After Cruise Sea to Sky

[Salasrocks]

Hello, all.

 

At the conclusion of our cruise, we will be renting a car for the day and driving the sea to sky highway. We will pick up the car around 9am near Canada Place and then we must be at the YVR airport by 6pm on the same day. We will have already done Vancouver-proper at the start of the trip.

 

SO...based on those time constraints, what are your best recommendations for things to do/stop on the drive? Short hikes are great, scenic stops, etc.

 

Does anyone recommend going out of the way to do the Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge?

 

Also, we will be wanting a "real" lunch a few hours into the journey.

 

(I know that many people recommend Trolls Fish and Chips. As we are leaving Vancouver, it will be too early for that stop. We might have to stop on the way back as a snack)

 

Thanks for any suggestions that the Cruise Critic Family has!!!!!

[aohkay]

Shannon Falls is a beautiful area and has some nice, easy hiking trails.

 

http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/shannon/

 

Can also stop at the lookout spots along the highway - gorgeous views of the water.

 

From looking at the website, the park now has a concession stand; no idea what they offer. Other than that, there's no where to eat a meal except Horseshoe Bay or Squamish.

[Putterdude]

Trolls is rather an iconic place for fish and chips in Horseshoe Bay but obviously it is not an option in this case. You will find lots of vistas along the Sea to Sky to pull off the road....most are safer on the return trip. You would need to double pack on Marine Drive from Horseshoe Bay but Light House park is a nice little walk. There is the mining museum at Britannia, Murrin Lake, Shannon falls and a good look at the Big Chief or Stawamus is must do. A lunch idea would be the Howe Sound Brewing company in Squamish or the Whistler Brewhouse in Whistler. Yes, Lynn Canyon is a good visit but watch your time, you are going to need a full hour to even see some of it.

[Earl Rosebery]

Hello, all.

 

At the conclusion of our cruise, we will be renting a car for the day and driving the sea to sky highway. We will pick up the car around 9am near Canada Place and then we must be at the YVR airport by 6pm on the same day. We will have already done Vancouver-proper at the start of the trip.

 

SO...based on those time constraints, what are your best recommendations for things to do/stop on the drive? Short hikes are great, scenic stops, etc.

 

Does anyone recommend going out of the way to do the Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge?

 

Also, we will be wanting a "real" lunch a few hours into the journey.

 

(I know that many people recommend Trolls Fish and Chips. As we are leaving Vancouver, it will be too early for that stop. We might have to stop on the way back as a snack)

 

Thanks for any suggestions that the Cruise Critic Family has!!!!!

Picking up your car at 9 , you can easily be in Whistler by 11. Lots of places for lunch. From $$$$ at the Chateau to $$ at the Brewpub to $ sandwiches.The peak to peak aerial tram is spectacular if the weather cooperates and you can eat up top. Not sure of the cost.

 

You could then meander back with a stop at Shannon falls and (perhaps) the mining museum. Horseshoe bay is quaint enough if you like ferries but Trolls is nothing special.

 

Be aware. M-F Capilano bridge traffic is 1 lane south from 3:30 until 6:30 so back ups are common.

[The BarCarres]

Picking up your car at 9 , you can easily be in Whistler by 11. Lots of places for lunch. From $$$$ at the Chateau to $$ at the Brewpub to $ sandwiches.The peak to peak aerial tram is spectacular if the weather cooperates and you can eat up top. Not sure of the cost.

 

You could then meander back with a stop at Shannon falls and (perhaps) the mining museum. Horseshoe bay is quaint enough if you like ferries but Trolls is nothing special.

 

Be aware. M-F Capilano bridge traffic is 1 lane south from 3:30 until 6:30 so back ups are common.

 

I second the Trolls opinion -- if you want to eat in Horseshoe Bay the Boathouse is also nice with a great view of the Bay.

 

You are packing in a lot in a short amount of time. I can't remember what day you said you were doing this, but as noted the Bridge can be a real delay and then going through Vancouver to the Airport can be real stop and go during rush hour. To be safe allow at least 90 minutes from Horseshoe Bay to the Airport.

 

Is seeing Whistler really high on your list?? If it is GREAT - if it isn't then the drive to Squamish if the day is nice is really nice - great views on the way back. This would give you time to side trip to Lynn Canyon, and then take your time heading back to the airport.

[Salasrocks]

Thank you so much for the information thus far!

 

Shannon Falls certainly looks great. I have also heard a lot of great things about Squamish on the inter-webs, too :)

 

Its funny - this extension of our trip actually started out as a plan to take the free trolley to the Capilano and spend the day there. BUT, after reading how touristey it is - and that it could be only 90 minute adventure - we found the Lynn Canyon on tripadvisor's list of things to do...and that turned into renting a car and driving the Sea-Sky-Way. SO, Whistler is not necessarily a must do...heck, any part of it is just an adventure to see more, do a little more, and spend some nice time in a city before hitting the airport.

 

I do appreciate all of the comments! It is great to read the feedback from others that have actually done things in these places. I trust the words that someone (like you all) take the time to write here and now...over some blog post from 2002, you know :) !?!?!

 

Thank you! ...and keep the comments coming (if anyone new is reading this post!)

[BCHappyGal]

Be very careful of your time - if your flight is at 6pm you will need to be at the airport for an international flight at least 2 hours prior.... domestic a BIG hour as security can be really backed up.

 

I think your time frame of trying to drive to Whistler on the day you fly out at 6pm is too ambisious

 

Below are some suggestions of great things to do in and around Vancouver

 

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

 

 

Vancouver has a bunch of hop-on hop-off buses

 

http://www.vancouverpinkbustours.com/

 

http://www.vancouvertrolley.com/tours/hop-on-hop-off

 

http://bigbus.ca/home/

[Salasrocks]

Thanks so much for your feedback :) I have looked into most of those things on the list from the tourism board website. With the long list in mind, I am really trying to investigate the couple of things that we should do the most while en route on the Sea-to-Sky. Thanks for the list though!!!

 

We will be getting to the airport in the 6pm time frame. Our flight does not leave until 8:30, so there is no issue with needing to be there sooner than 6 (I would think).

[lamchops]

I'm going to be THAT guy that says"don't do it". You basically have the car for 9 hours and will be spending a minimum of 4 of it on the road. I live on in North Vancouver and I would never use the 3 lane Lions Gate Bridge without plenty of leeway for traffic issues. I've waited in line to get on the bridge up to 40 minutes depending on the time of day and possible issues. There's 4 lanes of traffic merging into 1 or 2 (usually 1 into Vancouver during the afternoon) depending on the time of day. I would think I'd like to be in the bridge que by 4:30pm so that leaves means you have to leave Whistler by 3:00. (10:30-3:000 = 4.5 hr at Whistler)

 

As you've already done Vancouver proper (Stanley Park, etc) I would suggest:

 

1) Spending the morning at Grouse Mountain and the Capilano Fish Hatchery. (hike the trail near the hatchery down to the river) Maybe even sneak Cleveland Dam in between as you're in the area. (3-4hrs)

 

1a) Spend the morning at Cypress Mountain then head to Ambleside Park for a walk along the seawall.

http://cypressmountain.com/summer-activities

http://www.grousemountain.com/

http://www.greatervancouverparks.com/ClevelandDam01.html

 

2) Have lunch/brunch at the Tomahawk Grill. It was featured on "Drive-ins, Diners, & Dives" food network show. It was also where rocker Bryan Adams worked as a teenager. (1+hr)

http://www.tomahawkrestaurant.com/

 

3) Head over to Lynn Canyon and spend the afternoon there as well as any other sites that you may want to visit on the North Shore. (2+hrs)

http://vancouversnorthshore.com/

http://www.deepcovebc.com/

 

4) leave the North Shore using the 6 lane Iron Workers Memorial Bridge by 4:45 and you should make the airport by 6pm.

 

Whistler is a nice visit but not worth racing to and from for a 4.5 hr visit. less if you stop along the way or break for lunch. save it for your next trip here.

[Langley Cruisers]

I'm going to be THAT guy that says"don't do it". You basically have the car for 9 hours and will be spending a minimum of 4 of it on the road.

 

I'll be "THAT girl" and agree with you. :) I would never drive to Whistler in such a limited time. There is absolutely enough to fill your short day without driving the Sea to Sky Highway. Obviously, "just my humble opinion". ;)

 

But sorry lamchops, I would disagree with you about the Tomahawk. :( We were just there today and it was awful! Wow. The wait for our food was extraordinarily long, and the food was mediocre at best. Oh well. :p

[Salasrocks]

Thanks Karen and lamchops! I appreciate the honest feedback. This is the sort of reason that I posted this inquiry...looking at things on paper, you think you can do so much - but hearing it from some one who has been there/done that can really be enlightening.

 

I appreciate the feedback!!!!

[BCHappyGal]

That is why I posted my list of things to do - I think you are trying for too much in too short a time frame to do Whistler. If you want more mountain than go up Grouse Mountain.. when I do Grouse Mountain I plan to spend a minimum of 5 hours on top of the mountain ...

 

However as you are flying out and will have a car (and will have seen lots of mountian scenery in Alaska) I would suggest you head to Richmond where the airport is. On the way (use Cambie Street) stop at the Queen Elizabeth Park/Gardens. then carry on to The 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.

This way you will have time to enjoy a lovely lunch overlooking the fishing fleet - great fresh fish choices - right on the docks in Steveston and beside the Cannery Museum....

 

If you have any time left over you could pop over to one of the wineries in Richmond for some free tastes.... tour.http://www.luluislandwinery.com located at 16880 Westminster Highway Richmond.

 

Enjoy your day.