Vancouver Visit Advice

[jacerw99]

Hello all you crazy Canadians! (Just kidding)

I have the pleasure of going to Vancouver at the end of August for three or four days and I need some advice. I have been doing online research about the city, and of course there is just SO much to see... I'm at a loss of where to start.

I'm from the midwest in the USA, and I'm traveling with a friend who has only been out of the midwest twice (once to NYC and once to Florida). He has never been west of Chicago. I would like to show him all sides of the city--urbanity, multiculturalism, etc... but also the beauty of the mountains, beaches, and islands that surround the city.

So, I need recommendations. What are the most beautiful, serene mountains, and what is the easiest way to get to them? I've found quite a few beaches so I'm okay on those. What are the great restaurants, and where is the best shopping and nightlife? We would like to stay downtown, but what are the best neighborhoods to stay in (keeping in mind a modest budget)?

And anything else any of you consider a must-see... please share with me. I know it's a lot to ask, but I would love to hear all of your informed opinions. Thanks in advance!

[jada]

When will you be here? We are having a forum meet at the end of august (20th), and this would be a great day to see the city with some skyscraper fanatics.

Anyways, downtown is fairly small, so it will be easy to find the shopping district. The main shopping district is Robson street. You can take that street all the way down to Denman street, and then if you are up for a walk further you can go north or south and you will reach the ocean.

As for the mountains, you will have to rent a car I think. But they arent hard to find! Just look north!

And if you do rent a car, I recommend you drive along Marine Drive in west Vancouver. IF you would like to see some gorgeous upperscale west-coast residential this is a terrific drive.

You can always ask for me to give you a guided tour of the city once you are here. I do this quite often. And besides, I will have other forumers from the USA out visiting me around the same time so maybe we can all go on a day trip around the city together.

[Westcoast604]

Originally Posted by jada

Anyways, downtown is fairly small

Actually is a fair size, and even quite big compared to a lot of North American cities. It's easy to get lost when your from out of town so a map is a must.





I Would recommend a hike up Cypress for good views of the city, ocean and islands. There are a lot of trails and you can walk for hours.

[VicHockeyFan]

I think you will be able to find some type of tour bus up to Grouse Mountain www.grousemountain.com or Cypress www.cypressmountain.com if you don't rent a car, they are both just across the water from downtown.... so both have awesome views back onto the city skyline....

To save a tiny bit of money on hotels, stay just outside of downtown, say up on Broadway, then you save $20-30/nt on the hotel, but probably spend it again on cabs into downtown, so maybe that's a wash (although you could hop a bus into downtown easily).

When you say you've found beaches, I assume then that Wreck Beach is on your list!

http://www.wreckbeach.org/

GET NUDE! RESPECT NUDITY AND THE PRIVACY OF OTHERS and experience the joys of naturism! GAWKING, STARING, OR MAKING RUDE COMMENTS IS NOT APPRECIATED! If nudity offends you, please check out Vancouver’s many other beautiful beaches instead of mocking our naturist lifestyle. ASK PRIOR PERMISSION TO PHOTOGRAPH. NO UNAUTHORIZED FILM-MAKING!


Seriously though, make sure you and your friend see this thread....

http://skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=199193

.. then you'll really want to get up into the mountains...

[SpatulaCity]

Downtown Vancouver is quite small but being compact isn't a bad thing. It's bigger than Indianapolis' downtown so that's probably all you care about anyway.

I'd check out Granville Island - it was decent when I visited but apparently it's gotten a lot better. Chinatown is also worth checking out. Beyond that, in terms of urban exploration, just walk around downtown. If you're looking for old neighbourhoods filled with fancy old houses or rowhouses you're not going to find it but Vancouver is interesting from an urban perspective because it's a shining example of new urbanism at a city scale. It's attractive and fresh and probably very different from anything in the midwest which, as a tourist, is a plus for you. Another thing I noticed - especially as a Torontonian - is the small number of interesting and distinct neighbourhoods. A lot of those condo-based neighbourhoods like Coal Harbour are just sort of faceless blobs that melt into each other. Portions of the West End are decent and a few areas toward the east end of the downtown peninsula around Chinatown/DTES and further east like Commercial Drive are interesting. A lot of the middle parts outside of the immediate downtown core aren't anything exciting, in my opinion.

In terms of scenery and what not, Vancouver provides it in abundance. But depending on how long you are going for, the mountains seem to fade away into the background quite quickly (at least that was my experience). Stanley Park is amazing as well.

[rt_0891]

Sit back and enjoy the laid back atmosphere. Have fun.

[crazyjoeda]

Where to Stay - You will want to stay downtown; you can find resonable prices for hotel rooms, I would try and find a place not to from Robson and Granville street (the heart of the city IMO). Robson street has some of the best restraunts and shopping in Canada; Granville street comes alive and is the place to be at night.

What to Do - If you can only do one thing while in Vancouver go to the top of Grouse Mountain. You can hike the Grouse Grind to the top or take the Sky Ride gondola to the top, either way there is plenty to do and an amazing view of the city, mountains and the ocean.


Vancouver is home to the second largest China Town in N/A, and just south of Vancouver is the islands that make up Richmond that place in like a whole other country. Vancouver has some of the best Japaness, Chinese and Thia food in world definatly check that out.


Explore downtown, espetialy Stanley park (Canada's largest city park) which has many beaches.


If your a fan of Native art then visit the Museam of anthropology at UBC.


There's so much more to do but you only have 3-4days and im not writing a book.

Any ways have fun in Vancouver

[VicHockeyFan]

Pop across the water if you want, Victoria is great this time of year...

Here is your ferry now, half way across from Vancouver (all cotter-pins intact - inside joke):

[rt_0891]

Originally Posted by VicHockeyFan

Pop across the water if you want, Victoria is great this time of year...

Here is your ferry now, half way across from Vancouver (all cotter-pins intact - inside joke):

Anyways,

Tofino's also worth checking out if you're heading out to Vic.

[Westcoast604]

Originally Posted by rt_0891

Anyways,

Tofino's also worth checking out if you're heading out to Vic.

I'm heading there aug 1-5 =) Can't wait!

[mr.x]

Visit the PNE if it's still on...............and if only you're coming in early August as we have huge fireworks displays (four nights) at English Bay.

[Vanman]

You should definitely take a 15 minute ride on the Skytrain and checkout Metrotown in Burnaby(2nd biggest mall in Canada).Also, for awesome views of the city and good examples of urbanity outside downtown ride the Expo line all the way to King George and then ride the Millenium Line to Commercial drive.






Skytrain Map

[VicHockeyFan]

^ MetroTown is the second largest mall in Canada? I didn't know that.

[crazyjoeda]

^ ya man its massive and has way better stores than west edmonton mall.

But will just 3-4days dont waste ur time in a mall or riding transit aimlessly.

[worldwide]

and dont waste time on the island. i love the island, but with 3 or 4 days its pointless. it takes me 6 hours of travel each way, which basically means that half of two seperate days would be wasted. although the ferry is very interesting in itself, the bus rides to and from the ferry terminals are uninspiring. i hate the ladner exchange

[canada cowboy]

Quick recommendations, as I've been a "visitor" in Vancouver downtown and Burnaby for the past year.

Downtown is relatively small, so walking around isn't much of an issue. If you wanted to look on Mappoint as reference, I typically walk Canada place to Robson (by way of Howe), to Denman, to the Seawall and back to Canada place in about 45 minutes (leisurely). Although the Seawall doesn't exist right now between Canada Place and I think Jervis/Bute because of construction for the new convention center, from that point until/into Stanley Park is a nice walk and you'll see some nice Van buildings (lotsa condos, and the Shaw building - my favourite).

Best restaurants I have enjoyed downtown:
Joe Forte's (Thurlow off of Robson) good "west coast" and good steak...rumoured to be a hot spot for Hollywood celebs.
Yoshi Sushi (Denman at W Georgia) Excellent Sushi - #3 in my opinion for Vancouver (see below)
Ciao Bella (Denman) - very good italian food
Lift Bar and Grill (on the Seawall behind Westin Bayshore Hotel) - west coast food, good ambiance, and great views...literally built over the water on the Seawall.
Cardero's (Seawall...right at Coal Harbour) - good food - kind of bar/restaurant.

My favourite restaurants though aren't downtown, they are in Granville Rise and Broadway - less than a $10 cab ride from central downtown (Burrard/Robson):

Tojo's Restaurant - best sushi period in North America. Tojo himself is regarded as the creator of many sushi dishes. It's expensive, but if you want to try the best (in a city that has tons of great sushi), this is the one. Make reservations!

Cru restaurant - good west coast/NA type food - one of the best new restaurants in Canada last year.

Feenies - Rob Feenie is one of only two Canadians to have been on the FoodTV hit "Iron Chef" - and I believe won. North American/West coast food

Memphis Blues BBQ - A lot of good southern US BBQ style meat.

Maurya Indian Restaurant - the best indian food I've had yet in Vancouver. Go for some Vindaloo and Bhindi (my favourites).

Also, I'd watch out for the chain restaurants on Robson:

Earl's
Milestone's
Cactus Club Cafe
Red Robin (this is also in the US)

Though they aren't terrible, they aren't the best Vancouver has to offer (of which there are far more than I listed - just some of my favourites)...If I had to pick one of the chains though, it would be Cactus Club Cafe.


Granville Island: I found this to be a great place...for locals. Awesome open market - like a farmer's market...cool to walk around, but didn't hold my interest too long. However, Bridge's is a good restaurant on the west side of the "island" and has a great patio for checking out the Vancouver condo skyline...make sure to try Granville Island beer (which they have a retail store on the island). I'd give it an hour or two to walk around, and three pints at Bridge's.

Metrotown - not worth the trip, just another mall...unless you're looking for a Skytrain Ride, which has a station at the mall. Essentially two malls stuck together with low/medium priced Canadian/US retail chains (think Gap/Old Navy). Can't really compare to West Ed Mall, as there is a lot of other "stuff" in WEM or Mall of America. As for stores, I find most American malls in the larger cities have more than the typical Canadian mall.

Hotels:

I've stayed at a good chunk of the best in downtown, although they may be pricey for August, this is what I think:

Four Seasons: Best hotel in downtown. Great location (attached to a downtown mall - which is fairly high-end). Cool half-indoor/half-outdoor pool...heated of course, and I actually was swimming in it when it was -3c outside! Definitely neat.

Fairmont Hotel Vancouver: Very old, "grand" hotel and high-class...even has Louis Vuitton and Chanel on main floor. Can't beat the central location - one block to arguably the busiest pedestrian intersection (Burrard and Robson)...however, all rooms (except for the "gold" floor) are also old, and in need of some updating. The gold floor rooms though are the best I've seen in Vancouver (room rate is around $600Cdn though)

Hyatt: nice hotel, and one of the tallest (I think Sheraton Wall is tallest)...I've stayed on the 28th floor, and it has a nice view. Very clean, and basically kiddie-corner from Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. Outdoor pool as well.

Fairmont Waterfront: Almost every room has a cool view. Typically I get a corner room overlooking Burrard inlet, which is neat to wake up and watch the seaplanes taking off through floor-ceiling windows. Right across from Canada Place (which has another nice looking hotel - though I've never stayed there). This hotel though is far (relatively) from the action...streets are quite dead after about 7-8pm. 10 minute walk to Robson/Burrard. Best outdoor (heated) pool and patio, with decent views of downtown, and great views of Burrard Inlet/North Shore, Stanley Park/Lion's Gate Bridge.

Delta: nice hotel, but like the Waterfront hotel, even further from the action...and I wouldn't travel much further east.

Westin Bayshore Resort/Hotel: Very nice hotel and rooms. Nice location on the edge of Stanley Park, and right on the Seawall/Coal Harbour. Quick walk to Denman/Robson.

Marriott Pinnacle/Renaissance Vancouver: two different hotels across from one another, but both Marriott. Both are nice...pinnacle is nice and tall, and has great views, but there's nothing blocking the Renaissance's views of Burrard Inlet. Large rooms as well. Location isn't too bad, about the same as Fairmont Waterfront.

As far as Chinatown goes, it is one of the biggest in NA, but has a grittier look than San Fran's - and is not in the best area of town. Personally, I wouldn't go east of Seymour or Richards (especially on Hastings) unless you are with locals that know - Hastings and Main being the worst corner. I think the people in the area are fairly harmless, but the area itself is a little scary looking. Skip Chinatown unless you're looking for a good deal on Shark fins.

I don't have much of a nightlife here, so I can't comment on that aspect of downtown - I've heard Gastown is good at night, but again, not sure about safe.

BTW - if you're walking around downtown (especially on the north end), and you hear what sounds like a gunshot, check your watch...if it's 9pm, there's a cannon on Stanley Park pointing DIRECTLY at Canada Place that goes off...I've seen a few "tourists" look around after it goes off a little worried :-)

Just a suggestion for a souvenir...BC has some fantastic wines (from the region about 4 hour drive east), yet the rest of the world seems to barely know this (excluding Ice Wine). I suggest you pick some up - I can give you some labels to look up if you're interested, and there's a decent store on Davies (which is an interesting area to walk down anyhow) called Marquis Wine Cellars.

Also, about weather if you haven't travelled to western Canada before...its not as hot here as the US mid-west. Though it is very pleasant (and not too humid) the average high is about 22c (71 degrees) in August, and cools down a bit at night to an average low of 13c (mid 50's)...bring a jacket. But you shouldn't need an umbrella anymore (I hope).

Don't plan on going up Grouse unless you can see it (i.e. clear day/night)...I think it cost about $30(!)...though, the views are spectacular.

Hope that helps some.

[crazyjoeda]

Don't plan on going up Grouse unless you can see it (i.e. clear day/night)...I think it cost about $30(!)...though, the views are spectacular.

Its not $30. Its a free hike up the side

[Koz]

And don't worry about the downtown eastside (where all the junkies hang out). They're mostly harmless and their area is more aesthetically repulsing than anything. You don't have to fear being stabbed or shot or anything along those lines.

Vancouver is, by far, one of the safest larger cities on the continent.

[canada cowboy]

Originally Posted by crazyjoeda

Its not $30. Its a free hike up the side

Yes - I was refering to the Skyride gondola.

[Koz]

It cost me $5 to go down.