Help with driving itinerary please!

[alih]

We have just booked a cruise on Celebrity Century for the inside passage roundtrip from Vancouver on 4th September. We land in Vancouver on the 1st September so have a couple of days to explore the city. Our cruise ends on 11th September and our flight home isn't until 19th September, we are planning to hire a car for these 8 days, is there a website with recommended routes with times to see the Rockies, would like to stay a night or two in Whistler and don't want to be driving more than 100 miles in a day. Any help would really be appreciated.

 

Alison

[cruiseryyc]

http://www.tripadvisor.ca/

 

Go the the "Forum" section on this website, a great spot to find out information for driving holidays. Once in the forums' you will want to select Canada and then the British Columbia forum for the Vancouver/Whislter area and the Alberta for the Rockies. However with your limited amount of time, you won't have that much time see the Rockies.

[c-to-sea]

First question - where are you flying to on Sep. 18th.? Would it be possible for you to change your departure from Vancouver to Calgary. That way, you could drive through the Rockies and see sights along the way.

 

If this is possible, we can then recommend several options for your drive.

If not, there are still a number of routes that would give you plenty to see

round trip from Vancouver in a week.

[LeftcoastBC]

Simple suggestion to start with.

 

North to Whistler for as long as you Want.

Then do a circle on Hwy #99. North and

East To #97 South to Cache Creek. East on #1 Go through the Okanogan on #97 and return to the coast on #3 & #1.

 

You will have trouble only going 100 miles a day and seeing the "Rockies". But that route will allow you see a lot of BC & mountains and there are great communities along the way once you get out to #1.

 

c-to-sea has a good suggestion other than you end up in Alberta :D

[cruiseryyc]

c-to-sea has a good suggestion other than you end up in Alberta :D

 

Yes Alberta - where there is no HST or provincial sales tax; and private liquor stores for cheaper booze. :-)

 

And before anyone gets their shorts in a knot - LeftCoast and I are just having some fun with a little provincial rivalry!

[scottbee]

We have just booked a cruise on Celebrity Century for the inside passage roundtrip from Vancouver on 4th September. We land in Vancouver on the 1st September so have a couple of days to explore the city. Our cruise ends on 11th September and our flight home isn't until 19th September, we are planning to hire a car for these 8 days, is there a website with recommended routes with times to see the Rockies, would like to stay a night or two in Whistler and don't want to be driving more than 100 miles in a day. Any help would really be appreciated.

 

Alison

 

It's 500 miles from Vancouver to the Rockies, I think that destroys your more than 100 miles day right there. However, the mountains on the coast are actually taller than the rockies. Looking at a map; I would suggest

Hwy 99 north to Whistler,

Hwy 99 Whistler to pemberton; and Lillooet;

Hwy 1 to Cache Creek, Kamloops

Hwy 97 south from Kamloops to Oosoyoos

Hwy 3 west from Oosoyoos to Princeton to Hope

Hwy 1 west back to Vancouver; or Hwy 7

[LeftcoastBC]

It's 500 miles from Vancouver to the Rockies, I think that destroys your more than 100 miles day right there. However, the mountains on the coast are actually taller than the rockies. Looking at a map; I would suggest

Hwy 99 north to Whistler,

Hwy 99 Whistler to pemberton; and Lillooet;

Hwy 1 to Cache Creek, Kamloops

Hwy 97 south from Kamloops to Oosoyoos

Hwy 3 west from Oosoyoos to Princeton to Hope

Hwy 1 west back to Vancouver; or Hwy 7

 

hmmmmmm....I thought that's what I said. :D Must be a good idea.

[Urban trekker]

``And before anyone gets their shorts in a knot - LeftCoast and I are just having some fun with a little provincial rivalry.``

 

Yes BUT at least our hockey team wins more than it loses - hasn`t fired it General Manager and only gets criticized for not winning every game by 10 goals - has the reigning league MVP - an Olympic gold medal goalie - has an American League farm team that draws fans to its games and a city that won Gold medals on home soil.

 

Have a great day

 

Cheers

 

Dennis

[Urban trekker]

Oosoyoos

 

Scott -I think you mean Osoyoos

 

Cheers

 

Dennis

[LeftcoastBC]

Yes Alberta - where there is no HST or provincial sales tax; and private liquor stores for cheaper booze. :-)

 

And before anyone gets their shorts in a knot - LeftCoast and I are just having some fun with a little provincial rivalry!

 

``And before anyone gets their shorts in a knot - LeftCoast and I are just having some fun with a little provincial rivalry.``

 

Yes BUT at least our hockey team wins more than it loses - hasn`t fired it General Manager and only gets criticized for not winning every game by 10 goals - has the reigning league MVP - an Olympic gold medal goalie - has an American League farm team that draws fans to its games and a city that won Gold medals on home soil.

 

Have a great day

 

Cheers

 

Dennis

Careful Dennis or YYC might mention his Stanley Cup.... lol

[Urban trekker]

Didn`t we win one back around 1915 - so we are even - then our coach is also going to be a coach for the All Star Game. And wasn`t it a guy from Calgary that allowed the Campbellites to bring in the HST by bribing them with federal taxpayers money.

 

Cheers

 

Dennis

[cruiseryyc]

We have a hockey team?????? I know there a bunch of fools that get on the ice and skate around in circles - but even I wouldn't call them a hockey team.

 

HOWEVER - please remember who it was that made that great pass to Crosby that won the gold medal!!! IIIGGGGGYYYYY

 

And when did I become a he???

[alih]

Thanks for all the info, unable to change my flights, flying into Vancouver and out of Calgary had been my initial plan, but then I went and booked Vancouver return flights without thinking! p.s sorry I know nothing about hockey!

[LeftcoastBC]

And when did I become a he???

 

Apparently when my fingers typed it . :(

 

Alih/ glad we could help along with the wisecracks.... apparently you are not the only only that doesn't know anything about hockey.

[red knight]

LeftCoast and YYC: Neither town has a Hockey Team! The only Team that matters is the Montreal Canadiens!:D

[scottbee]

hmmmmmm....I thought that's what I said. :D Must be a good idea.

 

It's a great idea, although I'm not sure how I posted without seeing yours 1st!

[BCHappyGal]

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.vancouver.ca/parks/parks/queenelizabeth 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.fortlangley.org

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. Check out the Fraser Valley Wine Association web site for a map of winery locations and a brief description of each winery http://www.fvwa.ca

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.mintergardens.com

22) Enjoy a FREE walking tour of Vancouver. This 2 hour tour starts 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