So, I am in Vancouver on business, and find I might have 1 or 2 days this week, or at least partial days to do something…
But what?
Given a couple of half days in Vancouver what should I do? What must I do?
Go to Stanley Park. Enjoy the Aquarium and the totem poles.
That’s what I did on my vacation day in Vancouver.
The Aquarium is fantastic. I also hear it’s great to go to Granville Island. I almost made it last time I was over but ended up going to a couple more lectures than I expected.
Thanks.
How does the aquarium fair vis-a-vis Monterrey? (Which I’ve attended and loved!)
Dunno. Haven’t seen Monterey but I’m sure someone else may have seen both. But I know there isn’t one in Carp 
Touche!
Oh and if the weather’s ok, try for the Suspension Bridge and the Treetops Adventure - very cool
http://www.capbridge.com/rates_information/getting_here.html
Well, that looks promising! Thanks Quiddity.
The aquarium fares EXPENSIVELY, that’s what! I think it’s comparable to Monterrey. Granville Island’s worth a stroll. I haven’t been to the Capillano bridge, but Lynn Canyon is a nice hike and free. If you have a car and the weather is decent (looks like it might be) you might drive up in the direction of Squamish for the scenery. Maybe rent a bike for Stanley Park and just roll around.
We went to another suspension bridge in North Vancouver that was free. Not as good as the Capillano bridge, I’ve heard (I haven’t been to that one); but there was no charge for it. Anyone know where it is?
I think it is Lynn Canyon Park with the free suspension bridge. It is quite the park, it is a rainforest, and quite amazing of a hike. It is very easy to get to the park even by public transit.
Can you get around Stanley Park these days? How’s it doing after the storm?
I’ll second the Granville Island recommendation. You might also want to stroll around Chinatown if that sort of thing would be new to you.
The Vancouver Art Gallery often has good exhibits.
If you have money to burn, go to Tojo’s Sushi on Broadway and sit at the sushi bar.
That’s the place. Thanks.
I’ll second Lynn Canyon; the bridge is shorter than Capilano but higher, and you can walk down to the river and along. Stanley Park is great, especially the seawall walk (seven miles around, IIRC), with views of the mountains and the freighters waiting for dock space.
There’s another nice (shorter) walk along the New Westminster Quay on the river. Take Skytrain (which is fun in itself) to the New West station, then a couple of blocks downhill to the Quay, then to the right along the boardwalk until you reach the dead end. There are a few tugboats that moor right by the Quay, and with luck you might see them towing a barge or even a log boom. Have Philippine-style pork adobo for lunch at Sweetie’s, if it’s still there. (She was talking about retirement last time I was there.)
Alternatively, go downtown and check out the Marine Building (a great Art Deco building with embedded plaques of various transportation on the outside and the original lobby), the Vancouver Hotel (one of the old railway hotels), and quite a few other old buildings.
Enjoy your trip!
My friend and I were there around last year, and went around Stanley Park on bikes. I’d like to take the time to walk it, but it was all we could do in the time we had.
We got in to the aquarium there the same day for 1/2 price for the last hour and had fun… we saw almost all of it in that time, but quite a bit of it was closed for renovations. They might still be doing that right now, so you might want to phone ahead.
We went to the Lynn Canyon suspension bridge, as it was on the way out of town, and free. I’ve never been on the Capillano bridge, (and from the pictures it looks smaller) but it was a nice hike.
Granville Island has a nice little microbrewery as well. Good food all over, and more than decent brews.
Museum of Anthropology at UBC is worth the trip.
Threads asking for opinions usually do better in IMHO. MOved.
samclem GQ moderator
Granville Island’s really nice, albeit crowded.
Sophie’s Diner in Kitsilano has fantastic omelettes (4th and Arbutus? Somewhere around there).
There’s the Sun Yat Sen Garden: http://www.vancouverchinesegarden.com/
Take a stroll down the Drive.
Stay away from Robson.
Oh yeah, I’ve been there with my parents a while ago. If you really like museums, I’d go. I like cycling and outdoors stuff more though, so it’s something I’d personally save for a longer trip after seeing everything, or if it’s raining.