Melanie

My boyfriend and I are taking a 5-7 day trip to Vancouver in October (is this an ok time to go, weather-wise??). Neither of us have ever been to Canada or even the Pacific Northwest, as we are from Philadelphia. I'd like advice on things to do (we are in our late twenties), nice hotels, and possible day trips to other areas. We want to cram in as much activity as we can! Any advice would be helpful.

Maureen

Vancouver is beautiful. Be sure to spend a day taking the ferry to and from Victoria. It's a nice ferry ride and a beautiful place to visit. You don't necessarily need a car there. <BR>

Jim

Melanie, <BR> <BR> I made my first visit to Vancouver in early August and had a blast. Whistler is a great area and about a 30 minute drive from downtown Vancouver. One thing I would recommend is to rent bikes and explore the city. A ride along the trail of Stanley Park is nice. Get yourself a map and you're in there! Don't know if the Canucks hockey team will start at that time, but that's an option. <BR> <BR> Plenty of cool restaurants downtown to keep you busy. Victoria Island is nearby and so is the U. of British Columbia. Vancouver has all the attractions of most big cities. Theatre, shopping, sporting events, ... My suggestion would be to pick up a Fodor's or other travel book. That's what I did. People are super friendly as well. Have a good trip!

C.Clark

Hi Melanie, I think that you picked the most beautiful city in the world to visit and not just because it's my home. <BR>Go to Whistler as a day trip because it's a beautiful drive. On the drive leave from Stanley Park and take the scenic route through West Vancouver all the way to Deep Cove, have lunch at Troll's (excellent fish and chips, even better tarter sauce). Then on to Whistler. <BR>Next day go to North Vancouver and up to <BR>Grouse Mountain, see the Capilano Suspension Bridge and Park, Also an excellent place for dinner is Canyon Heights (chinese food) they have the best chicken balls in lychee that I've ever tasted. <BR>Other must see's are Chinatown, Gastown,Granville Island,Museum of Anthropology,Nitobe Memorial Gardens and Science World. Also if your're shopping for something special to take home go to Martha Sturdy's it's downtown and she is an incredible artist <BR>with even better prices. If you need anymore help feel free to e-mail me directly. C. Clark <BR>

April

We stayed at the Lord Stanley a week ago. It's right by Stanley Park and is nice because the suite had a kitchen with a stove/oven, fridge, small microwave, and dishwasher, coffee pot, etc., as well as a clothes washer and dryer. There is a livingroom, bedroom, bathroom, den and balcony (some closed, some open). A short walk down Robson Street was a good restaurant called The Chef and the Carpenter. (Someone recently told me their favourite restaurant is a place called Allegro but I have not been there and, frankly, am not even positive about the name.) <BR>The Westin Bayshore right on the water is also a nice place to stay. <BR>The good thing about October is that prices are lower, the city is less crowded and the weather shouldn't be too bad. <BR>What you do may depend on whether or not you have a car. <BR>

Rebecca

Melanie, you don't say your age, but if you're in your twenties (or young at heart), go over the Burrard Bridge to the neighborhood of Kitsilano. There's a nice park (Vanier Park) and the Kits Beach right there. It's fun during the day, and at night the lights of Vancouver are beautiful. Go to West 4th Ave. or West Broadway for great restaurants and action. The University of British Columbia is over there too. Also, go to Granville Island which is between Kitsilano and downtown. We just came back from Vancouver and stayed in that neighborhood - there's no one over 26 there, and it has a fun and relaxed atmosphere. (We're in our 50's.) <BR> <BR>

Blumin

Hi! Yes, I must say Vancouver is Canada's most beautiful city. I'm trying to remember last year's Oct weather, I would say sometimes cool but not cold,some days are still warm, always be prepared for rain but we never let it stop us from enjoying our surroundings. When we are showing visitors around our favorites are Stanley Park (the Vancouver Aquarium is located here and worth a look, whale show usually around noon, adm $10), Capilano Suspension bridge in North Vancouver(admission is $10) There is also another great suspension bridge that is free in N. Vancouver near Lynn Valley Canyon but the Capilano one has a gift shop if you have tons of cash. The drive to Whistler( world class ski resort, you can ride up on a lift to see the view) is breathtaking but it is more like 1 and 1/2 hours from downtown Vancouver. Stop at Shannon Falls and Brandywine Falls on the way to Whistler, they are just off the hwy. Oh, and if you are renting a car do it at the airport, it is usually 10-20 dollars cheaper. <BR>There is a zoo about 1 hour outside of Vanc. (the giraffe is my favorite, if you go tell him I said hi and give him a branch for me <BR>Downtown Vanc there is a lookout tower that you can see the city in 360, best time to go is 1/2hour before sunset so you can see the city in some daylight and the night lights and the sunset of course! Just above is an overpriced revolving restaurant, not worth going for dinner but possibly lunch, snack with the view during the day. <BR>Well that is most of my faves. <BR>Have a great trip! <BR>Blumin

Blumin

Hi! Yes, I must say Vancouver is Canada's most beautiful city. I'm trying to remember last year's Oct weather, I would say sometimes cool but not cold,some days are still warm, always be prepared for rain but we never let it stop us from enjoying our surroundings. When we are showing visitors around our favorites are Stanley Park (the Vancouver Aquarium is located here and worth a look, whale show usually around noon, adm $10), Capilano Suspension bridge in North Vancouver(admission is $10) There is also another great suspension bridge that is free in N. Vancouver near Lynn Valley Canyon but the Capilano one has a gift shop if you have tons of cash. The drive to Whistler( world class ski resort, you can ride up on a lift to see the view) is breathtaking but it is more like 1 and 1/2 hours from downtown Vancouver. Stop at Shannon Falls and Brandywine Falls on the way to Whistler, they are just off the hwy. Oh, and if you are renting a car do it at the airport, it is usually 10-20 dollars cheaper. <BR>There is a zoo about 1 hour outside of Vanc. (the giraffe is my favorite, if you go tell him I said hi and give him a branch for me <BR>Downtown Vanc there is a lookout tower that you can see the city in 360, best time to go is 1/2hour before sunset so you can see the city in some daylight and the night lights and the sunset of course! Just above is an overpriced revolving restaurant, not worth going for dinner but possibly lunch, snack with the view during the day. <BR>Well that is most of my faves. <BR>Have a great trip! <BR>Blumin

Melanie

Thank you all so much for all the great advice!! I am really looking forward to my trip! Does anyone know anything about the Crowne Plaza Hotel in downtown Vancouver?

Kenny

Crowne Plaza Hotel is actually the Hotel Georgia. It (and the nearby Hotel Vancouver) are the two original luxury hotels in Vancouver. They have now been eclipsed by 4 other 5 star hotels. But the Georgia is still a nice hotel, smack in the middle of downtown with lots of things to see around it. <BR>The tips above are great, but if you want to try something different here are some suggestions: <BR>- Take a floatplane tour - e.g. $199 per person for a flight to alpine lakes, plus an optional picnic lunch - check www.harbour-air.com <BR>- If you prefer helicopter, try www.vancouverhelicopters.com for tours around Vancouver ($99 pp) to mountain tour ($199 pp) <BR>- If you are a hiking enthusiast, try the Grouse Grind - no charge - but it is very strenuous, check www.grousemountain.com <BR>- If you prefer to take the tramway up Grouse and get a breathtaking view of Vancouver and the surrounding water, it's only $17 pp roundtrip <BR>- Romantic dinner onboard a train? Try the Pacific Starlight dinner train operated by BC Rail - check www.bcrail.com/starlight/index.htm <BR>- Whale watching is done out of Victoria (you need to take a 2 hour ferry ride to get there) - check www.seacoastexpeditions.com or www.victoriawhalewatching.com <BR>- Horseback riding is available - check www.langley204.com - 14 km of trails but Langley is about 1 hour's drive from downtown Vancouver. <BR>- River rafting - if you can take it - check www.kumsheen.com but this is really far out in Lytton. <BR>- If you like a romantic getaway from the big city, like staying on an island or the seaside (both very natural settings), let me know. <BR>There's are some other attractions but they shut down in September.

theresa

check out www.passionateplaces.com if you need some local assistance.

fran

<BR>I was there recently for two days and nite before taking an Alaskan cruise. I spent the time on Vancouver Island, had a car and drove around, spent several hours in Victoria and Butchart Gardens. I always stay in B&B when in Canada and highly recommend them. While there you can get alot of firsthand info on what to do/see. Have fun, it's a gorgeous place.

April

If you want to spend a day in Victoria but are in a rush, you can also take the float plane from downtown harbour to downtown harbour instead of the ferry. Or the helijet. <BR> <BR>

Mame

Hi Melanie, <BR>I know you are going to enjoy Vancouver in Oct. We were there in early June and enjoyed every minute. We stayed at the Crowne Plaza when we arrived in Vancouver. The service was excellent. The rooms were tastefully done but a little small but enough room for four ladies. The location of Crowne (Hotel Georgia) was ideal. Just across the street from the Four Seasons and a nice mall. Also close walk downtown. Departing we stayed at the Hotel Syvlia. A little less luxury but those rooms oh how spacious. Ideal location right across from beach and right at Robson street (I think? I forget which location was close to the famous street). The rates at Sylvia must be the cheapest in Vancouver. It was a nice experience, but if it's luxury you want stay at the Crowne. Take the double decker trolley tour. You can get on and off and stay as long as you want. Enjoy Vancouver!

melissa w.

melanie- <BR>October's a great time to be visiting Vancouver. The weather's been great the last few weeks, about 65F during the day, although it's been getting quite cold overnight. The Sylvia's a great little hotel, especially if you can get a south facing room that looks onto English Bay. I live here and stay there every once in a while!!! <BR>P/u a Georgia Straight newspaper, available at most restaurants and coffee shops. It has info on all the local bars and clubs: Babalu's(swing), Purple Oinion(trendy?), the Alibi Room(artsy bar). The clubs here aren't great, stick to the smaller bars, they have more personality. Delilah's (on Comox at Denman) makes a great martini and has a fab 5 course meal for $32/person. <BR>The starlight dinner train is great, you can also take the train to Whistler during the day from North Vancouver, which is where the Capilano suspension bridge is. <BR>I would recommend renting a car (about $30CDN/day) if you are considering leaving the downtown area at all. Parking is relatively cheap and easy to find, and the transit system here is the pits. <BR>A trip out to the university-ubc-in a car of course, is a great way to spend an afternoon. There are some great beaches, the museum of anthropology with 150 year old totem poles from Vancouver Island... <BR>Speaking of Vancouver Island, skip Victoria and go for the sceenery. Go to the Pacific Ocean via Tofino/Long Beach. It's f*#%ng amazing. You can surf or go whale watching or hike or...If you wanted you, you could take the ferry($40 each way) to the island from HorseshoeBay to Nanaimo, it's a three hour drive to Tofino through old growth forrest. Spend the night there(lots of good hotels, should be easy to find one as it's getting into slow season) and then drive down to Victoria, about a four hour drive, again beautiful. A couple of hours in Vic., then take the 9 o'clock ferry back to Vancouver(Schwartz Bay to Tsawassen). <BR>

melissa w

end of message! <BR>Vancouver's a great place. the weather should be good for a few more weeks. feel free to email me if you want more specific info on anything- shopping, restaurants... <BR>Have a great time

Jackie

I have to second Melissa. If you have the time, Pacific Rim National Park on the Pacific coast of Vancouver Island is one of the most scenic places in the world. The beach is spectacular (you can't swim in that water in July, nevermind October), you can watch sea lions frolic and the forest is unbelievable. There are some great seafood restaurants on the island; I even found a pearl in my oyster soup! Have a great time!

April

I third it! Melissa's itinerary is a good one. <BR>