Attention Vancouver Experts!!!

MinnesotaMouseketeers · Feb 9, 2016

DW and I along with two other couples will be doing an Alaska cruise this summer. None of us have been to Vancouver before and we will be staying long enough to have 1 1/2 days to explore some of the city. For those of you that live, lived or visited Vancouver; what would you say are the "Not to be missed" venues. I wish we had more time, but some of us just can't take the additional days off from work to do the city justice :mad:

. But it does gives us a reason to head west again for a longer land only vacation in the future and see what we missed :flower:

bcwife76 · Feb 9, 2016

Since you have limited time I wouldn't waste it going out of town then (say, to Whistler). In town you have Granville Island, Stanley Park, Harbour Centre (where you can ride an elevator to the top to see some fantastic views). Just a seabus/bus ride away (or car but really I wouldn't waste a car rental either) is Capilano Suspension Bridge, Grouse Mtn or the less popular but just as fantastic (and FREE!) Lynn Canyon Suspension bridge.

DISGRL13 · Feb 9, 2016

We did the Capilano Suspension Bridge and loved it!! Also visited Stanley Park which was beautiful as well. In Stanley Park is the Vacouver Aquarium where we saw Beluga Whales. It s a great aquarium and we really enjoyed our visit. Enjoy!

jeepwreck · Feb 9, 2016

bcwife76 said:
Since you have limited time I wouldn't waste it going out of town then (say, to Whistler). In town you have Granville Island, Stanley Park, Harbour Centre (where you can ride an elevator to the top to see some fantastic views). Just a seabus/bus ride away (or car but really I wouldn't waste a car rental either) is Capilano Suspension Bridge, Grouse Mtn or the less popular but just as fantastic (and FREE!) Lynn Canyon Suspension bridge.

I live here and all those are great ideas

since you are here for a limited time I would say stay around the downtown core except just over the water is Capilano Suspension Bridge, Grouse Mtn and Lynn Canyon Suspension bridge. all easy to get to with out a car. there are several public transit routes you can take

Granville Island is a great local market. we go there on the weekends there is a lot of local shops and local artists there too

also there is gastown its the historical part of the city and just a short walk from where the ship docks

papertraveller · Feb 9, 2016

I just got back from a quick business trip to Vancouver, having not been there for a number of years. It's such a beautiful city ...
I'll recommend just two things -- Stanley Park to walk the seawall, and Granville Island market.
There is a hop-on-hop-off bus tour that might help you see as many sights as possible, within the limited time.
Have a marvellous trip!

xlxo · Feb 9, 2016

As mentioned earlier.... Grouse and Capilano should be the priority and free cruise terminal shuttles make the trip easy. If you share your YVR arrival time and hotel..... we can provide a suggested itinerary to best enjoy the city. Certain weekends need additional planning to navigate parades, festivals, and fireworks congestion.

Does the idea of having breakfast with bears interest the little one?
https://www.grousemountain.com/products/breakfast-with-the-bears

Silver Queen · Feb 9, 2016

We spent a few days in Vancouver last August before our Alaska cruise and loved every minute of it. It is a safe, clean, and interesting city with great restaurants. We went to Stanley Park, Gastown, the harbor area and Capilano Suspension Park. We also took the Op On Hop Off bus. Wish we had more time. Our major regret was not going to Granville Island. We would love to go back someday. Have a great time in Vancouver and on your cruise!

sharksfinatic17 · Feb 9, 2016

We were in Vancouver last summer before our cruise. We did Granville Island, Stanley Park, Grouse Mountain, Capilano Suspension, and Gastown. We spent an entire day touring Stanley Park and another visiting Grouse, Capilano, and Gastown. We did not have a car, so we used free and public transportation to get around.

ajo · Feb 10, 2016

Is Vancouver busier than usual over the U.S. Memorial Day holiday weekend?

bcwife76 · Feb 10, 2016

ajo said:
Is Vancouver busier than usual over the U.S. Memorial Day holiday weekend?

Nope. Although this year it may be, since our dollar is still low and the US$ goes much further.

ajo · Feb 10, 2016

bcwife76 said:
Nope. Although this year it may be, since our dollar is still low and the US$ goes much further.

Thanks! We're on the Alaska cruise leaving on Memorial Day and are coming in to spend the weekend before in Vancouver. We wondered if we should expect larger than normal crowds.

Also, we have a big family group ranging in age from 3 to 73. Any recommendations on activities we could all do together?

IBelieveInTheMagic · Feb 10, 2016

Agree with everyone else and having 1.5 days is still a great time to experience Vancouver and I'm sure you'll feel the same as most who go there - it's amazing

Before our first Alaska cruise we also had 1.5 days and spent time near the downtown area (Canada Place) and walked all the way along the seawall to Stanley Park. We ate in the local restaurants and loved it. We are returning again this August and again arriving the Sat before our Mon departure and will do Capilano Suspension Bridge, Grouse Mountain if time permits, Gastown, another walk along the seawall, and I'd like to throw in Granville Island too.

Enjoy Vancouver - it's among our favorites in the world!
Heather

missyp · Feb 10, 2016

Capilano Suspension Bridge and the Aquarium in Stanley Park were the highlights for us. We did Granville Island but it is really just restaurants and shops, to me it isn't a must see.
Gelato is everywhere but by far the best was the award winning place- Bella Geletaria- well worth the long line we still talk about it

xlxo · Feb 10, 2016

ajo said:
Is Vancouver busier than usual over the U.S. Memorial Day holiday weekend?

A little busy, but not super busy like the summer around the city. It's a little worse the week before with the "Victoria Day" long weekend.

xlxo · Feb 10, 2016

IBelieveInTheMagic said:
We are returning again this August

Expect it to be busy on first August weekend with Fireworks competitions and Pride Festivities. In late August, Vancouver will be busy with the Americas Masters.

I strongly recommend securing your hotel rooms early to avoid higher prices approaching August. I expect some savings at the Airport hotels.

xlxo · Feb 10, 2016

missyp said:
award winning place- Bella Geletaria- well worth the long line we still talk about it

For your next visit.... check out La Casa's 218 flavours!

Silver Queen · Feb 10, 2016

xlxo said:
Expect it to be busy on first August weekend with Fireworks competitions and Pride Festivities. In late August, Vancouver will be busy with the Americas Masters.

I strongly recommend securing your hotel rooms early to avoid higher prices approaching August. I expect some savings at the Airport hotels.

Yes! We arrived the day after the fireworks competition and during the parade and the city was busy. Despite this our taxi driver had no problem getting us to our hotel quickly from the train station. The hotel room rates were higher for that weekend and we were glad that we had booked early. Other than during the parade getting around the city was not a problem. Our hotel was a few blocks up the hill from Canada Place and we had many interesting restaurants that we could walk to. So glad that we sailed from Vancouver, would do it again in a heartbeat!

xlxo · Feb 10, 2016

The popular Blue Horizon, Sutton, Empire Landmark and hotels near the parade route should be avoid due to road closures.

The Hop on Service is NOT running during the parade day.
Grouse shuttles do run, but are stuck in heavy congestion.
Capilano suspension bridge has their busiest day.... expect up to an hour wait to cross each of the bridges (ie main bridge, cliffwalk)!

missyp · Feb 10, 2016

xlxo said:
For your next visit.... check out La Casa's 218 flavours!

Wow 218 flavors! I can just picture my kids trying to decide which to pick... Hopefully we will get there again and get to try it

disneyfaninaz · Feb 10, 2016

Vancouver is a wonderful city. Check out my Alaska Trip Report below. We visited Stanley Park (the aquarium), Grouse Mountain and Capillano Suspension Bridge. Just walking around the port is also very nice.

Attention Vancouver Experts!!!

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It takes faith, trust & pixie dust!

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