC]

completely understand about the "Time" thing.. enjoy Vancouver.