Vancouver answers from a Vancouverite

[F19810]

Are there any good dim sum places in Vancouver?
Thanks

[scottbee]

[quote name='F19810']Are there any good dim sum places in Vancouver?
Thanks[/quote]

I would guess there are about 1/2 million Chinese (and that might be a little low) in Metro Vancouver, the answer is YES. There are Chinese language TV Stations, radio stations, and two Chinese daily newspapers in the city.

A quick google search for Dim Sum Vancouver will yield you hundreds of places, but the one that seems to get the best reviews is Sun Sui Wah Seafood Restaurant 3888 Main Street Edited May 18, 2009 by scottbee

[ell52]

[quote name='gdizzle']My first post. yeehaa. Driving from Seattle to Vancouver, for a trip on the NCL Sun in June 21. Sails to Alaska, then back to Vancouver.
I am planning on spending 2 nights in Vancouver when we return, 6/28. But not sure of what I can see during that time. I have 2 kids 7,9. We have a car. Any ideas?? Also of a place to stay that might be near nice things. I am frantically searching for a hotel stay that allows me to leave my car, but seems there are very few choices.
Anyone heard of the Listel?? Thoughts?? Any help is GREATLY appreciated.
Thanks for any help and ideas.
gDizzle

p.s. this is first cruise. !!!!!![/QUOTE]

The Listel is a lovely, small boutique hotel on Robson St - centrally located to lots of shops and restaurants. It is an older hotel that's been well-renovated to a very modern, abstract art style of decor. I've stayed there and liked the location on Robson as well as the friendly and helpful front desk staff. Their Cruise and Park package looks pretty good (considering that most downtown hotels charge $25+/day for parking).

You might also want to look at the Best Western Downtown and their [b][URL="http://www.bestwesterndowntown.com/packages.htm"]Park 'n Sail package[/URL][/b]. They give you up to 8 days of free parking, complimentary breakfast and will transfer you to and from the cruise terminal.

Another consideration might be to look at hotels in Richmond (the city just south of Vancouver where the airport is located). The rates are generally less expensive and a number of them have packages that include free parking. Do a Google search using: "Richmond BC free parking cruise packages". I've never stayed at any of the hotels, so can't vouch for them, but maybe others can.

As for some activities with a 7 and 9 year-old: Stanley Park, the Aquarium (a must see), Capilano Suspension Bridge, Grouse Mountain, Science World.

HTH.

PS. Have a great first cruise!

[Urban trekker]

Gdizzle - here are three places that your kids should enjoy

1. Vancouver Aquarium in Stanley Park: [url]http://www.vanaqua.org/home/[/url]

2. Telus World of Science:[url]http://www.vanaqua.org/home/[/url]

3. Kids Market at Granville Island - [url]http://www.granvilleisland.com/en/island_info[/url]

All three have parking but it is expensive.

They may also enjoy the Capilano Suspension Bridge:[url]http://www.capbridge.com/index.html[/url]

and/or a gondola ride up Grouse Mountain where they can see the two Grizzly Bears - Coola and Grinder - there are also three wolves there as well + a lumberjack and birds of prey exhibit:[url]http://www.grousemountain.com/summer/[/url]

As for a place to eat - the Old Spaghetti Factory in Gastown is always a fun place for kids of all ages - ask to be seated in the old street car that used to run on the Streets of Vancouver when I was a kid.

[url]www.oldspaghettifactory.ca[/url]

Also if in Gastown check out the Steam Clock about a block from the restaurant: [url]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_clock[/url]

Hope this helps

Cheers

Dennis

[ell52]

[quote name='F19810']Are there any good dim sum places in Vancouver?
Thanks[/QUOTE]

Best dim sum places in Vancouver:

[URL="http://www.sunsuiwah.com/e-about-1.html"]Sun Sui Wah[/URL]

[URL="http://www.kirinrestaurants.com/index.php5?page=city_square_map"]Kirin - at City Square Mall [/URL]and

[URL="http://www.kirinrestaurants.com/index.php5?page=downtown_map"]Kirin - Downtown[/URL]

There are many more good dim sum places, but they are in Richmond (a 30 minute drive south of the city).

[Podie]

Any recommendations for Korean food?

[wrp96]

[quote name='Urban trekker']Canada Place is surrounded by a promenade so you can get up close and very personal for seeing ships berthed there - there isn't really any place to get photos of the ships at Ballantyne pier as it is in the industrial part of the port.

Here's a link to my blog where I posted some pictures of the Carnival Splendor - keep in mind it was on the east side of Canada Place - if a ship is berthed on the west side you will get great pictures from the new convention center walkway.

[URL]http://yvrcruiser.blogspot.com/2009/05/carnival-splendor-in-vancouver-at.html[/URL]

For sailaway - Prospect Point in Stanley Park is an excellent place or you could walk onto the Lions Gate Bridge on the east side and see the ship coming towards you as it makes it way out of the harbour heading for the open seas.

Hope this helps

Cheers

Dennis[/quote]


Thanks for the info. May kill two birds with one stone and go to Stanley Park. What's the best way to get to Stanley Park? I'm staying at the Downtown Best Western.

[Putterdude]

[SIZE=4]I would suggest transit, it will take you about 20 mins and will require a transfer. It is also walkable if you enjoy walking. Here is a link for your convenience.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=4][/SIZE]
[URL="http://tripplanning.translink.bc.ca/hiwire"][SIZE=4]http://tripplanning.translink.bc.ca/hiwire[/SIZE][/URL]

[wrp96]

Thanks Putterdude. Are you having a great time?

[Putterdude]

[quote name='wrp96']Thanks Putterdude. Are you having a great time?[/quote]

[SIZE=4]I am back, it was just a little 3 Pacific Coastal...got home this morning.[/SIZE]

[wrp96]

[quote name='Putterdude'][SIZE=4]I am back, it was just a little 3 Pacific Coastal...got home this morning.[/SIZE][/quote]


Just saw your post about it on the Princess board. Sad about the airlift, but glad Princess handled it so well.

[the_woodman]

Do hotels in Vancouver receive the major american television networks ABC, NBC, CBS, and FOX?

There are various sporting events (college football, NFL, NASCAR,etc.) I would like to see while I am in town before a cruise.

[scottbee]

[quote name='the_woodman']Do hotels in Vancouver receive the major american television networks ABC, NBC, CBS, and FOX?

There are various sporting events (college football, NFL, NASCAR,etc.) I would like to see while I am in town before a cruise.[/quote]

Yes, they carry all the major US networks. This is the typical cable channel lineup in metro Vancouver

2 TV Listings
3 CBC Vancouver (CBUT)
4 Shaw TV
5 The Knowledge Network
6 E! Victoria (CHEK)
7 CBC French Vancouver (CBUFT)
8 OMNI - BC (CHNM)
9 CTV BC (CIVT)
10 Joytv 10 - CHNU Vancouver
11 Global Vancouver (CHAN)
12 A-Channel Victoria/Vancouver
13 CITY TV Vancouver - CKVU
14 KSTW - UPN Tacoma
15 CBS Seattle (KIRO)
16 NBC Seattle (KING)
17 TSC - The Shopping Channel
18 The Weather Network
19 W Network West
20 CMT - Country Music Television
21 ABC Seattle (KOMO)
22 Sportsnet - Pacific
23 KVOS - Independent Bellingham
24 MuchMusic
25 YTV
26 CBC Newsworld / Voiceprint
27 PBS Seattle (KCTS)
28 FOX Seattle (KCPQ)

[Urban trekker]

Yes you will get all the regular network stations on cable in Vancouver - they will be the Seattle affiliates BUT you won't get ESPN or FSN directly - however many of there programs are picked up by our sport channels like TSN, TSN2, Sportsnet Pacific and the Score so you should get most of what you want - some of the major bars also have satellite feeds that do pick up the cable sports channels from the US.

Shaw cable is the major supplier of cable services here in Vancouver - here's a link to their Vancouver channel line-up to give you an idea of what to expect:

[url]http://www.shaw.ca/en-ca/ProductsServices/Television/ChannelsInMyArea/[/url]

Hope this helps

Cheers

Dennis

[Urban trekker]

Gosh - Scott you beat me to it this morning

Cheers

Dennis

[the_woodman]

Thanks guys. That is just what I need.

[HillbillyInBC]

[quote name='Podie']Any recommendations for Korean food?[/QUOTE]

I haven't tried it yet, but Red Chicken on Bute Street just south of Robson gets pretty good reviews.

[macmax]

Is there an outlet to purchase beer near Canada Place?

[scottbee]

[quote name='macmax']Is there an outlet to purchase beer near Canada Place?[/quote]

there's a BC Government Liquor store on W.Cordova, between Seymour and Richards (about 2 blocks) at the bottom of the Harbour Centre facility.

[Iam9a]

We will be in Vancouver for the day prior to our cruise. We would like to go to Granville Island. We have a rental car but would prefer not to drive over, but take the ferry. Are there parking lots next to the ferry docks that we can park in for a few hours? Thanks in advance for your help.

[Podie]

Thank you for the Korean recommendation! We love Korean food and luckily there's plenty in Florida.

Now, for other meals - considering Cardero's and Joe Fortes. Husband and I want seafood and daughter doesn't.

[Putterdude]

[SIZE=4]Joe Fortes in my mind is more of a steak and chop house with some seafood. It has been a touchstone restaurant in Vancouver for some 25 years and come very highly recommended. Carderos is one of my faves, it bills itself as a marine pub, has lots of item on it menu that are not seafood and has great views out over the Coal Harbour yacht basin. In my mind you can go wrong with either one.:)[/SIZE]

[ukbballfan]

Are there any segway tours or rentals in Vancouver? I can't seem to find anything.

[Putterdude]

[SIZE=4]I am not familiar with any. I belive that there was a company a few years ago but has since folded. Ut may have some other ideas though.[/SIZE]

[USDirectYVR]

Hey everybody!

I am also a Vancouverite (though technically I live in the burb's) and I am part of the US Direct program at YVR. In addition to all my incredibly helpful copatriots, I would gladly answer any questions about Vancouver or the USDirect program that anyone of you may have.

Hope you all enjoy your stay in Vancouver!