Help w/Vancouver Itinerary

[glee87]

Hi, my husband and I will be visiting Vancouver in May before taking a cruise to Alaska. We will arrive in the evening on the 21st around 6pm. On the 22nd we have the whole day open and on the 23rd we have the morning open before we board the Cruise Ship at 12pm.

These are some of the things we would like to see and do:

Grouse Mountain, Capilano Suspension Bridge, Victoria Island (Buchart Gardens), Stanley Park, Granville Island. Let me also mention that we will not be driving.

Could you please help me with an itinerary for those days and help with

info for transportation to these places. I hope we can do most of them. If there are some other place that we need to see and do please let me know. Also if you knowany great eating places that would be great. Your suggestions are greatly appreciated!

 

TIA!

Gina

[Fore67]

All things in the lower mainland are possible for you and your husband for your day and a half in Vancouver. It would be difficult to add the Butchart Gardens on Vancouver Island into the mix as that would be an entire day and then some as it includes either another flight or a ferry ride over and back. You might need to plan another trip to Vancouver Island (Victoria) to tour that magical part of the world.

 

There are great restaurants all over Vancouver, just depends where you are staying, what you like and how much you want to spend. Fill in some more details and everybody on this board can help you out.

 

Cheers,

Mike

 

PG 2001, 2004

[scottbee]

Hi, my husband and I will be visiting Vancouver in May before taking a cruise to Alaska. We will arrive in the evening on the 21st around 6pm. On the 22nd we have the whole day open and on the 23rd we have the morning open before we board the Cruise Ship at 12pm.

These are some of the things we would like to see and do:

Grouse Mountain, Capilano Suspension Bridge, Victoria Island (Buchart Gardens), Stanley Park, Granville Island. Let me also mention that we will not be driving.

Could you please help me with an itinerary for those days and help with

info for transportation to these places. I hope we can do most of them. If there are some other place that we need to see and do please let me know. Also if you knowany great eating places that would be great. Your suggestions are greatly appreciated!

 

Gina;

Vancouver has a great bus/subway system that's fairly inexpensive.

Grouse Mountain, Capilano Suspension Bridge, Stanley Park and Granville Island are all not far away, and easily reached by bus. See http://translink.bc.ca/ for all the transit info. For example, Capilano Suspension Bridge is approx 30 min from downtown via seabus/bus and Grouse Mountain is just a little bit further up the road.

Google maps will also give you transit details. Put in a Vancouver route, and in the driving directions you'll see a 'Take Public Transit' link. All of this for a mere $9 day pass !! (or between $2.50 and $5 / trip)

 

Buchart Gardens, located outside of Victoria on Vancouver Island, is a much much further trip. Vancouver Island is 20+ miles offshore, and requires an 1h45m ferry trip. It takes approx 4 hours (ea way) to get from downtown Vancouver to Buchart Gardens. If you want to see the gardens, it's a long day, but doable from Vancouver (probably at the expensive of everything else in Vancouver). It doesn't seem that far on a map, it isn't really, but Victoria is the largest city in North America you can't drive to directly. Also, Vancouver Island is approximately 30% larger than Vermont even if it does look small on your maps.....

[BCHappyGal]

Hi

 

I think you have picked the best of the attractions to visit in chosing

Capilano Suspension Bridge

Grouse Mountain

Stanley Park - starting in mid May there is a free courtesy bus that circles Stanley Park to make visiting/viewing the park easier.

You might want to add in a stroll thru GAs Town which is the original Vancouver settlement area.

 

Below is a list of attractions with web site addresses for most of them for your info -

 

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 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. http://www.lynncanyonparkguide.bc.ca It is also free to visit this suspension bridge!

5) Stanley Park – http://www.city.vancouver.bc.ca/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 at Brockton Point, hiking trails, beaches, water parks for the kids (young & old), rose gardens, miniature train, petting zoo, aquarium – http://www.vanaqua.org – hollow tree, many view points, and several restaurants.

6) 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.

7) 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.

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

9) 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. May 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

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

11) 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.

12) 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

13) 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.

14) 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

15) 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.

16) If you are a real animal lover than here is my latest find “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 India, 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

[Urban trekker]

'starting in mid May there is a free courtesy bus that circles Stanley Park'

 

BC Happy Gal - unless you know something new the free shuttle doesn't start up until mid June according to the Vancouver Parks web site."

 

http://vancouver.ca/parks/parks/stanley/shuttle.htm

 

and Lynn canyon is a local park not a provincial park but otherwise I think your list of suggestions is a good reflection of what is available to our tourists.

 

Cheers

 

Dennis

[glee87]

Thank you so much for all your help! What restaurants are a must try for B/L/D and dessert? Any local favorites? $$-$$$? Thanks again for your input! If it helps we are staying at The Buchan Hotel. Needs to be walking distance because we have no car.

 

Aloha,

Gina

[glee87]

Thanks for all of your help!!! What attractions do we have time for on the evening of the 21st (6pm) and the 23rd which is the morning before our cruise (12pm)? Also, what restaurants are a must try? Any local favorites for B/L/D and dessert? If it helps we are staying at The Buchan Hotel. Needs to be walking distance (no car).

 

Thanks again!!!

Gina

[QuasiTova]

Thanks for all of your help!!! What attractions do we have time for on the evening of the 21st (6pm) and the 23rd which is the morning before our cruise (12pm)? Also, what restaurants are a must try? Any local favorites for B/L/D and dessert? If it helps we are staying at The Buchan Hotel. Needs to be walking distance (no car).

 

Thanks again!!!

Gina

 

We are also staying at the Buchan Hotel while in Vancouver :)

 

I have a thread that lists my itinerary while I am there. Maybe it will be helpful to you too :)

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=713602

[Fore67]

Upon your arrival, clearing customs, getting to your hotel and checking / settling in, you probably won't have much time for anything other than dinner. Take a quick stroll down to Coal Harbour and try Cardero's on the water.

For the morning before you board, that might be a good time to spend a couple of hours on Granville Island. Then you can cram as much sight-seeing into your full day as possible.

 

Sounds like fun!

 

Mike

 

PG 2001, 2004

[Putterdude]

BC Happy Girl, that is a terrific list and you should be commended for it, that is a lot of work.

[RCCLismyfav1]

BCHappyGal,

Thank you so much for the the information you have made my planning much easier.:)

We will be in Vancouver in Sept. 10-12 before boarding for our 14 day cruise to AK.

Could you please help us out with some resturants?

We are looking for reasonable, safe, where the locals go, we love the little hole in the wall places to eat. Breakfast we can go to the same place everyday if we have to but we do want different places for lunch and dinner. We are looking for casual places but not chain rest. Steaks, burgers, Italian, Mexican and maybe some sefood for shrimp and crab legs but DH don't care for seafood much.

If you could help me I would really appreciate it. If there are any bars or pubs that you could recommend that would be great also.

We will be staying at the Hampton Inn and Suites on Robson Street.

Also we will be arriving in Vancouver around 12:00 noon and will go straight to hotel. What would you suggest we do that first day?

Thank you

 

you can also e-mail at rfrenchbaxter@msn.com

[QuasiTova]

I just got my Vancouver Entertainment Coupon Book in the mail this weekend.

 

We will only be in Vancouver for 3 days, but I got a heck of a deal on the book ($35, and they sent me a $25 gift certificate to a local restaurant here in Texas)... and since the Capilano Bridge and the Aquarium both have 2-for-1 coupons in the book, I am already ahead.

 

Just flipping through the book, I see the potential to save a few hundred bucks easy in only three days... and I figure I will just pass the book along to a local before I leave :)

 

I plan to go through the book tonight with a fine tooth comb, and come back tomorrow for opinions about the places that catch my eye.

[Arkylady]

Where did you get your coupon book? We are staying for 2 nights in August and I have really enjoyed reading all the information on this site. There are 8 of us and we haven't decided on hotel yet, but guess we better hurry.

[itsanita]

Is the Vancouver Entertainment Coupon Book good for Vancouver Island (Victoria) too? Or is that a seperate book?

[QuasiTova]

You can purchase the Entertainment book here:

http://entertainment.com/

 

The Vancouver book has coupons for surrounding areas too... there are some for Victoria. You can see what coupons are in it on the website :)

 

There is a book listed for Vancouver Island as well for $15.

 

Dang, the Vancouver one I bought is nw only $21.50 a WEEK later :mad:

[RCCLismyfav1]

You can purchase the Entertainment book here:

http://entertainment.com/

 

The Vancouver book has coupons for surrounding areas too... there are some for Victoria. You can see what coupons are in it on the website :)

 

There is a book listed for Vancouver Island as well for $15.

 

Dang, the Vancouver one I bought is nw only $21.50 a WEEK later :mad:

 

Yes but you wouldnot get the 25.00 restaurant certificate...So you still got a heck of a deal.

[BCHappyGal]

To all who thanked me for my list - you are most welcome...

 

Vancouver has a host of GREAT restaurants. Depending on where you are and what you want from family style to gourmet to fast food....

 

For a quick and reasonable lunch try "Maple Delights" in the 700 block of Hornby Street.

 

For family style reasonably priced try a local BC chain of restaurants called "White Spots" you will find these restaurants all over the city.

 

For seafood try 1) Cardero's on the shore of Coal Harbor

2) The Cannery Restaurant on the shore of Burrard Inlet on Commissioner Street

3) Salmon House on the Hill in West Vancouver

 

For something different try the "Stone Grill" on the shore of False Creek at the end of Granville Street.

 

For a wonderful view try the revolving restaurant at the top of Harbor Centre called the Top of Vancouver

 

Hope the above helps

[QuasiTova]

Yes but you wouldnot get the 25.00 restaurant certificate...So you still got a heck of a deal.

 

Yeah, that is what I thought too...

 

After posting that, I decided to call them and ask about the Vancouver Island book... and wow... this was totally unexpected... the guy was so nice... he is sending me another gift certificate to another restaurant as well. So, I guess I really did ge the best deal.

 

I think I might buy the Vancouver Island book for $15... it has a whale watching 2-for-1 tour in it valued at $75. I am going to do a bit of research about the tour company first though...

 

I wasn;t sure I wanted to go over to Victoria this trip... and was planning on a whale watching tour out of Granville Island, but at that savings, it is worth looking into.

[Putterdude]

I endorse Happy Girls restaurant recommendations but each of them will best be had by a cab ride or a car from downtown. The Salmon House is in West Vancouver up off the Upper Levels Hwy and is a fair trek, 20 min to half an hour from downtown. The Stone Grill should be accessible by transit. Cardero's is a casual but upscale marine pub (lots of fish on the menu) in the heart of the yacht basin down towards Stanley Park, you can get to within 2 blocks or so by transit. The Cannery is a moderate to upscale dinner house (primarily fish menu) on the water on the east side of Vancouver .... you definately need a car or cab for it.