Vancouver Attractions

HELPFUL LINKS

Museum of Anthropology – at the University of British Columbia ( UBC )
It’s a fabulous treasure trove of West Coast Indian artifacts and culture. Great exhibits, beautiful building, and a serene setting. A must see. Don’t forget to visit the historic longhouse outside.

Vancouver Aquarium – in Stanley Park. Watch beluga whales swimming above you. Highly acclaimed as one of the best aquariums anywhere. There’s also a miniature train, petting zoo and a totem-pole park nearby.

Public Gardens

Stanley Park – A 1,000 acre forest with many walking trails, surrounded by water. A fabulously-spectacular setting and environment for an inner city.

UBC Botanical Gardens (University of BC) Over 7,000 different plants from around the world are nestled in 70 acres of coastal native forest and designed landscapes.

VanDusen Botanical Gardens – Botanical garden with 7500 species of plants. 55 acres of peaceful flowers.

Nitobe Japanese Gardens at UBC. A long time botanical landmark.

Queen Elizabeth Park – Set on an extinct volcano, this park is the highest point in Vancouver. Visit the sunken flower gardens, city view, Bloedel Conservatory (exotic birds & plants) and a gorgeous restaurant.

Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Gardens – A Ming-dynasty style Chinese picture garden in Chinatown; the only one of its kind outside of China. Also visit Strathconna Community Gardens (near Chinatown).

Minter Gardens – A day trip into the farmlands of the Fraser Valley

City Tours

Big Bus Hop On Hop Off – Vancouver’s best hop-on hop-off tour.

Lotus Land Tours Great kayaking and other “wilderness adventures for softies” – free pick up from B&B.

Tours to Alaska / Cruise Watch – An incredible and detailed site related to all aspects of Alaskan cruises.

Walk Vancouver – A dozen casual city walks with location details, maps and photos.

Museums

Museum of Vancouver – Vancouver’s official musuem to visit.

MacMillan Space Centre – a great attraction to escape into another world for a few hours.

Motorcycle Museum “varooom”.

Burnaby Heritage Village and operating antique wooden carousel. 

Vancouver Art Gallery – In the classic old Court House next to Robson Square.

Science World – It’s a stainless steel building that looks like a golfball. Great fun for kids. It also houses an omnimax theatre with interesting films. The screen is a 360 degree view of the ceiling.

Grouse Mountain – Ride the gondola to the 3700 foot summit. Reserve dinner in advance at The Observatory Restaurant and get the 2000 foot gondola ride for free. Take a helicopter tour from the top, or a guided mountain-bike tour to descend the mountain. Spectacular views of the city, ocean, and islands.

Capilano Suspension Bridge – A 450-foot-long suspended bridge that is 230 feet above the river, first built in the 1890’s, near Grouse Mountain. Also visit the fish hatchery, with its fish ladders, and see the Cleveland dam nearby.

Chinatown The second largest authentic Chinatown in North America, built in the 1800’s for its Chinese residents. It’s an adventure especially in trying to identify the food on your plate.

Night clubs

There’s lots of disco, latin, modern dancing and evening entertainment. Check out the local paper, the weekly Georgia Straight, for more information on top events in the city.

Live Plays / Theatre / Opera / Ballet

Lots of live theatres. Three on Granville Island. There’s an open-air Theatre under the stars, in Stanley Park, and Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival (An annual summer-time Shakespearean festival held in a circus tent on Kitsilano beach). Another fabulous annual event is our Celebration of Light Fireworks competition.

Queen Elizabeth Theatre – Regular world-class performances.

Centre For the Performing Arts – Also world class productions.

Chan Centre for Performing Arts – Great productions and accoustics, at UBC.

Shopping

Kerrisdale ( Our neighbourhood) Lots of nice shops, restaurants and services right here within a five-to-ten minute walk.

Antique Row – Lots of shops on Main Street from 16th to 30th Aves. 

Chintz and Co – Deluxe decor and interior and exterior furnishings. 

Fourth Avenue – Stroll the six blocks west of Burrard for good things to take home and restaurants.

Granville Island – Lots of artisans, crafts, galleries, restaurants and the Granville Island public market – a must visit.

Gastown – A mix of wonderful restaurants, nightlife, and souvenir shops in the oldest part of the city.

Yaletown – Our trendy, upscale shopping, eating, nightlife district near the downtown core.

Robson Street – Great for shops, restaurants, coffee bars, nightlife and just people watching. Called “Hollywood North” it boasts the highest priced retail in North America. Rub elb