This inukshuk at English Bay inspired the 2010 Winter Games logo
| VITAL INFORMATION | |
| Population | 600,000 |
| Languages spoken | English |
| Currency | Canadian Dollar (CAD); 1 CAD = (appr) 0.95 USD |
| Average temperature | Summer: 64F; Winter: 37.4F |
| High season | June to August |
It only makes sense that Vancouver was chosen as the host city for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. With cozy beaches and lush mountains, it's certainly one of the most beautiful cities in the world, and it's also one of the most cosmopolitan. Also, in the last 15 years, Vancouver has experienced a healthy population boom, accompanied by an increase in tourist attractions and cultural diversity. Because of this, a trip to Vancouver will tempt visitors with the dual pleasures of impressive scenery and cultural delights.
Day 1: History, art and oysters
Thanks to convenient transit options and reliable taxi service, you'll be in the heart of downtown Vancouver in less than an hour after your arrival at the airport. There's also the prospect of exploring the city on your own wheels. A car rental is especially worthwhile if you're planning to explore every inch of Vancouver's surroundings.Vancouver has a wide array of hotels to meet the needs of your pocketbook and pillow. If you're looking for the perfect blend of history and high class, try the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. Originally conceived as a railway hotel, the Fairmont opened its doors in 1939 for a royal visit, and has remained a prime destination for Vancouver's most distinguished visitors. A multimillion-dollar restoration in the '90s has allowed the Fairmont to age gracefully while offering a multitude of services to its guests: privileges include a substantial health spa, two award-winning restaurants, a high-end health club, and plenty of shopping.
If you'd rather spend money on activities than accommodation, the Best Western Chateau Granville offers quality without putting the pinch on your travel budget. At a modest price, you can still get a full-service bistro and a health club pass. In addition to that, its prime location in Vancouver's arts and entertainment district means that local treats are easily within walking distance.
With your first day in Vancouver ready for the taking, it's time to learn some history, take in some art and indulge in some afternoon shopping.
First off is a casual stroll through the cobblestone streets of the historic Gastown district. Once a stomping ground for Klondike miners, Gastown still features the city's oldest buildings and it's now a favorite stop for visitors. While you're walking past the antique street lamps, keep your eyes peeled for the Gastown steam clock, which is the first of its kind anywhere in the world. With your history lesson out of the way, it's time to see Vancouver artists in action.
A trip to the Vancouver Art Gallery will introduce you to more than 9,000 different works by Canadian and international artists alike. Be sure not to miss the permanent collection of over 200 works by renowned B.C. artist Emily Carr. In addition, the art gallery steps are always ripe for people-watching as the area attracts a number of artsy folk who pitch their own work outside.
When you leave the gallery, you'll be in the right neighborhood to enjoy the best shopping in the city, courtesy of Vancouver's famed Robson Street. There you can count on the latest in designer clothing, travel accessories, and plenty of places for a cold drink outside or a snack before dinner.
Since Robson Street is only a brisk walk from the water, it seems fitting for your first Vancouver dinner to feature some tasty West-Coast seafood. Why not try a flavorful meal at Joe Forte's? One of Vancouver's most acclaimed hot spots for locals and tourists alike, Joe Forte's features a tray of classic delights like award-winning oysters, fish and steaks. There is also a full bar of beer, wine and spirits for those who want to add a little something extra to their meal.
As the sun sets, take a walk down to English Bay for some quiet time on the beach. This is a popular hangout in the summertime, when the twice-weekly international fireworks competition lights up the sky. It's the perfect way to wrap up your first night in town in fire-blazing fashion. Even if you're not in the mood for fireworks, you can enjoy the lofty views across the water and the cool ocean air as your first night in Vancouver comes to a close.
Day 2: Sky-high to sea-level
Rain or shine, it's time to leave the downtown core behind for a few hours of adventure in North Vancouver.Grouse Mountain is where the journey begins. Only a 15-minute drive from downtown, Grouse provides a refreshing mountain experience and an unforgettable view of the city down below. If you're feeling frisky, take the steep 1.8-mile hike, known to locals as The Grouse Grind. If that feels like too much exertion, hop on the gondola for a mile-long sky ride to Grouse's upper limits. At the top, you can stop for a meal at Altitudes Bistro and see the city almost 4,000 feet below. Night travelers to Grouse will want to note that the neighboring restaurant, The Observatory, is a fine-dining experience for romantics who aren't afraid of heights.
After leaving Grouse, it's time to visit the nearby Capilano Suspension Bridge. Purported to be the oldest tourist stop in the city, the 450-foot bridge was built in the late 1800s and it rests 230 feet above the Capilano River. More than just a bridge, the park itself comprises 27 acres of sights and sounds with totem parks and rain-forest tours among the sights.
With the afternoon upon you, it's time to make your way back to the city. If there's time, enjoy a sea bus ride back to downtown, then head toward Stanley Park, where you can feast your eyes on over 1,000 acres of trees, totem poles and local wildlife. If you're still feeling energetic, go for a walk or a inline-skating adventure on the surrounding seawall. To give your feet a rest, visit the Vancouver Aquarium in the heart of Stanley Park and bask in the glory of some friendly beluga whales, darting dolphins and adventurous sea otters.
Dinner is calling and the place to go is Le Crocodile, one of Vancouver's best French restaurants. A shining example of Vancouver's cultural prowess, the menu carries a distinctive French flavor from head chef Michel Jacob, but caters equally to its West Coast setting. While you're dining, you might be lucky enough to spot some celebrity patrons. With Cindy Crawford, Steven Spielberg and Jack Nicholson on Le Crocodile's past guest list, you're in excellent company.
Now that dinner is done, it's time to enjoy another one of Vancouver's summer delights -- this time, on the other side of the water. Travel over the Burrard Street Bridge to Kitsilano Beach for an after-dinner walk through Vanier Park. On the way, you can admire the city lights across the water, the statuesque mountains and the early stages of a beautiful Vancouver sunset. Summer is Shakespeare season at Vanier, so this is a perfect time to enjoy a cold beverage and watch a local theater production inside a beach tent with the skyline still in view. May your last day in Vancouver be as rewarding as this one.
Day 3: Golf, gardens and jazz
For your last day, start your morning on the green at the Mayfair Lakes Golf and Country Club. If you're up for the full 18 holes, you'll be swinging your way through more than 6,500 yards of lush greenery with nearby mountains and wildlife on hand. The ocean breeze doesn't hurt, either. It's all the brainchild of designer Les Furber, who created the course in 1989 for great golf in a picturesque Vancouver setting. After your first swing, you'll agree that Furber followed through on his promise.Vancouver is known for its cultural diversity, so why not spend the remainder of your trip immersing yourself in culture? Lunch in Chinatown is a sure bet. Take a quick trip back downtown, and before you know it, you will be right in the middle of numerous grocery shops, Chinese landmarks and a variety of restaurants. With so much food to choose from, just keep it simple and hang with the best. That would be Wild Rice, where chefs Ryan Mah and Chris Chabot put a modern spin on traditional Chinese cuisine for a number of tasty creations. If you're lucky, you can even pick and choose from their seasonal dumpling-tasting menu. Top it off with some traditional Chinese tea or even some wine (it's a modern spin, remember?), and you're ready for your next adventure.
After a short time on the road, your tour of the Van Dusen Botanical Gardens begins. Sure to please your senses, Van Dusen boasts more than 7,000 plants, all arranged according to their geographical roots. The 55-acre park is also home to the Vancouver International Stone Sculpture Symposium, a nifty collection of sculptures that were designed by international artists when the park opened in 1975.
With your garden adventure concluded, it's time for dinner on Commercial Drive, the prominent drag that is home to Vancouver's thriving Italian community. While many of The Drive's food joints capture the spirit and ambiance of the neighborhood, Stella's Tap and Tapas Bar is a great way to wrap up your Vancouver vacation in true Belgian style. There are over a dozen types of Belgian beer on tap, with the added bonus of a staff that understands how to pour them correctly. While you're sipping a beer and nibbling on some seared ahi tuna and intricately prepared mussels, you might notice the lack of air conditioning. Don't worry; that's part of the experience. Just be sure to dress comfortably. If you feel like an extra treat, you're just across the street from Joe's Café, where Joe himself will proudly serve you what locals say is the best cappuccino in town.
With the evening winding down, there is still time for one last endeavor, courtesy of The Cellar Jazz Club on Vancouver's West Side. For a modest cover charge, you can sit back and enjoy some live music from emerging local jazz talents. The Cellar has only been open a short time, but in that time, it has already been recognized once as the best jazz club in the city and chosen three times as one of the best jazz clubs in the world. It's the perfect showstopper to end a whirlwind of a vacation.
tips for the trip
- English is the predominant language in Vancouver, but there are a number of different cultural districts and accompanying languages. No matter where you're coming from, you certainly won't feel out of place.
- With the Olympics fast approaching, Vancouver's Downtown Eastside district is currently in a phase of transition. Unfortunately, it remains one of the city's poorest and consequently, most dangerous neighborhoods. Although this may change in time, it is not recommended for tourists.
- Sports fans may be game to check out Vancouver's football team, the B.C. Lions, or its NHL team, the Vancouver Canucks. Both teams play in the downtown core, so whichever time of year you are visiting, you will almost certainly have the chance to catch at least one team in action.
the olympic host with the most
With nearby mountains and parks all enveloped by an ocean breeze, Vancouver is an urban metropolis and an outdoor adventure wrapped into one. The best way to experience it is to sample the urban cultural delights and geographical wonders in equal measure. Otherwise, you are sure to miss something along the way. It's no secret why Vancouver is an ideal Olympic host. It's a place where various cultures live in harmony and welcome visitors with open arms. That aura of culture rubs off on anyone who is eager enough to experience it firsthand. In other words, it's just a great place to be.Resources:
http://www.bardonthebeach.org/
http://www.capbridge.com/
http://www.celebration-of-light.com/
http://www.cellarjazz.com/
http://www.chateaugranville.com/
www.city.vancouver.bc.ca/parks/parks/stanley
www.fairmont.com/hotelvancouver
http://www.gastown.org/
www.golfbc.com/courses/mayfair_lakes
http://www.grousemountain.com/
http://www.joefortes.ca/
http://www.lecrocodilerestaurant.com/
http://www.thedrive.ca/
http://www.vanaqua.org/
http://www.vanartgallery.bc.ca/
http://www.vandusengarden.org/
http://www.wildricevancouver.com/
Vancouver Travel Guide
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