Vancouver Travel Guide
It is a gem in the west coast of the North American continent and tagged as one of the best cities to live in. The cultural scene is very colorful with hotels and restaurants being able to accommodate the flock of tourists falling in love with the city. Vancouver forms an excellent picture of modern skyscrapers with the coastal mountains as backdrop.
Granville Island
Get that urban ocean experience at Granville Island, Vancouver's funky market. Interesting browsing, fish, flowers, fruits and other foods, crafts and handmade stuff. I mainly go for the people watching and a coffee... well, it's Vancouver, so it has to be a latte. Granville Island is one of Vancouver's must-see tourist spots, but it is also a real market, so go with the idea of picking up something fresh. Fun thing to do is take one of the little water taxis - a cheap ride if you want a quick boat experience. Operated by False Creek Ferries, they run a circular route with stops at some interesting places - Maritime Museum (haven't tried it), Science World (good with kids especially), and if you get off at Yaletown you can walk to downtown Vancouver.
Vancouver Aquarium
The Vancouver Aquarium is home to over 70,000 fascinating creatures including majestic beluga whales, Pacific white-sided dolphins, curious sea otters, harbour seals and Steller sea lions!
Harbour Cruises & Events
Vancouver's best sightseeing, dining and special event cruises. Join Vancouver's most popular Sunset Dinner Cruise through a secluded Mountain fjord or the only narrated tour of the inner harbour on the authentic paddlewheeler MPV Constitution. Special event cruises throughout the year include the annual Fireworks competition and Christmas Carol Ships in December.
Stanley Park Horse-Drawn Tours
Narrated, one hour tours depart daily from the horse-drawn tour kiosk at the Coal Harbour parking lot beside the information booth on Park Drive, just off the Georgia Street entrance to Stanley Park. Private carriages seating from 2 - 20 passengers are also available March 1 through October 31 and Private Reservations available late November to late December. Also available for transfer or charter, either in Stanley Park or downtown Vancouver.
Vancouver Lookout
Vancouver Lookout at Harbour Centre is the BEST FIRST STOP, with a spectacular 360° view of Metro Vancouver, the majestic North Shore Mountains and perhaps even Vancouver Island just off the Pacific Coast. Your experience starts as you climb the outside of the building in an exterior glass elevator, which takes approximately 45 seconds from street level to the deck. On arrival, you are delivered 167 m on top of one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden
Step back in time to 15th Century China at the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden. The first of its kind outside of China, the Garden offers a glimpse into life as a Chinese scholar during the Ming dynasty. Scholars lived and worked in their gardens, sharing these enchanting spaces with friends and family of all ages. Like any home, a scholar's garden was filled with energy, but also offered quiet moments for contemplation.
Vancouver Art Gallery
A world-class art encounter waits at the Vancouver Art Gallery. Located in a stunning, turn-of-the century heritage building in the heart of downtown Vancouver; the Gallery showcases 4 floors of inspirational art pleasures including Canada’s largest collection of beloved artist Emily Carr’s work, to ever-changing world-class exhibitions.
Science World British Columbia
SCREAM! delves into exploring the science of why and how things like animals, electric shock and falling can make you tremble and scream out loud in fear. Different people respond to fear in different ways, but your brain and body work together to create a response to fear. Do you sweat? Shake? Get a dry mouth? You’ll explore just what’s going on inside yourself when you’re faced with scary situations.
Capilano Suspension Bridge
One of Vancouver’s most iconic and thrilling sites, Capilano Suspension Bridge is breathtakingly suspended 450 feet across and 230 feet above Capilano River. But crossing the bridge isn’t the only excitement you can expect. Cross over to towering evergreens, cedar-scented rainforest air, serene trails and the award winning Treetops Adventure - a series of suspended footbridges offering a close encounter with the very heart of the rainforest and stunning views from up to 100 feet above the forest floor.
Chinatown
Chinatown has been humming busily for more than a century with vivid colours, exotic cuisine and a vibrant culture. Rich in history and architecture, this area east of downtown boasts North America's third-largest Chinatown after New York and San Francisco. Highlights of a Chinatown visit include the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, the Sam Kee Building (world's narrowest commercial building) and the Chinese Cultural Centre. Festivals, parades and the summertime Night Market also spice up the flavour of this neighbourhood.
Punjabi Market
As the cultural focal point of Vancouver's Indo-Canadian population, Punjabi Market is home to a unique collection of jewellery stores and fabric shops. Located around Main and East 49th, these five blocks make up one of the largest and most prosperous areas of the city's commercial sections. Inexpensive silks, groceries and 22-karat gold jewellery also draw visitors.
West End
A gateway to Stanley Park, the West End neighbourhood is organized around Denman Street between Robson and Davie streets and bordered to the south by English Bay. Primarily a residential area, this is one of the most densely populated areas in all of Canada, with 40,000 people living in high-rise condominiums and apartments. Coffee shops, fine-dining restaurants and plenty of shopping will keep you entertained in this area, with several beautiful parks and beaches perfect for taking a leisurely stroll after an evening meal.
Robson Street
If you want a day chock-full of shopping, strolling, dining and people watching, head to Robson Street. It's a sure bet for shoppers of all kinds with everything from big-name stores to funky independent boutiques. The main action is concentrated in the blocks from Burrard Street to Jervis Street, where stores line every inch of space along the sidewalk. And with no short supply of coffee shops, ethnic restaurants, sports bars and grills, fine dining and other eateries, you're never far from a great place to stop and refuel.
Granville Street
Located in the heart of Vancouver, Granville Street is where you'll find Vancouver's main downtown entertainment district. Countless restaurants, bars and nightclubs make this a popular late-night hangout, particularly on the weekends. The Pacific Centre shopping mall provides unique stores for those in search of the latest fashions, while the area between Robson and Drake streets offers a diverse collection of boutique shops where you can find the latest footwear, club gear, music or comic books.
Gastown
As the birthplace of Vancouver, Gastown was initially a settlement that sprung up around a tavern founded in 1867 by sailor and gold prospector John "Gassy Jack" Deighton. This historic district's cobblestone streets are lined with Victorian buildings that today house everything from souvenir shops and First Nations galleries to stylish clothing boutiques. With informational plaques placed strategically along the street to tell the history behind various buildings and landmarks, Gastown is an excellent area for a walking tour.