Vancouver- too many choices!!

[kbxopowo]

My husband and I are going to be in Vancouver for too short a time, it seems!! We will have:

 

- one afternoon (2pm-on) pre cruise (staying at Hyatt Regency)

- one afternoon (10am-on) post cruise

+ one full day

 

...To see as much as we possibly can. Our friends and family advocate strongly for Butchart Gardens, but it seems that would be best handled on a 13 hour tour- which would be our full day. Is it worth giving up our only full day to travel to Victoria?

 

We would be interested in one of the Ho Ho buses, too- to cover as much ground as possible. BUT there is also the 3-4 hour pre/post cruise tour to consider- which would you recommend?

 

Of course, the Cap.Bridge would be fun, too- and a trip to Whistler would be great....

 

So I know this is an impossible question, but: what would you do? What would you skip?

 

Thanks in advance for any help you can give us... I am feeling really excited at the possibilities, but at the same time TOTALLY overwhelmed!!

 

-Kaytie :)

[BCHappyGal]

Although the Gardens are lovely they are in Victoria whihc is a 1.5 hour ferry ride away plus time to get too an from the ferry and time in line waiting for hte ferry at each end... Your travel time will be at least 2.5 hours each way and that is on a bus tour that has priority direct ferry boarding.

 

Leave the Gardens for your next visit and then spend some time in Victoria which has much more to offer than just the Gardens.

 

Wiht your short time you will find plenty to do right in Vancouver. Below is a list of some of my favorite things to do.

 

For your full day I would suggest Capilano Suspension Bridge and Grouse Mountain and if there is any time left you can add in either Stanley Park or Gas Town. The above 2 can esily be reached using public transit and a day pass for that will cost you $9. pp

 

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. During the summer months there is a free shuttle bus that you can ride around the park on.

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

[gg3]

We are about to go on our 4th Alaskan cruise.....and we will be in Vancouver once again. I would suggest maybe doing Grouse Mtn. and Cap. Susp. Bridge area one afternoon. Folks on this board will come on line and tell you how to best get there from your hotel. Also, the HoHo buses are great to take you to so many areas of Vancouver and give you a good feel for each community and you could fill up one whole day doing just that. I would not give up a whole day to go to Victoria....when Vancouver offers so much for the entire family. Stanley Park alone is outstanding for an afternoon.....and is part of the HoHo bus tour. We are going to take a Orca whale watch tour this year. A company shuttle will pick us up by our hotel and take us to Stevetson to go out on a zodiac for 3-5 hours and see all types of wildlife, incl. the orcas. Then we are also going to do G. Mtn. and C. Bridge one afternoon. I know others will come on this thread shortly and give you first hand advice. gg

[gg3]

Ok......I see BC Gal has already responded and what better info can you get than from a Canadian.

Question for BC Gal or any folks in that area........what is the best way to get to Grouse Mtn. and Cap Bridge from the Fairmont Waterfront area. Thanks so much.......gg

[kbxopowo]

I had a feeling we might be taking on too much trying to fit in the Butchart gardens with getting a feel for Vancouver. DH and I really enjoy just walking around in cities, seeing neighborhoods, etc.- and I think if we spend 13 hours trying to see the gardens, we might lose that aspect.

 

It seems that many of the "must sees" on your list are on the Ho, Ho bus tours- so maybe that will be a good option for us (esp. since we can get a 2 day pass!)

 

Another question: DH and I went to a fabulous dim sum restaurant in Toronto (Lai Wah Heen)- would you recommend Sun Sui Wah? Or somewhere else? Any good places near our hotel (Hyatt Regency)?

 

Thanks again... we are so excited to see this beautiful city!

[kbxopowo]

I think we were posting at the same time... ;)

[Urban trekker]

"..what is the best way to get to Grouse Mtn. and Cap Bridge from the Fairmont Waterfront area.

 

Walk across the street to Waterfront Station - the historic old red brick CP rail station is now a transportation hub containing Seabus, Skytain, West Coast Express and regular buses.

 

Take Seabus across Burrard inlet to Lonsdale quay - where you could spend some time as it is a public market with eateries, unique shops and you will see the bus terminal - pick up the Grouse Mt bus - it will pass the Cap bridge on the way - when finished at Cap Bridge continue on the bus to Grouse.

 

Bus service is frequent - in fact it is probably busier in the summer than at other times of the year because of the number of people who are heading to these two popular tourist attractions.

 

Hope this helps

 

Cheers

 

Dennis

[maren91]

"..what is the best way to get to Grouse Mtn. and Cap Bridge from the Fairmont Waterfront area.

 

Walk across the street to Waterfront Station - the historic old red brick CP rail station is now a transportation hub containing Seabus, Skytain, West Coast Express and regular buses.

 

Take Seabus across Burrard inlet to Lonsdale quay - where you could spend some time as it is a public market with eateries, unique shops and you will see the bus terminal - pick up the Grouse Mt bus - it will pass the Cap bridge on the way - when finished at Cap Bridge continue on the bus to Grouse.

 

Bus service is frequent - in fact it is probably busier in the summer than at other times of the year because of the number of people who are heading to these two popular tourist attractions.

 

Hope this helps

 

Cheers

 

Dennis

 

Thanks! I was in need of the exact same information. Can we buy the all day transit pass at the Waterfront station as well? Is that pass also good for the false creek ferry over to Granville Island?

[Urban trekker]

Yes you can buy an all day transit pass from the automated machines at Waterfront station and NO the pass is not good for the ferry to Granville Island - that is a private operation - the base fare is $2.50 per person.

 

Hope this answers your questions

 

Cheers

 

Dennis

[maren91]

Yes you can buy an all day transit pass from the automated machines at Waterfront station and NO the pass is not good for the ferry to Granville Island - that is a private operation - the base fare is $2.50 per person.

 

Hope this answers your questions

 

Cheers

 

Dennis

 

Thanks Dennis, one more question if you don't mind. How can I get from the Fairmont Waterfront to the Granville Island ferry terminal?

[Urban trekker]

You could walk about 13 blocks straight down Hornby from your Hotel - let me know when you will be walking by and I will wave to your from my balcony on your way to the ferry - there are a number of access points to the ferries from the downtown side with Hornby or Thurlow being the most common.

 

If you have your bus pass you could walk one block to Howe and catch any of the trolley buses and ask the driver to let you off at the closest stop to Davie St and then walk down to the water and catch the ferry or you could even take #50 bus False Creek South which will take you to the entrance to Granville island from the other side - for your return trip the little ferries are right their for you to board.

 

Hope this helps

 

Cheers

 

Dennis

[Putterdude]

My husband and I are going to be in Vancouver for too short a time, it seems!! We will have:

 

- one afternoon (2pm-on) pre cruise (staying at Hyatt Regency)

- one afternoon (10am-on) post cruise

+ one full day

 

...To see as much as we possibly can. Our friends and family advocate strongly for Butchart Gardens, but it seems that would be best handled on a 13 hour tour- which would be our full day. Is it worth giving up our only full day to travel to Victoria?

 

We would be interested in one of the Ho Ho buses, too- to cover as much ground as possible. BUT there is also the 3-4 hour pre/post cruise tour to consider- which would you recommend?

 

Of course, the Cap.Bridge would be fun, too- and a trip to Whistler would be great....

 

So I know this is an impossible question, but: what would you do? What would you skip?

 

Thanks in advance for any help you can give us... I am feeling really excited at the possibilities, but at the same time TOTALLY overwhelmed!!

 

-Kaytie :)

 

Both a trip to the Butchart Gardens and to Whistler are wonderful but each requires a full day to take in. I think you will find enough to keep you very busy in Vancouver. The HOHO Vancouver Trolley is agreat way to see the city and it may be some thing that you would care to do post cruise as the tickets are good for 2 days and that would allow you to go back and see the sights that you either missed on the first afternoon or want to spend more at. I would be inclined to use my arrival afternoon to get over to the Capilano Suspension Bridge and the Grouse Mountain Skyride. You may also care to use your embarkation morning going down to Stanley Park and pick up the free shuttle that goes around the park or perhaps a walk in Pacific Centre and the shops of Robson St.. Places that take a lot of time to see would be Stanely Park and Granville Island.

[kbxopowo]

Thank you to everyone for the input. Putterdude- I think we will do exactly that!!

 

Thanks again- we are really excited about our honeymoon!!:D

[Texas_firefighter]

Although the Gardens are lovely they are in Victoria whihc is a 1.5 hour ferry ride away plus time to get too an from the ferry and time in line waiting for hte ferry at each end... Your travel time will be at least 2.5 hours each way and that is on a bus tour that has priority direct ferry boarding.

 

Leave the Gardens for your next visit and then spend some time in Victoria which has much more to offer than just the Gardens.

 

Wiht your short time you will find plenty to do right in Vancouver. Below is a list of some of my favorite things to do.

 

For your full day I would suggest Capilano Suspension Bridge and Grouse Mountain and if there is any time left you can add in either Stanley Park or Gas Town. The above 2 can esily be reached using public transit and a day pass for that will cost you $9. pp

 

Info on Vancouver from a local!

 

My favorite must do attractions are

 

1) Grouse Mountain – 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 – 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. www.lynncanyonparkguide.bc.ca It is also free to visit this suspension bridge!

5) Stanley Park – 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 –www.vanaqua.org – hollow tree, 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) 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 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 www.classicalchinesegarden.com and also make sure you visit the world’s thinnest building it is only 6’ wide!

9) Granville Island – 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 – www.theaquabus.com

10) Burnaby Village Museum – 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 – 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. www.vancouvermaritimemuseum.com

13) Queen Elizabeth Park – 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. 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 www.mtnviewconservation.org

 

 

Wow! thanks for all this.