Mom and kids traveling in Vancouver

[Dug720]

I was solo overnight in Vancouver and felt very safe - I was at the Blue Horizon on Robson.

The only questionable experience was when my taxi approached the train station for the early train to Seattle, someone who appeared to be homeless began approaching my door. But my driver immediately got out, ran the guy back to where he had been, and escorted me into the station.

 

[bumbershoot]

The funny thing to me about being worried about neighborhood is that the area we are talking about is so small.

Gastown is a few blocks from the Pan. Chinatown isn't that much further away. Etc. You turn the corner from a nice area and there's an adult "toy" shop. Walk another block and you're back in the prettiness.

I don't stay near the stadium/Amtrak/Chinatown because those aren't the hotels I prefer and then I have to travel further to get to what I want to see in town, but I've never been scared in Vancouver. Then again I was born in SF and we would go back there for real outlet shopping in the icky clothing district; I was the tallest of mom and grandma and me, and I was 5'2" at the time, but we made ourselves bigger (mom and grandma were from NY and NJ respectively and I learned from them) so being bothered on the street isn't something I normally experience.

I also buy $1 pairs of gloves at London Drug (discovered them while looking for gloves for me) and give them to the cold-looking homeless people I see while wandering around town. Maybe it's because of when we go (not during summer) but I've not yet encountered an aggressive panhandler.

 

[dugthetalkingdog]

My DD(20) and I stayed 2 nights pre-cruise at the Pinnacle Harbourfront Hotel which is located within few blocks from Canada Place (without luggage, take taxi to cruise ship) and
felt very safe. Our room was water view and we were able to sit on the balcony watching the water planes come and go. We did take a taxi to Stanley Park for lunch at the Tea House and enjoyed walking around. Your kids may enjoy the Capilano Suspension Bridge. You can purchase tickets and free shuttle at Canada Place. If you do decide to go to Capilano, go early in the morning because it does get busy. We would eat early dinner so we would not be out late at night. We had a blast on this cruise and hope to go back again soon. Have fun.