Which is better- Whistler or Victoria??

[mgcharleston]

My family and I- DH, DD 20, DS 3 and two elderly parents will be on the Wonder for the July 11 sailing. We will not be flying out from YVR until the morning following the cruise. Currently, I have a private van and driver booked thru Luxury Transport to pick us up at debarkation and take us to Whistler for a day trip. I am having second thoughts and wondering if a day trip to Victoria would be better. I keep reading so many wonderful things about Butchart Gardens and Victoria in general. We will not be doing any hiking or anything strenuous in Whistler due to the parents- it will be strictly sightseeing. Gondola rides and such I suppose. Anybody done either of these daytrips and have thoughts on whether one is better than the other? Victoria is definitely more expensive and a longer day- are those dollars and time worth it?

 

[MunFam]

I have been to both. Butchart Gardens were amazing (but I saw them in April). The Fairmont Empress was also cool to see.

The drive up to Whistler is beautiful but once we got there, we walked through the village and drove back to Vancouver. Honestly, I feel like there is the most to see and do right there in Vancouver. Granville Island, Gastown, Stanley Park...I would just stay in town.

 

[Imahikergirl]

Grouse mountain is a nice gondola ride if you stick close to Vancouver.

 

[bcwife76]

With a group that big (and diverse in ages) I would NOT do a day trip to Victoria. The ferry ride alone is 90+ minutes each direction. The ferry terminal from the port of Vancouver is 30-40 minutes depending on traffic. Then there is travelling on the island. Honestly it's too much (IMO) for one day. Your DS3 would probably be bored at the gardens too (my kids are nearly 6 & 8 and I wouldn't take them). So much to see and do in the Vancouver area, I would just stay downtown. Whistler is ok but unless you intend to do some hiking and such it's basically just a bunch of expensive stores and restaurants with not much else in the summer.

 

[mgcharleston]

That is pretty much what I am figuring out about Whistler! Not much to do if you aren't able to do outdoorsy things. Thanks for the perspective on Victoria. I most definitely do not want a bored three year old. If he's not happy, no ones happy! It is definitely worth just checking into staying in Vancouver for the day- probably be easier anyway

 

[Camshell]

My family and I- DH, DD 20, DS 3 and two elderly parents will be on the Wonder for the July 11 sailing. We will not be flying out from YVR until the morning following the cruise. Currently, I have a private van and driver booked thru Luxury Transport to pick us up at debarkation and take us to Whistler for a day trip. I am having second thoughts and wondering if a day trip to Victoria would be better. I keep reading so many wonderful things about Butchart Gardens and Victoria in general. We will not be doing any hiking or anything strenuous in Whistler due to the parents- it will be strictly sightseeing. Gondola rides and such I suppose. Anybody done either of these daytrips and have thoughts on whether one is better than the other? Victoria is definitely more expensive and a longer day- are those dollars and time worth it?

Definitely consider Grouse Mountain for the day. It is a nice gondola ride up (people hike it too, it's called the Grouse Grind), you can get a nice meal at the top overlooking Greater Vancouver, there is a nature movie, lumberjack show, and nice trails to walk around. It would be a perfect activity for mixed group like yours.

 

[ksh1111]

I live just across the border, so go to both places semi frequently. I would also vote to just stay in Vancouver for the day. There is a lot to do there, and you will save yourselves a ton of travel time.

I absolutely adore Victoria, but the ferry is expensive and time consuming, to be honest.

Whistler is pretty, lots of cute (read expensive) shops, fun to mountain bike and hike, and see where the athletes stayed during the Olympics.

Vancouver, is a vibrant city, tons to see

Granville area, Robson St, Capilano Suspension Bridge, Stanley Park, The Seawall, Vancouver Aquarium, VanDusen (if you want a botanical garden without going to Victoria), Kits Beach, The Art Museum, Science World, etc.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

I second staying in Vancouver. There is a free bus from outside Canada Place that will take you to Grouse Mountain. You would even have time to do the Capilano Suspension Bridge too. A fun day for all ages.

 

[bethy]

I agree with everyone else. Stay in Vancouver - especially if it's just for one day.

 

[mylittlebuttercup]

I have never been to Whistler, so I can't speak to that. However, Butchart Gardens is wonderful, and when I was there, they had an excellent fireworks show. It's a different sort of show than Disney, but I enjoyed it more than any other fireworks I have seen except Disney (which is the gold standard for me.)

 

[aprincessatlast]

We preferred Whistler, with our 3 year old too. We rode the lift up the mountain and walked around the town. We stayed there for 2 nights though.

While Victoria is pretty we were rather bored there. The ferry boat over was the highlight. lol They had a marine biologist on board and did a thing with the kids. The scenery was lovely and the kids were fascinated with loading and unloading. We are from the midwest though so the kids are not used to things like that. We do love other parts of Vancouver island though.

 

[mgcharleston]

Well I am sticking with Vancouver. My fellow disboarder's talked me into it! While I would absolutely LOVE Butchart gardens I'm afraid the kids and DH would be dying. Also, most of the excursions we are doing involve water in some form so I am not sure another 90 minute ferry ride is how want to end things. I had already booked a private tour thru Luxury Tours in Vancouver and they let me switch it with no problem at all. Great customer service thru them if anybody is looking to book a private tour

 

[BuzzLightyearInTampa]

I live just across the border, so go to both places semi frequently. I would also vote to just stay in Vancouver for the day. There is a lot to do there, and you will save yourselves a ton of travel time.

I absolutely adore Victoria, but the ferry is expensive and time consuming, to be honest.

Whistler is pretty, lots of cute (read expensive) shops, fun to mountain bike and hike, and see where the athletes stayed during the Olympics.

Vancouver, is a vibrant city, tons to see

Granville area, Robson St, Capilano Suspension Bridge, Stanley Park, The Seawall, Vancouver Aquarium, VanDusen (if you want a botanical garden without going to Victoria), Kits Beach, The Art Museum, Science World, etc.

We went to VanDusen when we took the cruise in 2014. That place is spectacular. And don't forget the rose garden in Stanley Park, which was just stunning.

 

[xlxo]

Thoughts....

• the mentioned Butchart fireworks is only available on Saturdays.... best to stay on the island overnight.
• With a tour.... time doesn't matter that much as everything is planned out. With a rental car.... I prefer Whistler to avoid the ferry surcharge, congestion and schedule.
• Vancouver to Victoria is 4 to 5 hours one way. You can drive round trip to Whistler in that time.
• If you are going to Victoria.... consider a one way trip too. Once in Victoria.... you can get a ferry into Seattle to continue to the Seattle airport
• @mgcharleston : Have you considered adding additional days at this bonus port to enjoy more of it.

 

[xlxo]

@mgcharleston: With the new plan in staying in Vancouver. I recommend....

• dumping the cruise luggage at the hotel or have CDS send it to your hotel
• get on the free Grouse Mountain shuttle when you exit the terminal.
• take public transit to suspension bridge
• return downtown to check out Stanley Park or head over to Vandusen for your garden fix.

 

[bumbershoot]

So glad you're sticking with Vancouver. With just the one day it's really not worth it (IMO) to leave the city.

 

[mgcharleston]

I am so glad that Buzzlightyear and xlxo mentioned VanDusen gardens. I had not heard of it, in fact not even really seen it mentioned on TripAdvisor but it looks great and its a lot cheaper! I had also thought about the Hop On Hop Off bus but will have to do some investigating to see where all it goes. Thanks also for tip on the free transportation to Grouse Mountain!

 

[Claireywalsh]

Vancouver is a great choice, we loved grouse mountain and renting bikes to ride the seawall. It's a really great city and I would Definately visit again. Whistler was beautiful and worth visiting but it didn't wow me as much as Vancouver.