Vancouver?--not BC related

3monstmama

Vancouver?--not BC related

3monstmama

So after all this cutting and zapping and paying silly medical bills and the like, things are looking up now that its really summer.  The family--me, dh, 3 monsters and my mil--will be taking the train from Seattle to Vancouver for a few days at the end of the month with a free place to stay.  YIPPEEE.

I am interested in suggestions from people who live there [or visit a lot] on things to do, not miss, for a trip to Vancouver.  We like the atypical.  We like the outdoors but we like eatting too.  We like public transportation but will also have access to a car.  Did I mention eatting?  Is there a typical Vancouver food [other than the Tim Horton Stuff which we know all about because we get CBC on our cable and love to watch "Little Mosque on the Prairie"] that we should try to eat?

All suggestions welcome.  Thank you.

She

Places to go:

Stanley Park - downtown Vancouver

Granville Island - right beside downtown, great market, good restaurants and some kewl shops

Capilano Suspension Bridge - North Vancouver

Fort Langley (the first settlement in BC, a restored fort) - 45 minute drive from downtown

Whistler - haven't driven there since they opened the new highway for the Olympics, used to be 3-4 hours, beautiful drive and lovely town although on the expensive side

Harrison Hot Springs - public hot spring bath house, nice lake, funky little town, beautiful scenery - 90 minutes from downtown

Eating:  Steamworks - downtown by Canada Place - seafood & more 

Tim Horton's lol's I only get coffee there now, everything else contributes to expanding waistline

Morton's Steakhouse - downtown, good but on the pricey side

Hon's (Haun's? ... can't spell) Chinese - good, inexpensive and no MSG - in Richmond and New Westminster

You didn't mention which area you're staying in so a little difficult to recommend what's close.  There are lots of funky little places in Kitsilano which isn't far from downtown.

Public Transit - Skytrain is packed during rush hour, Surrey not a good place at night.  Busses also packed during rush hour.  You can plan trips on the BC Transit / Translink website.   West Coast Express goes from Waterfront Station downtown all the way out to Mission (North side of Fraser River) but is limited to commuter times am & pm.

I'm not sure when the PNE (annual 'fair') and Playland open - the kids (young and old) would love it but I think it might not be until August sometime.

Hopefully some of the other left coasters will add to this.  Would love to meet up but am out of town on business for another month or so.  Have a great time!

Sugar77

3monstmama - I'm from Toronto but have been to Vancouver twice. You might want to take the family to The Old Spaghetti Factory.  There is a location in Toronto and the food is good and the atmosphere is fun for the entire family.  My mom and I went to the location in Vancouver many years ago and it was really good. Here's a link:

http://www.oldspaghettifactory.ca/locations/british_columbia/

Enjoy!

Sherri 

Luah

The aquarium is fun for kids.  Also, if they're into sushi at all, try Tsunami Sushi on Robson Street. It's a bit pricey and gets mixed reviews, but it's fun for the sushi bar canal, plates of sushi float by and you pick what you want. Our guys loved it.

I second Capilano - and Kitsilano is nice, easy to get there by bus - there's a huge pool and the beach, of course.  Have fun, I love Vancouver!

She

White Spot has fantastic burgers ... forgot about that ... lol's there are plenty of them but the ones attached to Chevron Gas stations aren't always the best

The Keg (Steakhouse) also very good and not too pricey, there's one downtown, another in new Westminster and a third in Walnut Grove (out in the valley).

Harrison Hot Springs annual festival is July 10 - 18th I think.

If you're into wineries, ther are some not far from Fort Langley, Fort Winery being one of them - good prices and yummmmm nice wines.  If you've never tried Ice Wine, it's a must!

Van Dusen Gardens are beautiful - half way between downtown and Richmond. (I pro'lly spelled it wrong)

Hi to Ontario neighbours   Just visited TO for the first time ever on my way across the big pond!  I usually take the direct route over the Arctic but am glad I didn't.  TO' is beautiful although it was a little freaky just before the big G20.

barbe1958

I'm from Vancouver and still have family there!

Stanley Park is amazing, there's a zoo and a train and the seawall to walk.

The zip lines are a treat for everyone. I haven't done them, but they're probaby around Capilano.

Garibaldi Park, Crescent Beach. Even the ferry to Vancouver Island!

I'm jealous! I wanna go home....sigh.

Luah

She:  Not sure you saw Toronto at its best if it was just before or during the G20.   But glad you enjoyed it - come back again!

She

Barbe, they had zip lines right downtown at Robson Square during the Olympics!  When are you planning to head West again?  Hopefully I'll be in town and we can meet.

Thanks Luah!  I was actually supposed to be there last week but ended up cancelling as I'm staying here until next month.  Vuvuzela all ready to honk ... lol's .. I sound like an elephant with baaaaaadddddddd gas when I blow it.

MarieK

I like to take the kids to Lynn Valley Suspension bridge - it's FREE!

Also it's great to take a ride on the Seabus from downtown Vancouver into North Vancouver.  Just something different to do!

MarieK

Believe it or not there are not that many Tim Horton's here in Vancouver.  I'm originally from Ontario (where there are TONS) but out here not so much! 

However the amount of Starbucks locations is staggering!  Sometimes you'll find 2 right across the street from each other!

As for the local food - you have to try the Japa Dogs.  http://dinehere.ca/vancouver/japa-dog

These are sold on the street downtown Vancouver but be prepared for a line up!

Do you like sushi?  It's very good out here - at least my friends that move away from the area are always crying about it!