Downtown Vancouver and other Vancouver, Canada Things to Do Tips

If you base yourself in downtown Vancouver, you'll be within walking distance to many of the city's attractions and neighbourhoods. It's not like other North American cities where you want to avoid being downtown. In Vancouver, downtown is where all the action is.

The real beauty of downtown Vancouver (aside from the beaches and Stanley Park) is that it's small, compact and walkable. It's 2km north-south and 4km east-west. I can walk from the southern end of downtown to the northern end in 20 minutes easily, so we're talking minimal distances.

When I refer to "downtown Vancouver" I am referring to the entire peninsula in which the city centre is situated upon. Look at the map of Vancouver. You'll notice that Vancouver is vaguely shaped like an oven mitt with the "fingers" pointing westward and the "thumb"pointing north-west. The thumb is downtown Vancouver. The little inlet between the fingers and the thumb is False Creek, and the green patch at the edge of the thumb is Staney Park. Stanley Park is arguably the top attraction in Vancouver, but certainly not the only one!

Other downtown Vancouver attractions include the Vancouver Aquarium, the Vancouver Art Gallery, Robson Street, Gastown, Chinatown, Yaletown, the West End, English Bay, the Seawall, Granville Street, Coal Harbour, False Creek, GM Place, BC Place, and Canada Place. These tend to be the major attractions, and of course, there are even more downtown, and even more outside of downtown.

Getting to attractions and neighbourhoods outside of downtown, like Grouse Mountain, Capilano Suspension Bridge, Lynn Canyon, Kitsilano, Granville Island, UBC, Commercial Drive, and the Museum of Anthropology, is easy. They're all accessible either by a short water taxi or short bus ride. You really don't need a car to experience Vancouver.

In terms of amenities, downtown Vancouver has hundreds of restaurant options with all kinds of cuisine types at all different price ranges. You don't have to break your budget to have a good meal in Vancouver, so take advantage of this! And if you prefer, there are plenty of grocery stores, coffee shops, pharmacies, convenience stores, and heck, even a Costco!

While downtown Vancouver does have many shopping districts and nightlife options, the city's quite famous for its restaurant scene. This, in my opinion, overshadows Vancouver's nightclubs, pubs, and shops - and deservedly so.

What's also nice about downtown Vancouver is that, unlike other major North American cities, Vancouver's downtown core has high density residential neighbourhoods. As a result, downtown Vancouver never empties out or feels vacant. People are out on the sidewalks walking their dogs, walking to the grocery store, walking to work, walking home after partying with friends. It's a safe place to be.

Rather than go into detail about downtown Vancouver, I have individual tips for each attraction I highted above. Please take a look through my "Things to do" tips for my elaborations.

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If you only have one day in Vancouver, you must spend part of it in Stanley Park.

Stanley Park is 1000 acres of forest and parkland in the north-western corner of downtown Vancouver. It's the number one attraction in Vancouver for both tourists and locals alike. It is simply the most loved park in all of Vancouver and a crucial part to Vancouver's identity. Spend an hour or two here, and you'll see why.

Stanley Park is the largest urban park in North America, larger than New York's Central Park. It's a park located on a peninsula, so most of it is surrounded by water. Because it's right downtown, you have a strangely delightful juxtaposition of lush green temperate rainforest next to the glass skyscrapers of a postmodern city. This makes for great panoramic views and excellent photo opportunities.

There are many ways to enjoy Stanley Park. One way is to walk, job, cycle, skateboard or rollerblade around the seawall. The seawall is a main feature on Stanley Park's perimeter. It's at least 5 miles around. If you're a photographer, the seawall is ideal, as you'll get many views: the city skyline, the mountains, the beach, the cliffs, the Lions Gate Bridge... and later in the day, the sunset.

While the seawall is well worth doing, you don't actually get to experience what's inside Stanley Park by walking it. To really explore Stanley Park, you'll have to venture inside.

There are many trails within Stanley Park - some are paved and some are not. Much like New York's Central Park, Stanley Park is a collection of many smaller sites and gardens, such as the Rose Garden and Prospect Point. There are restaurants, sandy beaches, playgrounds, historical monuments, lakes, forests, creeks, and even the Vancouver Aquarium. Of course, there's a huge variety of things to discover within the park, and that's half the attraction.

You'll need more than a full day to explore everything in Stanley Park. However, several hours during the daylight is sufficient for a visitor. See what you can discover!

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Directions: Stanley Park is located in the north-western corner of downtown Vancouver. It can be accessed many ways, however, its main entrances are found at the western end of W Georgia Street and by the western end of Beach Avenue.
Website: www.city.vancouver.bc.ca/parks/parks/stanley/index.htm

First things first - Granville Island is *not* a real island, although it once used to be. It's a tiny peninsula located on the shore of False Creek, south of downtown Vancouver.

Granville Island is worth visiting because there's a lot going on in a very small area. It has a large public market, the Kids Only market, lots of public art studios and art galleries, a prestigious art college (Emily Carr Institute of Art & Design), several small performing arts theatres, boat yards and rentals, one hotel, a good selection of restaurants (with some of the best patios in the city), and a lot of one-of-a-kind boutiques. Oh yes, and the buskers. I recommend Granville Island for its unique atmosphere where you can wander through the alleys discovering neat places around every hidden corner.

Granville Island is most famous for the Granville Island Public Market, and a trip to Granville Island would not be complete without a visit. It's a great place to buy fresh local products like gourmet pasta and sauces, cheeses, meats, pastries and desserts, fish and seafood, poultry, flowers, spices, chocolate, coffee, and more. It's a foodie's paradise for both locals and visitors. Many people come to the market to pick up ingredients for picnics.

If you're planning to visit, go in the morning or the afternoon. The market closes at 7pm every day, and most of the stores close at that time too. Only come to Granville Island in the evening if you plan to have dinner or see a local production at one of the theatres. Don't come after 7pm to windowshop or to find a vibrant nightlife scene because it's very quiet and there are more interesting parts of the city to visit during the evening.

I feel that Granville Island should be considered a "must see" Vancouver attraction for first time visitors as it gives you beautiful scenic views, good food, and a fun atmosphere. If you only have one day in Vancouver for example, then Granville Island should always be in there.

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Directions: Underneath the south side of the Granville Street Bridge. You can drive (there's free and paid parking), you can take public transit (bus #50), or you can take the False Creek Ferry or Aquabus from Kitsilano, Yaletown, or downtown Vancouver.
Website: http://www.granvilleisland.com

Commercial Drive ("the Drive") used to be Vancouver's Little Italy, however, in the past few decades its identity has evolved to become Vancouver's bohemian culture pot. Think of San Francisco's Haight Ashbury or Melbourne's Brunswick Street. Commercial Drive is Vancouver's home to a community of artists, hippies, musicians, lesbians, activists, vegans, punks and immigrants. It's eclectic and eccentric, fun, laid back, and even a slightly bit gritty.

Commercial Drive is possibly the most community-oriented neighbourhood in the city, and being one of the first residential neighbourhoods in Vancouver, it has had the time to evolve and mature. I love spending an hour or two on the Drive, especially when it's sunny. The atmosphere's alive like a summer street in Montréal with busy patios, socializing locals, and buskers on street corners. There can be a certain vibrancy to the Drive and yet, it's a very chilled out kind of place.

If you're into organic food, unique boutiques, Italian espresso shops, fresh gelato, old school European delis, poetry, cafe culture, political and environmental activism, alternative lifestyles and a place where you can get a feel for what it might be like to actually live in Vancouver, this is the place.

If you're lucky enough to visit around Halloween, the Drive hosts the "Night of Lost Souls" - a parade and community festival celebrating the spirit of Halloween. Lanterns, stilt-walkers, fire-breathers, and many mystical costumes are a part of this parade.

Though Commercial Drive does have its cons, it offers a unique window into Vancouver society. It's also off the tourist radar and caters primarily to the locals. As a result, there are more service oriented businesses and casual restaurants than boutique shops, although the shops that exist tend to have a lot of personality. And the hidden secret, in my opinion, are the side streets where you'll find mature trees lining the streets, beautiful gardens, and colourful heritage homes.

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Directions: Commercial Drive between Broadway and Venables. Take any skytrain or the 99-B-line bus to Broadway Station and walk north along Commercial Drive.
Website: www.thedrive.ca

I love the Vancouver Art Gallery, although I recognize that it's not for everybody.

While the Vancouver Art Gallery (VAG) doesn't measure up to famous galleries like the Met or the Louvre, this is the largest art gallery in western Canada. If you appreciate art, it's well worth a visit, especially on a rainy day. I usually spend a little over 2 hours here during each visit, but you can easily spend longer.

The VAG has 4 floors, usually with one exhibit per floor. Although it has permanent displays, it mainly promotes touring exhibits. These exhibits vary from well known impressionist painters like Van Gogh to pop art icons like Andy Warhol. Some exhibits focus on entire cultures, like ancient Chinese painting, or the artwork of the Haida. They also tend to feature a lot of artwork from contemporary artists like Lawrence Paul Yuxweluptun, Jeff Wall, Yasumasa Morimura, Cindy Sherman, Douglas Gordon, and Miranda July. The museum is always changing, and that's what makes it interesting.

If you're visiting on the last Friday of the month, go to the VAG's "Fuse Friday". From 6pm until 11pm, they keep the gallery open and serve drinks, host live DJs, performance art, fashion shows, live bands - every time is something different. It's a chance to browse the gallery while participating in one of Vancouver's coolest nightlife events.

If you like architecture, you'll appreciate that the building used to be Vancouver's first court house. You migth also notice that the main steps outside are used as a public gathering place. Think of it like a Speakers Corner. Whether it's protesting war with Iraq, airbrush painters creating massive celestial panoramas, Hare Krshna's looking for followers, elderly men playing chess, Girl Guides selling cookies, local citizens protesting tax increases, or marijuana users looking for support, they'll be on those steps.

Finally, they have a fantastic gift shop - perfect for art books, jewellery, or souvenirs.

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Address: 750 Hornby Street, Vancouver
Directions: Located in the heart of downtown Vancouver on Hornby Street between Robson and Georgia.
Website: www.vanartgallery.bc.ca

Canada Place is an architectural landmark in Vancouver. The building jets out over the water and its white sails makes it look like a ship in port. Not surpringly, this is the major cruise ship terminal for Alaska-bound cruises. Canada Place is also home to the Pan Pacific Hotel and a huge convention center. It even has an IMAX Theatre hidden at its far end.

Saying all this, there is not a whole lot going on at Canada Place other than the view. People don't go there to do things and Canada Place itself is not really a destination other than for panoramic photo opportunities. It takes about half an hour to casually walk around the perimeter of Canada Place while snapping photos of the harbour, mountains, and seaplanes taking off.

Though it's scenic, I wouldn't call the Canada Place area particularly vibrant. It's actually a rather sterile part of the city as a result of the business-oriented neighbourhood. The only crowds at Canada Place are Alaska cruise passengers and convention participants. Even then, it's only really crowded from May to September.

If you're going to visit, make Canada Place a stop on your way to somewhere else (be it Stanley Park, Gastown, Chinatown, etc). And if you're limited for time in Vancouver, skipping Canada Place isn't a bad thing, especially when equally scenic Stanley Park and Granville Island are much more interesting.

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Phone: 604-775-7200
Address: 999 Canada Place, Vancouver
Directions: Located at the northern foot of Howe Street just north of W Cordova in downtown Vancouver.
Website: www.canadaplace.ca

Vancouver's wet climate produces some of the most lush gardens in North America. Because of the climate and the mild temperatures, Vancouver's gardens are vibrant and green year round. This is unlike elsewhere in Canada where you'd normally only pay to see gardens in the spring and summer. Vancouver's mild temperatures means that you can visit even in the middle of winter and there will be plenty of living plants and flowers to see. Every season offers something very different, which adds to this garden's diversity.

If you enjoy gardens, flowers, and botany, then definitely look into visiting VanDusen Gardens. Although a lot of tourists only know about Vancouver Island's Butchart Gardens, VanDusen is much closer, it's the exact same size, but it lacks the crowds. Though both are very different, you feel like you can truly get lost in VanDusen and at times, feels like you have all 55 acres to yourself.

VanDusen is more than just aesthetics. It's also set up like a "living museum". All their plant collections are scientifically organized, carefully documented and labeled. The 55 acres are organized into diverse themes, so as you walk throughout the gardens, some are reminiscent of Asia, while others are reminiscent of Europe. Some areas offer tranquil waterways with weeping willows and waterfalls. Others offer the rain forest, with lush ferns underneath a canopy of cedars. Of course, there's also the occasional surprise like the hedge maze!

VanDusen has a restaurant called Shaughnessy, though I've never eaten there. They also have a very charming gift shop. There are also special events throughout the year like plant sales, plant shows, and Christmas light displays. Know about these events ahead of time, otherwise it can get very busy. Otherwise, VanDusen is a very tranquil environment (especially so in the rain!). You need a minimum of 2 hours here to give it any justice.

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Phone: (604) 878-9274
Address: 5251 Oak Street, Vancouver
Directions: On the north-west corner of Oak Street and West 37th Avenue in Vancouver's Shaughnessy neighbourhood. It's a 10 minute drive from downtown Vancouver.
Website: www.vandusengarden.org

Vancouver is located off the coast of the Strait of Georgia - the long, narrow body of water separating Vancouver Island from the rest of the North American mainland. Its within these waters that orcas (aka: killer whales) live here throughout the year. Not only are there orcas, but there are also porpoises, otters, sea lions, seals, and other beautiful marine creatures.

Orcas, technically a part of the dolphin family, are really fascinating creatures to watch. They can often be seen breaching (jumping), tail-slapping and spy-hopping. Even their more "mundane" activities, such as feeding for salmon, are exhilirating to see live, as they travel in pods (groups of 10-30 whales).

There are 3 resident pods or orcas that live in the Georgia Strait: J-pod, K-pod, and L-pod. J-pod stays in the waters of the Georgia Strait year round, whereas K and L pods live here during the warmer, summer months.

A lot of people think that they have to go to Victoria to go whale watching, but there are actually 3 companies located out of Vancouver: Vancouver Whale Watch, Steveston Seabreeze Adventures, and Wild Whales Vancouver. Vancouver Whale Watch and Steveston Seabreeze are actually based in the village of Steveston at the mouth of the Fraser River, which is a 45 minute drive south of Vancouver. Wild Whales Vancouver operates out of Granville Island. I think all of them offer shuttle buses in case you don't drive.

You really have to set aside a good portion of the day to go whale watching, as normally the trips take between 3-5 hours in length. I believe all these whale watching companies offer guaranteed sightings, which means, if you don't see the whales, you get to go again for free.

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In my opinion, this is the most impressive museum in all of Vancouver. Located on the western-most point in Vancouver on UBC campus, the Museum of Anthropology's focus is primarily First Nations cultures from British Columbia, however, they also provide exhibits on other world cultures.

What makes the MOA unique is that it was the first museum in the world to fully incorporate visible storage. Every piece in the museum's storage is on display to the public, either in glass shelving units or in glass-encased drawers. Every item is catalogued so that you can look up information about each piece. It's quite overwhelming, but there isn't one piece in the MOA that's hidden from the public. You could easily spend days in the visible storage and not see everything.

If you are visiting British Columbia for the first time, a trip to the MOA will definitely benefit and will be an eye-opener to local indigenous cultures. Take a free guided tour, or walk around the museum at your leisure.

While the First Nations exhibit is the focal point of the gallery, there are alternate exhibits, such as the Koerners Ceramics Gallery featuring ceramics from the 15th century and up. There are also many temporary exhibits which can range in subject, from contemporary art to thousand year old artifacts.

Canadian architect Arthur Erickson designed the MOA in which the western glass walls allow gorgeous views of the mountains and water below, bringing to life the Pacific north-western culture the museum is famous for.

While the MOA is not located within walking distance of downtown, the MOA is worth going out of your way to visit. It's an easy 15 minute drive to the MOA from downtown, or it's a 30 minute bus ride. Simply take any bus heading to UBC. It's about a 10 minute walk to the MOA from the UBC bus loop.

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Address: SW Marine Drive, Vancouver BC
Directions: Located on the west side of SW Marine Drive, just north of West Mall (road) on UBC Campus. When walking through UBC campus, keep your eyes out for the signs to the MOA.
Website: www.moa.ubc.ca

I first came here with my family when I was about 8 years old, but I remember thinking how cool it was! After all, it's not every day where you can climb aboard the St. Roch - the Royal Canadian Mountain Police schooner that was the first vessel to circumnavigate North America and the first to sail through the legendary Northwest Passage from the Pacific to the Atlantic.

Though it's often overlooked, I actually think the Vancouver Maritime Museum is one of the more unique museums Vancouver has to offer, especially if you're somebody who appreciates detailed displays. There's a deceivingly large amount of things to see and a surprisingly wide array of exhibits, despite the museum's small size. I think it makes for a great rainy day activity.

Packed with information, charts, photography, artifacts, and models, this is also a fantastic museum for families as many of the displays are hands-on, with several designed specifically for children in mind. As well, what kid (or adult) wouldn't be thrilled to take a tour through the multiple levels of the St-Roch?

The St. Roch would be interesting for those who are curious about the Canadian Arctic, the Northwest Passage folklore, and the challenges RCMP officers faced while living aboard this ship in the 1930s. However, there's a lot more to the museum than the St. Roch. There are exhibits on pirates, submarines, the Port of Vancouver, model ship building, the history of Vancouver's naval explorers (like Captain George Vancouver), the local fishing industry, warships, fireboats, tugboats, among other maritime-related material. It's actually a lot of fun! Well, at least I think so... but I'm a geek for these types of museums as I find it all fascinating!

While admission is already reasonable ($10 per adult), you can print off coupons from their website to save you a few dollars. Or if you already have the Vancouver edition of the Entertainment Book, there is a 2-for-1 coupon inside. Finally, on Canada Day (July 1st), admission is free for everybody!

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Phone: 604-257-8300
Address: 1905 Ogden Avenue, Vancouver
Directions: Located north of Kits Beach at Vanier Park, right next to the False Creek Ferry dock in Kitsilano.
Website: www.vancouvermaritimemuseum.com