Vancouver Travel Forum

I will spend in Vancouver in May only 2 days at Hyatt Regency Hotel.
Is possible to see most interesting places ( and what they are? ) without renting the car,using Big Bus or Trolley, public transport? What I "must" to see,how I get there in this short time?
Any itinerary suggestions ? I prefer nature, nice view,real "climate" of V. I'm not interest i shopping,crowdly streets, "touristdisneyland"
Thanks for every ansver,all will be appreciate

My wife and I spent 3 days in Vancouver 4 years ago and here is what we found the most interesting.

Granville Island - It is probably several miles from where you are staying. We had a car so we could drive here, but you could probably take a cab from the hotel. This was an area of interesting shops, eating areas and a farmers market on the waterfront.

Butchart Gardens - This would require you to take a ferry from Vancouver to Vancouver Island. Again we took our car, so I am not sure how you would get to the gardens from the ferry. This was very enjoyable for us. The gardens were beautiful.

Chinese Gardens - This is in the city. It probably isn't a big garden compared to many others around the world, but interesting just the same.

I have some pictures on my website and will update will others in the weeks to come, so check my site out. There are many other members with information on Vancouver as well so check their's out as well.

I would recommend the Museum of Anthropology on the U British Columbia campus and the Asian gardens also on campus - just take the bus - it is easy and cheap.

Based on your hotel being located downtown and using only public transportation or walking, here are some attractions I would recommend:

1) Granville Island - A cultural, artsy area right on the water under the Granville Street bridge. There's a market where you can buy food, arts, crafts, etc. Not sure how exactly to explain what is so great about it, other than you just have to go there and experience it. You can get to it by taxi or bus.

2) Stanley Park - A large park within the city. Great for walking along the seawall, visiting the Vancouver Aquarium or just going for a walk in the park. You can either take a bus or taxi to get there. Alternatively, it's only about a 20 minute walk from downtown.

3) Yaletown - This is where a lot of the trendy restaurants are located. Great for people who enjoy food or like to go to restaurants with busy, social atmospheres.

4) Canada Place/Gastown/Lonsdale Quay - Canada Place is on the waterfront and is where the cruise ships dock. Nice to walk around this area as it is right on the water and located downtown. There's also an IMAX theatres where you can watch a movie on a huge screen. From here you can either take a walk over to Gastown which is a bit of a tourist trap, but has lots of souvenir/gift shops, some restaurants as well as the Steam Clock (which lots of people seem to like). Another option would be to take the Seabus over to the Lonsdale Quay. The ferry is located in the old train station next to Canada Place and leaves every 15 minutes I believe. Over at Lonsdale Quay, it is somewhat a smaller scale version of the Granville Island Market. I actually really enjoy it over here as it is less busy and not as touristy as Granville Island, but there's also a lot less to do over here because of this. You can walk to Canada Place from pretty much anywhere downtown within 5 to 10 minutes or you can take a Skytrain from anywhere in the city to Waterfront Station which is the same place you can take the Seabus from.

5) Science World and area around it - If you have kids, it's a great idea to take them to Science World. It is an educational, very hands on place where they can learn about science. As for adults, some of you will even enjoy it. If not, the area around Science World makes for a nice walk along the water. You can get to this area either by walking or taking the Skytrain to the Main Street/Science World location.

6) Grouse Mountain - I've never taken the bus up here, but I've heard you can get here by bus. Once here you can get up the mountain either by gondola or by hiking up the Grouse Grind which takes maybe an hour at a leisurely pace, but be warned that you should be in some decent shape if you decide to walk as it is not an easy climb. Grouse Mountain is only nice if it is a clear day. Not worth it whatsoever if it is foggy/cloudy.

Downtown is very small and walkable so all the downtown attractions can be walked to (ie: Stanley Park, the Vancouver Aquarium, English Bay, Robson Street, Yaletown, Gastown, Chinatown, the Vancouver Art Gallery).

Note that Vancouver Trolley and Big Bus only stick to downtown Vancouver, but it is handy in the way that your ticket can be used for 2 days. It's just that you can walk to the places they take you to. Big Bus has pre-recorded commentary (which is very informative). Vancouver Trolley has their drivers narrating the tours, although I've found that it can be a hit or miss, as sometimes they just socialize and crack jokes and don't really provide informative commentary.

The Museum of Anthropology, Nitobe Japanese Gardens, UBC Botanical Gardens out on UBC campus at the very western end of the city can be reached by a 30 minute bus ride from downtown (take the "#4 UBC" or the "#17 UBC"). The bus (one zone fare) will cost $2.50 for 90 minutes of travel.

If you're into gardens but you only have 2 days, I wouldn't bother going to Butchart Gardens on Vancouver Island - that would take 3-4 hours just to get there and would wipe out an entire day from Vancouver.

Instead, if you love large botanical gardens, go to Van Dusen Botanical Gardens in Vancouver instead. They're just as large as Butchart, but less famous and cheaper, but very beautiful. You can easily take the "#17 Oak" bus there from downtown - it'll get you there in 20 minutes from the Hyatt.

http://vancouver.ca/parks/parks/vandusen/website/generalInformation/virtualTour.htm

Granville Island is super easy to get to by bus or even walking. If you don't mind a 25 minute walk to the south end of downtown, you can pay $2 to cross False Creek by the False Creek Ferry or the Aquabus. It's a tiny passenger ferry that takes only 2-3 minutes to cross... but you arrive at Granville Island by water, and it's fun! Otherwise, take the "#50 False Creek" bus which drops you off at the entrance to Granville Island underneath the Granville Street Bridge.

Grouse Mountain is super easy to get to by public transit, but only go if it's clear out. There will certainly be snow on the top of the mountain, so don't expect hiking or anything like that. It'll be rather wet and slushy, so wear appropriate foot gear. I wouldnt' bother in May, honestly.

Lynn Canyon would be my suggestion for getting out of the city and into nature. You would take the Seabus across to North Vancouver's Lonsdale Quay ($3.50 on weekdays before 6:40pm, $2.50 weekends and after 6:30pm). The sailing takes less than 15 minutes. Once on the other side at Lonsdale Quay, use your seabus transfer to board the #228 or #229 bus and it'll drive you up the mountain through North Van suburbia. 20 minutes later you'll be at Lynn Canyon and a 5 minute walk to the entrance. It's beautiful lush temperate rainforest with waterfalls, a free suspension bridge to cross, and mountain vistas (if you walk to Rice Lake). Lots of trails and it's easy to navigate... but it lacks the touristy vibe of say, Grouse or Capilano suspension bridge. It's a free city park.

BTW - May is a beautiful time to be in the local gardens. I just remembered the photo I took at Van Dusen in early May a few years ago. The laburnum is in bloom and it's absolutely magical!

http://cache.virtualtourist.com/3849544-Travel_Picture-Van_Dusen_Botanical_Garden_in_early_May_Vancouver.jpg

Many thans all, especially leifbogwald & Carmanah for labour-consuming and very helpfull text.I will use this knowledge.
Vancouver Island - Victoria is also on my way.

Hey there, we have 3 days in Vancouver before our Alaska cruise in September and we have heaps planned to see :-)

Day 1 - Grouse Mountain & Capilano Suspensions Bridge and hopefully Stanley Park.

Day 2 - Day trip to Whistler on Whistler Mountaineer returning via floatplane.

Day 3 - Day trip to Victoria, whale watch cruise at 10am then grand city & Butchart Gardens tour in the arvo.

There is other stuff we hope to see on the morning of our cruise and also we have a lay day between our Alaska & Hawaii cruises to see more.

We are calling it our DREAM holiday hehehehe

Enjoy your Vancouver stopover.
Col & Sue

I'll add one more suggestion. If you do not want to feel like one more tourist in the crowd go to a small place called Deep Cove. Easy to reach. Take the Seabus across downtown. From there just take a bus to Deep Cove. Anytime is good...but the best is in the evening. Just stay on the grass and look at the water. Do nothing else..and just enjoy.

Hi You are better off without a car, the city bus service will get you to Stanley Park and all points in between. Go to the ferry terminal next to Canada Pace(Cruise Ship Terminal) and you can take the 10 minute ferry ride to North Vancouver, possibly take the bus up to Grouse Mountain for a few hours, or just walk around NV.
Back in Vancouver city take the bus to Granville Island, great market, food stalls etc, right on False Creek, we actually walked there. Then there is Gas Town down near Canada Place and many interesting sights walking the city. You could take the hop on hop off bus.

I recommend you research the Vancouver pages of the members who have replied, find someting that appeals. Do not overlook the Lynn Canyon suspension bridge.

Good Luck,
Mike

Of course I have red many VT posts. I have got mish-mash in my mind ( the reason - only 2 days and much to see )
Once more thanks all.
Anna

Vancouver is a beautiful city just to walk in, head to English Bay and walk along the sea wall, Granville Island is a Vegetable Market are with small boutiques around.. So if shopping is not your thing it won't be that exciting.

The seawall goes right in to Stanley Park.. if the weather is good you will have time to walk and just enjoy the view of the mountains and the ocean.
I believe your hotel is on Burrard St. head toward Robson (crowded shopping street) which is south of you..the mountains are north.. go west on Robson (Right) and you can walk right down to Denman turn left (south) and head for English Bay.. then Right toward the park...
This will give you a good feel for the city and then with your map from there you can figure out what you want to see..there are alot of different Gardens in the City Van Duesen (sP. If you want to see good Native art there are a couple of shops you can browse through... one is in Gas Town "Hills" they even have totem poles.. just to see.. There is also the Wickininish at Graville Island.
Not that I think shopping is your thing it is just a beautiful art form and most is only seen in B.C.
The little seabus that goes from the foot of Seymour across to Lonsdale Quay gives you a great view of the city from the water... it is part of the bus line..There is a great place there to have mussels and sit outside and view the city..
enjoy..I hope you have great weather too...

Thank you very much
Ann