Vancouver has earned a reputation as one of the most beautiful cities in the world, surrounded by sea, high mountains, reflecting from the sparkling glass skyscrapers. Vancouver is distinguished by a dynamic culinary scene thanks to the international environment of chefs, bringing their own recipes and methods, an abundance of excellent products, lush farmland, clean water. Add to this a vast cultural landscape: galleries, museums, theaters, famous designers - and you get only a faint idea of this bright city!
Vancouver Climate
The weak influence of the Arctic air and a good location on the shores of the Pacific Ocean makes Vancouver the warmest of the major metropolises of Canada in winter. Snow cover with a depth of more than 1 cm is observed about 10 days per year.
Vancouver is one of the wettest and foggiest cities in Canada. In winter, it may seem that the rain will never subside. Compensating for wet winters, in summer there is beautiful weather with dry warm days.
Unlike most other Canadian cities, there are real spring and autumn. The western maritime climate determines the variability of the weather.
Attractions in Vancouver
Grouse Mountain
The number one attraction in the open air is Grouse Mountain: you can climb on foot, by gondola, as well as by Red Skyride. You can admire the endless views of the city, the mountains, and in summer go hiking, in winter skiing or snowboarding. The cost of the tour is 60CAD$, including boat rental.
Granville Island
Granville Island is actually a peninsula and shopping area in the city center, but it is also a center of attraction for food and drink lovers. Explore the market, grab a beer at Granville Island Brewing Company, stroll through the cool shops. In the summer, sit outside, look at boats, rowers, kayakers.
Stanley Park
Located right in the center of the city, a huge Stanley Park is a refuge from the hustle and bustle of the business center. The coastal trail right on the shores of the Pacific Ocean is a favorite route of local residents for hiking, cycling, rollerblading.
Capilano Suspension Bridge
The 137 m long bridge over the Capilano River is not for those who are afraid of heights – it is located at an altitude of 70 m above the river! The bridge, the surrounding trails, lush forest landscapes make visiting the bridge one of the favorite trips outside the city. The cost of visiting is 54CAD$.
Observation of killer whales
Take a boat tour to see killer whales. The cost is about 145CAD$ for a few hours. A lot of killer whales rise along the inner passage, so the chances of seeing them are very high.
Lynn Canyon Park
This park is a free fun half-day trip. Around Lynn Creek there is a suspension bridge, mini hikes, swimming pits, waterfalls. It's a good alternative to a crowded Capilano, even if the bridge isn't that high — 150 feet high. However, it offers a bird's-eye view of the fast-flowing river with rapids, waterfalls, natural pools.
Robson Street
This is a street where you can have lunch, shop, look at people. There are many dishes of international cuisine: ramen can be tasted next to hipster cafes, sushi, takeriasami, izakai.
Wreck Beach
Wreck Beach is the only nudist beach in the city where they hang out, sunbathe, swim, listen to music; one of the last remaining places to preserve the atmosphere of love of freedom that Vancouver was famous for in the 1970s. It is located in Pacific Spirit Regional Park.
Vancouver Art Gallery
The collection of works of modern national, international art here is phenomenal. More than 9000 works of art will make it easy to spend a whole day here! There is a separate exhibition dedicated to Emily Carr, the favorite artist of British Columbia, night parties with live music are held. The cost is 24CAD$.
Harbour Center
Located in the heart of the city, the 131 m high Harbour Centre is the perfect place to explore the city. You will get to the observation deck in a glass elevator, which offers panoramic views of Vancouver, the mountains, the ocean. The price of the tour is 18CAD$.
Dr. Sun Yat-seng's Classical Chinese Garden
The first real classic Chinese garden built outside of China. This sanctuary is located in the heart of Vancouver and has been named by National Geographic as the best urban garden in the world. Covered paths, ponds filled with koi fish, 150-year-old miniature trees - this is a peaceful place where you can walk and reflect. It was built using the technologies of the XIV century, no power tools, glue or screws were used in the construction. Entrance ticket – 14CAD$.
Gastown
Gastown is Vancouver's oldest neighborhood, growing out of a single tavern founded in 1867. Today it is a fashionable place with many restaurants, cafes, boutiques, bars. Stroll through the old historic streets, admire the Steam Clock, visit the statue of Gussie Jack Dayton, the man who founded the first tavern here many years ago.
Yayaltown
Yaaltown is a newly converted industrial district with some of the city's most popular restaurants and pubs. Visit the parks of David Lam, George Weinborn, stroll along the seawrest, admire street art or dine on one of the patios.
What and where to eat in Vancouver?
Vancouver is a place for gourmets. Coastal, multicultural – these are the flavors of the most recognizable dishes of the city.
- Vancouver Foodie Tours focuses on the Gastown and Granville Island areas. You can eat in eight different places, trying local delicacies: crispy pork brisket, eggs with bacon in tempura. Price – from 95CAD$.
- Dine at Richmond's night market – from May to September, one of the coolest markets in the city is one of the coolest markets in the city. Inspired by Asian markets, it combines national cuisine, acquaintance with the local culture, shopping. Snacks, ranging from dumplings to barbecue, cost from 2 to 8 Canadian dollars.
- JapaDog. The most original and discussed food stall serves Japanese-style hot doges. Enjoy the salty, sweet, pungent taste of seaweed flakes, teriyaki sauce, miso, wasabi, kimchi.
- B.C Rolls is British Columbia's signature sushi roll prepared in different ways, but one constant ingredient is grilled crispy salmon skin.
- Coffee – Busy Vancouver residents are often picky about their favorite drink. Popular local coffee chains: Milano Coffee, 49th Parallel, JJ Bean. But don't forget the many cozy independent shops that take coffee very seriously, serving soy/almond milk instead of traditional milk (dairy-free options are standard here).
- Salmon Candy – smoked salmon, glazed with maple syrup or local honey, smoky, salty, sweet. Salmon Candy is sold at Granville Island's public market,a fish shop on Main Street.
- Spot Prawns are beautiful pink big sweet shrimp that are caught in local waters in May. Most of Vancouver's fine restaurants serve fresh shrimp, such as the Yew, the Four Seasons Hotel. The annual Spot Shrimp Festivalis held every year on Granville Island.
- West Coast Oysters,west coast oysters – a fresh taste of the ocean. Kumamoto, Kusi, Fanny Bay - some of the local varieties, oyster houses will give you a variety of different, and well-informed waiters will be able to recommend a variety for every taste. Joe Fortes Seafood & Chop House, Boulevard Kitchen and Oyster Bar and Merchants Oyster Bar are great places to start.
- Dungeness Crab. On the west coast, large fleshy crabs are harvested, they are served in many local restaurants: Blue Water Café, Raw Bar, Hawksworth.
- Indigenous cuisine – salmon, scrapers, moose, and other local products – is a warm, full meal. All of these products prove that the local cuisine was rich in diverse flavors long before Vancouver appeared. A popular place serving national dishes is Salmon n'Bannock Bistro.
- Chinese cuisine – Places like FloataSeafood Restaurant serve excellent dimsams, a variety of traditional, modern dishes.
- Japanese ramen and izakaya – there is nothing more cozy than to fill up a steaming bowl of ramen or share with friends a hot sake, a table full of various izakaya dishes. Today, izakiaya is an assortment of various Japanese snacks with an abundance of Japanese alcohol. You can find them all over Vancouver, but especially in the West End area, Kingyo on Denman.
- Vikram Vige and Hidekasu Tojo are two of Vancouver's most famous chefs, praised by everyone from Anthony Bourdain to Martha Stewart. Vikram Vij has restaurants in Vancouver, Surrey. Tojo's Hotel is located on West Broadway, Vancouver.
Transportation in Vancouver
Thanks to an efficient, affordable public transport system, tourists quickly and easily move around the city.
Vancouver SkyTrain is the world's longest automated rapid transit system, covering 49.5 kilometers! This is the most environmentally friendly form of public transport - it runs on electricity.
The city has partnered with TransLink, a company that plans and operates public transportation services in the Metro Vancouver area. SkyTrain consists of Expo Line and Millennium lines. A third system, called canada Line, provides travel from the airport to the center.
TransLink provides a continuous bus service: traditional buses, express trains, small public buses that take passengers to certain areas of the city.
Seabus crosses Burrard Bay, connecting Waterfront Station (downtown Vancouver), Lonsdale Waterfront (North Vancouver).
The West Coast Express is a train connecting Waterfront station (downtown Vancouver) with the Mission with some stops along the way. On weekdays, five trains depart for Vancouver in the morning, from Vancouver in the afternoon.
