Vancouver answers from a Vancouverite

[Putterdude]

DH and I will be flying into Vancouver in September, from the east coast. We are staying at the Sutton Place for 2 nights pre-cruise. You mentioned in previous posts getting all day passes at the 7-11.

1. Can you give us directions where to locate the nearest 7-11 when you get off the plane.

2. Can you tell me which train/line we would need to get on, going to the Sutton Place? Once at the hotel, we plan to drop off the luggage and catch a bus to the Granville Market.

3. Is there a bus that will drop you off close to the market from the Sutton Place?

 

Thanks,

 

Mary

 

1. The 7-11 and the Pharmasave are located in the Domestic Park of the Terminal, the 7-11 is on level 2 and the Pharmasave is on level 1. Below you will find a link to a map of the retail areas of YVR.

2. You will take the Canada Line from the YVR station to the Vancouver Centre station. One out of the station walk 1 block south on Granville (away from the mountains), turn right on Robson St. and continue 3 block to Burrard St., turn left and about for 1.5 blocks and you will find the SP on the right.

3. To get to Granville Island walk over to Howe St. and catch a #50 bus from either Robson St. or Nelson St. tell the bus driver where you are going and you will be let off at the stop closest to the island but will have to walk a couple blocks.

 

 

http://www.yvr.ca/Libraries/Maps/Concessions-Full_July2010.sflb.ashx

[goodml]

My apologies if this has been asked and answered a zillion times but here goes anyway:D. We'll be dropping off a rental car in the 400 block of Seymour and then need to get to Ballantyne. Any idea how much a taxi might cost? TIA

[Putterdude]

My apologies if this has been asked and answered a zillion times but here goes anyway:D. We'll be dropping off a rental car in the 400 block of Seymour and then need to get to Ballantyne. Any idea how much a taxi might cost? TIA

 

I don't think that one has been asked ....but I would suggest about $12, I am surprised they don't offer a shuttle....but that may relate to the fact that Ballantyne is only used a few times a year.

[goodml]

I don't think that one has been asked ....but I would suggest about $12, I am surprised they don't offer a shuttle....but that may relate to the fact that Ballantyne is only used a few times a year.

 

Thanks! Actually I think they may offer a shuttle. I'll call the office direct tomorrow to be sure but wanted to have an idea just in case.

[Alaska 2012?]

Thank you all so much for your advice. I have asked a few questions, but mostly read all your advice. We are staying at the Landis Suites and leave shortly, we can't wait. I think based upon your advice my best option for a grocery store are the IGA at 909 Burrard Street Vancouver, BC (I think it is 5 blocks north and left 2) or Choices: corners of Richards and Davie (I think it is 4 blocks SW (head in direction of Howe St)). Which do you think would be better in terms of ease, selection, and price. For wine stores is the closest Marquis Wine Cellars at 2 blocks NE:1034 Davie S?

Are there any decent restaraunts nearby, my mom cannot walk far? Also which of the local pizza places is the best?

 

Thank you, thank you, thank you. We cannot wait to visit your city before our cruise.

[Putterdude]

For the IGA Market Place you would walk 2 blocks west on Davie St. and to Burrard St. and then turn left and walk 3 blocks north. Choices is about 3 blocks east on Davie. St. Marketplace is more mainstream where as Choices is more organic and specialty.

Marquis Wine Cellars is at 1034 Davie St. so they are about 1.5 blocks east of your hotel. By the way in Vancouver, even the though on a compass the streets may layout n/e and s/w. we tend to just use n, s, e and w....if you say you want to go n/e people will look at you a though you have two heads.

As for restaurants, there is a White Spot at Granville and Drake about 2.5 blocks from your hotel and Umberto has a couple of higher end Italian restaurants in the 1300 block of Hornby. As for local pizza...I can't help you.

 

 

http://www.whitespot.ca/locations.htm

 

http://www.hotelvilladelia.com/restaurants.cfm

[maryh307]

Putterdude,

 

DH asked if there is a casino in the area. When in Niagra Falls a few years back, there was one in the hotel across the street from where we were staying.

 

Thanks for the info on the 7-11 as well as the trains&bus.

 

Less than a month till we arrive in Vancouver!!!

[Putterdude]

On the periphery of the downtown core there is the Edgewater Casino and if you want to take the Canada Line out to Richmond there is the River Rock Casino.

 

http://www.edgewatercasino.ca/

 

www.riverrock.com/

[Urban trekker]

Here are some answers to some of the questions posed in recent posts!

 

Re the Grouse Grind - wear decent footwear - while the trail has been improved a lot over the years - with wooden steps replacing bare earth I cringe when I see people in sandals doing it. Unless there has been a lot heavy rain in recent days the trail should be mostly dry at that time of year - bring lots of water as there is none on the trail and give yourself up to 2 hours to complete it - while the experts do it in 45 minutes or less this old fellow takes almost ninety minutes to do it - also keep in mind that if you start up you are expected to reach the top as hiking down the trail is not recommended - too many people heading up and very hard on the knees - will post a link at little later on what is it like to hike up the trail.

 

As for staying at the Landis - welcome to my neighbourhood - I am a block away.

 

The closest grocery store might actually be the Super Valu in the 1200 Block Davie - all the downtown grocery store are in the same price market but if you are looking for just a few items often the Shopper`s Drug Mart on Davie - a block closer than the Super Valu and a block from the Wine store often have good weekly specials. There is also a 7-11 across the street if price doesn`t matter.

 

If it is wines that you are mostly interested in then yes Marquis is the one to use - remember they sell only wines - not beer or spirits.

 

As for eating - PD mentioned the White Spot - i eat at that one at least once a week - there is also a Nando`s Chicken place a half block from your Hotel - there is also a Moxie`s in the Sandman which is across the street from the Shopper`s.

 

As for Pizza - if you want a take out either Numero Uno or Mega Bite are my choices - both within a block or two of your hotel - for sit down try Priscillas on Davie - just changed its name from Gigi`s a couple of months ago - same owners - it`s across the street from the wine shop and if there on a weekend evening you will be treated to some music.

 

There is also a Tim Horton`s around the corner from the hotel.

 

Enjoy your visit and if youy want any more info don`t hestitate to post.

 

Cheers

 

Dennis

[Urban trekker]

Here`s a link to my web site - the Urban Trekker with a description of one of my hikes up the Grouse Grind and then click on the link for a picture story of the hike.

 

If you are doing the trip on a weekend go early by 10AM the trail is a sea of people.

 

It is estimated that over 100,000 people hike the Grind in a year and given that it is usually closed because of snow or trail conditions for up to six months a year it will give you an idea of just how busy it will be.

 

I hope to get up there one of these days - will wait for a cooler day.

 

http://urbantrekker.tripod.com/index.hike.ggrind.htm

 

Cheers

 

Dennis

[Northender]

Our cruise arrives back in Vancouver at 7:30am on Sat, June 30, 2012.

What would you recommend as the earliest flight time back to East Coast.:)

 

Also I know July 1 is Canada Day (Dominion Day when I was a kid:D). Are there activities in the Vancouver area to do a post cruise one night hotel and leave on July 1?

 

Thanks all:):)

[CaliMar]

I think the best way to answer your question is to say that Stanley Park at 1,000 acres can't all be seen in a day. Throw in things like Granville Island, Gastown, the Maritime Museum, Chinatown and the Dr. Sun Yat Sen gardens.....sure you can keep busy for 2 days

 

Thank you so much for your time in answering everyone's questions. I'm sorry I did not get back to thank you for so long but I do appreciate your response!!!

 

You are extremely helpful :D

[Putterdude]

Our cruise arrives back in Vancouver at 7:30am on Sat, June 30, 2012.

What would you recommend as the earliest flight time back to East Coast.:)

 

Also I know July 1 is Canada Day (Dominion Day when I was a kid:D). Are there activities in the Vancouver area to do a post cruise one night hotel and leave on July 1?

 

Thanks all:):)

 

If you are flying back through Canada then about 1130 if going back directly to US then about noon...but it really depends upon how soon you can disembark. If you can self-disembark with all your own luggage then knock a full 30 mins off those times.

As for Canada celebrations they will all occur on July 1st, it is unlikely there will be anything much on June 30th.

[Putterdude]

Thank you so much for your time in answering everyone's questions. I'm sorry I did not get back to thank you for so long but I do appreciate your response!!!

 

You are extremely helpful :D

 

Thank you, I am very glad to be of help:o....please enjoy your time in Vancouver.

[imacruizer]

I am a little confused about Granville Island. If you take the Vancouver Trolley, is Granville Island one of the stops? It seems I have seen something about taking a ferry, also. What is the best way to get there? Thanks!

[ell52]

I am a little confused about Granville Island. If you take the Vancouver Trolley, is Granville Island one of the stops? It seems I have seen something about taking a ferry, also. What is the best way to get there? Thanks!

To get to Granville Island on the Vancouver Trolley, you can take the Blue loop (eastern part of downtown, including Chinatown) which takes you to Granville Island as one of its stops OR you can take the Red loop (western part, including Stanley Park) and get off at the foot of Burrard and take the False Creek Ferry across with free tickets (according to Vancouver Trolley brochure). Link to their brochure --> http://www.vancouvertrolley.com/sites/default/files/ebrochure/2011%20Brochure.pdf

 

It depends on what you want to do. Do you intend on doing both loops? The most direct way is to go on the Blue loop and ride it to Granville Island. However, the False Creek Ferry ride is quite fun and lots of people who don't do the hop-on hop-off tours will take them just for a different perspective of the city.

 

Here's a link to --> False Creek Ferries

Edited August 12, 2011 by ell52

[imacruizer]

Ellen, thanks for the wonderful detailed information plus the links. We plan to be in Vancouver for two full days before our cruise. We are thinking of taking the Blue loop one day and the Red loop another day. We will take the full loop and then start over getting off a various points of interest. I kind of like the idea of taking the ferry to Granville Island. Thanks again!

[CupKayke]

If this has been asked 1,000 times before, I apologize... I did a search and got 14 replies, all of which didn't answer my direct question.

 

We are arriving in Vancouver via the 11:40 am Amtrak Cascades train. We plan to take a taxi to the port and pay the porters to take our luggage and then walk around Vancouver a bit ~ just a few blocks here or there to see a few things for about two hours. Can we pick-up sodas and water somewhere on this walk and lug them back to the ship with us? We will be boarding the Carnival Spirit. If the walk is short, we wouldn't mind carrying two or three 6-packs. Thank you for your replies ahead of time.

[ell52]

Ellen, thanks for the wonderful detailed information plus the links. We plan to be in Vancouver for two full days before our cruise. We are thinking of taking the Blue loop one day and the Red loop another day. We will take the full loop and then start over getting off a various points of interest. I kind of like the idea of taking the ferry to Granville Island. Thanks again!

You're very welcome. Hope you have a great time in our city. :)

[ell52]

If this has been asked 1,000 times before, I apologize... I did a search and got 14 replies, all of which didn't answer my direct question.

 

We are arriving in Vancouver via the 11:40 am Amtrak Cascades train. We plan to take a taxi to the port and pay the porters to take our luggage and then walk around Vancouver a bit ~ just a few blocks here or there to see a few things for about two hours. Can we pick-up sodas and water somewhere on this walk and lug them back to the ship with us? We will be boarding the Carnival Spirit. If the walk is short, we wouldn't mind carrying two or three 6-packs. Thank you for your replies ahead of time.

Your best bet is probably the London Drugs at Granville & Georgia. It's not a "short" walk, but quite walkable - plus you'll be heading slightly downhill when heading back to the port.

 

--> Map for London Drugs at Granville & Georgia

Edited August 13, 2011 by ell52

[CupKayke]

Your best bet is probably the London Drugs at Granville & Georgia. It's not a "short" walk, but quite walkable - plus you'll be heading slightly downhill when heading back to the port.

 

--> Map for London Drugs at Granville & Georgia

\

 

Thank you!

[scottbee]

If this has been asked 1,000 times before, I apologize... I did a search and got 14 replies, all of which didn't answer my direct question.

 

We are arriving in Vancouver via the 11:40 am Amtrak Cascades train. We plan to take a taxi to the port and pay the porters to take our luggage and then walk around Vancouver a bit ~ just a few blocks here or there to see a few things for about two hours. Can we pick-up sodas and water somewhere on this walk and lug them back to the ship with us? We will be boarding the Carnival Spirit. If the walk is short, we wouldn't mind carrying two or three 6-packs. Thank you for your replies ahead of time.

 

The closest will be Pharmasave at the corner of W.Pender & Granville, just a couple of blocks from Canada Place, and a couple of blocks closer than London Drugs

[scottbee]

\

 

Thank you!

 

It's a couple of blocks closer to go to Pharmasave, Granville & W.Pender.

 

Another option is get off the train, use Skytrain to get to Canada Place (station is across the street at Pacific Station/Amtrak), and at Canada Place (Waterfront escalators to Expo/Millenium Line) for $2.50 ea, drop your luggage and on the same ticket (good for 90 mins), head back to Stadium Station, and there's a costco next door.

[LARGIN]

Any restaurants within walking distance of the Sutton Place Hotel?

[Urban trekker]

Yes - there are a multitude of restaurants within walking distance of your hotel - a large Thai one across the street - there is a Joey`s Grill across the street as well - Miestones and Earls and Cactus Club close by - McDonald`s, Wendy`s - all the fast food places are near by - perhaps tell what type of eateries you are interested in and we locals can give some specific ideas.

 

Cheers

 

Dennis