Suggestions for what to do in Vancouver pre and post cruise

[lilsonicfan]

We love authentic Chinese food and would appreciate any recommendations for restaurants. We live near Chicago and frequent Chicago’s Chinatown. Is Chinatown accessible by public transportation?

Yes - it's just a bit east of the downtown core. You could take the Expo line skytrain and get off at Main St / Science World, but buses might get you a bit closer. The places I've eaten in Chinatown more recently are New Town Bakery & Restaurant (a pretty casual place), Chinatown BBQ (for great BBQ pork, BBQ duck, roast pork, etc), and Phnom Penh (Vietnamese/Cambodian food - the wait can be long but the food is delish and the wings are referred to as "crack wings", they are so addictive).

I really like Dinesty (wasn't aware there is a downtown location) and it is a bit more of "Shanghai" cuisine to me, but they have excellent soup dumplings (xiao long bao) and other dim sum type items. Another place I really enjoy is Peaceful Restaurant, there are quite a few locations and I think 1-2 of them are downtown.

Kirin Seafood Restaurant is a higher end Chinese restaurant and I've really only eaten there for dinner, it's delicious and a little pricier.

 

[Pooh2]

We got to Vancouver the afternoon before the cruise and walked the waterfront and took the horse drawn trolly tour of Stanley Park.

Post cruise, we we signed up for the Post cruise DCL excursion. This can only be booked onboard.

The group met in a lounge then we were all escorted off and through customs and luggage and walked directly to a tour bus. Our luggage was stowed under the bus while we toured.

They had a fun tour guide narrating the sites as we drove through downtown, Stanley Park (with a stop at the totem pole area for photos/bathroom break), and a period of time at the Capilano Suspension Bridge.

The bus then stops back at the cruise terminal for those of us who wanted to get off there (we had lunch downtown before walking to the train), then heads to drop the rest of the passengers at the airport.

I think the bus headed to the airport about 1pm or so?

Great way to do some touring without figuring out what to do with your luggage.

 

[havaneselover]

I just spent the Canada Day long weekend in Vancouver with DM83 and DD21. My mom has never been to amusement park for decades. We took her to Fly Over Canada and she really enjoyed the ride. She was oohing and ahhing the whole time. I think your mom would love it!

Perfect. Thank you for sharing your experience! I was thinking my mom would enjoy it, but didn't want to push her into something if it's a bit intense.

 

[AngelDisney]

Perfect. Thank you for sharing your experience! I was thinking my mom would enjoy it, but didn't want to push her into something if it's a bit intense.

I would say it is less intense than Soar’in. My mom was excited to see the various landmarks. I was worried at first and I was glad we did the ride together. However, we forgot to checkout the picture we took at the ride entrance. Didn’t get to purchase the picture as souvenir. Be sure to check it out when you exit. I am really impressed with the services from Fly Over Canada. I felt like I was in Disney. Wish you and your family enjoy it too!

By the way, I am motion-sickness prone and had no issue with this ride.

 

[marcyleecorgan]

Vancouver Aquarium! and lots to do in Stanley Park (advice: pay ONCE for the full day $13, you can totally move your car around Stanley Park from the beach to the pool to the Teahouse to the Aquarium = one parking fee)

Also Vanier Park is really nice - lots of people fly kites there.

 

[Face Like Fizz]

They had a fun tour guide narrating the sites as we drove through downtown, Stanley Park (with a stop at the totem pole area for photos/bathroom break), and a period of time at the Capilano Suspension Bridge.

My family would enjoy the bridge but I'm too scared of heights to consider it. Do you think I would be allowed to remain on the bus while everyone else got off?

 

[lilsonicfan]

My family would enjoy the bridge but I'm too scared of heights to consider it. Do you think I would be allowed to remain on the bus while everyone else got off?

It's been a while since I have been to the Capilano Suspension Bridge but from what I understand there is more to do there now than just the bridge. (Albeit some activities that still involve heights) - but I think there are some places to just walk around, learn a bit about the area, etc. I can't think why anyone would be forced to go across the bridge. I feel ya - I have a heights issue too!

 

[jetskigrl]

My family would enjoy the bridge but I'm too scared of heights to consider it. Do you think I would be allowed to remain on the bus while everyone else got off?

You wouldn't need to wait on the bus. There are some displays, seating areas, food stand, gift shop, etc on the entrance side. You could easily wait there while they cross the main bridge over to the smaller bridges.

 

[Face Like Fizz]

You wouldn't need to wait on the bus. There are some displays, seating areas, food stand, gift shop, etc on the entrance side. You could easily wait there while they cross the main bridge over to the smaller bridges.

Thank you, that's good to know.

 

[ArielSparrow]

I love Vancouver. I am from Seattle so have driven up a couple times for day/weekend trips. If you are a fan of Once Upon a Time, I suggested getting over to the Steveston neighborhood in the city of Richmond, BC to see the real town that was used as the set of Storybrooke. Most signs are probably down since they aren't filming anymore, but everything is instantly recognizable regardless. You could take a Lyft or Uber over there.

Stanley Park and the aquarium is nice.

Capilano suspension bridge is popular, but I suggest Lynn Canyon suspension bridge. It's free.

There's also a gaslight neighborhood that is worth checking out.

Storybrooke and Lynn Canyon are worth the drive but are not in Vancouver itself.

 

[lilsonicfan]

I love Vancouver. I am from Seattle so have driven up a couple times for day/weekend trips. If you are a fan of Once Upon a Time, I suggested getting over to the Steveston neighborhood in the city of Richmond, BC to see the real town that was used as the set of Storybrooke. Most signs are probably down since they aren't filming anymore, but everything is instantly recognizable regardless. You could take a Lyft or Uber over there.

Stanley Park and the aquarium is nice.

Capilano suspension bridge is popular, but I suggest Lynn Canyon suspension bridge. It's free.

There's also a gaslight neighborhood that is worth checking out.

Storybrooke and Lynn Canyon are worth the drive but are not in Vancouver itself.

All correct (gaslight neighbourhood = Gastown), except there is no Lyft or Uber here in Vancouver, because our politicians suck.

 

[ArielSparrow]

All correct (gaslight neighbourhood = Gastown), except there is no Lyft or Uber here in Vancouver, because our politicians suck.

Oh! My bad. I guess I am so used to it, I didn't even think about that. I have only driven up so I had my own car. Well, that does complicate things.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

I really like Dinesty (wasn't aware there is a downtown location) and it is a bit more of "Shanghai" cuisine to me, but they have excellent soup dumplings (xiao long bao) and other dim sum type items. Another place I really enjoy is Peaceful Restaurant, there are quite a few locations and I think 1-2 of them are downtown.

Great info! We love bao of any kind, but especially xiao long bao.

 

[Mich123]

I’d also recommend taking a photo of the phone number on the side of the taxis in Vancouver. Over three days, we called twice when we couldn’t get a cab and the company sent cabs that arrived within 5 minutes each time.

 

[Pooh2]

My family would enjoy the bridge but I'm too scared of heights to consider it. Do you think I would be allowed to remain on the bus while everyone else got off?

As everyone else stated, no need to stay on the bus. You can walk around the park without doing the bridge.
I am terrified of heights but did the bridge and tree top walks. So glad I tried it and got the photos to prove it! But... probably would not do it a second time..

 

[RAD]

I enjoyed going to https://www.grousemountain.com. They had free shuttle busses that left from Canada Place.