Vancouver Things to Do Tips by toontown

Visitors to Vancouver should check out HR MacMillan Space Center where you can travel the galaxy with laser and astronomy shows projected onto the 20-meter planetarium dome. There are all sorts of other programs, both educational and entertaining, including an observatory and simulator. At the moment the Planetarium is offering Mars Rover Updates.

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Phone: (604) 738-7827
Address: 1100 Chestnut Street, Vancouver
Directions: At Kits point, across English Bay from downtown.
Website: http://www.hrmacmillanspacecentre.com

There are many interesting totem poles in Vancouver to see, some of the most well know ones being in Stanley Park and at the Museum of Anthropology at UBC. The one in the photo is the one my kids and I love to visit outside the Maritime Museum at Kits Beach. It is approximately 100 feet tall and depicts the faces of the mythical ancestors of the Kwalawahawaku people.

History: the totem pole was carved by Mungo Martin and is a replica of one given to Queen Elizabeth II and dedicated in 1958 for the 100th anniversary of the colonization of BC. The original is now in Windsor Great Park in England.

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Directions: Outside the Maritime Museum at the foot of Cypress, Kits Beach.

A must-see (and free) activity for visitors to Vancouver, is beautiful Queen Elizabeth Park. This 130 acre park is located south of the city and is the highest point in the city of Vancouver, at over 500 feet above sea level. Spectacular views of the city skyline and mountains are the first thing you notice, then explore the gardens, paths, duck pond, woodland paths, conservatory, pitch and putt golf and a first-class restaurant. The park was developed over the better part of the 20th century from an old stone quarry which has now been transformed into emaculately kept flower beds, trees, lawns, water features, and paths. (See travelogue for more pics.)

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Address: Cambie & W 33rd Ave, Vancouver
Directions: South of downtown Vancouver, just off Cambie Street

Bloedel Conservatory is a geodesic dome built in 1969. It is located at the top of Queen Elizabeth Park and houses over 500 species of plant, 100 species of free-flying birds, and tropical fish in pools and streams. Adult admission is about $4 and the Conservatory is open every day from 10 am to 5:30 pm.

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Phone: 604-257-8584
Address: 33rd and Cambie at Queen Elizabeth Park
Directions: Cambie Street, south of downtown

Just east of the Bloedel Conservatory atop the park is a the "Knife Edge" scuplture by Henry Moore, donated by patron Prentice Bloedel. It not only adds visual interest to the look-out, it also sounds interesting when touched. Kids love to climb up and play it. The sound is different depending upon which side of the sculpture you stand.

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Address: Cambie & W 33rd Ave, Vancouver
Directions: South of downtown Vancouver, just off Cambie Street

The sunken gardens at Queen Elizabeth Park must not be missed for nature-lovers visiting Vancouver. (See travelogue for more.)

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Address: Cambie & W 33rd Ave, Vancouver
Directions: South of downtown Vancouver, just off Cambie Street

This spot is great for admiring the mountains or the bay or the downtown peninsula. There's plenty of room for everyone. Concessions and washrooms are dotted regularly along the beach and open most of the year, so it doesn't really matter where you park. There are a lot of dog walkers, runners and cyclists on the paths. There are also volleyball nets for the energetic and barbecue pits for the hungry. And of course miles of sand... The sand is a little sludgy when the tide goes out but it's still great to cool off on a hot day!

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Canada Place is a great way for a newcomer to immediately grasp the flavour of Vancouver, with the busy harbour and cruise ships in the fore and majestic mountains as a backdrop. When I first moved to Vancouver this was a favourite spot. I would grab a coffee from the nearby train station and go as far out to the 'bow' as possible to watch the seaplanes take off and land. Of course Canada Place is also home to offices, the convention centre, and the PanPacific Hotel, which is first class.

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Phone: (604) 775-7200
Address: 780 - 999 Canada Place, Vancouver
Directions: Vehicular and pedestrian access along the foot of Howe and Burrard streets.
Website: http://www.canadaplace.ca/