TrekAmerica’s City Guide to

VANCOUVER

VANCOUVEROVERVIEW

DON’T MISS!1. STANLEY PARK Bigger than New York’s Central Park, this huge expanse is Vancouver’s pride and joy. Rent a bike and cycle past totem poles, cheeky wildlife and some of the city’s oldest and gnarliest trees.

2. GRANVILLE ISLAND No visit to Vancouver is complete without visiting this funky little island � lled with artsy shops, cool bars and one of the most incredible food markets you’ve ever laid your eyes on.

3. ENGLISH BAY � is sandy beach with an expansive view of the city and mountains is where the city’s beautiful people come to hang out and play. Tip: Go at sunset and treat yourself to a salty hot dog from a street vendor.

4. HIKE GROUSE GRIND A hike up Vancouver’s most famous mountain isn’t for the faint-hearted, but this pulse-pumping climb will reward you with the best views of the city you can get anywhere.

5. CAPILANO SUSPENSION BRIDGE Just a short ride out of town, this 140 metre bridge hangs precariously over the Capilano River, and will give you insta-ready pics to make all your friends jealous.

6. GASTOWN � e coolest neighbourhood in Vancouver! Head for the statue of ‘Gassy Jack’ before trying out the beer selection in one of the dozen or so brewpubs within easy walking distance.

7. YALETOWN Known locally as ‘Yuppietown’, this densely populated neighbourhood is home to the biggest selection of trendy cocktail bars in the city... plus more yoga pants than you can shake a stick at.

8. VANCOUVER SEAWALL While away an a� ernoon eating ice cream and strolling along the city’s beloved seawall. Amazing views over the bay, loads of fresh air, and for the sporty types, even a little rollerblading.

9. BOWEN ISLAND You’ll need to get a bus and ferry to Bowen Island, but with no motorised vehicles and some great hiking, along with a couple of cute pubs to grab a beer, it’s a must if you have a full day to spare.

10. COMMERCIAL DRIVE Get a taste of local life in this fun, Bohemian neighbourhood. Restaurants from around the world, the occasional street party and hardly a tourist in sight.

Gateway to Canada’s Rocky Mountains, Vancouver mixes easy urban life with a love of the great outdoors. There aren’t many cities in the world where you can take in the mountains in the morning and then head to the beach in the afternoon to catch some rays. Surrounded by water on three sides and backed by the North Shore mountains, Vancouver doesn’t play by the rules.

Although a massive city, it retains a friendly, village-like atmosphere, with chic neighbourhoods and friendly locals greeting you as you pass by (Canadians are famously friendly). The city’s coffee scene is legendary, as is its obsession with craft beers. If you’re looking for a laid back place to just chill for a few days before heading off into Western Canada’s mountains, then Vancouver is your place.

Best Selfi e SpotsTotem Poles in Stanley Park – Bright, colourful and unique, these First-Nation artworks are perfect sel� e fodder.

Lions Gate Bridge – Cycle halfway around Stanley Park to get amazing views of this bridge, likened to San Francisco’s Golden Gate.

Grouse Mountain – A� er you’ve sweated the 2.9 kilometre, 853 metre near-vertical climb, prepare for a ‘swel� e’ (sweaty sel� e) looking back over the city.

1. As well as free street art such as the giant laughing � gures near English Bay, Vancouver’s art galleries o� er free days or always-free admission. Check out the Belkin Art Gallery or Vancouver Art Gallery online for details.

2. For a suspension bridge experience without the entrance fees, head to Lynn Canyon Ecology Center, which is home to a well-worn hiking trail leading to a bridge over the canyon.

3. Free wine! Word on the street is the Everything Wine Store in North Vancouver o� ers free tastings daily from 2-6pm. An opportunity not to be missed!

4. During the summer, learn to dance salsa or ballroom for free in Robson Square. Dance classes are held on Sunday nights, and there’s no need to book ahead. Just turn up and go!

5. It’s a little out of the way, but a trip to Richmond Night Market (summer only) will transport you halfway around the world with its mass of market stalls and food hawkers.

Talk like a local

Ask a Vancouverite to show you where their favourite ‘Beaver

Tail’ joint is, and they’ll point you towards somewhere you can get the best fried dough with lemon and sugar topping in

the world!

THINGS TO DO FOR FREE

English Bay

Stanley Park

GastownGranville Island

Vancouver Art Gallery

Richmond Night market

North Vancouver

Vancouver’s huge Chinese population means tons of authentic Chinese food to chow down on, and being surrounded by the sea also means amazing seafood at every turn. Trust us, Vancouver is home to the best cuisine in Canada (just don’t tell Montréal!) so you’ll be spoilt for choice.

Our favourites:1. Chinese: � is is a city which takes its Chinese food very seriously, even hosting an annual Diner’s Choice Awards to � nd the best in town. Make a beeline for Max Noodle House for the best wonton noodles, or S&W Pepper House for its Sichuan boiled beef.

2. Seafood: Fill up on prawns, oysters, clams, halibut, trout, cod, and that gorgeous BC salmon. We recommend Go Fish, and Rodney’s Oyster House (which also has an awesome happy hour).

3. Street food: � e city is chock full of food trucks, and some of the best can be found in the downtown area. Try Mom’s Grilled Cheese, Fat Duck, or Feastro the Rolling Bistro near Waterfront and Granville stations.

FOR THE FOODIES

NightlifeA city equally in love with its beer scene and its nightclubs, Vancouver’s nightlife is as easy-going or as crazy as you want it to be. � ose in the mood for a serious party should head for Granville Street, where high heels and short skirts are the uniform of choice.

Travellers just wanting to relax with a cool pint should start with the Gastown district, where cra� beer and a laid back vibe are the order of the day. Steamworks Brewing Company and � e Alibi Room are both great choices.

Looking for something a bit di� erent? Vancouver � eatre Sports League on Granville Island hosts improv comedy shows � ve nights a week. Lineups change regularly but in the past, events have included ‘� rone of Games’, a comedic look at the TV show ‘Game of � rones’.

GETTING AROUNDVancouver is a great city to explore on foot, alternatively it has an excellent public transportation system to help you get around. You can get from the airport to the main downtown stretch in just 25 minutes using the Skytrain, and it’ll cost you around $9. Single fares around the central zones of 1 and 2 will cost between $3 and $5 a pop. Watch out for

Vancouver is neighbourly and safe, however it does have a big homelessness problem. You may be asked for money by homeless people, especially in the

Granville Street and Chinatown areas, however there is a law in the city which prevents people from asking more than once. A simple ‘sorry I can’t help you’

should be enough to allow you to walk on.

A cheaper and slower (but still great) way to get around is by Translink bus, especially if you’re planning a visit to one of the outlying islands such as Bowen Island.

As a city surrounded by water, Vancouver simply must be seen from a boat, and the Granville Island Ferry is a fab way to explore cheaply.

JUNE – � e Vancouver International Jazz Festival o� ers a week’s worth of the smoothest, wildest and greatest jazz performances around.

JULY 1ST – It’s Canada Day! Celebrate with the Canadians as Vancouver comes alive with � reworks, cookouts and parties galore.

JULY 31ST – With the Pride Parade at the West End and the festival at Sunset Beach, Vancouver Pride is a joyous celebration!

SEPTEMBER – Vancouver Fringe Festival celebrates the creativity of its performers, with everything from comedy to theater on display.

Contact details – website and international Tel no in the footer.

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Tour Leader � p“Be sure to check out Stanley Park! And do it right - you can see the awesome Vancouver Aquarium, rent a bike and make your way around the massive seawall, or simply have a leisurely picnic on the lush greenery.” 

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