Can any of you kind-hearted Canadians help a clueless American plan a trip to B.C.?

[Sharon A.]

Hello,

I'm planning a four day trip for our family of four from Seattle to Victoria/Vancouver in July or August. My kids are 5 and 7 years old so we're looking for things they'll like to do too (because if they're happy, then everyone is happy)

First question, with only four days would you try to see both Vancouver and Victoria or should I stick with one and save the other for the next trip?

Second, can you name a good hotel that has good atmosphere without being stuffy (remember the kid-thing) for about $150-200 US a night)? I'm so clueless at this point in the planning process that I don't even know if I just asked for the impossible. Also, do you know of any good restaurants that really have the local flair that my kids will like too? Since I live in Seattle, I'm more interested in something Canadian or British than "Pacific-Northwesty" (I'm sure you have some great salmon too, but I can get that here).

And finally, here's some things that looked interesting to me. I should mention we are not big shoppers, so a little bit of that will go a long way. Which of them would you do or do you have some other suggestions?

Butchart(sp?)Gardens
Chinatown
Science World
Stanley Park/Aquarium
Gastown
Granville Island
Robson Street
Miniature World
Craigdarroch Castle
Butterfly Garden
Wax Museum
Parliament Building
Crystal Garden (is Crystal Palace the same thing?)
High Tea at the Empress

Any advice is welcome -- and appreciated.

 

[asc]

Hello there - It is amazing how when you live in the city, you tend not to know about all the tourist attractions in the city. There is a website, www.mybc.com, which will provide you access to tourism and hotel information (click on travel in the main directory). For July and August, I do not see room prices going as high as $150-300US a night. Try maybe that in Canadian Funds for a downtown hotel like the Pan Pacific or the Hotel Vancouver. A lot of the downtown hotels are very nice. If you have an Entertainment card or AAA, check for discounts. Stanley Park/Aquarium is probably a must. Your kids will like that. Granville Island is fun, lots of crafts and a great market, closer to the summertime check to see what types of activities/events are going on for families (such as outdoor shows). If you are downtown, you will be near Robson Street and Pacific Centre Mall, so you can do any shopping there. You may want to take the gondola up Grouse Mountain to check out the view. The Capilano Suspension Bridge is fun for the daring. There is also Bard on the Beach or the Planetarium. The Museum of Anthropology and the University of British Columbia are nice to take a walk around and you can go down to Spanish Banks/Jericho Beach or Kits Beach a little further down. Depending on what you want to see in Victoria, you can take the early ferry and do a day trip. I hear Butchart Gardens is lovely. In terms of restaurants, The Tomahawk in North Vancouver and Sophie's Cosmic Cafe in Vancouver are both great breakfast places. Milestones, The Boathouse (both in English bay with nice views), and Cactus Club are good for casual dining. Pagliaccis (sp?) in Victoria has great food. High tea at the Empress is pricey (about $35 a person but worth the experience). Canadian food is kind of difficult concept to define. In Vancouver, the restaurants are big on fusion cuisine -- Pacific Northwest plus anything.

I hope this was helpful. I had to phone someone to help me think of some of these places, as they come to mind I can always add more. Feel free to ask more questions as you start to get specifics down. Happy trip planning!

 

[newHere]

Hi Sharon, I used to live in Vancouver and on Vancouver Island. One of my best friends works for tourism Victoria, here is their web site: www.tourismvictoria.com

If you only have 4 days, just do Vancouver.

While in Vancouver, definately hit Science World, Stanley Park and the Aquarium, your kids will love them!

Then head over the Lions Gate bridge and check out Capillano suspension bridge (don't bother if heights make you quezy) Then take the gondola up Grouse Mountain at sunset and have dinner. The view is incredible!

GO SHOPPING!!! Our dollar only costs you about 63 cents right now...so go nuts! Hit granville island, really neat 'local' wares and the kids will enjoy feeding the pigeons, doing crafts and listening to the buskers.

Go shopping in China town, and have an authentic chinese meal...do lunch! Wonton soup ....mmmmmm.

Tour Gastown then have a nice dinner in the revolving restaurant.

Go down Robson Street. Have a funky lunch in the Beatles 'Penny Lane' or a spicy one in the Thai House.

Take the Sea Bus over to Lonsdale Quay.

Here's a site to help you out: www.tourismvancouver.com

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[Sharon A.]

Thanks for all your help!!! I've bookmarked the websites and made notes from your advice. Now comes the fun part, research (well . . . maybe not fun, but not exactly work either). Too bad there is isn't a BCIS to go along with the DIS.

Thanks again and if you think of anything else, please post it. I'll keep checking back. You guys are the best!

 

[donkthemagicllama]

I say Take a ferry to Victoria... (I think you can take one straight from Seattle, run by an outfit called "BlackBall" or something to that effect [it is a car ferry, not a passenger only one] or from Vancouver once you're there) IMHO, it represents the British heritage a bit more than Vancouver does. Vancouver's grown to the metropolis size where I don't think it will be much different than Seattle...

I've been to both within the last month, and those are my opinions, I'm not out to start a war with any Vancouverites!

 

[dorami123]

I used to live in Victoria, so I can tell you a bit. It's actually a VERY BEAUTIFUL place. You can go there on a day trip. The ferry ride from Vancouver is 1.5 hours, and go on odd hours (1pm, 3pm..etc.) b/c u'll get the bigger/newer ferry. Pick a day that's sunny and beautiful though! You can visit the Butchart Gardens (hope i spelled that right!) there...which is really beautiful..but I'm not sure if your kids will like that. Walk around downtown..it's small, but very authentic, quite worth the look! The harbor is beautiful as well, and the Empress Hotel is worth looking at. Can go in there to have tea or something!

As for vancouver, there's a lot to do as well. Robson is great for shopping, and can find lots of wonderful food while u walk (the icecream is great~!!!! your kids would love it! i forgot which shop though!) Stanley Park is nice as well.
If you have a car, I suggest staying in Four Points Sheraton in RIchmond. It's new. I stayed there with 3 other adults. The room was roomy enough for us, and I think we paid for a little bit over 100 CAN a night. It's close to a lot of chinese malls and restaurants. Only a 15 min drive to downtown.

HOpe this helps!

 

[Sharon A.]

Thanks!! I think I've decided to stay in Victoria with a car. We're going to check out Vancouver, but for the most part we're going to do a nice relaxing vacation in beautiful Victoria.

 

[dorami123]

If you're going to stay in Victoria with a car, you might want to consider driving over to Nanaimo as well! It's a great place for a relaxed vacation. Lots of golf places (mini ones for kids as well!)...and great small restaurants (by the sea)!

On your way over, you go through these REALLY small towns, and most of them have their own themes. It's wonderful!

And don't miss out on the wax museum in victoria!

Hope you have a great trip!

 

[TimNDansMom]

If you drive up to Nanaimo, go a little farther to Parksville Beach. My sister just moved down island from Campbell River to that area and said that there are some lovely beaches there. I am looking forward to visiting her in the future and exploring this area. If you love gardens, definitely go to Butchart Gardens, it is breathtaking and if you can, make a reservation to have afternoon tea at the Empress.

Julie

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