landscapelover

Hello All, this might be short notice but we just planned a quick trip to Vancouver from Toronto.

We will be flying into Vancouver on 5/27 arriving at 12:30 PM and leaving on 5/31 at 1 PM. We will be staying all four nights at the Hyatt Regency.

My wife and I are amateur travel and landscape photographers and we love history and exploring neighborhoods.

While I am looking up the usual hot spots online, can you please point out things we should definitely include in our 4 day stay? We love walking (we are in our mid thirties) and public transport. I am not planning on renting a car so would like to use public transport (bus/train/cab) where possible.

Thanks for your help!

thursdaysd

For my suggestions go here and read the first three posts:

https://mytimetotravel.wordpress.com/?s=vancouver

Daniel_Williams

I've visited Vancouver on three occasions without a car; you'll find three days is not much to explore all that the greater Vancouver area has to offer. I'd recommend walking (or better yet biking!) in Stanley Park and exploring the West End neighbourhood to get a feel for some of the city's charm and surrounding. Grouse Mountain and the Lynn Valley suspension bridge are accessible by public transport; I would definitely recommend a visit to these if you want scenery. The Capilano Suspension Bridge is on the route out to Grouse Mountain but is quite expensive (Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge is free), but may be an option as you'll be short on time. Both bridges are in a lovely setting. Then possibly one day out to Jericho Beach, Wreck Beach, Kitsilano, or take a ferry out to Bowen Island for hiking if you want to get out of the water(and seeing some of those handsome islands jutting out of the water); the Van Dusen Gardens were quite handsome, as was the Queen Elizabeth Gardens with Bloedel Conservatory. Honestly, this trip will not give enough time to do everything you want to do, but these are what I consider to be some of the highlights of my trips there over the years.

Best wishes & have a blast! Daniel

eliztravels2

Good choice to forgo the car. Public transit is excellent and cyclists are very much part of the scene.

I would add the Anthropology Museum to Daniel Williams list. A little out the way but quite doable on public transit.

I was underwhelmed by the Bloedel Conservatory. It’s been a few years, but I remember walking a lot to get there and feeling it was not worth the effort. Bowen Island, on the other hand, is a charming option. You can get an express bus out to Horseshoe Bay for the ferry. If you hike in to the lake allow plenty of time to get back to the ferry as the map handout underestimates the time required.

Bike rental is quite reasonable for ½ day. We shopped around a bit and found a place on a side street off Denman and got a good rate and friendly service. A ride from the west end to Granville Island is quite doable, even for me at twice your age.

A ride around Stanley parks is a must; If not biking take the hop on, hop off bus.

Keep your eyes open for public art/sculptures/ water features all over the city. One of the pleasures of walking.

Such a great city, enjoy!

yupstrips

i am not going there but now i will visit there. I am so excited to visit there.