A day in Vancouver

[QuiGonJohn]

We will not be flying out of Vancouver until Tuesday morning. So once we get off the ship Monday morning, we have the rest of Monday and Monday evening to do a little sightseeing in Vancouver.

 

I am looking for must-see's/must-do's for Vancouver, that will work within that time-frame. Prefer attractions in Vancouver itself.

 

Any recommendations will be appreciated.

[Cruise_More_Often]

On our first visit to Vancouver, we did the Vancouver Trolley Company tour, and it turned out to be the best thing for us. We have been back to Vancouver many times since then, and we feel we learned so much about the city that first trip that we almost feel like natives. :D

 

In addition to the Trolley, we love walking along the northern Sea Wall from Canada Place to Stanley Park. It's so modern and so clean, and there are fabulous views across the water to the mountains. You can stop and watch the seaplanes take off and land.

 

Another favorite is to take one of the mini-ferries across False Creek to Granville Island. We love the Public Market there. We have a nice farmer's market in San Francisco, but it doesn't compare with Vancouver's Public Market.

 

Another thing we usually do is to take the SeaBus over to North Vancouver, just for the ride.

 

A trip to Grouse Mountain is also a great way to spend a day if it's clear. There are free buses!

 

Have fun in my favorite city!

[Putterdude]

The "must sees" in Vancouver are:

Stanley Park-at 1000 acres that could take a full day

Granville Island- a festival market

Gastown- the historical district of Vancouver

Vancouver Lookout-at the entrance to Gastown

Thirty minutes from downtown Vancouver:

Capilano Suspension Bridge

Grouse Mountain

both of these attractions offer a free shuttle from Canada Place and several other locations within the downtown core.

[4cats,1dog]

The "must sees" in Vancouver are:

Stanley Park-at 1000 acres that could take a full day

Granville Island- a festival market

Gastown- the historical district of Vancouver

Vancouver Lookout-at the entrance to Gastown

Thirty minutes from downtown Vancouver:

Capilano Suspension Bridge

Grouse Mountain

both of these attractions offer a free shuttle from Canada Place and several other locations within the downtown core.

 

Can all the above be done in say a day ?

We are landing before noon, staying at Pan Pacific. Check in

Walk Seawall to Stanley Park. Jump on Hoho Trolley.

Switch trolleys to city trolley, see Grandville Market, Gastown Clock and

Chinese Gardens. Maybe add Look out. Nice dinner.

Next morning go to Cap Sus. bridge and Grouse Mt then drop off at Cruise Ship.

Do-able?

 

Also, where can we pick up a case of water for the cruise?

How far from Canada Place?

[QuiGonJohn]

In my original post, I forgot to mention we are on a southbound cruise, Whittier to Vancouver on the NCL Sun. Does the Sun usually disembark at Canada Place?

[SA71]

In my original post, I forgot to mention we are on a southbound cruise, Whittier to Vancouver on the NCL Sun. Does the Sun usually disembark at Canada Place?

 

http://www.portmetrovancouver.com/en/about/cruiseandtourism/cruiselineschedules.aspx

 

Canada place can up to two large plus one small ship docked at the same time. If a third large ship is in port on the same day then it has to dock at Ballantyne, which is NOT in downtown, rather in the industrial container port dock further into the harbour. The schedule so far does not reflect any ships arriving in Vancouver on Sept 15, but it probably is not up to date yet, as just last week I checked for my july sailing on the Celebrity Century and it was not showing, but it is now. Check back.

[QuiGonJohn]

Thanks, I did not realize it was dynamic like that. I thought it would be pretty static, certain cruise lines and/or vessels would always port at specific spots.

[Urban trekker]

As the Sun is homeporting in Vancouver for the Alaska cruise season it will berth at Canada Place - Ballantyne pier is only used on two weekends a year - one in May and one in September when a number of non-homeporting ships stop in Vancouver as they start the repo season south.

There also was some talk that Ballantyne may not be used next year as there are reconstructing one of the overpasses to access it and the other one is some distance away.

Whether this happens will have to wait until the full schedule is posted.

 

Cheers

 

Dennis

[elstyne]

You must do the grandvill island market and if you are staying down town there is a little ferry tourist tugboat the takes people across to it so you don't have to take a taxi. It is rally cute I used to live in Vancouver. Go to Gas Town. It is also downtown. But a lot of people do not know about the little tugboat ferry. It is fun and takes you across and it is cheap. I would not go to north Vancouver. Not much there. Not worth it. Aquarium is nothing like sea world.

[QuiGonJohn]

I definitely want to do the Lookout. Need to check times involved for Grouse Mt Tram and Capilano Suspension Bridge, I'd like to fit them in if I can. Other than that, if time allows during the day, I figure Gastown and maybe walk through some of Stanley Park. Not really interested in the Aquarium, did the ones in Sydney AU, San Francisco & Boston, and I do only have the one day in Vancouver.

[SA71]

http://www.portmetrovancouver.com/about/cruiseandtourism/cruiselineschedules.aspx

 

Schedule has been updated. You dock at Canada Place/downtown. If it's a rainy september day then I would not bother with Grouse Mountain as the view will be poor.

[windsor26]

I am thinking of taking one of the 90 Minutes Free walking tours with TourGuys in Vancouver Anyone know about them?

[Urban trekker]

Yvonne - good to see that you will be visiting Vancouver - I have limited knowledge of the Tour Guys other than having talked to them a couple of times in the downtown core and the fact that they have been around for a couple of years.

 

Cheers

 

Dennis

[windsor26]

Yvonne - good to see that you will be visiting Vancouver - I have limited knowledge of the Tour Guys other than having talked to them a couple of times in the downtown core and the fact that they have been around for a couple of years.

 

Cheers

 

Dennis

Thanks for the reply They do seem to get a good write up for the walking tours even if the evening horror ones are not so well thought about.

[martincath]

I've done the regular 90min downtown Tour Guys walk and also their Granville Island tour. The former was with one of the founders; the latter with another guide.

 

Even as someone living downtown for a couple of years and actively researching the city, I learned some stuff on the downtown tour - the Granville Island tour not so much though. The guide on the latter was very stiff (knowledgeable but a bit text-book - she was in her final year of a history degree at one of the local universities and was better with facts than people).

[QuiGonJohn]

Any really unique places to eat in the downtown corridor that are not too expensive?

 

I'm gonna squeeze in what sightseeing we can, but not gonna fret too much if I can't get to something. We also own an RV and one year I plan to visit the NW, including Portland and Seattle and if I want to see more in Vancouver, we could always swing by it. Maybe return through Canada and visit Calgary and Winnepeg, at least, possibly eastern cities or maybe those on a separate trip.

Edited November 13, 2013 by QuiGonJohn

[windsor26]

I've done the regular 90min downtown Tour Guys walk and also their Granville Island tour. The former was with one of the founders; the latter with another guide.

 

Even as someone living downtown for a couple of years and actively researching the city, I learned some stuff on the downtown tour - the Granville Island tour not so much though. The guide on the latter was very stiff (knowledgeable but a bit text-book - she was in her final year of a history degree at one of the local universities and was better with facts than people).

 

Thank you It was the Downtown one I was thinking of so that can be diaried in:D:D during our visit

[martincath]

Any really unique places to eat in the downtown corridor that are not too expensive?<snip>

Depends on how you personally define 'unique' and 'not too expensive' - we've got plenty of food trucks that will feed you something tasty and sometimes fairly unusual for $10 or less; a few very well-priced Asian restaurants left in the downtown Chinatown like Phnom Penh (Cambodian/Vietnamese food) and Foo's Ho Ho (old-school Cantonese) can provide a cheap-by-any-standards sit-down dinner.

 

If you like Mexican food, I always recommend people try La Taqueria who proved tacos can be high quality nosh rather than just dirt-cheap (and it's still under 10 bucks for 4 different tacos, each of which is actually two). Japadog is technically no-longer-unique-to-Vancouver since they opened a resto in New York, but is still a very unusual concept (and while a bit pricy for a hotdog compared to a generic weiner-in-a-bun, is certainly on par with any of the organic/artisanal dogs that are available all over the US & Canada these days).

 

A few competing poutine places offer many and varied toppings that could be described as at least somewhat unique - downtown start with La Belle Patate and Fritz.

 

And while Chambar probably doesn't fall into many people's definition of 'not too expensive' it's baby Medina Cafe is outstanding value for breakfast/brunch/lunch. Unfortunately both are relocating soon, with the location of the latter still to be decided - supposed to be next Spring, but as they are still searching for a new location for Medina it's unlikely-but-possible it won't be open before you arrive next September.

 

Give me a dollar price range for an X course lunch/dinner and what style of food you are looking for (or to avoid) and I'll be happy to give you more suggestions...

[QuiGonJohn]

I'll try to give you some idea.

 

On our trip to Boston last summer, we ate at McGrevy's Irish Pub, Cafe Pompeii (Italian), Cheers at Faneuil Hall and Dick's Last Resort. All were within what I considered reasonable price range and Dick's Last Resort was probably the most unique.

 

http://www.dickslastresort.com/domains/boston/

 

Back in 2011 we went to San Francisco and ate at Cheiftan Irish Pub, Irelands 32, North Beach Pizza and Tad's Steakhouse. Again, all were within what I considered reasonable price range and Tad's Steakhouse was probably the most unique.

 

http://www.tadssteaks-sf.com/

 

Basically most of the dinner entrees ought to run between $10 and $20 per person, with pasta dishes and Fish & Chips on the lower end of that and maybe steaks on the upper end. Maybe meatloaf or pork in the middle range. Things like Steak & Lobster could go higher, but shouldn't go higher by a lot.

 

Sandwiches platters ought to be under $10, $6.95 to $8.95 depending on the sandwich/burger.

[windsor26]

I was also interested in food at reasonable prices and tried the link for Tads but it is San Francisco and google gives you new York is there an address for the Vancouver outlet please

[QuiGonJohn]

I was also interested in food at reasonable prices and tried the link for Tads but it is San Francisco and google gives you new York is there an address for the Vancouver outlet please

Could be a misunderstanding. I was giving martincath examples of places I like, so they could suggest Vancouver places I might like. As far as I know, there is not a Tad's in Vancouver, unless I missed something.

Edited November 15, 2013 by QuiGonJohn

[windsor26]

Could be a misunderstanding. I was giving martincath examples of places I like, so they could suggest Vancouver places I might like. As far as I know, there is not a Tad's in Vancouver, unless I missed something.

 

 

Sorry I misunderstood and what a shame there is not as the prices etc looked excellent

[BCHappyGal]

I am thinking of taking one of the 90 Minutes Free walking tours with TourGuys in Vancouver Anyone know about them?

 

Yes they are excellent - they offer 3 different tours that rotate throughout the week all starting at 11am at the fountain in front of the Art Gallery (Georgia & Hornby) these tours are Gas Town, Downtown and China Town they all last approximately 2 hours

I would suggest that if you do this free walking tour add on the RailTown culinary tasting tour by http://www.offtheeatentracks.com as your lunch ....

 

The Tour Guys also do a Granville Island Tour at 3pm

 

Hope this helps

Edited November 16, 2013 by BCHappyGal

[BCHappyGal]

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) Enjoy a FREE walking tour of Vancouver. The Gastown tour starts in front of the Vancouver Art Gallery and ends at the statue of Gassy Jack in Gastown. The Downtown tour starts at the Vancouver Art Gallery and ends at the Olympic Cauldron. The China Town tour starts at the Vancouver Art Gallery and ends at the Chinese memorial statue. All of these tours start at 11am. The Granville Island Tour starts at 3pm at the bus stop just at the entrance to Granville Island. Check these tours out at http://www.tourguys.ca The Tour Guys have added an afternoon walking tour of Granville Island and 2 evening tours….

21) A new addition I have just found for the FOODIES in the gang! Check out http://www.offtheeatentrack.com this company offers culinary tasting tours of various areas of Vancouver. I did the Railtown Urban Eats tour and it was Fabulous! This tour would blend well with the free walking tour offered by http://www.tourguys.ca … you could easily do the free walking tour and then meet up with this tour company for this tour for your lunch - the food is plentiful & wonderful you will not leave this tour hungry!

 

 

 

 

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/

[windsor26]

Yes they are excellent - they offer 3 different tours that rotate throughout the week all starting at 11am at the fountain in front of the Art Gallery (Georgia & Hornby) these tours are Gas Town, Downtown and China Town they all last approximately 2 hours

I would suggest that if you do this free walking tour add on the RailTown culinary tasting tour by http://www.offthebeateneats.com as your lunch ....

 

The Tour Guys also do a Granville Island Tour at 3pm

 

Hope this helps

 

Thank you it does. Recommendations are the icing on the cake.;);) Do you have another link for this site as it is closed at present 'changing names or something it said'

Edited November 16, 2013 by windsor26