Guide to Travel Vancouver
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
About Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Being the most populous city in the province of British Columbia, Canada, Vancouver boasts a whole host of activities, especially during the summer months. Having a metro population of roughly 2.4 million and being one of the most ethnically diverse cities in the world, makes Vancouver a very interesting cultural melting-pot. Foods from every part of the world can be found here and foodies can go on wild adventures with their taste buds.
Exploratory Glory YouTube Channel
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Known as “Hollywood North”, Vancouver has been the location of many well-known films and TV shows, bringing in billions of dollars to the local economy. Time zones, climate, proximity to California, and tax incentives are just a few reasons filmmakers flock to Vancouver.
Vancouver supports an active lifestyle and is well known for its livability and quality of life. Outdoor enthusiasts can hike or bike within the city or explore the panoramic mountainscapes that surround the area.
The climate in the region is mild compared to other areas of Canada and borders on Coastal/Mediterranean, which means it rarely receives any significant snow, and instead rain occurs on much of the days throughout the winter months. Uniquely, these less harsh temperature swings allow Vancouver to grow varieties of tropical plants not seen in other parts of the country. Here is our “Guide to Travel Vancouver, British Columbia”.
Gastown
Downtown Gastown, Vancouver, British Columbia
One of the earliest European settlements in the Vancouver area was Gastown. Named after “Gassy” Jack Deighton, a British seaman who became the first person to open a saloon in 1867, which made way for commercial prosperity. Gastown soon became Vancouver’s first downtown core and acted as the area’s main seaport for trade and commerce. Gastown was a rough place, that served sailors coming into the ports and loggers from the local area, and with all those rowdy ruffians, who knows what kind of craziness went on.
Gastown, Vancouver, British Columbia
Today, Gastown is a National Historic Site and is being preserved for its historical value. Tourists and locals alike can enjoy all the shopping and dining the area has to offer and Gastown gives you the feeling of stepping back in time while you stroll down the cobblestone streets. One of Gastown’s most popular attractions is the steam-powered clock, a creative way to cover an existing steam vent that has visitors gathering around to witness it’s whistle that signifies the time.
Granville Island
Harbor at Granville Island, Vancouver, British Columbia
The “island” is not actually an island but is instead a peninsula. A lively and fun shopping district with 275 shops, restaurants, and other businesses, that employ over 2500 workers.
Harbor at Granville Island, Vancouver, British Columbia
A large public market provides visitors with fresh foods of all kinds, for their cooking pleasure, as well as ethnic and western cuisines cooked to perfection by local vendors. Much of the food available in the market has been locally sourced. Another cool thing to check out is some of the craft breweries including; Granville Island Brewery where you can do some taste testing and take a tour of the facilities.
Several water taxi services are available and offer visitors a unique transportation experience and a great view of the city from False Creek. Also, for an amazing island getaway take a ferry from Granville to Bowen Island and enjoy the laid back lifestyle the local islanders live on a daily basis.
Chinatown
Chinatown, Vancouver, British Columbia
Take a walk through one of North America’s oldest Chinatowns, to get a real Chinese experience. Other-worldly smells will fill you nostrils and you can taste authentic Chinese food and when I say “authentic”, I mean you may never have seen this kind of food before.
With a long rich history, this Chinatown has been the home to multiple generations of Chinese-Canadians as well as first-generation immigrants. When you visit you get the sense that some Chinese who make Chinatown their home, may live just as they did when they where in China, without ever leaving the city.
Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, Chinatown, Vancouver
Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden is a beautiful place to stop and escape the hustle. With a scenic backdrop of the city skyline, ponds with turtles and fish, many tropical plants, and small bamboo forests, the gardens are beautiful and well worth a visit.
Stanley Park
Lush vegetation in North Vancouver, British Columbia
Named after Lord Stanley, 16th Earl of Derby, Stanley park has been used by indigenous people long before the settlement of Europeans and has a deep historical value. The park was incorporated in 1886 and the city set aside 1,001 acres of land for public use. In 1917 a seawall was constructed around the perimeter of the park in order to prevent further erosion and provide a walking/biking path and remains one of Vancouver’s most popular trails to this day.
Spanish Banks, Vancouver, British Columbia
The Vancouver Aquarium is another very well known attraction within the park and contains collections of animals from all over the world. Steeped in controversy as with most aquariums these days, the facility pledged to breed in house, instead of capturing animals from the wild.
Capilano Suspension Bridge
The cliff walk at Capilano, Vancouver, British Columbia
The bridge was constructed in 1889 and was first made of hemp rope and cedar planks. Over the years it changed owners many times and continued to be upgraded along the way. In 1983 Nancy Stibbard purchased the land and started charging an admission fee. Now the park has all kinds of fun things to do including; Treetop Adventures, eco-tours, walking trails, award-winning gardens, a large totem pole collection, a show featuring a First Nations traditional ceremony and dance and the most recently added experience The Cliff Walk.
Grouse Mountain
Grouse Mountain gondola, Vancouver, British Columbia
A well known alpine ski area featuring; The Grouse Mountain Resort provides 4 chairlifts and 26 runs. In the summer months there are many activities including; guided eco-walks, helicopter tours, disc golf, zip-lining, mountain biking, chairlift rides, paragliding, and of course hiking. When it comes to hiking, many people hit up the famous Grouse Grind. A grueling trail that will take your breath away and also take your time you while you hike it. Yes, that’s right, the '“Grind Timer” a large timer at the top of the trail will let you know how you did, with the average hiker reaching the top in around 90 minutes. A steep hike with a short 2.9 km(1.8mi) that locals have nicknamed” Mother Nature’s Stairmaster”, which is probably due to the 2,830 stairs hikers will face when they take on this beast.
More British Columbia Attractions
