Vancouver day trip ideas before red eye?

[rachelfran]

We arrive off our cruise on aug 5th and fly out on the 8th .. Our flight is after 10pm so we would have to be out that day of whatever accommodation we plan and store our luggage until we leave for the airport.

 

I was wondering if it made sense to rent a car in downtown vancouver and do a day trip - we could bring our luggage with us and then drive ourselves to the airport to drop the car.

 

I've never been to this part of the world and thought Whistler seems like a nice place to go ... Thoughts on that? Will we be able to park? Enough to do enroute and in town?

 

Any other ideas for a day trip out of vancouver?

 

Thanks!

[cruising cockroach]

Whistler is a possibility (parking is available at a large central lot). However, I'd stop at Squamish. There's quite a few sights along the way that can take as much or as little time depending on your level of physical fitness and agility. Depending on day of week, just check for road works and allow yourself plenty of time to get to the airport just in case of traffic accidents (these tend to back up everything and there's no detour (or there is but it is several hundred kilometres).

[aohkay]

If you really want to see Whistler, I suggest you use one of your full days for this. This will give you plenty of time to take in the breathtaking views on the way up (stop at Shannon Falls), explore Whistler Village and then drive back. (I would leave Whistler later in the afternoon to avoid rush hour traffic.)

 

On the 8th, check out of the hotel, ask them to store your luggage and enjoy Stanley Park, the sea wall, Granville Island, have a nice dinner and then head to the ariport.

 

Actually, for an airport, Vancouver is one of the nicest ones you'll find. Lot's of Native artwork etc. to look at. Not a bad airport to kill a couple of hours.

 

Have you made hotel reservations yet?

[rachelfran]

If you really want to see Whistler, I suggest you use one of your full days for this. This will give you plenty of time to take in the breathtaking views on the way up (stop at Shannon Falls), explore Whistler Village and then drive back. (I would leave Whistler later in the afternoon to avoid rush hour traffic.)

 

On the 8th, check out of the hotel, ask them to store your luggage and enjoy Stanley Park, the sea wall, Granville Island, have a nice dinner and then head to the ariport.

 

Actually, for an airport, Vancouver is one of the nicest ones you'll find. Lot's of Native artwork etc. to look at. Not a bad airport to kill a couple of hours.

 

Have you made hotel reservations yet?

 

Nope

We will have a car the whole time so was hoping to get something off of airbnb with parking but not getting too many replies yet.

 

Originally I thought we would have the car for one day but my husband is a serious bird watcher and wants to be able to get up at the crack of dawn and drive somewhere before I'm up in the morning.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[aohkay]

Nope

We will have a car the whole time so was hoping to get something off of airbnb with parking but not getting too many replies yet.

 

Originally I thought we would have the car for one day but my husband is a serious bird watcher and wants to be able to get up at the crack of dawn and drive somewhere before I'm up in the morning.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

Yes, I just saw your other post regarding the Sunset Hotel. That might seem like a good option for you; especially with the free parking.

 

If you do decide to drive to Whistler, I suggest you stop at Brackedale for Eagle watching. http://www.brackendaleeagles.com/

[BCHappyGal]

If your husband is a serious birder make sure you visit our bird sanctuary on WEstham Island in Ladner (Delta) just south of Richmond plus along the Fraser River you will see lots of Eagles

Also if you drive to Whistler there are always lots of eagles just north of Squamish at Brackendale - they actually do an eagle count there every year.

 

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, traverse a Cliff Top walk, 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.

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.

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) 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

11) 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

12) 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.

13) 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

14) 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.

15) 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

16) 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

17) 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

18) 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.

19) 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

20) 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

21) Enjoy a FREE walking tour of Vancouver. The Gastown tour starts in front of the Vancouver Art Gallery and ends at the Steam Clock in Gastown. The Downtown tour starts at the Vancouver Art Gallery and ends at the Olympic Cauldron. There is also a China Town tour and a Granville Island Tour. Check these tours out at http://www.tourguys.ca

[tech40]

Thanks for such an informative post. I'm planning a 7 day trip from Ottawa in August so I'm excited to see all these ideas.

[KCalla]

Thanks so much for the great ideas!

[E2ME2]

If your husband is a serious birder make sure you visit our bird sanctuary on WEstham Island in Ladner (Delta) just south of Richmond plus along the Fraser River you will see lots of Eagles

Also if you drive to Whistler there are always lots of eagles just north of Squamish at Brackendale - they actually do an eagle count there every year.

 

Info on Vancouver from a local!

 

My favorite must do attractions are

 

0) Grouse Mountain –

1) Grizzly Bears

2) Capilano Suspension Bridge

3) Capilano Fish Hatchery i

4) Lynn Valley Suspension Bridge

5) Stanley Park

6) Vancouver Aquarium

7) Gas Town

8) Harbor Centre Tower revolving restaurant.

9) China Town

10) Granville Island

11) Burnaby Village Museum

12) Gulf of Georgia Cannery

13) The Vancouver Maritime Museum

14) Queen Elizabeth Park

15) Fort Langley

16) If you are a wine lover - Fraser Valley

17) If you are a real animal lover than don’t miss “Mountain View Conservation & Breeding Centre”

18) VanDusen Botanical Garden

19) UBC Botanical Garden

20) Minter Gardens

21) Enjoy a FREE walking tour of Vancouver

 

 

WOW -

We cruised out of there twice.

Once to Alaska, & then to Hawaii.

Last cruise from there, we stayed at the Pan Pacific, adjacent to the Pier, and loved it!:D

We did #'s 0,2,5,7,8,9 from above.

Loved the suspension bridges, the totem poles, the clock in GasTown, and the revolving restaurant. & from our room at the Pan, we could see the SeaPlanes arriving & departing, as well as the cruise ships.

Vancouver is a BEAUTIFUL city.

Thought about going to UBC, to check out the "natural" beach, but it was a little chilly the couple days we were there.

 

We also took the Ferry between Victoria & Vancouver-

Victoria is just as Beautiful.:)

 

We look forward to visiting again:cool: