Vancouver Questions

[bandmp]

:) We have our first trip to Vancouver scheduled in May, and we have several questions. We have reservations at the Hotel Le Soleil - is that convienent to restaurants? Is it in a safe area for walking about?

We are considering a day trip to Whistler by train - any comments?

Any other recommendations of highlights to see?

Thanks so much. Mary Pat

[Putterdude]

It is a great boutique hotel and a great location. In fact it is so great I used to work with some guys who owned the building that used to sit at 567 Hornby St, right where the hotel is situated.

 

You will be perfectly safe walking around in the area. There is a Keg Caesars, a popular priced steak house almost next door, Hys Encore which is just up the street in the 600 block Hornby St. and is a little more of an expensive steak house, if you walk up to the 700 block Thurlow there is Joe Fortes which is a steak, chop and fish house, it is a touch stone in dining in Vancouver, and Aqua Riva down across from Canada Place, a mixed menu but emphisis on fish plus a great harbour view.

 

http://en.kegsteakhouse.com/locations/British_Columbia/Downtown_Vancouver/Keg_Caesars

http://www.hyssteakhouse.com/hys-vancouver.html

http://www.joefortes.ca/

www.aquariva.com

 

If you are going to be in the city for more than a day then a day to Whistler will be time well invested. It a beautiful trip up and a spectacular town and setting, however it will use up a full day going up and back. If you only have one day pre-cruise then your time will likely be better spent in Vancouver. Things to see:

 

Stanely Park

The Aquarium in Stanely Park

Granville Island

Yaletown

Gastown

Capilano Suspension Bridge

Grouse Mountian Sky Ride

 

and that's a solid two days in itself.

 

Here are links to a couple of popular tour companies:

 

www.vancouvertrolley.com

 

www.vancouvertours.com

[BCHappyGal]

Dear Mary Pat

 

A trip to Whistler is always lots of fun and very scenic...whether you go my train bus or car. You might want to rent a car to do that trip as with a car you can stop for photos as often as you wish. The road is very good making it a easy drive. Whistler is about 2 hours from Vancouver. If you are driving you can stop at the Britiannia Beach Mining Museum where you actually go into the old mine shaft and the staff actually operate old mining equipment in a demonstration for you. Another grreat stop is the Railway museum in Squamish plus lots of scenic spots such as Brandy Wine Falls...

 

Here is my list of great things to do and see 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 and visit with 2 live Grizzly 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. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capilano_River_Regional_Park

4) Lynn Valley Suspension Bridge 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. http://www.lynncanyonparkguide.bc.ca It is also free to visit this suspension bridge!

5) 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.

6) 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.

7) 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.

8) 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.classicalchinesegarden.com and also make sure you visit the world’s thinnest building it is only 6’ wide!

9) 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. May 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

10) 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

11) 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.

12) 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

13) 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.

14) 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.pc,qc.ca/fortlangley

15) 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.

16) If you are a real animal lover than here is my latest find “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 India, 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

[memas retired]

The OP is traveling in May and we will be in Vancouver in May also. We are finding that many of the attractions won't be running so early. For example,

is the skyride to the top of Grouse Mountain going to running mid May? I think the Wildlife and Lumberjack shows are closed also. The gondolas in Whistler aren't all available, I don't think.

 

We are finding that Butchart Gardens closes at 6PM in May also.

 

If anyone knows if I am mis-informed, please let us know. We are trying hard to put a tour together.

 

I hope the OP has good luck and a great trip!!

Thanks!!

 

Cathy

[orchid72]

The OP is traveling in May and we will be in Vancouver in May also. We are finding that many of the attractions won't be running so early. For example,

is the skyride to the top of Grouse Mountain going to running mid May? I think the Wildlife and Lumberjack shows are closed also.

 

The summer activities at Grouse Mtn - including the lumberjack show, which is weather dependent - will kick off during the May long weekend, which is May 17. Here's the link to the website: http://www.grousemountain.com/Summer/mountain-report/

 

The skyride runs all year, so you even if you get here before May 17, you can still go up to Grouse, because there are still lots things to do.

 

Capilano Suspension Bridge and the Aquarium are also open.

 

I think the Whistler Gondola is also operating, but I am not too sure. Here's the website: http://www.tourismwhistler.com/www/plan_your_trip/hours_of_operation.asp

 

As for other attractions, even if they are not quite fully open, there are still many other things to do around Vancouver/Whistler, so I would not be worried about it at all. You can enjoy Vancouver just by exploring the free attractions - mother nature. I don't know if you've checked out this website yet, but I'll put it out here anyway just in case because it will give you some more ideas: http://www.hellobc.com/en-CA/RegionsCities/BritishColumbia.htm

 

Hope that helps.

[memas retired]

Thank you.

 

Yes, I just received an email from Grouse Mountain that all activities begin May 17. I hope the OP will be able to enjoy that attraction, as it sounds like a great day for fun. I will be flying home May 17, :( But we will get to go up the skyride!!

 

I believe that we will also be able to do the gondola at Whistler as well.

 

Thanks for all your help.

 

Now if I can prompt Butchart Gardens to stay open until 10:00 on the 13th!

 

Best wishes!

Cathy

[Putterdude]

Thank you.

 

Yes, I just received an email from Grouse Mountain that all activities begin May 17. I hope the OP will be able to enjoy that attraction, as it sounds like a great day for fun. I will be flying home May 17, :( But we will get to go up the skyride!!

 

There are 2 mountains at Whistler, Whistler and Blackcomb, at least one of them should be open in May as they ski the galciers up there all year round.

 

As for Grouse, if it is not a nice day you may want to think twice about going as one of the reasons you would likely go would be for the view. If it is nice and you do go, it is quite likely that the bears will be out of hibernation and there is the wolf habitat.

[Putterdude]

 

Now if I can prompt Butchart Gardens to stay open until 10:00 on the 13th!

 

 

I also just checked the Victoria cruise ship schedule and it does not appear that there is a cruise ship in Victoria on May 13 so unless there is one, the gardens do close at 6 pm in May.

[scottbee]

Now if I can prompt Butchart Gardens to stay open until 10:00 on the 13th!

 

However, if you stayed until 10pm, you'd miss the last boat back to the mainland (assuming you're staying in Vancouver). The last ferry is @ 9:00pm most of the year, and you'd want to be there an hour in advance to ensure you're on it.

[cruisetmc]

We had an extra day at the end of our cruise and did a city tour of Vancouver with shoretrips.com. They picked us up after the cruise and dropped us off at the hotel around 3pm.

[Langley Cruisers]

Just a note - we live in the area and would not drive to Whistler. I know many people would, but it is a nightmare with all the construction they are doing, widening the Sea to Sky Highway in preparation for the Olympics. We started out one day and turned around before we even got to Squamish. My DH is an excellent driver but this trip left him stressed and white-knuckled. We want to visit Whistler and would definitely love to take the train up.

 

Although many would do this, I would not recommend a tourist rent a car and make the drive; IMO it's just not worth the stress.

[bandmp]

:) Thanks to everyone for all the helpful information!! We are debating whether to take the train or the bus to Whistler - we are concerned about road construction with the bus. We would be taking this trip on Sunday, and wonder if road construction would be an issue. Any information or opinions would be appreciated. Mary Pat

[orchid72]

:) Thanks to everyone for all the helpful information!! We are debating whether to take the train or the bus to Whistler - we are concerned about road construction with the bus. We would be taking this trip on Sunday, and wonder if road construction would be an issue. Any information or opinions would be appreciated. Mary Pat

 

I don't think you will encounter any closures on the weekends.

 

Here is the website for the sea-to-sky highway improvement project so you can check out the projected road closures and delays and plan your trip accordingly:

http://projects.ch2m.com/TrafficUpdate/travelling-sts.asp

 

Whenever we go to the Squamish/Whistler/Pemberton areas, we always check this out to get an idea of what delays we could expect.

 

Based on your post, I am gathering that driving to Whistler is now out of the question for you. However, just in case that option is still in the back of your mind, I would not discourage you from doing it. It can be a scenic and relaxing drive as long as you follow the speed limits and have your wits about you. It will also afford you to take in the sights at your leisure.

 

I would not worry about the Sea to Sky too much. Travelling on it in the spring/summer is a piece of cake, even for people who have never driven on it before (and I am speaking from experience as someone who did NOT learn to drive in Canada).

[Putterdude]

I have to agree, if you have the time you really shouldn't miss going up to Whistler particularly with it being the centre piece of the 2010 Winter Olympics. There are literarily thousands of cars going and coming from there on a daily basis, construction or no construction. Obviously a trip by train or coach will relieve the stress of driving and allow everyone an oportunity to enjoy the views.

[bandmp]

:) Thanks again for all the helpful info - Vancouver sounds like a very interesting city.

Putterdude, we hope that you have a great trip - the weather in L.A. is wonderful.

[Putterdude]

:) Thanks again for all the helpful info - Vancouver sounds like a very interesting city.

Putterdude, we hope that you have a great trip - the weather in L.A. is wonderful.

 

Thank you, we are looking forward to it.

[bjksgk]

We will be staying at the Marriott Pinnacle, without a car. Would prefer to not use public transportation and want to try to get to Grouse Mountain for dinner and have time to see the shows etc. The links provided a few posts ago give me some options to get there but the hop on hop off trolley sunset tour only gives 2 hours there, which I don't think is enough to see the shows and have dinner.

 

The Vancouver Tours company has a 5 1/2 hour tour that goes to both Capilano and Grouse Mountain but again I am afraid cramming both into 5 1/2 hours is going to be rushing it.

 

Would it be feasible to take a cab?

 

Can any of you experienced Vancouverites give me your opinions on either of these options of maybe suggest something else pretty please???? Thanks so much!

[LeftcoastBC]

Just a note - we live in the area and would not drive to Whistler. I know many people would, but it is a nightmare with all the construction they are doing, widening the Sea to Sky Highway in preparation for the Olympics. We started out one day and turned around before we even got to Squamish. My DH is an excellent driver but this trip left him stressed and white-knuckled. We want to visit Whistler and would definitely love to take the train up.

 

Although many would do this, I would not recommend a tourist rent a car and make the drive; IMO it's just not worth the stress.

 

Just had family drive up and back to whistler. There is construction still but road is getting better all the time as they head towards 2010 which is less than two yrs now til the Olympics.

[rtevlin]

Hi Everyone -

 

There is so much great information here! I wanted opinions based on the amount of time we have available to explore! My husband and I will be disembarking from the Serenade on Saturday, September 13th. We'll be staying in Vancouver until early afternoon on Monday, the 15th. I'm thinking we could spend Saturday afternoon exploring Stanley Park, Sunday spend the day up at Grouse Mountain and do the Capilano Suspension Bridge which between the two could take the majority of the day. I'm looking for suggestions for Monday morning. Or if you all think I could make better use of my time I'm acutally open to all suggestions.

 

We DO plan on using public transportation so I'd also like confirmation that all this is doable.

 

I just got reservations at The Moda hotel - very reasonable rates and has good traveler reviews.

 

Any help, ideas, suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks!!

 

Renee

[cruiseryyc]

Re Butchart Gardens - the admittance gate will close at 6:00 p.m. but they do not do a sweep of the Gardens then and kick everyone out. You will be allowed to still wander the Gardens for awhile.

[Putterdude]

Re Butchart Gardens - the admittance gate will close at 6:00 p.m. but they do not do a sweep of the Gardens then and kick everyone out. You will be allowed to still wander the Gardens for awhile.

 

Actually the Butchart Gardens are open to 10 pm during May on the evenings that there are cruise ships in town. They close the gates for admission at 9 pm on those evenings.

[LeftcoastBC]

Hi Everyone -

 

There is so much great information here! I wanted opinions based on the amount of time we have available to explore! My husband and I will be disembarking from the Serenade on Saturday, September 13th. We'll be staying in Vancouver until early afternoon on Monday, the 15th. I'm thinking we could spend Saturday afternoon exploring Stanley Park, Sunday spend the day up at Grouse Mountain and do the Capilano Suspension Bridge which between the two could take the majority of the day. I'm looking for suggestions for Monday morning. Or if you all think I could make better use of my time I'm acutally open to all suggestions.

 

We DO plan on using public transportation so I'd also like confirmation that all this is doable.

 

I just got reservations at The Moda hotel - very reasonable rates and has good traveler reviews.

 

Any help, ideas, suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks!!

 

Renee

 

Yes doable..My one suggestion would be that you leave the schedule open to the weather. If you first day is good and or reports indicate good weather for 2nd day as opposed to #1. That is the day to do Grouse mtn.

 

Stanley Park in poor weather is much more visibly friendly than the mountain top.

 

September is a good time to visit.

[Putterdude]

Hi Everyone -

 

There is so much great information here! I wanted opinions based on the amount of time we have available to explore! My husband and I will be disembarking from the Serenade on Saturday, September 13th. We'll be staying in Vancouver until early afternoon on Monday, the 15th. I'm thinking we could spend Saturday afternoon exploring Stanley Park, Sunday spend the day up at Grouse Mountain and do the Capilano Suspension Bridge which between the two could take the majority of the day. I'm looking for suggestions for Monday morning. Or if you all think I could make better use of my time I'm acutally open to all suggestions.

 

We DO plan on using public transportation so I'd also like confirmation that all this is doable.

 

I just got reservations at The Moda hotel - very reasonable rates and has good traveler reviews.

 

Any help, ideas, suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

You may want to consider the Vancouver Trolley or LandSea tours if their schedules work with yours.

 

http://www.vancouvertours.com/tours_1.html

http://www.vancouvertrolley.com/index.php

 

The Moda should prove to be just fine, however one block to the west is the Granville Entertainment District which can get a little rowdy at night ...its safe but can be rowdy.

[slidergirl]

If you do go up to Whistler, see if you can get up to the new track that was built for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. It is in a gorgeous location on the mountain. If you look at it, then watch the events on TV in 2010, you'll get a much better appreciation for what those crazy people are doing (I can say "crazy", because many of them are my friends and they will be competing!).

[bandmp]

:) Thanks to everyone for the info - we had a wonderful several days in Vancouver. We did a city tour from the port, and then we were delivered to our hotel with our luggage. The next day we took the motorcoach to Whistler, and it was so beautiful. We look foreward to visiting this lovely city again.