Brit visiting Vancouver seeking advice!

[nerdy_grrl_t]

Granville island is more of a day trip but if you plan on staying there and visiting other spots it will probably work out ok.

For the kids there is the children's market at Granville island, the Vancouver Aquarium in Stanley Park... (as well as Stanley Park in general), the Capilano suspension bridge... also the PNE if it's still there? (I haven't lived in Vancouver for several years so I may be a bit behind!)

Your best bet is likely to pick up the Frommer's guide to Vancouver and Victoria... it will list the best things to do for families, for adults, etc.

I would also recommend getting the rental car before you go over to Victoria... crossing on the ferry will be easier and once you arrive you won't have to worry about transportation.

As for your last question - I don't think there are any rental car places in the vicinity of Granville Island... you'd probably have to return it downtown and take the bus or a cab back.

 

[MazdaUK]

Thanks for that - its really helpful. We'd only be on Granville from Saturday afternoon to Tuesday (when we go home) so we could keep the car and go up to Whistler on the Monday perhaps, then drop the car at the airport.

It seems a long way off still - perhaps I'd better get to grips with the new countdowns (though they're not so much fun )

 

[c&m]

Hey MazdaUK...I don't know your itinerary, but you mention that you are also going to visit Whistler. If you are visiting Whistler, you should do that after you decide to leave North Vancouver. Whistler is 1.5 hours away from North Van.

Granville Island is really just a half day or 1 day thing. I wouldn't center a period of time on my vacation to do that. If I were you, I would think about spending some more time in Whistler!

If you want me to, I could help you review your itinerary, so you can save some driving time.

 

[MazdaUK]

The reason Granville Island appealed was that I really liked the look of the hotel (DH likes the microbrewery ). Currently (but it does change a lot!) the idea is:

Tuesday: arrive Vancouver, stay at Rosedale on Robson

Few days in Vancouver to see main sights and meet up with my friend who lives there

Saturday: move to Victoria area for 1 week in self-catering house for sights, beach combing etc. (Possibly the canoe tour - but maybe not). possibly take train to Naninamo (sp?)

Saturday: return to Vancouver, stay Granville Island

Sunday: spend day at Granville Island and surroundings

Monday: drive to Whistler for the day.

Tuesday: Meet friend (if don't meet him Sunday) flight home - as all the flights are late afternoon/evening incorporating a visit to the malls/craft outlets (must visit Michael's ) round Richmond - are there any good factory outlets or similar nearby?

So although we would stay in Granville Island we wouldn't spend all our time there - I thought it would be nice for the boys to have some water fun easily available if it gets hot.

Our only problem with Whistler is that none of us are particularly good with heights, and not keen on cable cars (too many James Bond films ) - the scariest ride DH and I went on at 6 flags Magic Mountain Ca., was the cable car which ran the length of the park! So I'm not sure there would be enough up there to do - quite happy walking around looking at scenery but boys will be nearly 13 and nearly 7 and its quite tricky finding something they both can do. Advice much appreciated!

 

[c&m]

Sorry for my delay in getting back to you, MazdaUK...Halloween planning for the kids is taking up most of my spare time these days.

Sounds like you have a good itinerary. Given your schedule, you would probably need to rent the car from the time you leave downtown Vancouver (Saturday) and keep the car till you get to the airport on Tuesday.

BTW, my DH loves the microbrewery on Granville Island too!

In August, there's a lot of things you can do in Whistler with kids. We spend a lot of time in Whistler with our two DDs (ages 6 and 10) because we own a condo there; we always keep them busy all year round with skiing in the winter and early spring, and hiking, biking, canoeing in the summer and fall. In the summer, you can rent bikes and bike along the trails there. There's Alta Lake, where you can rent canoes and kayaks and go for a very nice, scenic paddle. Our 10-year-old DD tried kayaking for the first time in August in a one-person kayak. She loved it! There's Chekamus Lake where you can do a beautiful hike (no heights involved) along a trail to a lake (bring a packed lunch) and have a picnic there; along this trail are the beautiful tall trees and foliage that B.C. is well known for.

Also, on the drive to Whistler, you can stop in at Alice Lake, which is a beautiful provincial campground/park. It's one of our favourite places on earth. You can do a short hike around the perimeter of the lake.

Michael's craft store (just there this afternooon ) is on Bridgeport Road in Richmond (between St. Edward's and No. 3 Rd). When you get closer to your departure date, feel free to PM me to get exact directions. It is just 5 minutes away from the airport.

 

[c&m]

Forgot to add the other places in Richmond where you can shop before your flight home:

- Pier 1 Imports in the same plaza as Michael's.
- Costco (you need a Costco membership to get in tho you may be able to get a day pass if you ask) is a couple of blocks away on the same Bridgeport Road; Costco has everything.
- Richmond Centre is a mall that has the Gap, Old Navy, the Bay, Sears, Lush, Tommy Hilfiger, Roots, Gymboree, American Eagle, etc. It is in central Richmond.
- Lansdowne Mall has Toys 'r Us, Home Outfitters, Best Buy, Future Shop, Winners, Sport Check, etc. It is also in central Richmond.

Unlike downtown Vancouver, parking is easy to find and free in all those places, so you don't need to worry about the car situation.

 

[MazdaUK]

Thanks c&m for your great tips! STILL waiting for my dear friend to confirm he will be in Vancouver when we plan to visit - don't you hate it when people don't use e-mail

 

[MazdaUK]

Still not booked - STILL waiting on DF, then Dh says "how about going to California next summer?" (We were watching Prizzi's Honour and he was seduced by the blue skies and palm trees - and Kathleen Turner ) "we could do Disneyland and Las Vegas"

OMG here's me thinking I've got 10 years to wait for a Disney fix and its almost offered on a plate BUT

DF is nearly 70 (although he doesn't look it), so I don't want to leave it too long, AND I've bought 2 guidebooks AND DS (12) and (6) have both got ideas of things they want to do and see.

I suppose I could say spend one week in Vancouver (Is that long enough? I don't think so!) and fly down to Orlando, then on to Las Vegas, then back from there. Has anyone tried that? Is it expensive? I don't want to drive because apart from the huge distance DS(6) gets

decisions decisions!

 

[c&m]

Do you mean DL in Anaheim, California? Or do you mean WDW in Orlando?

We've done both from Vancouver. Assuming you mean California's DL, it's about a 3 to 3.5-hour plane ride to LAX. If you fly Alaska Air, it's not that expensive as they often have fare sales. Constantly check their website. Some tips to make your tickets even cheaper:

- Fly into LAX than into SNA.
- Fly from Seattle to LAX. With your rental car, you can drive the I-5 down to SEATAC, drop off your rental car there, and then hop onto your plane to California.

 

[MazdaUK]

DL Anaheim - we visited on our honeymoon.

I think I'd rather go to Ca for 2 weeks in 2007 - give me time to get my t-shirts done

ETA: flights look like costing an extra $3000 so definitely just Vancouver this trip

 

[MazdaUK]

Back again! yet another change to itinerary. Good news is BF will be around in August, so now thinking:

5 days in Vancouver (Rosedale on Robson or Crown Plaza)

5 days Victoria - Sandman, Embassy Inn or Best Western Emerald Isle (advice?)

5 days - something else! I would like to spend one night at the Granville Island hotel (just for the micro brewery), so might go there after Victoria and head onwards after that. I like the look of the Rocky Mountain Railroad tour, but how to get back? (DS6 is not a good traveller in cars)

Does anyone know what the entertainment is like on Zoom airlines? We can upgrade and still travel for less than AC or BA, but 10 hours with kids of 12 and 6 and no movies would not be good!

 

[MazdaUK]

IT'S BOOKED!

4 days in Vancouver at Westin Bay (sp?)
6 days in Victoria at Delta hotel
4 days in Vancouver at Granville Island Hotel

we haven't booked the car or the ferry crossing yet, but opted for Air Canada flights as DH has never flown with them and really wants to (and I got too worried that Zoom would dump us all back at Stanstead while our car was tucked up at Gatwick).

We're going to just about every museum under the sun, plus a trip up Grouse Mountain - what else must a family with 2 boys (12 and 6) do on their first visit? best places to eat as a family?

Best scrapbooking stores that I can sneakily get into without having to obviously direct DH?

 

[Valjean13]

You should take your children to Stanley Park for a day to visit the Vancouver Aquarium. It's a great place, and there are tons of beaches and water play areas in the park if the day is warm. Among other things, there's also a miniature railroad your youngest son would probably enjoy riding. There's tons of parking available in Stanley Park, although on busy summer days it can be hard to find! If you don't want to take a car you can walk from the west end of Vancouver, although with little kids I might not advise that. If you are staying at the Westin Bayshore you can walk easily, or it's a short drive.

 

[natcat]

I would 2nd Stanley Park where the Vancouver Aquarium is amazing. Also the tram up Grouse Mtn in North Van is worth it. Nature walk at Capilano Suspension bridge is really great. The Tally Ho horse drawn carriage in Victoria is fun. Look for cheap pizza downtown Vanc...really good for $1 per slice

 

[c&m]

The Westin Bayshore is a nice hotel, with Stanley Park at your doorstep. I think you'd like it. During the summer, you can book a boat tour (as lots of pleasure boats moor at the Westin Bayshore) of False Creek. It's a really nice ride; I've done it before as part of a corporate event. Your boys may enjoy it, if they are not prone to seasickness.

Stanley Park does have a nice aquarium but is at best a 3-hour event. You may want to take in a beluga whale show though, as it's very nice. There is a small water play area at Stanley Park if your boys like that sort of thing. You may also want to rent bikes and bike along the sea wall, which is a hugely popular thing to do. Bikes and rollerblades are the best way to tour around Stanley Park.

Grouse Mtn is definitely going to be fun for the boys. In fact, we're heading up there on a corporate family event in Feb. -- good skiing, an outdoor ice-skating rink, sleigh rides, etc. In the summer, there're events held there. You should go to their website (www.grousemountain.com) before you leave to see what their scheduled events are for Aug.

Also make your way to Storyeum in Gastown Vancouver (in downtown Vancouver area). It is a theatrical history of B.C. Go to their website www.storyeum.com to check it out. Families love going there.

Also go to Science World. That's the golf-ball like structure near Main and Terminal. Lots of hands-on exhibits that kids like. They usually have IMAX shows there too.

Take a stroll on Commercial Drive. Great Italian food, Italian coffees made fresh. Quite the colorful place.

Vancouver is very ethnic, so you'll find lots of world-class cuisine. Some popular restaurants around town are: La Bodega (Spanish), Tojo's (Japanese), Kirin Seafood Restaurant (Chinese), Blue Water Cafe (local seafood), Cioppino's (Italian), Simply Thai, Thai Away Home, Water Street Cafe (Italian). But your kids may enjoy Romano's Macaroni Grill and the Spaghetti Factory, and Hon's.

In Victoria, you'll love the Delta Ocean Pointe Hotel. We stayed there 2 years ago and loved it. In the evening, they have storytime and cookies. They have a decent pool and hot tub. The Royal B.C. Museum in Victoria is amazing. We usually can spend a whole day there.

Hope this helps! Happy planning!!!

 

[jakoky]

Hi there, your trips sounds like a lot of fun. l I actually live on vancouver island and i have 3 kids that are 14, 12, and 10. One of their favouite things to do each summer(if we get the chance) is drive to victoria to do the waterslides. With the ages of your boys, i think they would have a blast. You dont have to use a whole day their, you can do a half if you like. If it is hot, it is a great activity that my husband and i also love. It is just on the way out of victoria, so not long from where you are(probably 20-25 minutes at most)...Just a thought, especially if we have a summer like the last 2 years, it was painfully hot, although victoria always has a cool breeze, so not as bad as many other spots on the island....enjoy your trip
sharon
follow the link below and it will tell you about the slides plus all the other activities offered...

go to all allfun.bc.ca

 

[MazdaUK]

Thanks for all your tips! Sadly both boys (and me ) are not very good on boats. I had heard the Zodiacs feel really stable for whale watching, but we had a bad experience off Tenerife some years ago (fine until the boat anchored, then it was bad news!) so I'm a bit dubious. I might go and watch some passengers disembarking and seeing how green they look

I can't wait!

 

[MazdaUK]

bump