Vancouver Hop On Hop Off

[peachygreen]

There seem to be a couple different companies that offer a Hop on Hop Off tour of Vancouver. We will be getting into Vancouver 2 days before our cruise and I thought this would be a good way to see the city and be able to visit several different places. Is one company better than the other?

[mskaufman]

We were there on a rainy day so we went with the trolley (indoor seating) and it worked out fine.

[DragonOfTheSeas]

Yep--we did the trolley tour, too. We did some research on the two companies. What we noticed was the pink bus uses prerecorded commentary and has fewer stops in Stanley Park. The park is huge and we were glad we could ride between the different stops.

[Michael J]

Yep--we did the trolley tour, too. We did some research on the two companies. What we noticed was the pink bus uses prerecorded commentary and has fewer stops in Stanley Park. The park is huge and we were glad we could ride between the different stops.

 

We will be staying one night at the Vancouver Fairmont. Where can we board the trolley

[DragonOfTheSeas]

We will be staying one night at the Vancouver Fairmont. Where can we board the trolley

 

I am not local --so I do not know the area very well. but, if you are in the downtown Fairmont it looks like it is near the Marriott stop. [not far from Canada Place]

 

Here is a link to the route map.

 

http://vancouvertrolley.com/Tours/Hop-On%2C%20Hop-Offroute-map

 

PS--buy your tickets online before you go and get the second day free. also, if you go to the Canada ports of call message board there is lots of info about the 2 Hop On Hop Off companies. :)

Edited December 23, 2013 by DragonOfTheSeas

[Urban trekker]

There are three Fairmont's in downtown Vancouver

 

Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, Fairmont Waterfront and Fairmont Pacific Rim so if you let us know which one you are staying at we can tell you which stop.

 

The Fairmont Waterfront is across the street from the Pan Pacific and Canada Place so if staying there all the tour buses are parked across the street from that hotel.

 

Hope this helps

 

Cheers and merry Christmas

 

Dennis

[BCHappyGal]

To help you decide what you might like to do and see here is my list of fun things in Vancouver

 

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 higher up the mountain to visit the wind turbine that generates approximately 30% of the power required for Grouse Mountain Resort and visit with 2 live Grizzly Bears. Thrill to a 2 hour Zip Line Tour. 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, traverse a Cliff Top walk, 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.

6) Vancouver Aquarium – http://www.vanaqua.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.

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) 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

11) 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

12) 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.

13) 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

14) 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.

15) 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

16) 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

17) 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

18) 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.

19) 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

20) Enjoy a FREE walking tour of Vancouver. The Gastown tour starts in front of the Vancouver Art Gallery and ends at the statue of Gassy Jack in Gastown. The Downtown tour starts at the Vancouver Art Gallery and ends at the Olympic Cauldron. The China Town tour starts at the Vancouver Art Gallery and ends at the Chinese memorial statue. All of these tours start at 11am. The Granville Island Tour starts at 3pm at the bus stop just at the entrance to Granville Island. Check these tours out at http://www.tourguys.ca The Tour Guys have added an afternoon walking tour of Granville Island and 2 evening tours….

21) A new addition I have just found for the FOODIES in the gang! Check out http://www.offtheeatentrack.com this company offers culinary tasting tours of various areas of Vancouver. I did the Railtown Urban Eats tour and it was Fabulous! This tour would blend well with the free walking tour offered by http://www.tourguys.ca … you could easily do the free walking tour and then meet up with this tour company for this tour for your lunch - the food is plentiful & wonderful you will not leave this tour hungry!

 

 

 

 

Vancouver has a bunch of hop-on hop-off buses

 

http://www.vancouverpinkbustours.com/

 

http://www.vancouvertrolley.com/tours/hop-on-hop-off

 

http://bigbus.ca/home/

[DragonOfTheSeas]

BCGirl--Thank you so much for your list. I used it to help me research Vancouver before we visited. I know that took you time to put that together.

 

However, as a tourist, I would not recommend the first 4 on the list unless they had multiple days in Vancouver. JMHO [We hope to get back someday to visit the mountain area north of Vancouver.]

 

We arrived 2 days before the cruise, too. [like the OP] But, the reality is that you spend most of the first day traveling. We left Richmond, VA at 5:30 am. We got the YVR by around 11am. By the time we did luggage, customs and taxi to the hotel we were starved. [stomach on east coast time] Stopped off for lunch in the hotel. Then we had only a few hrs before the HOHO bus closed. Besides we were getting very tired. [3 hr time change]

 

We rode the HOHO around once and got off at one of the Stanley Park stops. If visitors are coming from the west coast they could visit Grouse Mt for sunset on that evening. But, for east coast travelers we were exhausted. If we had not left so early on our flight there would have been no time to see the sights.

 

The next day we spent in Stanley Park, Granville Island and Gas town. There is so much to see and so little time. We decided if we went to the Suspension Bridge and/or Grouse Mt that would be all we had time for.

 

The next day I walked to the public library to see the "Roman motif." Then it was time to get the shuttle to the pier.

[san4u2]

BCGirl--Thank you so much for your list. I used it to help me research Vancouver before we visited. I know that took you time to put that together.

 

However, as a tourist, I would not recommend the first 4 on the list unless they had multiple days in Vancouver. JMHO [We hope to get back someday to visit the mountain area north of Vancouver.]

 

We arrived 2 days before the cruise, too. [like the OP] But, the reality is that you spend most of the first day traveling. We left Richmond, VA at 5:30 am. We got the YVR by around 11am. By the time we did luggage, customs and taxi to the hotel we were starved. [stomach on east coast time] Stopped off for lunch in the hotel. Then we had only a few hrs before the HOHO bus closed. Besides we were getting very tired. [3 hr time change]

 

We rode the HOHO around once and got off at one of the Stanley Park stops. If visitors are coming from the west coast they could visit Grouse Mt for sunset on that evening. But, for east coast travelers we were exhausted. If we had not left so early on our flight there would have been no time to see the sights.

 

The next day we spent in Stanley Park, Granville Island and Gas town. There is so much to see and so little time. We decided if we went to the Suspension Bridge and/or Grouse Mt that would be all we had time for.

 

The next day I walked to the public library to see the "Roman motif." Then it was time to get the shuttle to the pier.

 

Dragonoftheseas: we are originally from the Richmond area. would be interested inyour opinion on which HOHO bus to take. We live in Savannah, GA now and have 3 different HOHO bus and would recommend 2 but not the third one. we are flying in 2 days early, is it worth trying to do the ride around on the first day in after traveling? we will be landing around 11:30 am.

Edited January 19, 2014 by san4u2

[Victrola]

Dragonoftheseas: we are originally from the Richmond area. would be interested inyour opinion on which HOHO bus to take. We live in Savannah, GA now and have 3 different HOHO bus and would recommend 2 but not the third one. we are flying in 2 days early, is it worth trying to do the ride around on the first day in after traveling? we will be landing around 11:30 am.

 

We have tried several Ho Ho buses in Savannah also and enjoyed our times there and would appreciate your suggestion. We arrived in Vancouver about the same time as you folks will be and decided not to do HO HO the first day. We ventured out on foot for a few hours since we were right at the cruise terminal. We watched all the Ho Ho and trolleys come and go then decided on Big Red bus. We only had one day to tour so just did one day but you could do 2 days for just a few dollars more. We loved Vancouver and are looking forward to returning.

 

http://bigbus.ca/home/

[san4u2]

We have tried several Ho Ho buses in Savannah also and enjoyed our times there and would appreciate your suggestion. We arrived in Vancouver about the same time as you folks will be and decided not to do HO HO the first day. We ventured out on foot for a few hours since we were right at the cruise terminal. We watched all the Ho Ho and trolleys come and go then decided on Big Red bus. We only had one day to tour so just did one day but you could do 2 days for just a few dollars more. We loved Vancouver and are looking forward to returning.

 

http://bigbus.ca/home/

 

Thanks for the info. They are running a special if you buy your ticket on line ahead of time you the second day for free so will probably book it and see what happens. We will be at the Pan Pacific and I think that is one of the stops.

Glad you enjoyed your time in Savannah! :)

Sandie

[Urban trekker]

Yes all of the Hop On Hop Off buses stop outside the Pan Pacific/Canada Place complex.

 

Cheers and enjoy your visit to Vancouver.

 

Dennis

[Michael J]

There are three Fairmont's in downtown Vancouver

 

Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, Fairmont Waterfront and Fairmont Pacific Rim so if you let us know which one you are staying at we can tell you which stop.

 

The Fairmont Waterfront is across the street from the Pan Pacific and Canada Place so if staying there all the tour buses are parked across the street from that hotel.

 

Hope this helps

 

Cheers and merry Christmas

 

Dennis

 

The information I have says the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver.

 

Thanks again

 

Mike and Joan

[Cruznjuly]

Pink bus has horrible reviews

On Trip Advisor! :(

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Putterdude]

All of the HOHOs do pretty much the same tour. Vancouver Trolley were the pioneers of the HOHO business in Vancouver, operate year round and most importantly, at least to me, offer live narration thus they would be my first choice. However, all of the companies from time to time offer some form of promotion and you may care to watch for those promotions.

[Urban trekker]

If you are staying at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver then either stop #3 Hyatt or #4 Art Gallery would be closest - the Art Gallery is actually across the street from your Hotel on the Hornby street side but I believe the HOHO stop is on the other side of the Art Gallery on Howe Street. Even going to the stop at the Sutton Place is a little over a block away from the hotel.

 

Hope this helps

 

Cheers!

 

Dennis

[Putterdude]

I believe the HOHO stop is on the other side of the Art Gallery on Howe Street.

 

Hope this helps

 

Cheers!

 

Dennis

 

Unless it has changed in the past few months, that is where it is.

Edited February 10, 2014 by Putterdude

[jo24]

I have read through and there is some really useful information on here - I had no idea there was even a trolley!! We are hoping to book our Alaska cruise when dates are released next week (fingers crossed RCI release on time!) finishing in Vancouver and spending 2 days there.

 

Can anyone recommend either the HOHO or the trolley as being better for someone with limited mobility or are they fairly similar?

 

Thanks

 

Jo :)

[Putterdude]

I have read through and there is some really useful information on here - I had no idea there was even a trolley!! We are hoping to book our Alaska cruise when dates are released next week (fingers crossed RCI release on time!) finishing in Vancouver and spending 2 days there.

 

Can anyone recommend either the HOHO or the trolley as being better for someone with limited mobility or are they fairly similar?

 

Thanks

 

Jo :)

 

I have no idea of how limited your mobility is, however when I inquired of the Vancouver Trolley I was informed that they will take a folding wheelchair but they are not completely accessible. I have no knowledge of the accessibility of the others but while my DW travels with a folding wheelchair, she is able to handle a step or two on to a HOHO bus.

[jo24]

I have no idea of how limited your mobility is, however when I inquired of the Vancouver Trolley I was informed that they will take a folding wheelchair but they are not completely accessible. I have no knowledge of the accessibility of the others but while my DW travels with a folding wheelchair, she is able to handle a step or two on to a HOHO bus.

 

I apologise for not responding sooner.

 

My mum uses crutches to walk and at the moment does not require a wheelchair. She can handle a few steps fine as long as she has a rail or something to hold on to.

 

Thank you for replying, I really appreciate the information.

 

Jo :)

[Putterdude]

Then she will not have a problem with any of the HOHOs.