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Vancouver

Hi all

I'm off to Vancouver for 9 days in August. What shouldn't I miss? Any really good places to eat / drink?

Thinking of a day trip to Seattle - anyone done this? Should I go by bus or train (or other?)

Thanks folks!
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Comments

  • ailuro2
    ailuro2 Posts: 7,540 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    We're going too!

    Fly out July 25th - we have booked a whale watching tour with a company called Seabreeze adventures- hoping to see lots, they travel up between the islands and the mainland- have a pretty high percentage of sightings- we are leaving from Steveston Village which is slightly south of Vancouver,but on the same side as the airport.

    Vancouver Aquarium looks good too- beluga whales etc. The Sun Yen Sat (sp?)gardens come highly rated too. Or a trip up Grouse Mountain? Canada Place- the waterfront building that looks like sails...

    There's loads to do!

    If we had more time, the Museum of Anthropology looks fantastic, but we are only there one day before travelling up to Whistler.

    Seattle seems like a long way to go when there's tons of stuff to do in Vancouver:D
    Member of the first Mortgage Free in 3 challenge, no.19
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  • angel
    angel Posts: 2,017 Forumite
    We love the Capilano Suspension bridge, it's on the way to Grouse if you decide to go there.

    We also like visiting Granville Market on Granville Island under the bridge. It's very artsy crafty and they have a great food market too.
    :smileyhea "here, hare, here" :smileyhea
  • ailuro2
    ailuro2 Posts: 7,540 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    Isn't there another similar suspension bridge just up the road from Capilano- a bit more MSE:money: because it is free.:D

    Stanley Park is listed as one of the best things to do in my guidebook- depends on your tastes, though. To me, a park is a more or less a park!
    Member of the first Mortgage Free in 3 challenge, no.19
    Balance 19th April '07 = minus £27,640
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  • vikingaero
    vikingaero Posts: 10,920 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Vancouver Island is very scenic. You take the ferry from Tsawwassen.
    The man without a signature.
  • Backbiter
    Backbiter Posts: 1,393 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts
    vikingaero wrote: »
    Vancouver Island is very scenic. You take the ferry from Tsawwassen.

    The ferry crossing goes through stunning scenery. Victoria is a really nice city - well worth a visit.
    Seattle is definitely worth a visit. We drove there (about 2hrs 30 but the border can take a while), so can't comment on buses or trains.
  • jojogirly
    jojogirly Posts: 1,730 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker Photogenic
    Stanley park was nice, the squirrels were so friendly lol . Whilst we were there we visited the China town area - which was an experience, we went to the Imax theatre which wasnt exactly brill either, We also took a look at the oldest steam clock (brother in law voted on that one)

    I did enjoy wandering the shops and buying plenty of maple syrup though.
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  • steveandel
    steveandel Posts: 247 Forumite
    Things not to miss IMO:

    Stanley park - it is only a park but in one of the nicest settings you'll ever see in a city

    Vancouver Island - you absolutely have to go here if you're in Vancouver, Victoria is gorgeous. You can get an organised coach trip for the day from Vancouver. I've forgotten the name of it but there is a botannical garden on Vancouver Island which is spectacular in itself but every Saturday (I think?) during the summer season they have an absolutely mammoth fireworks display choreographed to music. Trust me you will never see fireworks like it ever again in your life ;) Also a whale watching trip from Victoria is well worth the money, especially on one of the high speed boats :j

    The Rockies - depending upon budget and what else you plan to do, if you've got the time a trip to the rockies is worth it. Spectacular scenery. We did it via a week long train tour though!
  • blindman
    blindman Posts: 5,667 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    topher wrote: »
    Hi all

    I'm off to Vancouver for 9 days in August. What shouldn't I miss? Any really good places to eat / drink?

    Thinking of a day trip to Seattle - anyone done this? Should I go by bus or train (or other?)

    Thanks folks!

    Just returned from Vancouver etc

    IHMO
    Place is a dump with some dodgy 'panhandlers' near\in the tourist area (GasTown)

    Transport from airport

    Places to Eat\drink
    Stayed with relatives so didn't do any paying eating\drinking
    Places to Go

    1) Seattle :rotfl:
    About 200 miles so about 2hrs and a bit.
    Border crossing time can vary I94 form (Visa waiver) cost $6.00 each, can pay by credit card or cash.
    Can hire a car in Canada and use it to go to the US-I used airline network


    2) Vancouver Island
    Ferries


    3) Stanley Park- It is a park....

    4) Lynn Canyon suspension bridge FREE (I didn't go)
    Capilano co$t$

    5) Chinese Gardens (Dr Sun Yat Sen) if that's your thing.
    As it says take the FREE tour
    Watch out for panhanlders in this area.

    6) Grouse Mountain
    It does co$t $33.00 though (Didn't go, weather not good)

    7) Scenic days drive up to Whistler
    This road is undergoing major roadworks just outside of Vancouver so the progress is slow for the first part of the trip.

    Rockies are about 700 miles away. We did a one way car hire (no drop off fees)trip from Vancouver to Jasper\Banff\Calgary in 5 days. Used some of this very good itinerary.
  • We are going to Vancouver for 2 weeks in July and I'm really struggling to decide which hotel to stay in! i have looked up tripadvisor but every hotel has conflicting reports. i am not looking to spend a lot over £100 /120 a night plus taxes. any good recommendations?
    travelover
  • colmil
    colmil Posts: 1,462 Forumite
    We spent three nights in Vancouver last summer.

    You must go to Victoria, combine with a visit to Butchart Gardens, not possible to do this on your own, I think you will need an organised bus tour, ask the hotel or tour rep.

    Foir those staying longer, i would suggest that they arrange s few days out of the city, perhaps Whistler?
    Filiss
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