Hi People,
Well, the corvidaes are finally going on vacation! I’ve always wanted to go to beatiful British Columbia and I’ve finally got my chance. Do any of you have any suggestions about cool, family-friendly (read: I have a one year old) things to do or see in the Vancouver area? Thanks muchly!
corvidae
Sorry, corvidae, I’ve never been there. But I’m sure your local Auto Club (AAA) office has maps and brochures, free to members.
Hope you have a wonderful time. I would like to go there too, someday!
Things to see in Vancouver:
[ul]
[li] Stanley Park: take a stroll along the seawall, see the totem poles, the aquarium, the water park, the flower gardens…there’s lots to see and do there. The squirrels are inquisitive, and I’m told the swans can be mean. The little one will probably have fun there.[/li][li] Granville Island: lots of funky shops, artsy places, boats and buskers. Go to Kid’s Only Market. There’s a tourist train from Science World to the island. I haven’t taken it, but it looks neat. Which brings me to…[/li][li] Science World: giant silver golf ball. They have an exhibit on flight right now that I want to see. Kid friendly (although 1 might be a little young to appreciate it 
)[/li][li] Gastown: Old-timey shopping district. See the steam clock.[/li][li] Robson St: fancy, schmancey shopping. Constantly busy. Good for people watching.[/li][li] Grouse Mountain: take the tram up to the top. Fantastic view of the city.[/li][li] Museum of Anthropology: at the University of BC. Very cool, especially if you are interested in First Nations history.[/li][/ul]
I don’t often have much to do with 1 year olds, so I probably am not the best person to ask for kid stuff. If you want more ideas, I’ll try to help!
Capilano bridge is kinda nifty.
Lonsdale Quay on North Van is kinda neat, I’d recomend going on the seabus across to downtown as a neat ride. Goes almost right to Gastown.
(Other, not so mainstream ideas)
East Hastings: Watch the freaks.
NBI - North Burnaby Inn: Just leave the 1 year old with a sitter for a while. Say hi to TC for me.
You could also go to Port Coquitlam and watch them dig for bodies at the pig farm.
Family friendly?
Guess Wreck Beach is out. 
Fisherman’s Wharf, in friendly Richmond.
There’s also Beauchart (sp?) Garden in Victoria.
Butchart Gardens. That’s a long way away from Vancouver (1.5 hour ferry + driving time). I don’t much care for gardens, so I wouldn’t recommend it. Some people like it, I guess. If you’re into gardens, check out the Dr. Sun Yat Sen Chinese Garden. It’s closer.
And bernse, I know the NBI is great for watching naked women do various naked related activities, and I haven’t been there since it was remodelled, but is it really a tourist destination? Now, the #5 Orange on the other hand…
Depending where you’re from… Yes, it could be a tourist destination.
Well, you could just hop across the Columbia River and spend time in Portland, Oregon.
Oh, wait, you mean the other Vancouver.
Never mind. Carry on.
The Capilano bridge is kind of touristy (and costs money!). I prefer Lynn Canyon - the bridge is shorter but higher, and a nice walk in the woods above the gorge.
There are a couple of good gardens right in Vancouver, VanDusen garden and the UBC Botanical Garden. Queen Elizabeth Park has a conservatory under a dome (tropical plants and birds), and a few other nice areas, especially the quarry garden.
Thanks everyone for responding!
bernse, I think we’ll give Port Coquitlam a miss. It’s a vacation, after all, and we’re going to try to keep the corpse digging to a minimum.
Wow, there are so many good suggestions here! Stanley Park sounds wonderful, as well as Gastown and Granville Island. I’ve heard that the capilano bridge is nice, but I remember that little girl that fell a few years ago, so I’m scared to bring my girly there.
Michele in SoCal, Lord Derfel, bernse, beagledave, Urban Ranger, atreyu and rjk, thanks again for the great ideas!
I heartily disagree-- there are many families down at Wreck, especially toddlers. Not as many as other beaches though-- the hike down and back up tends to deter those using strollers…
I wouldn’t worry about the Capilano Suspension Bridge (or the equally nice but FREE Lynn Canyon Bridge). The woman who dropped her baby was a complete idiot who held her baby on her shoulders while walking across a wobbly surface. There are even signs posted saying not to do that… But I don’t even cross those without holding on to the sides.
Where are you staying Corv?
Dunno yet. Something cheap, I hope.
corvidae if you really want to experience supernatural British Columbia, you just won’t be able to spend much time Vancouver. You should rent a camper and take a ferry over to Vancouver Island and drive for a couple of hours up to the Campbell River (fishing capital of the world) area. There are hundred of ecotourist businesses that will help you experience the wildest most intense nature anywhere in the world except perhaps the African savanna. This is the region where the battle to preserve the old growth forests take place.
If you want you can hike mountain meadows, view the tallest falls in Canada,Della Falls, over 1000 feet, view the largest water bombers (Mars) in the world, the worlds largest Elk, the most prolific killer whale territory at Robson’s Bight, black bears, grizzlies up real close, and snorkel with 30 pound salmon just feet away, then get your butt over here. Bald eagles and deer are a daily site. You can take float plane tours of the rugged coastline for as little as $80.00, and rent kayaks anywhere.
I don’t want to spend a whole lot of time on this, ( I’m just getting started) , but us Islanders view Vancouver as one huge clearcut 
grienspace, you just took my breath away with that description. Please feel free to continue! We had planned on doing some ecotouring, and now we know exactly where to do it. I’ve always heard that British Columbia was exceptionally beautiful - I mean, I like Ontario just fine, but I want an experience I can’t get anywhere else.
Vancouver’s Chinatown is among the largest in North America and it is fun for everyone. Do check out the Chinese garden there too. Our kids at one loved eating rice at Chinese restaurants–one grain at a time. Also check out the architecture of the downtown library, often there is music playing in the outside performing arts space. Though your one year old won’t care, the Indian food in Vancouver is also superb and diverse. Cuban cigars are sold there too, if that matters to you or your friends. . .
Vancouver is one of the great cities. You will have a great time.