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Stanley
Park
The most prominent feature that sets Vancouver
apart from other cities is this magnificent 405 hectare park
laced with walking paths through an almost untouched piece
of west coast forest wilderness at the edge of the cities
West End. You can easily forget that the city you just left
behind is just beyond the trees. The park is surrounded by
a stone, man-made Seawall walk which surrounds the entire
park. This is where the city's inhabitants come to play in
any type of weather. On any day you can see in-line skaters,
cyclists, joggers or people strolling along or sitting on
a rock or sandy beach just watching the boats or the sunsets
over English Bay. Stanley Park is the largest civic park in
Canada and larger than Central Park in New York City. Development
within the park includes the Vancouver Aquarium, the largest
in Canada, children's farmyard, miniature train, the open
air Theatre Under The Stars, totem poles, a cricket field,
Lost Lagoon, the Nine O'clock Gun, and Deadman's Island which
in an earlier time was a Native burial ground and later a
naval base. It is now used by cadets and reserve units. Recreational
facilities include a pitch and putt golf course, bathing beaches,
tennis courts, Brockton Oval 400 metre cinder jogging circuit,
a large outdoor swimming pool with a view of the ocean beyond,
refreshment stands and several excellent restaurants. This
is a great place to start your visit to Vancouver and there
are horse drawn carriages or free shuttle buses to help you
get around.
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China Town
The Vancouver China Town is one of the most
original and intact Chinatowns of all the ones typically found
in many cities in North America. It has not been tarted up
and marketed as a tourist trap like so many have. Vegetables
and housewares spill out of crowded shops onto narrow sidewalks.
Its great fun chancing one or two of the scores of small Chinese
restaurants, sampling a dish you may never even have heard
of before. According to ' Ripley's Believe It or Not ' the
Sam Kee Building at 8 West Pender is the narrowest building
in the world. It is 1.5 meters deep and was built out of spite
by The Sam Kee Company in 1913. The city had expropriated
most of the property in order to widen Pender Street but refused
to compensate the company for the remaining strip. Their neighbor
expected to receive this strategic corner very cheaply but
the company responded by building this unusually narrow building.
The use of the bay windows on the second floor provide extra
space. The basement with its unused communal baths extends
well under the sidewalk.
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Dr. Sun
Yat-Sen Chinese Garden
578 Carrall St in Chinatown
This beautiful garden is the only authentic
classical Chinese garden outside of China and was built by
Chinese artisans who came here specifically for this project.
The very enthusiastic and often entertaining volunteers will
tour you through and explain the garden and the architecture
in detail. The tour is highly recommended especially for first
time visitors to a Chinese garden.
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Gastown
You are now in the part of Vancouver where
it all began. This area which had been turned into warehouses
for some of its less glorious past was totally restored to
its original charm in the late 60's and early 70's. Cobbled
streets are lined with boutiques, tourist shops, coffee shops,
art and antique shops and restaurants featuring many types
of cuisine. Although understandably touristy since it is located
right next to the Cruise Ship Terminal at Canada Place, it
is a very lively place where anyone can have a great time
if only to people-watch while sitting at a café. The
main attraction for many is watching all the tourists posing
for photos in front of the STEAM CLOCK, a mechanical wonder
which uses steam to power a clock that whistles on the quarter
hour. Maple Tree Square is the original point for all Vancouver
street addresses. Gastown was designated a provincial heritage
site in 1971.
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Robson Square
Designed by renowned Vancouver architect
Arthur Erickson this is another great place to either people-watch
or enjoy the beautiful gardens, pool and waterfall. While
providing the city with a central Square it also houses the
courthouse, theatres, and conference rooms. There is also
a skating rink with music for the winter months, which converts
to a dance floor, entertainment centre, and a few restaurants
in the summer. It's a great place to put your feet up and
take a break from shopping.
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Robson Street
No trip to Vancouver would be complete without
a walk down very lively Robson Street. In fact you will stumble
onto it soon after your arrival. The portion of Robson Street
west of Burrard Street developed a strong European ethnic
flavour during the 50's and 60's and was nicknamed Robson
Strasse because of the many European businesses that located
there. Although few of those original shops remain it still
has a very diverse ethnic flavour and has more recently been
developed into a fashionable strip of designer boutiques,
coffee shops and restaurants. There are an unusually large
number of very excellent restaurants either on or just off
Robson Street and it's a great place for sushi lovers. Robson
street becomes very busy on weekend evenings when it becomes
a very popular gathering place locals and visitors alike.
Its also a good place to pick up a pair of in-line skates
or a bicycle for the day.
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BC Place Stadium
At the far end of Robson street you can't
miss the home of the BC Lions CFL football team. It also serves
as an exposition site and seats 60,000 people. The dome which
covers the stadium is supported by air and can be seen from
almost any point around False Creek.
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Vancouver Art
Gallery
This sandstone and granite structure was
built in 1906 with additions completed in 1912. It was designated
a heritage building in 1974 and initially housed the Senior
Law Courts but became the home of the Vancouver Art Gallery
in 1983. There have been many excellent shows, among them
the Dutch Masters, Canadian Group of Seven, and it houses
a permanent collection of works by famed British Columbia
painter Emily Carr. One of her paintings recently sold for
close to one million dollars at a Vancouver auction.
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Canada Harbour
Place & Cruise Ship Terminal
The blazing white sails of Canada Place
at the foot of Burrard Avenue have become as much a Vancouver
Landmark as the Opera House has to Sydney, Australia. It is
the main departure and arrival point for cruise ships travelling
to Alaska and other destinations and offers breathtaking views
of the harbour and the Lions Gate Bridge. The CN IMAX THEATRE
at Canada Place shows exciting features which change frequently
and include 3D films projected onto a giant five stories high
screen with surround sound.
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Science World
At the very far end of False Creek, a small
inner harbor mainly used by pleasure boats, sits a triodetic
dome called Science World which features hands-on exploration,
exhibits and dazzling demonstrations that change regularly.
The Omnimax theatre in Science World boasts the world's largest
dome screen and is strongly recommended.
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Granville
Island
If you enjoy feasting your eyes on perfectly
displayed fresh seafood and vegetables, this is the place
for you. While you're there you can try some of the great
prepared food as you take in some of the local street entertainment
or just watch the boats and the world glide by. Granville
Island is the site of a number of very good restaurants and
pubs as well as a few live theatre companies. You can reach
it easily from the West End by hopping aboard one of the small
shuttle ferries that depart from under the Burrard Street
Bridge next to the Aquatic Centre pool. The trip only takes
a few minutes.
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