To
Richmond. Directly south of Vancouver, the City of Richmond has a variety of attractions. In the central business district, along No. 3 Road, you'll find the Golden Village, considered the new Chinatown with its series of shopping centers or malls with a distinctly Asian ambience. The flashiest is the Aberdeen Centre, but it's fun to explore the others, too, with their myriad shops, food courts and restaurants.
Seated on a delta that lies just below sea level, Richmond offers great walking along its exterior dikes. Start anywhere along River Road on the Middle Arm of the Fraser River and continue south to the fishing village of Steveston. The views of the Georgia Strait and Howe Sound mountains are second to none.
Once the biggest fishing port on Canada's west coast, Steveston (a 20-minute drive south of Vancouver) is still a colorful commercial fishing harbor where you can buy the sea's bounty directly from fishing boats. Shops, antiques stores and restaurants are nestled around the wharves. The more than 100-year-old Gulf of Georgia Cannery on the south waterfront has been restored, as have the nearby Britannia Heritage Shipyards. Both are National Historic Sites and open to the public in summer.
To Fort Langley National Historic Site. The fort is located about 35 mi/55 km (a 45-minute drive) east of Vancouver. Built in 1839, it was part of the Hudson's Bay network of fur-trading posts, as well as an important center during western Canada's gold rush. Visitors can pan for gold and poke around in original and reconstructed buildings. The displays of pioneer life are interesting, but it's the costumed interpreters who bring the place to life.
To Harrison Hot Springs. Located at the south end of Harrison Lake, 80 mi/130 km east of Vancouver, this town makes the most of its natural splendors. Woodlands and waterways offer breathtaking views of snowcapped mountains and provide some great trail walking. The lake is prime for boating and swimming. The town itself is picturesque, with small boutiques and restaurants. And don't miss taking a dip in the springs before heading back to Vancouver. En route stopovers might include a visit to the historic Harrison Mills; the Westminster Abbey, a Benedictine monastery in Mission; or Minter Gardens, an 18-acre/7.5-hectare showcase of exotic plants and flowers.
To Whistler. One of North America's best ski resorts is a two-hour drive along the dramatic Sea-to-Sky Highway north of Vancouver. In warmer months, you can try championship golf, white-water rafting, sailing, horseback riding, nature-trail hiking and even glacier skiing. In 2010, this popular destination will be home to the Olympic and the Paralympic Winter Games.
Local Tours
There are all kinds of ways for you to check out Vancouver, from inexpensive minibus tours to pricey nighttime helicopter rides over the city. Most visitors favor the hop-on/hop-off trolleybus tours, which use buses that resemble old-fashioned electric streetcars.
Day By Day
Although you can see Vancouver over a long weekend, more time is preferable. If you're in a time crunch, here's what we recommend:
Day 1—Get a feel for the city by spending a good part of the day in and around Granville Island (where you could spend an afternoon before dinner and possibly catch a show), Gastown and Stanley Park (you'll want to spend at least a couple of hours at the park's aquarium).
Day 2—See Science World, the Vancouver Art Gallery, the Museum of Anthropology and other sights at the University of British Columbia.
Day 3—Make a day trip up the coast of Howe Sound or to Steveston Village or Harrison Hot Springs.
Day Plans
To help you get the most out of your time in Vancouver, we've designed three different itineraries.
Day Plans
PLAN ANeighborhood Hopping
Plan to spend the day exploring a few of the ethnic and historic neighborhoods that make Vancouver so vibrant. Begin at the Millennium Gate on West Pender at Taylor and walk eastward to poke around Chinatown at your leisure. When you're ready for a change, walk the few blocks north to Gastown. The late-19th- and early-20th-century buildings now house shops with Native American and Inuit arts and crafts as well as other fine arts. Another possibility is to head south, via taxi, to Main Street to spend a few hours bargain-hunting on Antique Row. Or head westward to Kitsilano, a youthful, upscale street filled with trendy shops and eateries. Amble north on one of the side streets—Arbutus, Yew or Vine—to Kitsilano Beach Park. Complete your day with dinner at the Watermark on the beach or at one of the Italian or other ethnic restaurants on Commercial Drive in East Vancouver.
PLAN B
Natural Vancouver
To appreciate the city's natural amenities, begin your morning by walking along the seawall from Canada Place to Stanley Park. Continue around Coal Harbour to the Vancouver Aquarium. Take a park tour in a horse-drawn carriage or hike the park's interior trails. Alternatively, at the park entrance, walk through the underpass to Lost Lagoon, and then head southward along the lagoon and east again to Denman Street, which is lined with small eateries suitable for a brunch or lunch. Before leaving the area, walk down to English Bay for a look at the city's earliest beach and leisure park. Drive (or take a bus) over the Lion's Gate Bridge to North Vancouver, where you'll follow the signs to the Capilano Suspension Bridge. After traversing the canyon, you might try the Treetops Adventure or simply soak up the forest ambience. There's a cafe and a restaurant across the street from the entrance. Farther up Capilano Road is the Grouse Mountain Skyride. Ride the tram to the top for a visual feast. If it's a fine evening, settle in for dinner at the Altitude Bistro or Observatory restaurant.
PLAN C
Waterfront on Wheels
This cycling tour can be a full- or half-day excursion, depending on how far you go and how many stops you make. Rent your two-wheeler at Bayshore Bicycle and start with the 6-mi/10-km route along the Stanley Park seawall. Begin at the West Georgia Street entrance and then continue around Coal Harbour, past Brockton Lighthouse and Lumberman's Arch and on to Prospect Point, Third Beach and Second Beach. Exit the park on Beach Avenue. From there, ride eastward along Pacific Boulevard, around the eastern end of False Creek to Science World. Continue westward again along the waterfront on the south side of False Creek (with a short detour onto First Avenue) to Granville Island.
If you're tireless, continue west from Granville Island to Vanier Park. Tour the Vancouver Museum or the Maritime Museum before ending your ride at nearby Kitsilano Beach Park. Enjoy a snack or a full meal at the beachfront takeout or at Watermark restaurant. From Kits, return to the downtown peninsula over the Burrard Street bridge.
