Going to Vancouver for first time. What to see and do?

[BoMac]

I'll be heading over there for four days during Thanksgiving weekend (Oct. 5-8).

I'm very excited as I've always wanted to visit. I'd like to know if anyone has any suggestions as to what I should see or do while there. I'm open to anything, really. So what do you recommend in terms of restaurants, clubs, bars, scenic areas etc. I reckon Stanley Park is a must. What else is there?

Thanks.

 

[SeattleVertigo]

Bring a camera and soak in the extraordinary beauty of one of the world's most beautiful cities!

I love walking the neighborhoods and downtown -- a very walkable city with lots of interesting shops and architecture.

The University of British Columbia campus, a few miles west of downtown, is lovely.

The drive up to Whistler (ski area) is quite remarkable. Even if you do just the first 45 minutes or hour of the drive, you'll go along Horseshoe Bay, one of the most scenic places I've ever seen -- with enormous mountains soaring above the water.

If you're in town for four days, you'll come across plenty of astonishing scenes and sights without even trying.

 

[Thora]

Very cool - I live in the Vancouver area. It's a fun place!

I'd suggest hitting up Granville Island. There's a lot of cool shops and also a great market and brewery there.

The ghost train in Stanley Park should be up by then. It's mainly for kids, but I love doing it every year. It's cute and fun.

If you're not able to go as far as Whistler, Grouse Mountain is a bit closer, and is stunning. You can take a gondola up to the top, and have a meal up at the restaurant and wander around. The view is phenomenal!

The Capilano Suspension Bridge is in North Van, and that's a huge tourist draw. I haven't been there since I was a kid, but I always recommend that people check it out.

I'm sure there are boat tours of the harbour and other areas. That would be worth doing if you're interested.

Feel free to send me a PM if you need any more suggestions or if you have any questions.

 

[kafrun]

Vancouver I've only been once - a long time ago, so I can't give you that much advice, but you'll have a great time for sure. Such a gorgeous city

 

[ntalwar]

The University of British Columbia campus, a few miles west of downtown, is lovely.

The Museum of Anthropology on the campus is really nice and worth visiting.

 

[BoMac]

Thanks for the suggestions guys.

I can't wait to go!

 

[bonocomet]

Butchart Gardens is nice.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butchart_Gardens

(If you get over to Vancouver Island)

 

[trevster2k]

The Earls restaurant on Robson has super hot waitresses. I went there twice.

Great food too!

I also enjoyed Grouse Mountain, Stanley Park, the farmer's markets at Lonsdale Quay and Granville Island and the Vancouver Art Gallery.

 

[BoMac]

The Earls restaurant on Robson has super hot waitresses.

Did you write something after this Trev? I could have sworn you wrote more but this is the only thing I remember.

I think I'll check this place out.

 

[trevster2k]

^Oh, you can't go wrong in Vancouver anyway, lotsa beautiful women everywhere. Probably my favourite city in Canada. But then again, Canada has lotsa lovely ladies.

 

[BoMac]

^ Maybe Mike can weigh in here (or anyone else) but I think Montreal would be hard to beat, as far as lovely ladies are concerned.

Of course, I would love to be proven wrong.

 

[Slipstream]

Lots to do in Vancouver but you can't beat the parks and nature. Here is a place you can visit. I'll post some more parks later.

Only one train stop east of downtown, Granville Station>>>>>Stadium-Chinatown Station.

Sun Yat-Sen Chinese Garden. It's the first first full-size Chinese or "scholars" garden built outside of China in the world. A garden tradition which reached its peak in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). The climate in Vancouver is similar to that of Suzhou, China so plant varieties found in the garden are the same as it's Suzhou counterparts. Cypress, bamboo, rhododendron, banana, and exotic plants. Free admission into the park seen in the below photos.

 

[BoMac]

^ Wow, thanks for that. I lived in China for a while and this will bring back a flood of memories. I will definitely check this place out!