Traveling to Vancouver in September- Need recommendations!!!
Jun 10th, 2011, 08:55 AM
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Traveling to Vancouver in September- Need recommendations!!!
My husband and I , ages 50 and 54, will be spending 4 days at the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn and then will travel on to Vamcouver for another 4 days. We like sightseeing, going to nice restaurnats and staying in upscale hotels. We need recommendations as to where to go in Vancouver, where to stay and what to see and do. I would love recommendations.
Jun 11th, 2011, 08:38 AM
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We just got back from a recent trip to Vancouver.
My recommendations (based on my personal likes, dislikes and what impressed me):
1. The Museum of Anthropology at UBC. Absolutely the best display of West Coast Native people's things (both historic artifacts and more modern). The totem poles are beautifully displayed and the other wooden artifacts are fascinating. It's also very much a hands-on, people friendly museum.
2. On the same day at UBC, you can do the Botanical Gardens which are lovely AND the Nitobe Garden (an exquisite Japanese garden). You can get a pass that gets you into all 3 at a discount.
3. If you decide that you like West Coast Native art forms, I also recommend the Bill Reid Gallery in downtown Vancouver.
4. Stanley Park - huge - you can't see it all but it is worth walking around at least a bit.
We were disappointed with the Aquarium at Stanley Park. The exhibits were interesting BUT there seems to be NO limitation on the number of school buses allowed at one time. I went to the aquarium a few years ago and had a lovely time (only about 2 school buses were there) BUT this time it was awful (At least TEN busloads of screaming, under-supervised children made it impossible to view some of the exhibits and not enjoyable AT ALL. We won't be back.)
My recommendations (based on my personal likes, dislikes and what impressed me):
1. The Museum of Anthropology at UBC. Absolutely the best display of West Coast Native people's things (both historic artifacts and more modern). The totem poles are beautifully displayed and the other wooden artifacts are fascinating. It's also very much a hands-on, people friendly museum.
2. On the same day at UBC, you can do the Botanical Gardens which are lovely AND the Nitobe Garden (an exquisite Japanese garden). You can get a pass that gets you into all 3 at a discount.
3. If you decide that you like West Coast Native art forms, I also recommend the Bill Reid Gallery in downtown Vancouver.
4. Stanley Park - huge - you can't see it all but it is worth walking around at least a bit.
We were disappointed with the Aquarium at Stanley Park. The exhibits were interesting BUT there seems to be NO limitation on the number of school buses allowed at one time. I went to the aquarium a few years ago and had a lovely time (only about 2 school buses were there) BUT this time it was awful (At least TEN busloads of screaming, under-supervised children made it impossible to view some of the exhibits and not enjoyable AT ALL. We won't be back.)
Jun 11th, 2011, 09:27 AM
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The key to seeing an Aquarium is going after 3:00 when the school buses depart. The Aquarium here in Long Beach is wonderful, but the school kids (and parents with their kids as well), is overwhelming. I find myself avoiding it, too because of the noise and uncontrolled exuberance.
The Van Dusen Gardens and the Queen Anne Gardens are beautiful. A nice alternative to Butchart in Victoria if you don't get there. I second the Museum of Anthropology at UBC; I liked the docent tour we took.
A stroll in Kitsalano is nice, too.
The Van Dusen Gardens and the Queen Anne Gardens are beautiful. A nice alternative to Butchart in Victoria if you don't get there. I second the Museum of Anthropology at UBC; I liked the docent tour we took.
A stroll in Kitsalano is nice, too.
Jun 11th, 2011, 09:33 AM
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Granville Market is a pleasant morning or afternoon visit. Stroll the shops and stop and have a meal at one of the concessions. If you are lucky, score an outside table and watch the local activity.
Jun 12th, 2011, 09:37 PM
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One of the best things to do is stroll the seawall. This is a path that borders Stanley Park and connects into False Creek which is home to great restaurants and marinas.
It is lovely and a very local activity. Exploring this by bike it also fantastic and you can get to Granville Island by the same pathway as it is split into pedestrian on one side and bikes on the other side.
The Museum of Vancouver on the waterfront at Vanier Park is an excellent little museum which shares some history on Vancouver.
You should also experience Bard on the Beach which is an open air theatre featuring Shakespeare's plays. Bring a picnic, have a glass of wine and make an afternoon of it!
It is lovely and a very local activity. Exploring this by bike it also fantastic and you can get to Granville Island by the same pathway as it is split into pedestrian on one side and bikes on the other side.
The Museum of Vancouver on the waterfront at Vanier Park is an excellent little museum which shares some history on Vancouver.
You should also experience Bard on the Beach which is an open air theatre featuring Shakespeare's plays. Bring a picnic, have a glass of wine and make an afternoon of it!
Jun 13th, 2011, 10:35 AM
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I second the seawall. We loved strolling it, atypically non-commercial, no honky tonk shops or souvenir stands.
For a taste of Berkley in the 60s or early 70s, try Commercial Drive. Lots of inexpensive restaurants and small independent one-of-a kind shops.
For a taste of Berkley in the 60s or early 70s, try Commercial Drive. Lots of inexpensive restaurants and small independent one-of-a kind shops.
