Suspension Bridge

[Ajkcruiser]

Some additional thoughts....

• they say 1 in 20 is unable to cross the bridge. Don't be discouraged. However, you might think it's poor value to go there and find the bridge is too intimidating to cross.
  
• In China, some way walking the Great Wall is a must. I believe crossing the Capilano Bridge is a must in Vancouver. Advertised as the eighth wonder of the world in 1921.
  
• If walking is a challenge/concern.... the nearby Grouse Mountain may be a better choice to spend the time. The Gondola will take you up the mountain with your stroller. Your child may enjoy the Bear breakfast if they are an early riser....
  https://www.grousemountain.com/products/breakfast-with-the-bears
  

 

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Thanks for the tips...... God first .... I am.planning to stay in Vancouver for couple of days .... And just added grouse to our list :)

 

I have full determination that we will make it.... She wasn't walking all that good back in 2012 and we climbed together all the steps (over 200) for a chapel in the Azores and although tandem .... She did a zip line circuit last year.... This is another item we will kick off the bucket list..

 

I need to be thankful .... Wouldn't be able to pull all our adventures without you.... All the cruise critic members that give me tips and suggestions for our journeys"

 

Thank you

 

 

Aj and Karicia-Mia

[xlxo]

Thanks for the tips...... God first .... I am.planning to stay in Vancouver for couple of days .... And just added grouse to our list :)

it's are pleasure to assist and make your vacation as memorable as possible.

 

fyi.... Grouse is just 5 minutes North on the same road to the Cap bridge. Many choose to do both on the same day. Catch the free Grouse shuttle to the gondola and then request a stop at Capilano on the return. Then return downtown on the free Capilano shuttle.

 

If you get a chance.... come by the Capilano bridge in December. Crossing the bridge in the dark means the bridge is bottomless.

 

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Your little one may also enjoy the Aquarium. Lots to do if you want Vancouver to be a multi-day stay.

 

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[gottagoacruzn]

Hi guys, was up in Alaska last Sept, the tour guide when we stopped at the Yukon suspension bridge it costs, no one was crossin at the time we were there.

[cc cruiser]

Skip the Yukon bridge very short and does not even compare to Capilano in my books

When we were there yes there was a charge for the Yukon bridge but that was a few years ago..

 

Definitely do Capilano Suspension Bridge - well worth the money - as a local I pay and go often... plus getting there is easy as they run a free shuttle bus right from the cruise ship terminal to the bridge daily starting at 9am

 

Other things that might interest you

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 originally erected in 1889 over the Capilano Gorge. This bridge stretches 450’ end to end and hovers 230’ above Capilano River. 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, 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) Fly Over Canada incorporates state of the art technology in an Imax theatre to show you supernatural Canada, Fly from coast to coast taking in breath stealing views of Niagara Falls, Lake Louise, The Rockies & more. Spectacular! http://www.flyovercanada.com

8) 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.

9) 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.

10) 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!

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 (23 Licensed) 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. http://www.bcwine.com (click on the Fraser Valley button)

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 There is also a treetop walk which is great for “fit” explorers who are not afraid of heights – however I would not recommend it for anyone who has any mobility issues. Also these gardens are not as well maintained as I would expect a botanical garden to be!

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) For the FOODIES in the gang! Check out 2 companies that offer food tasting tours http://www.foodietours.ca and http://www.offtheeatentrack.ca – both offer an excellent tour!

http://www.foodietours.ca visit much more high end restaurants in the heart of the west end of Vancouver (tourist/hotel district)

while http://www.offtheeatentrack.ca concentrates on more casual independently owned eateries in various areas of Vancouver! (Gastown, Main Street Area, Vancouver East)

I just enjoyed Foodietours “Guilty Pleasures Gourmet Tour” and was very impressed with the organization, quality of restaurants & refreshments, guides knowledge of foods and the eateries we were visiting as well as the area we were walking in. Felt it was excellent value for the money provided you did not spend the extra $20. For the alcohol! This company also offers a tasting tour on Granville Island Public Market and of the Vancouver Street Food Carts.

As for Off the Eaten Track - this company offers culinary tasting tours of various areas of Vancouver. The brunch tour visits local establishments in East Vancouver while the dinner tour concentrates on the Main Street area and the Railtown Urban Eats tour is an area adjacent to GasTown. All are Fabulous! The Railtown Urban Eats tour would blend well with the free walking tour offered by http://www.tourguys.ca … you could easily do the free walking tour of GasTown and then meet up with this tour company for your lunch - the food is plentiful & wonderful you will not leave any of the tours hungry!

For the tourist in town you actually meet at Waterfront Station and the company drives you to the tour location and then of course back at the end. Just to give you a hint of what to expect - the Gems of Main Street tour started in a Chocolate Shoppe – how can it be anything but wonderful when one starts out with chocolate…. And of course we must mention the rum cocktail concoction at the Tiki Lounge paired with a pork slider & the Pizza Joint owned and run by a chef who actually worked at the Vatican making pizza for the Pope – now if it is good enough for the Pope it has to be good enough for us! After 5 great stops with the history of the area being shared by our guide Bonnie we were all absolutely stuffed! Great job Bonnie!

22) A new addition to the Vancouver scene. The Richmond Olympic Experience located at the Richmond Olympic Oval. Visitors are welcomed by a sculpture paying tribute to the volunteers who made the 2010 Vancouver Games possible. You will then be whisked away on an interactive journey that celebrates the Olympic spirit. A multimedia theatre takes you to the heart of the Olympic dream through a series of multimedia galleries evoking the triumphs, tragedies, controversies and celebrations of Olympic history. Thrilling interactive sport simulations including a virtual ski jump will get your heart racing. Outside the Oval, you can follow the incredible journey of the Olympic torch across Canada via a commemorative torch relay trail through the outdoor plazas.

23) Rogers Arena Get a behind-the-scenes look at one of the premier sports and entertainment facilities in North America with a Rogers Arena tour. See where, for over 15 years, we’ve thrilled and entertained fans from all over the world, staged the best of the best in entertainment and sports, and welcomed over 25 million fans through our doors. Experience first-hand the “cathedral of hockey” that brings in millions of fans coming to see the Vancouver Canucks live (Hockey), and where history was made when the Canadian women's and men's hockey teams marked their moments in history during the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games. Stadium behind the scenes tours are Wed – Sat at 10;30am, 12 (noon) and 1:30pm!

24) BC Place is BC’s Premier multipurpose stadium, hosting sport, exhibitions and live entertainment, right in the heart of Downtown Vancouver. Home of the BC Lions Football Club, Vancouver Whitecaps FC (Soccer) and the BC Sports Hall of Fame. This state of the art facility intrigues with its retractable roof, 800 WIFI ports and 1,100 digital screens. The 36’ façade is lit up by thousands of individually- addressable LED lights that create colour animations bringing life to the Vancouver skyline.

 

 

 

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/

 

Happy Gal, I have "cut and pasted" some of your words of wisdom! Thank you so much!

We will be spending a day post cruise, and have most of the next morning. Do you suggest we stay downtown? We definitely want to take a walking tour and go to Capilano Suspension Bridge. Would we have time to go to Grouse Mountain also?

 

Also, what do you think is the best way to get to the airport from downtown. Our flight leaves at 1:00. How much time should we allow for travel to the airport?

 

We appreciate you sharing so may tips!

[martincath]

Happy Gal, I have "cut and pasted" some of your words of wisdom! Thank you so much!

We will be spending a day post cruise, and have most of the next morning. Do you suggest we stay downtown? We definitely want to take a walking tour and go to Capilano Suspension Bridge. Would we have time to go to Grouse Mountain also?

 

Also, what do you think is the best way to get to the airport from downtown. Our flight leaves at 1:00. How much time should we allow for travel to the airport?

 

We appreciate you sharing so may tips!

I believe Anne just left on a cruise to Hawaii today, so hopefully I can answer your Qs rather than waiting 15 days for her to get back!

 

Yes, always stay downtown if your budget allows - airport hotels save a few bucks, but not enough to pay for cab fare downtown and back so unless you are happy to take transit every time you'll end up wasting time AND still spending the same as a downtown hotel...

 

On your full day, you can definitely take in Cap and Grouse. They're close to each other, with city buses running between, so it's very efficient to combine them rather than going over and back twice on the different shuttles. Your walking tour can be fitted in either before or after you go to the North Shore - don't know who you intend to walk with, so can't help with specific timing suggestions.

 

Airport is a half-hour from downtown, whether you go by cab or transit. Which is faster depends on hotel - if it's within a couple of blocks of Skytrain, you'll be quicker taking that (and always cheaper than a cab - $4pp weekdays, $2.75pp weekends). For international or US-bound flights, official guideline is to arrive 3 hours prior (personally I find 2 hours is more than enough, but if you're a nervous traveler stick to 3) so you want to leave your hotel somewhere between 9:30 and 10:30am.

[cc cruiser]

I believe Anne just left on a cruise to Hawaii today, so hopefully I can answer your Qs rather than waiting 15 days for her to get back!

 

Yes, always stay downtown if your budget allows - airport hotels save a few bucks, but not enough to pay for cab fare downtown and back so unless you are happy to take transit every time you'll end up wasting time AND still spending the same as a downtown hotel...

 

On your full day, you can definitely take in Cap and Grouse. They're close to each other, with city buses running between, so it's very efficient to combine them rather than going over and back twice on the different shuttles. Your walking tour can be fitted in either before or after you go to the North Shore - don't know who you intend to walk with, so can't help with specific timing suggestions.

 

Airport is a half-hour from downtown, whether you go by cab or transit. Which is faster depends on hotel - if it's within a couple of blocks of Skytrain, you'll be quicker taking that (and always cheaper than a cab - $4pp weekdays, $2.75pp weekends). For international or US-bound flights, official guideline is to arrive 3 hours prior (personally I find 2 hours is more than enough, but if you're a nervous traveler stick to 3) so you want to leave your hotel somewhere between 9:30 and 10:30am.

 

Thank you so much, Matincath! Now you are in my "Cut & Paste" book! I will definitely look for a downtown hotel near the Skytrain and plan on one day of touring beautiful Vancouver !

[xlxo]

Also, what do you think is the best way to get to the airport from downtown. Our flight leaves at 1:00. How much time should we allow for travel to the airport?

With luggage.... I like the taxi for door to door service.

 

Is that a 1am flight? definitely do the cab.... the train frequency really drops in the evening.

[Putterdude]

I am pretty sure that CC Cruiser's flight is in the afternoon.

 

However, twice recently I have read posts that the recommended time to arrive YVR before a flight to the US is 3 hours before flight time. I have always believed it to be 2 hours and have this morning looked at various websites and the only thing I can find is reference to 2 hours. Now with the passport scanners I have found the time required is very much less than 2 hours but 2 hours is a very safe margin even with full service check in.

[martincath]

I am pretty sure that CC Cruiser's flight is in the afternoon.

 

However, twice recently I have read posts that the recommended time to arrive YVR before a flight to the US is 3 hours before flight time. I have always believed it to be 2 hours and have this morning looked at various websites and the only thing I can find is reference to 2 hours. Now with the passport scanners I have found the time required is very much less than 2 hours but 2 hours is a very safe margin even with full service check in.

Three hours before for US/International flights has been YVRs official line for at least the five years since I moved here PD; the new website redesign has bumped it from readily visible to buried among advice for travellers in various sections, e.g. here specifically aimed at cruise pax.

 

I agree though that 3 is always way over the top, except on those start of the season 3 ship days when a bunch of new seasonal employees make life difficult for all at the pier and airport.

[Putterdude]

Three hours before for US/International flights has been YVRs official line for at least the five years since I moved here PD; the new website redesign has bumped it from readily visible to buried among advice for travellers in various sections, e.g. here specifically aimed at cruise pax.

 

I agree though that 3 is always way over the top, except on those start of the season 3 ship days when a bunch of new seasonal employees make life difficult for all at the pier and airport.

 

Well I would disagree about the 3 hrs for the past 5 years to the US, I know that it has in the past been recommended that there be a 3 hr buffer for international flights but only 2 for US flights and with the new passport scanners that seems a bit over the top. Even the 3 hrs for international flights seems excessive as most airlines won't accept luggage or counter check in until 3 hrs before and international flight.

 

I missed the YVR-Cruise Page link but looked everywhere else on the YVR site and not finding anything I went to airline sites and Flyertalk and not one suggests anything more than 2 hours for a US bound flight. Me thinks YVR is trying sell more hot dogs and cokes so as to increase rents. A person arriving 3 hrs before a flight will spend between 2 and 2.5 hrs twiddling there thumbs in a departure lounge .... which maybe changed 1.5 hrs before departure.

[cc cruiser]

I am pretty sure that CC Cruiser's flight is in the afternoon.

 

Yes, our flight is 1pm. So I guess we'll only have Sunday to play. Monday we will have breakfast and head to the airport to sit & wait. But Sunday will be jammed packed making memories thanks to our Cruise Critic advisors! Thanks so much!

[martincath]

Well I would disagree about the 3 hrs for the past 5 years to the US, I know that it has in the past been recommended that there be a 3 hr buffer for international flights but only 2 for US flights and with the new passport scanners that seems a bit over the top. Even the 3 hrs for international flights seems excessive as most airlines won't accept luggage or counter check in until 3 hrs before and international flight.

 

I missed the YVR-Cruise Page link but looked everywhere else on the YVR site and not finding anything I went to airline sites and Flyertalk and not one suggests anything more than 2 hours for a US bound flight. Me thinks YVR is trying sell more hot dogs and cokes so as to increase rents. A person arriving 3 hrs before a flight will spend between 2 and 2.5 hrs twiddling there thumbs in a departure lounge .... which maybe changed 1.5 hrs before departure.

I completely agree as to the reasons for the 3 hour recommendation, but it has definitely been in place since at least early 2011. That's when I first started checking the site and I have never seen any recommended time other than '3-2-1' applying for US-bound departures.

 

Trolling the internet archives for YVR I've confirmed it back at least to late 2010, with some earlier unstable captures from when the new site rolled out about Olympics time showing the same page existed.

[Putterdude]

I completely agree as to the reasons for the 3 hour recommendation, but it has definitely been in place since at least early 2011. That's when I first started checking the site and I have never seen any recommended time other than '3-2-1' applying for US-bound departures.

 

Trolling the internet archives for YVR I've confirmed it back at least to late 2010, with some earlier unstable captures from when the new site rolled out about Olympics time showing the same page existed.

 

I can't find anything on the link but having flown out of YVR to US destinations for almost 50 years, sometimes as often as weekly, the airlines have never suggested that you need to be at YVR any earlier than 2 hours pre flight time.

[annee]

I remember going to the suspension bridge when I was five and I was terrified, especially with the swaying of the bridge as we crossed.

[Putterdude]

I remember going to the suspension bridge when I was five and I was terrified, especially with the swaying of the bridge as we crossed.

 

Yes, I was always afraid as well. When I was about 8 I was in Cubs (scouts) and we went to the Lynn Canyon suspension bridge on a hike and a wiener roast....well the cub masters took the wieners and buns across the bridge and the only way I was going to get a hot dog was to cross the bridge. The rest as they say is history.:D