Jody

I will be in Vancouver pre-cruise in June, I read about renting a bike, riding through Stanley Park & then taking the bike on a Ferry to Granville Island. Is this feasible? What is cost? What about time frame for this - we are going to be there on a Sunday. Thanks so much you guys!

Robyn

I'd suggest taking the ferry in the morning - it's a very small passenger ferry called the "Aqua Bus" http://www.aquabus.bc.ca - it takes all of one or two minutes to cross False Creek, and they can only get about 10 people in per boat. They cost about $2 a person if I remember correctly, but they're definitely the most fun way to get to Granville Island from downtown. (Driving or walking's the other option, by crossing the Granville Street Bridge, but parking is hectic) <BR> <BR>http://www.granvilleisland.com is the Granville Island website. <BR> <BR>Spend the morning at Granville Island and eat breakfast or lunch at the market. Everything will smell fresh and glorious at that time! <BR> <BR>I'd head out to Stanley Park by the afternoon. Rent a bike along the intersection of Denman & Georgia (there are about a dozen bike rental shops, so feel free to shop around until you get the best deal). Then spend the rest of the day exploring Stanley Park! Stanley Park is free. I'm not sure how much it costs to rent bikes, but I know they're not that expensive. <BR> <BR>http://www.seestanleypark.com and http://www.city.vancouver.bc.ca/park...s/stanley1.htm are excellent websites on Stanley Park. If you can, spend a few hours at Stanley Park too - it costs about $13 for adults, but it's well worth it. There's beluga whales, sharks, otters, seals, sea lions, tropical fish, a tropical jungle (with birds and slothes), reptiles, insects, amphibians... it's apparently one of the most impressive aquariums in all of North America. Bjossa, the last orca (killer) whale at the Aquarium is set to leave for San Diego's Sea World at the end of the month, so you might want see her too before she's gone.

Robyn

Yikes - I made a very obvious mistake there, hehe! "If you can, spend a few hours at Stanley Park too" - I meant to write, "If you can can, spend a few hours at the Vancouver Aquarium too". The Vancouver Aquarium http://www.vanaqua.org is located within the park.

Jody

Robyn, Thanks so much for your info. We won't be checking into our hotel till about 4pm on Saturday, can we get anything done that late in afternoon. On Sunday we have ALL day to do stuff, as our cruise doesn't leave until Monday Thanks again.

Kevin

Jody, you will have time to explore on Saturday. This time of year it doesn't get dark until approx. 8pm in Vancouver. <BR>Do you need restaurant/activity suggestions other than the ones listed above?

fred

Is it better or worse to rent a car in Vancouver? planning to spend 4 days(maybe 5) there. Thanks.....

Robyn

There's no need for a car if you plan to stay downtown and if you plan to do all the must sees downtown like Stanley Park, Gastown, Vancouver Aquarium, Robson Street, Granville Island, Yaletown, Chinatown, English Bay, etc. The Vancouver Trolley Company has a hop on/hop off trolley that goes around to all main attractions too, including Grouse Mountain - so no, you really don't *need* a car at all. It would be nice to rent a car for one or two days to explore the attractions outside of downtown, like the UBC gardens, the Museum of Anthropology, Queen Elizabeth Gardens, Kitsilano Beach, Van Dusen Gardens, Kerrisdale, etc, Horseshoe Bay, Lynn Canyon - but for the time you spend downtown, you won't need the car. It's very pedestrian oriented and everything is a short walk away from eacother. <BR> <BR>You can probably find more accurate info at this website: http://www.vancouver.hm <BR>It's probably the best Vancouver website out there.

fred

ROBYN: <BR>Thanks for the information. DO you have any ideas about Victoria and Vancouver Island for the following 4 or 5 days(after Vancouver).

Jody

We arrive about 4pm at hotel on a Saturday & don't leave on our cruies until 12noon on Monday - I hope to get the most out of my 'short' stay in Vancouver. Should I try to go to Granville Island on Saturday, then bike Stanley Park on Sunday. What else can I go in such a short time. Thought of checking out Gastown and possibly gardens in Chinatown, maybe aquarium in the Park! Ok guys, your turn, help me out! Thanks.. Jody

Kevin

I would leave Granville Island until Sunday morning. I find it to be the most bustling and nice in the mornings. Go there for breakfast on Sunday. I find Gastown to be touristy and a waste of time, but if you really want to go, Saturday after you arrive would be a good time. If you like parks and gardens, definately spend time in Stanley Park after Granville Island on Sunday. The aquarium is in Stanley Park. If you want to ride bikes, there is a six mile long seawall around the park (the park is surrounded on three sides by ocean)which makes for a great ride. <BR> <BR>There is another nice park with beautiful gardens called Queen Elizabeth Park. It has a very good restaurant called Seasons. You might want to go there later Saturday afternoon and then eat dinner at Seasons. Another option if you have time is the campus of the University of British Columbia (UBC). It is a beautiful campus and has a fascinating museum called the Museum of Anthrapology as well as a magnificant rose garden. There is a wonderful theatre on campus called the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts. If you like classical music, they often have recitals by some of the world's leading performers. You might find out what they have on for the Saturday night and book ahead. <BR>An option for Monday morning is the Van Deusen Gardens, which is very impressive.

Robyn

Fred, <BR> <BR>I'm glad I could help! <BR> <BR>Victoria is a must-see when on Vancouver Island, but if you only have 4-5 days there, I'd keep Victoria to 1 day. But be sure to go to the Royal British Columbia Museum - it's one of Canada's best, and you really learn a lot about this part of Canada - history, natural science, first nations, etc. The harbour around Victoria is gorgeous, and while I haven't been there in the summer since 1986, looking at my parents photos from last year, there are tons of street performers, and there will be flowers everywhere. There's a good tourist information center located on the harbour, and they can always provide helpful hints on what to see and do. <BR> <BR>As for Vancouver Island, try to get to the west coast, to the town of Tofino, and to the Pacific Rim National Park. This is my favourite part of the island. You'd want to spend at least 3 days minimum in this area, exploring the parks, the trails, taking boat tours, kayaking, etc. <BR> <BR>Vancouver Island, to be blunt, is about 300 miles long, so you could really spend forever exploring this region and you'd never get tired of it. So it's hard to cram everything into 4-5 days. However, http://www.vancouverisland.com is probably the most informative website on Vancouver Island, and it could give you plenty of ideas as well! <BR> <BR>Good luck!