There’s something very familiar about Vancouver. Something comfortable. It reminds me a lot of Australia, or Sydney in particular, minus the mountains in the background!
It’s a combination of the city, the water, the people and what you can envisage being a really great lifestyle with property prices to match.
I think I was there about a day before I said “I could totally move here”. Ahh, holiday fantasies!
But if you are just visiting, there’s plenty to take in. So here is your cheat sheet to the best of Vancouver.
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Stanley Park
Almost as famous as the city itself, is this green jewel. 400 hectares of bike-riding, roller-blading and casual strolling heaven. You can easily spend a whole day here as you take in the Lost Lagoon, the famous Totem Poles, the beaches and slowly make your way around the 8.8km seawall trail. We hired bikes in the park (easy to do with a QR code on the bike stands) and rode around for hours taking in the ocean and mountain views and yet again thinking, I could really move here!
Granville Island
What a delight this place is! Literally a minute ferry ride from downtown Vancouver, this former industrial area has been transformed into a foodie and cultural centrepiece. The reason most people make the trip here is the famous Granville Island Public Market. Be sure to come hungry because the shops and stalls here are bursting with local cheeses, fruits, meats and bakery delights. I had the best chocolate covered strawberries I’ve ever tasted in my life from Olde World Fudge, along with freshly made caramel and fudge. Ok, yes, I have a bit of a sweet tooth.
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Granville Island is also home to a thriving arts and culture district, as well as being the hub of Vancouver’s aquatic activities. We booked a sunset whale watching tour with Prince Of Whales and had a wonderful afternoon spotting orcas and humpbacks. When you return to Granville Island, grab dinner at drinks at the Granville Island Brewing Co, Canada’s first microbrewery, which serves local craft beers and very tasty margaritas, or take in the views of the impressive Burrard Street Bridge from the perfectly positioned Tap & Barrell Bridges restaurant and bar.
Gastown
Vancouver’s oldest neighbourhood has retained her old world charm while becoming a must-visit tourist destination with cobblestone streets, trendy restaurants and bars and the ever present souvenir shops. It’s a great spot for a leisurely afternoon lunch or sipping cocktails and people watching. Steamworks Brewpub is a firm favourite. We also enjoyed icy cold local beers at The Pint Public House a bit further down the road. Also be sure to pay a visit to Gastown’s most famous resident, the Gastown steam clock. Built in 1977, the clock sounds every 15 minutes with a longer, more impressive steam display on the hour.
Yaletown
While Gastown has its own unique charm that brings in the masses, Yaletown is like its cool older sibling with warehouses transformed into cafes, restaurants, lofts and boutiques. Make your way to Yaletown Brewery Co for freshly made craft beer and the best poutine around. I also don’t mind a chain restaurant, so be sure to stop by the perfectly positioned Earl’s for happy hour drinks on the patio in the sun.
Yaletown also takes in the False Creek Seawall which borders its southern edge. You can walk for miles or just metres taking in the waterfront views. And the thing I absolutely love about Vancouver is how they’ve nailed the walking and cycling tracks. Two very distinct, wide and separate paths that means you won’t get bowled over or go careening into a walker on your ride. Genius!
Victoria, Vancouver Island
Vancouver Island is somewhere I definitely need to return to. A short ferry, or even shorter seaplane ride from Vancouver, and you arrive in its charming capital Victoria, which makes you feel like you’ve actually just popped over to England for a bit. With historic, castle-like buildings, a vibrant waterfront and streets of dining and shopping, it’s a very walkable and enjoyable place to spend a couple of days.
The highlights are the delightfully colourful Fisherman’s Wharf where you can stroll, dine and watch the pickle boats dance in and out of the wharf with incredible precision. It’s also where we jumped on another whale watching cruise and had the most incredible viewing of orcas. A definite must do, but bring a jacket. Even on this 26 degree day we were freezing as we returned home.
Getting around
One of the best ways to get around Vancouver is via the water. Not only will you get from A to B on this quick, smooth and sometimes tiny ride, but your captain will also help you out with timetables, local knowledge and recommendations. They are especially adorable over on Vancouver Island, which is where we’re heading next.
Explore Beyond
Vancouver is not just a great city in itself, it’s also the gateway to exploring the entire British Columbia region and beyond. It’s less than two hours to Whistler, which is a must visit in all seasons. I found it just as enjoyable in the Spring, watching mountain-bikers come tearing down the slopes, as I did skiing in Winter. Vancouver is also the home of the Rocky Mountaineer train which will take you to the magical Rocky Mountains and famed blue lakes at just the right speed to relax and take it all in.
This writer was a guest of Rocky Mountaineer.