vancouver questions

[jenjens1023]

We will have about 24 hours in Vancouver before our ship sails next summer. Don't know yet if we will fly in or take the train from Seattle.

 

What do you recommend we do? DH and I are in our early fifties and our DD will be barely 18. We will have to rely on public transportation.

 

What is the best area of town to stay in? Budget is a consideration. I'd love to stay at the Pan Pacific, but I just can't justify the price.

 

How early can we drop our luggage off at the port (we are on the Diamond Princess)?

 

What else can you tell me about Vancouver?

[BCHappyGal]

I have arrived at Canada Place (dock) as early as 10:30 am and the porters were there ready and waiting to take my luggage.

 

You want to stay downtown in the westend of Vancouver as you only have 24 hours all the sites you want to visit will be close to there and staying further out in the city for a cheaper hotel will end up costing more in taxi fares etc... Check out priceline closer to the date --- many have gotten a wonderful deal on a 4* hotel myself included.

 

As to what to do here is my list of favorite attractions for you to choose from.

 

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

17) 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.

18) 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

19) 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.gardeningbc.com

 

As to getting to Vancouver from Seattle the easiest option is the airporter bus that runs 5 times daily from SEA to Vancovuer - it is call Quick Shuttle.

 

Amtrak is good but only 1 train per day leaving Seattle early in the morning around 7am

 

Last but not least is a one way rental car.

[jenjens1023]

WOW!!!!

 

Thank you so much for taking the time to write all that. Maybe we'll take two days in Vancouver!

 

My DH was there several years ago while on a ski trip and raved about the suspension bridge and the gardens. I also really apprediate the hotel info; we usually use Priceline but now I know what to request.

[scottbee]

If you plan to take transit when you're in town, you should visit http://translink.bc.ca/ and get an idea of what is available on transit, and you can get maps / trip planning etc. An all day pass is $9/day, and can be used to reach almost all of Vancouver's tourist attractions. Vancouver's transit system is very good (I ride it daily to work) and includes the subway/elevated Skytrain, all of the buses, and the Seabus which crosses to North Vancouver.

 

Basing yourself near a Skytrain station such as the Sandman Hotel on Georgia, near Stadium station, or even at the Holiday Inn Express at Metrotown, you'd be a very quick ride to downtown. For example, Metrotown -> Waterfront (Canada Place cruise terminal) is about 15 minutes on Skytrain; I doubt a cab could do it faster. Off the Skytrain at Waterfront, up two escallators, and you're at the cruise terminal.

[Putterdude]

The Sandman Inn on West Georgia is a good option but to go out to Metrotown means too much valuable time is spent commuting plus having to handle baggage. I am of the opinion a person is better off to stay downtown. Options at about the $150 price point would include:

Hyatt Regency - Burrard St at Melville St.

Blue Horizon - Robson St.

Holiday Inn Downtown - on Drake St.

Hampton Inn - Robson St. (includes breakfast and shuttle to pier)

Don't be afraid to use Priceline.com for your hotel.

With only one day in the city I would want to see Stanley Park, Granville Island and Gastown.

You may want to consider a HOHO tour such as the Vancouver Trolley, it is a bit pricey but will give an overview of all of the main attractions in the downtown area and allow the opportunity to get on and off at will:

http://vancouvertrolley.com/

[jenjens1023]

Thanks Putterdude, I like overview tours when I don't have much time to explore. And your hotel suggestions are a much better price for me. After all, most of the time I'm in my room my eyes will be closed!

[Urban trekker]

"Holiday Inn Downtown - on Drake St.

 

PD - did you mean to say Holiday Inn on Howe St or Best Western Downtown on Drake

 

How are things in the Arizona desert?

 

Also the last of the new ferries entered service on Friday on the Swartz Bay run.

 

Should be a noisy Grey Cup game later today - over 65,000 tickets sold for the game at the Big O in Montreal and the home town team is in the game.

 

That all for now

 

Cheers

 

Dennis

[scottbee]

The Sandman Inn on West Georgia is a good option but to go out to Metrotown means too much valuable time is spent commuting plus having to handle baggage. I am of the opinion a person is better off to stay downtown. Options at about the $150 price point would include:

 

Given that the OP already mentioned that

a) They're on a budget;

b) They intended to use transit;

 

the HI Metrotown (and even the Hilton Metrotown) are a great choice as it's a block from Skytrain, and somewhat less expensive than the downtown hotels ($50-100 less/night). Also, if their kids are looking for something to do they are right next door to the largest shopping centre in the province, and a movie theatre with a bizzillion screens (ok, it only seems that way). It's an odd tourist attraction, but the food court at Crystal Mall (also a block away) is a great snapshot of Chinatown, with more (real) chinese food options than anywhere else I can think of short of the Richmond night market.

 

and 'too much valuable time' is 15 minutes on Skytrain vs 10 in a cab from a lot of downtown hotels to Canada Place (due to traffic etc), as for 'hauling luggage', I've used Skytrain to get to my last two cruises out of Vancouver, no problems and so do lots of people.

 

While I agree that downtown is closer to most things, let's consider the OP's original parameters.

[Putterdude]

"Holiday Inn Downtown - on Drake St.

 

PD - did you mean to say Holiday Inn on Howe St or Best Western Downtown on Drake

 

How are things in the Arizona desert?

 

Also the last of the new ferries entered service on Friday on the Swartz Bay run.

 

Should be a noisy Grey Cup game later today - over 65,000 tickets sold for the game at the Big O in Montreal and the home town team is in the game.

 

That all for now

 

Cheers

 

Dennis

 

Quite right I meant the Best Western Downtown - on Drake St. but the Holiday Inn on Howe would also be another good option.

Things here have been hot and dry, as they should be. But have now dropped from highs of 101* to low 80* and looks like we are heading into the high 70's this week with even the threat of some precip on Thurs in honour of American Turkey Day.

I am off to play golf in an hour and may try to catch the Lionless Grey Cup afterwards.

Glad your back safely and hope you had a good time.

pd

[Plant]

We'll want to go from the Hampton Inn on Robson to Granville Island. We won't have a car. What would be the easiest (doesn't have to be the least expensive but we'd rather not hire a limo :D) way to do this?

 

Thanks,

[scottbee]

We'll want to go from the Hampton Inn on Robson to Granville Island. We won't have a car. What would be the easiest (doesn't have to be the least expensive but we'd rather not hire a limo :D) way to do this?

 

http://www.granvilleislandferries.bc.ca/map.html

 

Walk (3-4 blocks) to either the Yaletown (at the end of Davie Street) or Plaza of Nations terminal, and grab the cute little ferry to Granville island.

[Plant]

Thanks so much for the ferry link! It looks like it will be fun as well as transportation :).

[Sally Forth]

Walking over one of the bridges is also an option and you can get great photos. I'd walk over and take the ferry back.

 

Viv

[WeBCruisin]

Putter Dude,

 

You mentioned that the Hampton Inn included a free shuttle to the pier.

 

Which pier? Is it Ballantyne or Canada Place?

 

Is this included in the base rate when you book off their website - or is it a specially priced package that you must purchase when you book?

[Putterdude]

It is my understanding that it is to either pier but I would recommend that you double check with the hotel directly on this point. The distance between the two is negligible

[andynapril]

DH & I will be staying one night after our cruise in April. I figure that we want to stay downtown, but my question is: How far is the cruise ship terminal to downtown, basically how much will a taxi cost? Are there a few nice hotels (nothing super expensive) that are within walking distance? Also, what will be the taxi cost to go from the hotel to the airport or do some of the hotels offer a airport shuttle? Thanks!

[LeftcoastBC]

DH & I will be staying one night after our cruise in April. I figure that we want to stay downtown, but my question is: How far is the cruise ship terminal to downtown, basically how much will a taxi cost? Are there a few nice hotels (nothing super expensive) that are within walking distance? Also, what will be the taxi cost to go from the hotel to the airport or do some of the hotels offer a airport shuttle? Thanks!

 

Downtown from the cruise dock depends on where your ship lands. If at Ballantyne pier it's about a $15 taxi with tip. If at Canada Place your pretty well there but to a local hotel about $10 with tip. There are hotels within walking distance but none that I personally would fit into your "Not super expensive" category. I would recommend just surfing around a hotel site and then pick one in your range and ask about it back here.

 

To the airport 35-50 $ depending on traffic for cab. There are shuttle type buses but no Hotel shuttles without cost. Check the YVR site for tips and some pricing. http://www.yvr.ca/guide/toandfrom/index.asp

[Urban trekker]

If I have figured out your cruise correctly you will be arriving in Vancouver on Sunday May 3, 2008 - if so here are some other things that are occurring in Vancouver that weekend - the Vancouver International Marathon is that day - most hotels will be booked for this large event PLUS as it stands now the Federal Liberal Party - similar to the Dems in the States are scheduled to hold a full national leadership convention from April 30 to May 3 so they will likely take up most of the other hotel rooms so you might want to start your search for a hotel now and forget about a lot of special offers during those dates.

 

Hope this helps

 

Cheers

 

Dennis

[andynapril]

If I have figured out your cruise correctly you will be arriving in Vancouver on Sunday May 3, 2008 - if so here are some other things that are occurring in Vancouver that weekend - the Vancouver International Marathon is that day - most hotels will be booked for this large event PLUS as it stands now the Federal Liberal Party - similar to the Dems in the States are scheduled to hold a full national leadership convention from April 30 to May 3 so they will likely take up most of the other hotel rooms so you might want to start your search for a hotel now and forget about a lot of special offers during those dates.

 

Hope this helps

 

Cheers

 

Dennis

 

Wow Dennis! Thanks for the great information! I probably would have waited! I'll get cracking on that reservation. Thanks again. :D

[andynapril]

I did find this information on the Pan Pacific Hotel website, and thought that I would post it here for everyone's benefit:

 

"We do have a common shuttle that we share with all of the downtown hotels. It is called the 'YVR Airporter' and leaves approximately every half hour from outside the arrivals terminal. The cost is $13.50 CAD per person one way and takes approximately 45 minutes depending on traffic and the number of stops that need to be made. Tickets are purchased on the bus & only accept Canadian currency."

[andynapril]

Has anyone used this service or is familiar with it? I understand they have a flat rate to/from the airport, but the rate isn't posted on the website. Does anyone know what the current rate is? Thanks!

[scottbee]

Has anyone used this service or is familiar with it? I understand they have a flat rate to/from the airport, but the rate isn't posted on the website. Does anyone know what the current rate is? Thanks!

 

$39-45+tax - http://www.limojetgold.com/airport.html

[LeftcoastBC]

Has anyone used this service or is familiar with it? I understand they have a flat rate to/from the airport, but the rate isn't posted on the website. Does anyone know what the current rate is? Thanks!

 

Have used it and recommend it..

 

 

as per scottbe's post

$39-45+tax - http://www.limojetgold.com/airport.html

[andynapril]

I don't know why I couldn't find that! Thanks for the info & recommendations!

[Putterdude]

I know them to be good operators and are the "official" limo carrier of YVR. With them at least you have a fairly tight range of fares which you don't necessarily have with other operators.