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.