Vancouver has a rich and varied cultural history and evidence of this can be seen throughout the city. As well as this, however, it also has the advantage of having numerous natural attractions too. The sea and the mountain are two of the city’s major assets when it comes to its popularity and these natural features combined with the man-made attractions consistently attract hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. From the Victorian buildings in Gastown to whale watching trips along the coast to skiing on nearby Whistler mountain, Vancouver is unique with regard to the diverse amount of attractions it has to offer.
Also in Vancouver’s favour is the fact that it is not a huge city and many of the attractions can be reached on foot. Furthermore, it also has some excellent places where visitors go just to walk. The most popular tour is the Seawall which runs around the edge of Stanley park and continues along False Creek offering an interesting way to see the city while getting your daily dose of exercise. The perfect way to shake off a hangover.
For the less energetic among you there are also numerous hop-on, hop-off bus tours which usually last around two hours and will cost you between $22 and $25. Or, for a really good way to see the city you can always avail of one of the many boat cruises of the harbour which are on offer, one of which consists of a four-hour kayak tour at English Bay.
Attractions in Vancouver
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Pender Street, Vancouver, Canada
Once you step into Vancouver’s Chinatown you could be forgiven for wondering where it was that you decided to go on holiday. The sights, smells and sounds of an alien culture completely take over this part of the city. The streets are crowded and noisy and completely packed with vendors selling products straight from the Orient, or so they say. Find out how to balance your yin and your yang energies, watch the hawkers selling trinkets and potions, follow the authentic signs and above all let your imagination run away with you.
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578 Carrall Street, Vancouver, Canada
Step straight from the madness that is Chinatown into the most serene location in the entire city. The only Ming Dynasty garden of its kind outside China, this is where you need to go to collect yourself after battling through the mayhem of the aforementioned attraction. Fifty-two master craftsmen came from China to build this landscape which consists of precious rocks, plants and other native Chinese materials. Let the guides explain the elements of the garden to you and don’t leave without visiting the gift shop where you can pick up your very own piece of authentic Chinese stone or some other item of equal significance.
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, Vancouver, Canada
Home to Vancouver Aquarium, the Theatre Under the Stars, a Totem Pole display, an ancient Indian burial ground as well as numerous other attractions, this 405 hectare park is the largest civic park in the country. While you won’t see everything in just one visit, it is worth spending a day there anyway where you can relax on the beach, play a game of tennis or a round of golf as well as checking out the aforementioned attractions.
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Stanley Park, Vancouver, Canada
The largest of its kind in Canada, Vancouver Aquarium is home to a fascinating collection of over forty thousand different types of marine life. The highlight of the attraction is the whale pool where you get closer to see these amazing creatures than you are ever likely to again. As well as the killer whales, however, there are a number of pavilions which are temperature controlled to recreate a natural environment for the sea creatures which are on display there.
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750 Hornby Street, Vancouver, Canada
Located in the city’s old courthouse, Vancouver Art Gallery is a small but interesting display of various works of art by both national and international artists. You will see exhibitions of painting, sculpture, graphic art, photography and video but you also get to see a building with an incredible amount of history. The lawn frequently plays host to exhibits, film shots and demonstrations while it is rumoured that the musuem itself is haunted by the ghost of a local who was murdered there in 1914. Watch out for Charlie while you are there, apparently he’s harmless but you never know.
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1905 Ogden Avenue, Vancouver, Canada
This museum is home to a magnificent display of Vancouver’s marine history. With numerous galleries housing both permanent and temporary exhibitions which highlight exploration, sailing, fishing, marine art and the development of the city’s port it is a fascinating place to spend a couple of hours. The highlights of the museum are the numerous restored boats on display which include the historic RCMP vessel, the St. Roch.
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Harbour Centre 555 West, Hastings Street, Vancouver, Canada
Situated in the heart of the Harbour Centre shopping centre, the Lookout offers amazing views of the city, the mountains and the ocean. It is reached by a glass elevator that rises over five hundred feet in forty second so hold on to your hat as it’s a pretty scary ascent. Definitely worthwhile as these really are the best views from anywhere in the city so don’t forget your camera. Also has a revolving restaurant if you feel like treating yourself while you are there.
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North Foot of Denman Street, Vancouver, Canada
In operation for over eighty years, Harbour Cruises offer visitors one of the best ways to see the sighs of Vancouver. From tours of the inner harbour to sunset dinner cruises, you have a variety of options to choose from and all of them are equally enjoyable. There is also a particularly popular cruise which includes a trip on the Royal Hudson Stream Train and lasts a full day. If you have a day to spare, you should definitely consider making this memorable journey around the city.
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, Vancouver, Canada
Situated north of the city, Whistler mountain can be reached either by rail from North Vancouver Rail Station or by Greyhound coach its depot beside the VIA rail station. The journey will take about two and half hours and when you reach your destination, you will find yourself at one of the most popular ski locations in the world. Hiking, biking, rafting and horse-riding facilities are also on offer allowing you to truly appreciate the natural beauty of the area. An excellent choice for those of you beginning to tire of city life.
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Water, Alexander, Columbia & Cordova Street, Vancouver, Canada
The original heart of the city, this region got its name from John ‘Gassy Jack’ Deighton who set up the first saloon in the area. In the decades which elapsed since, Gastown has become Vancouver’s liveliest tourist area with some of the city’s best shops, restaurants, bars and historic buildings. It’s also home to the famous steam clock and the statue of ‘Gassy Jack’. So, if you don’t find yourself here when sightseeing during the day, you will certainly find yourself here after dark when Gastown becomes the party centre of the city.
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