Friday, August 22, 2008
Friday, August 8, 2008
Vancouver
Granville Island and its popular Public Market are a favourite of Vancouver's many tourists. Take a Water taxi from the downtown core across false creek to Granville Island, where you will find many art galleries and the prestigious Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design.
False Creek and Yale Town area is a modern neighbourhood built around an old warehouse district. To see the new shops in the old buildings take a stroll down Hamilton Street and, the parallel, Mainland street. This area is today filled with some of the trendiest restaurants and shops in the city.
Gastown is the oldest neighbourhood in the city. Gastown is a very popular tourist attraction and for good reason, but it does also boarder on the notorious Downtown Eastside. Historic Water Street is paved with red brick, which matches most of the buildings.
Robson Street is Vancouver's most popular shopping street, lined with fashionable clothing stores and restaurants.
Stanley Park located next to the downtown core is a 1000-acre rain forest sanctuary for locals and tourists. The Seawall, which circles the entire park and most of the downtown core, is a must for photographers. The Park features the Hallow Tree, Prospect Point Lookout, the Rhododendron Garden, the Rose Garden, the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club, AAA Horse and Carriage, the Vancouver Aquarium, the Miniature Railway, a Pitch and Put Golf Course, the Second Beach Pool, and four pleasant restaurants.
Coal Harbour is an emerging neighbourhood. High rises continue to sprout up on a regular bases. This neighbourhood is next to the CN IMAX Theatre at Canada Place, the Vancouver Trade and Convention Centre, and the Hastings Heritage District.
The Vancouver Art Gallery located at 750 Hornby Street, is one of the main cultural attractions in the city. The Gallery is located in the old courthouse building, which provides a wonderful architectural backdrop for many popular exhibitions. On Tuesday evenings admission to the Gallery is by donation.
Spanish Banks Beach, near the University of British Columbia, is a great place to dip your feet in to the ocean. At low tide, the beach expands up to 4 kilometres into the ocean. Obviously the water is very shallow. Parking is free beside the beach. Enjoy the shops and restaurants on Kitsilano's 4th Avenue, on your way to the beach.
Queen Elizabeth Park houses the Bloedel Conservatory. Next to the Conservatory is one of Vancouver's best free attractions, Queen Elizabeth Park's botanical gardens.
The Pacific National Exhibition (PNE) is held during the last weeks of August in Vancouver's Hastings Park. The PNE is always a great place to bring the family, and well worth a day. Don't forget the shows, which run until closing, about 11pm.
Whistler
Whistler, Vancouver's famous partner, is a world-renowned ski resort, about 2 hours north of the city. A drive to Whistler will take you along the beautiful Sea-to-Sky Highway, where 5000 foot mountains meet the ocean (Howe Sound). Whistler has a beautiful village full of attractions and comtemporary hotels.
Burnaby
Deer Lake Park in Central Burnaby is probably the most beautiful of all the urban parks. The Hart House Restaurant, located in the park, provides fine dining and is set in a very large mansion built nearly one hundred years ago. Deer Lake also houses Burnaby's Art Gallery, which is again set in another grand mansion on the lake. Many historical buildings surround this lake, as it was once the home to many wealthy pioneers. Take a Heritage walking tour around the lake, and make sure to stop at the Burnaby Village Museum.
Burnaby Lake Park is a sportsman's paradise. All types of sports are available in or next to this park. The prime feature of this park is the 11.6-kilometer trail circling the lake. Joggers and many athletes use this tail. There are many fields, specializing in Rugby. The Park has fields for soccer, baseball, cricket, and model airplanes. Next to the park is the Canlan Ice Sports Centre, with its 8 rinks, which trains figure skaters and Hockey players. This is where the Vancouver Canucks practices. Burnaby Lake is also the home of the Burnaby Tennis Club, the Burnaby Sports Complex, the Rowing Pavilion, the Wildlife Rescue Association, the Burnaby Equestrian Centre, and bird sanctuary.
Burnaby Mountain Park, at Simon Fraser University, is a great place to view Vancouver and the North shore mountains. The Centennial Gardens and Pavilion have panoramic views, and a restaurant too.
Burnaby Lake Park is a sportsman's paradise. All types of sports are available in or next to this park. The prime feature of this park is the 11.6-kilometer trail circling the lake. Joggers and many athletes use this tail. There are many fields, specializing in Rugby. The Park has fields for soccer, baseball, cricket, and model airplanes. Next to the park is the Canlan Ice Sports Centre, with its 8 rinks, which trains figure skaters and Hockey players. This is where the Vancouver Canucks practices. Burnaby Lake is also the home of the Burnaby Tennis Club, the Burnaby Sports Complex, the Rowing Pavilion, the Wildlife Rescue Association, the Burnaby Equestrian Centre, and bird sanctuary.
Burnaby Mountain Park, at Simon Fraser University, is a great place to view Vancouver and the North shore mountains. The Centennial Gardens and Pavilion have panoramic views, and a restaurant too.
The North Shore
North Vancouver's Quay market, at the Sea Bus Terminal, is one of the interesting places on the North Shore. The Quay is located at the base of Lonsdale, North Vancouver's main shopping thoroughfare.
Lynn Canyon has a suspension bridge, similar to the famous Capilano Suspension Bridge, but without an admission charge. This frighteningly high suspension bridge is located in North Vancouver's Lynn Canyon Park.
Take the Sky ride to the top of Grouse Mountain, or, if you have the time, try the Grouse grind, a 3000-foot vertical hike. There are bird and Bear exhibitions on the mountain's top, along with several restaurants and great views of the city.
West Vancouver's Sea walk from Ambleside Park to Dundarave Park is a pleasant place to jog or stroll while tasting the ocean air. Most of West Vancouver's attractions are along Marine Drive and within walking distance from the beach.
West Vancouver's Whytecliff Park, near Horseshoe Bay and the Ferry Terminal, provides Vancouver's best place for scuba diving. There is also a fine little Cafe called Rocky in this park.
West Vancouver's Lighthouse Park has very rustic hiking trails, which have a real wilderness feel. The coast is rugged and the photo opportunities are quite good.
Lynn Canyon has a suspension bridge, similar to the famous Capilano Suspension Bridge, but without an admission charge. This frighteningly high suspension bridge is located in North Vancouver's Lynn Canyon Park.
Take the Sky ride to the top of Grouse Mountain, or, if you have the time, try the Grouse grind, a 3000-foot vertical hike. There are bird and Bear exhibitions on the mountain's top, along with several restaurants and great views of the city.
West Vancouver's Sea walk from Ambleside Park to Dundarave Park is a pleasant place to jog or stroll while tasting the ocean air. Most of West Vancouver's attractions are along Marine Drive and within walking distance from the beach.
West Vancouver's Whytecliff Park, near Horseshoe Bay and the Ferry Terminal, provides Vancouver's best place for scuba diving. There is also a fine little Cafe called Rocky in this park.
West Vancouver's Lighthouse Park has very rustic hiking trails, which have a real wilderness feel. The coast is rugged and the photo opportunities are quite good.
Suburbs
White Rock beach in Semiahmoo Bay, near the U.S. boarder crossing, is a pleasant attraction in the summer. The beachfront drive is filled with restaurants and Gelato shops. This area is also a heaven for artists.
The Queen's Park neighbourhood of New Westminster is one of the oldest neighbourhoods in BC, with many old mansions dating back to the 1890's. Queen's Park is a nice urban refuge, which houses the New Westminster Arts Council.The Irving House Historical Centre, at 302 Royal Avenue in New Westminster, is the best historical museum in the lower mainland. Finished in 1865 and a museum since 1950, this mansion was built by Captain William Irving. And the best part about this little known gem is that admission is by donation. The New Westminster Museum and Archives are located in a building on the property, just behind the mansion.
The Queen's Park neighbourhood of New Westminster is one of the oldest neighbourhoods in BC, with many old mansions dating back to the 1890's. Queen's Park is a nice urban refuge, which houses the New Westminster Arts Council.The Irving House Historical Centre, at 302 Royal Avenue in New Westminster, is the best historical museum in the lower mainland. Finished in 1865 and a museum since 1950, this mansion was built by Captain William Irving. And the best part about this little known gem is that admission is by donation. The New Westminster Museum and Archives are located in a building on the property, just behind the mansion.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
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