Never been to Canada

[Retired 07]

Never having been to Canada, I have a few basic questions about our upcoming (Sept.) cruise out of Vancouver.

 

We are flying in two days prior to our cruise to get to know Vancouver a little better. Is a taxi the best way to get to the downtown hotels from the airport, or are there shuttles? Are the fares comparable? Do the taxis (and most places) take U.S. money, or would we have to exchange some before we left home?

 

We haven't booked a hotel yet, because I'm not really sure what the decent/convenient areas are. We would like to keep it under $200.00/night. (even lower if possible) So far we've put the Tropicana Suites on Robson, and the Blue Horizon on our short list. Any comments/recommendations?

 

We're still working on our activities in Vancouver. I know we'd like to go to the Capilano(sp?) Suspension bridge....Is it worth the trip? Do you use public transportation to get there?

 

I really appreciate any and all answers to these questions.

[BCHappyGal]

To try to answer your questions

 

I would go for the Blue Horizon Hotel over the other one. You also might want to try bidding for your hotel on PriceLine

 

The Blue Horizon is an older hotel but well located on Robson Street central to restaurants & shopping.

 

Yes American $$ is readily accepted in most places however your rate of exchange will not be as good as a bank - lots of money exchanges in the downtown area of VAncouver - alos you can use your credit cards for almost everything including the cabs.

 

Yes there is an airport shuttle - I think the site is http://www.yvrshuttle.com however the cost is $12. pp and you will have lots of stops whereas a cab will be around $30. for the cab and lots less hassle

 

Attractions - there is way more for you to see and do than 3 days will allow and I have now even mentioned Whistler in the below:

 

My favorite most 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 Grizzlie Bears who make their home on Grouse Mtn) ride a chair lift and visit with 2 live Grizzlie Bears. 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.

4) Stanley Park – http://www.city.vancouver.bc.ca/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 at Brockton Point, hiking trails, beaches, water parks for the kids (young & old), rose gardens, miniature train, petting zoo, aquarium – http://www.vanaqua.org – hollow tree, many view points, and several restaurants.

5) Gas Town – the location where Vancouver originated. The name is derived from a very colorful character named Gassy Jack you 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.

6) 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.

7) China Town is only about 6 blocks over from Gas Town and is the largest Chian Town north of San Francisco. While in China Town enjoy a visit to the Dr Sun Yat Sen Classical Gardens http://www.classicalchinesegarden.com and also make sure you visit the world’s thinnest building it is only 6’ wide!

8) Burnaby Village Museum – http://www.city.burnaby.bc.ca – is an open air museum with over 30 restored homes, shops, school, church and a 1912 carousel situated on 10 acres

9) 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.

10) 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

11) Queen Elizabeth Park – http://www.greatervancouverparks.com/QEPark01.htm -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.

12) 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.

13) 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.

 

Hope the above helps - feel free to ask for more inof.

[orchid72]

Just to add to BCGal's post, you may also want to check out the following:

 

1.) Monet to Dali Exhibition at the Vancouver Art Gallery: http://www.vanartgallery.bc.ca/index.html

 

2.) Granville Island where you can explore the Public Market, galleries, theatres, restaurants, etc. (http://www.granvilleisland.com/en/island_info). You can take an Aqua bus from quite a few places in the downtown core to to Granville Island (http://www.theaquabus.com/visitors.htm).

[Retired 07]

WOW!!!

 

Thanks, BCHAPPYGIRL, and Orchid72!

 

You've covered all the things we would like to do. Now if we only had a month to do them all!! I guess we'll just have to return to Vancouver and spend more time there!

 

I really do appreciate all the info. Now we'll just have to narrow down the list for what we can fit in 2 days.

 

So the taxis really take credit cards? I've never heard of that. (of course I would still tip them in cash)...

 

Thanks again!!

[BrightIS]

Taxis in Vancouver and many Canadian cities take credit cards.

 

For your hotel, check out the Listel http://www.thelistelhotel.com/

 

Call them to see if they will give you a special rate. A very interesting hotel - especially if you like art and right on Robson.

[Polar Bear]

Oh my.:) ..I am glad that I want "surfing" we are going to be in Vancouver May 12, 2008, and are looking for hotel info and what to do etc....thank you from an East Coast Canadian.

[vancouvercanuck]

An update on Vancouver, if you are visiting in the next couple of weeks. The City of Vancouver will be on strike, starting Monday, so our beautiful beaches and lovely parks will not be looking their best. Hopefully the strike won't last long, but please keep that in mind if you visit in the next couple of weeks. It should not affect most tourist attractions, but the litter may be out of control. :eek: