Vancouver - Olympic Sites

[JudyM]

I'm contemplating an Alaskan cruise departing Vancouver in September 2011, and my heart's first desire, in Vancouver, would be to tour some of the sites of this year's magnificent Winter Olympics. I've heard there's a tour available now, and that it's really great. Does anyone care to guess whether tours of the Olympic sites might be available next fall?

[trophy_23]

Have not heard of this tour and not sure what it would tour. There have been many changes to the venues since they were seen on the olympics. BC Place is now under construction for the new roof, GM Place (now Rogers Arena) where the hockey was played is back to being the home of the Canucks and just another hockey arena. The Olympic oval (speed skating) has a floor in place last I heard and no skating track in place. I understand you wanting to see the venues etc, but I think with the beauty of Vancouver, you may want to focus on Stanley Park and Grouse Mountain, maybe the suspension bridge etc. Maybe I take for granted the fact that I live here and these venues are just another building in our city, but IMO much of the stuff worth seeing venue wise was only here during the actual games.

[BCHappyGal]

Here are some things you might enjoy doing while in Vancouver. However if you really want to take in the magnificent scenery and see where the ski events were held you should plan a sside trip to Whistler. Whistler is approximately a 1.5 hour drive north of Vancouver and the drive itself is beautiful. The time will depend on how many times you stop for photos... you might also want to stop at the Britannia Beach Mining Museum. At this museum you actully take a ride into the mine on a mine train and then see demonstrations of the various mine equipment. There are also some awesome waterfalls such as Brandy Wyne Falls and of course you pass the "Big Chief" a granite hunk of rock that is second in size only to Gibaraltor. This is a favorite rock climbing venue and most of the time you can spot climbers working their way up the face of the cliff. I would drive up one day - spend the night in a hotel and drive back the next. If you wish to make this a circle tour you can contine north from Whistler to Pemberton where you would then take the Duffy Lake Road east to Lillooet. In Lillooet you pick up the TransCanada Highway (Highway #1) south back to Vancouver. You follow the TransCanada south thru Hells Gate Canyon on the Fraser River and I definitely recommned a stop at the Hell's GAte Air Tram for a ride down and accross the canyon to the lower opposite shore to see the full dramatic effect of this canyon. http://www.hellsgateairtram.com Continuing south you pass thru 6 tunnels on your way to Hope. At Hope you turn west and head back into Vancouver. Another nice side option is to stop overnight at the Harrison Hot Springs (staying of course at the Harrison Hot Springs REsort & Hotel) where you can soak up not only the wonderful hot mineral water but also the magnificent views. Harrison Lake is surrounded by moutnains and this small quaint village nestled at the head of the lake which is watched over by mountains is one of the most scenic spots I have found on all of my world travels.

 

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 – http://www.lynncanyon.ca - 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. It is also free to visit this suspension bridge!

5) Stanley Park – http://www.vancouver.ca/parks/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 near the Brockton Point Light House, hiking trails, beaches, water parks for the kids (young & old), rose gardens, miniature train, petting zoo, aquarium –http://www.vanaqua.org – many view points, and several restaurants. During the summer months there is a free shuttle bus that you can ride around the park on.

6) Vancouver Aquarium – http://www.wanaqua.org – is Canada’s largest aquarium and is committed to the conservation of marine life and education. Located in Stanley Park this is a fun place for the family to visit.

7) 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. During the summer months there is a free walking tour of Gas Town for times call 604-683-5650

8) 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.

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

10) The city of Vancouver has laid out self guided walking tours of 4 distinct historical neighborhoods in Vancouver – Gastown; Chinatown; Yaletown; & Shaughnessy – these walking tours along with a historical introduction to each neighbourhood can be found at http://vancouver.ca/commsvcs/planning/heritage/walks/index.htm

11) 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. Many 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

12) Burnaby Village Museum – http://www.burnabyvillagemuseum.ca – is an open air museum with over 30 restored homes, shops, school, church and a 1912 carousel situated on 10 acres

13) 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.

14) 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

15) 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.

16) 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

17) 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. Two of the wineries have excellent restaurants on the premises. This makes for a very fun and relaxing day.

18) If you are a real animal lover than don’t miss “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 Africa, 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

19) VanDusen Botanical Garden is a scenic 55- acre garden of international renown – a living museum of plants collected from around the world and artistically displayed amidst rolling lawns, woodlands and five tranquil lakes, all in the heart of Vancouver and just 15 minutes from downtown.

Due to Vancouver’s mild climate, plants bloom at the Garden year-round. This same climate creates a unique environment where plants from varying climate regions thrive and grow – at VanDusen you will see plants from the southern hemisphere, tropical areas and the high Arctic tundra along side native species. The Elizabethan Maze (one of only six in North America) provides year-round fun.

20) UBC Botanical Garden located at the University of British Columbia covers 110 acres and includes an Alpine, Asian, Native, Food, and Japanese Gardens. http://www.ubcbotanicalgarden.org

21) Dazzle your senses when you visit Minter Gardens nestled against 7000 foot Mt. Cheam in beautiful 'Super Natural' British Columbia. One of the most spectacular show gardens in the world! Eleven themed gardens are designed to dazzle the senses with massive displays of artistic floral designs.

Minter Gardens is located 90 minutes east of downtown Vancouver just off the Trans-Canada Hwy. #1 at exit #135. http://www.gardeningbc.com

22) The Architectural Institute offers walking tours of Vancouver during the summer months – they have 6 different tours – Gas Town. Chinatown, Strathonca, West End, False Creek North & Yaletown, and the Downtown Business Core. The cost for these tours is $10. and they meet each day at 12:50 pm but depending on the tour being offered that day the location changes. http://www.aibc.ca

23) Enjoy a FREE walking tour of Vancouver. This 2 hour tour starts at the Olympic Countdown Clock in front of the Vancouver Art Gallery and ends at the Steam Clock in Gastown. This tour runs Tuesdays & Saturdays at 1pm and reservations are required. Check it out at http://www.tourguys.ca

[JudyM]

Thank you both for taking the time to reply with information, and especially BCHappyGal for the list of great suggestions. It is printed out and stored in my Dream Vacations folder, where I hope it doesn't have to stay too long before being used. I've only been to Vancouver once, but I loved it and want to come back.

 

And thank you both also for giving the world such a fantastic Olympic experience! It was unforgettable!!

[LeftcoastBC]

Up in Whistler they are trying to get the Bobsled Luge track fit for tourists on wheeled or some such option so that you may try that. I think the eta is next summer. (But don't hold your breath)

 

The track looks pretty tame from a Gondola car but in fact is not for rookies.

[Putterdude]

Let's not forget the Olympic cauldron (albeit not lit) about a block and a half west of Canada Place and the new trade and convention centre, which served as the world media centre also located about a block west of Canada Place.