The first game of the FIFA World Cup in Vancouver will be played on Saturday, June 13, with Australia matched up against Türkiye.
Vancouver might be the most beautiful city on earth in terms of the proximity of towering mountains and the ocean. I’m from San Francisco, but I’d say Vancouver is even more striking. Cape Town is nice, and Sydney, too, but the combination of open water and snow-capped mountains give Vancouver the edge.
I’ve been a good 10 to 15 times and have probably spent a couple months of my life in the city, including a month for the 2010 Winter Olympics. Here are some great things to see and do in Vancouver.
COOL NEIGHBORHOODS
Gastown’s cobblestone streets and old-time architecture can be a little touch and go with homeless issues, but it’s generally fine, and quite interesting. It’s right next to Chinatown, which is terrific. I love taking tours with Chinatown Historic Tours, which gives you glimpses of places most visitors would never even know about, including private clubs and small shops you might otherwise miss. Stop in at Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden for a bit of rest after your tour.
English Bay has palm trees and a nice beach with beautiful driftwood and great sunsets. Granville Island has a fantastic produce and flower market, as well as restaurants and cafes on the water. Try the little Aquabus that bops around False Creek for a nice overview of the city, or rent a kayak and explore on your own.
The Granville Island Market is a great place to pick up fresh produce. PHOTO COURTESY DESTINATION BC AND KAMIL BIALOUS
The walk along Coal Harbour is one of the great urban walks in the world with parks, flower gardens, plus mountain and ocean views.
Davie Street is the heart of the city’s LGBTQ district and has fine shops and restaurants.
Fourth Avenue in Kitsilano is also a terrific area for shopping and dining, as is Main Street.
If that’s your thing, Wreck Beach (near the University of British Columbia campus) has a legal nude bathing area.
In North Vancouver, Lonsdale Quay market has great shops. The area is a great spot for walking and admiring the Vancouver skyline. You can reach North Van by ferry from downtown.
POPULAR ACTIVITIES
Don’t miss a walk or a bike ride around Stanley Park, home to a fine aquarium, a fun nine-hole golf course, and towering totem poles. You can take a tour with Talaysay Tours to learn about the area’s indigenous history.
The Vancouver Art Gallery is the largest art museum in western Canada. The Museum of Anthropology at UBC, which has wonderful exhibits on indigenous culture.
Capilano Suspension Bridge, Vancouver, BC – Courtesy of Cap Company
Many folks flock to the Capilano Suspension Bridge, which takes you on a slightly bouncy bridge high over a beautiful, tree-lined canyon in North Vancouver. It’s quite good, and there’s a ton of interesting history and also a cliff walk. But it’s not cheap ($75 CAD for adults). If you’re short on cash, the Lynn Canyon suspension bridge in North Vancouver isn’t as high, but it’s free and quite pretty. There are also tremendous hiking trails and swimming pools.
Flyover‘s Awaken Canada is a terrific, experiential “ride” that swoops and soars over Canada in tremendously realistic fashion. You’ll find it at Canada Place on the waterfront, next to the cruise ship terminal.
Physical fitness fans will want to try the “Grouse Grind,” a serious hike up Grouse Mountain. If you’re not ready for that kind of exertion, the Blue Grouse gondola ride to the top of the mountain is a great way to enjoy nature and get fabulous city and nature views.
WHERE TO EAT
The city has so many great options, including classic and casual Japanese and Chinese fare, Indian cuisine, Italian and, of course, tremendous seafood. A couple of great places I sampled on my last visit were Le Crocodile, a classic French spot that’s been operating downtown for several decades, Miku for outstanding sushi, Ophelia for great Mexican food, and Iden and Quanjude Beijing Duck House.
WHERE TO STAY
The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver is a regal, downtown classic. A few blocks away, The Fairmont Pacific Rim is light, bright and ultra-modern, with a definite “to be seen” vibe at the bar and tremendous food at The Botanist. The Rosewood Hotel Georgia is a gorgeous property across from the Art Gallery, while the Loden is a fine, European-styled boutique hotel in the West End.
The lounge at the Fairmont Hotel at Vancouver Airport.
Closer to the stadium where the World Cup matches are being played are.a pair of fine hotels, the JW Marriott Parq Vancouver and The DOUGLAS, a Marriott Autograph Collection property. The Westin Bayshore is a fine hotel on the waterfront, with tremendous views. If you’re on a budget, try the cute-as-a-button Burrard Hotel. At YVR, The Fairmont Vancouver Airport is tremendous.
GREAT GETAWAYS
Top getaway spots include Richmond for amazing Asian cuisine and Victoria, reached by a lovely ferry ride past lovely isLands, The Fairmont Empress Hotel is justifiably known as an icon of the city, as is the provincial legislature. There are charming parks, great food and fabulous coffee. Also on Vancouver island is Tofino, a surf and whale watching town that might be the closest thing to California you’ll find in B.C.
Whistler is reached by the Sea to Sky Highway, which hugs the ocean and is quite dramatic. Whistler Village is a great town to explore, and also has a couple of fine museums dedicated to art and indigenous history. There’s tremendous hiking, cycling and golf.
Don’t miss a tour of the southern Okanagan Valley of B.C.. Jim Byers Photo
A few hours east of Vancouver is the tremendous Okanagan region, with pristine, mountain lakes, a bounty of fresh fruit and world-class wineries. The south end of the valley, near Osooyoos, is a natural desert.
If you want to rent a car, it’s about ten hours to Banff and Lake Louise. Don’t miss a stop at Yoho National Park on your way. It’s stunning and gets maybe 1/4 the number of visitors as Banff . If you don’t have time to drive you can fly to Calgary and be in Banff in less than two hours. The Icefields Parkway between Banff and Jasper might be the best drive on the planet,
