How to Visit Vancouver, BC

Vancouver, BC, Canada is a must-see destination for city dwellers and those who love the mountains and Pacific Ocean. It is a very unique place with many diversions. These helpful tips will guide when planning a getaway to Vancouver.

Instructions

1. Line up lodging ahead of time. You can stay at many places including resorts, hotels, campgrounds, cabins and bed and breakfasts. Decide how long you wish to stay, as there is much to see. Often the longer you stay, the larger your discount. Some hotels offer weekly and even monthly rates. You can also receive package deals on lodging, air fare, tourist attractions and car rental. Make sure you have a place to park, especially if you are downtown. Be sure to use your travel club membership card for lodging and attraction discounts.

2. Travel up Grouse Mountain for a few hours or even the day. There are many options to choose from including hiking, tram and you can even zipline in the mountain after your tram ride. Keep your eyes open for wildlife such as grizzly bears. It is best to journey up Grouse Mountain and the alpine forest on clear days, so have some flexibility in your schedule in case of rain or fog. When you are at the top of the mountain, you can dine in the Observatory or take advantage of less formal options that still offer views and even outdoor dining. In the winter, you can ski at various hills, take a snow capped sky ride, experience chairlifts and paraglide, much like summer only with snow.

3. Visit Minter Gardens for a few hours and bring your camera. These spectacular gardens are situated against Mt. Cheam. There are floral exhibits,12 gardens, children's gardens and restaurants. This is one of the less expensive more enjoyable attractions in the area.

4. Bring out the daredevil in you by crossing the Capilano Suspension bridge where you will walk above the forest and have views of the canyon. You will experience a guided nature walk any time of year.

5. Cruise the water with a Harbor Cruise day or night and get a great view of the Vancouver skyline. These cruises also offer lunch, dinner, sunset and special event cruises, including Christmas cruises. There is a link for more information and tickets.

6. Take the family to Telus Science World where you will participate in hands-on demonstrations, experiments and view exhibits. This is great fun and has educational value for everyone. It is open every day of the year except holidays. There is also an Omnimax theater that is unique to the area.

7. Stroll down Robson street to shop and dine to your heart's content. This is a great way to experience downtown Vancouver. The street comes to life at night with vibrant night clubs and a host of entertainment.

8. Ride the Big Bus to see sights around Vancouver and leave the driving to someone else. Here you will see sights that you might have missed if you are trying to navigate this large city alone. You can purchase a ticket that is good for up to two days worth of rides and get off and explore stops along the way at your leisure.

Tips & Warnings

• Bring your passport and birth certificate for when you travel through customs if you are not a Canadian citizen.

• Consider Getting a Vancouver SmartVisit Card where you can go to up to 50 attractions at reduced admission rates.

• If you have motion sickness, use caution or take medication before traveling on the Grouse Mountain Tram.

• Remember currency exchange rates and to have Canadian currency with you. Credit and debit cards may charge to convert, check with them ahead of time.

• Canada charges a GST rate on everything, much like sales tax, so include that in when you are planning your vacation budget.

Resources

• Information about bed and breakfasts in Vancouver
• Boat cruise information
• Vancouver hotels and tourism information
• Vancouver hotel links