Victoria or Vancouver?
May 22nd, 2004, 09:44 PM
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Victoria or Vancouver?
Hi - Hoping to take about 3 or 4 days with sons (18 & 20) this June and go to either Vancouver or Victoria. Which would be best? Probably don't want to do a lot of hiking this trip, just see the sights, poke around and do what there is to do. Thanks.
May 23rd, 2004, 01:09 PM
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Here is Fodors' "Best in 4 Days Itinerary" for Vancouver:
http://www.fodors.com/miniguides/mgr...;feature=30002
It really is a good itinerary. The only tweak I would make to it is that, instead of scheduling the Skyride to Grouse Mountain on Day 4, I would suggest it even for a person who had only a couple of days to spend in Vancouver. It can be done as an evening / night activity, when one can see the city lights coming on.
Stanley Park is, in my mind, the most important thing to see in Vancouver.
This may not be for everyone, but I love the Museum of Anthropolgy at the University of British Columbia. It gives one a good idea of the traditional lifestyle of the First Nations people of the west coast.
It is particularly fascinating to have seen that museum and then subsequently to have seen its Alberta counterpart, Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump Interpretive Centre, which depicts the traditional lifestyle on the plains. These two museums demonstrate how two very different natural environments produced dramatically different lifestyles.
The Museum of Anthropology is some distance from Vancouver's downtown core. To get there and back and to do justice to the exhibits, I think one needs to schedule half a day if one is going to select this activity.
If you are into "poking around," you'll probably enjoy Granville Island Market and Yaletown which both overlook False Creek just to the south of the downtown core as well as Gastown and Chinatown just to the north of the downtown core. There are those who enjoy shopping on Robson Street in the downtown core.
http://www.fodors.com/miniguides/mgr...;feature=30002
It really is a good itinerary. The only tweak I would make to it is that, instead of scheduling the Skyride to Grouse Mountain on Day 4, I would suggest it even for a person who had only a couple of days to spend in Vancouver. It can be done as an evening / night activity, when one can see the city lights coming on.
Stanley Park is, in my mind, the most important thing to see in Vancouver.
This may not be for everyone, but I love the Museum of Anthropolgy at the University of British Columbia. It gives one a good idea of the traditional lifestyle of the First Nations people of the west coast.
It is particularly fascinating to have seen that museum and then subsequently to have seen its Alberta counterpart, Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump Interpretive Centre, which depicts the traditional lifestyle on the plains. These two museums demonstrate how two very different natural environments produced dramatically different lifestyles.
The Museum of Anthropology is some distance from Vancouver's downtown core. To get there and back and to do justice to the exhibits, I think one needs to schedule half a day if one is going to select this activity.
If you are into "poking around," you'll probably enjoy Granville Island Market and Yaletown which both overlook False Creek just to the south of the downtown core as well as Gastown and Chinatown just to the north of the downtown core. There are those who enjoy shopping on Robson Street in the downtown core.
May 23rd, 2004, 05:07 PM
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Vancouver, hands down, for 18 & 20 year-olds.
I like Judy's suggestion of Fodor's mini-guide, but I'd forget about Gastown (very touristy). Wear your good walking shoes and start your Stanley Park walk from the Pan Pacific Hotel; it's about a 7 mi. walk but really worth it - the views are wonderful. Definitely see the Aquarium and spend some time on Granville Island: having an outdoor lunch or dinner in the sun on the large deck at Bridge's Restaurant is hard to beat. UBC's Anthropological Museum and a tram ride up Grouse Mountain are great suggestions as well.
Have a great time.
Linda
I like Judy's suggestion of Fodor's mini-guide, but I'd forget about Gastown (very touristy). Wear your good walking shoes and start your Stanley Park walk from the Pan Pacific Hotel; it's about a 7 mi. walk but really worth it - the views are wonderful. Definitely see the Aquarium and spend some time on Granville Island: having an outdoor lunch or dinner in the sun on the large deck at Bridge's Restaurant is hard to beat. UBC's Anthropological Museum and a tram ride up Grouse Mountain are great suggestions as well.
Have a great time.
Linda
May 25th, 2004, 12:30 PM
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My vote is for Vancouver, also. Of course, the ferry ride to/from Victoria is fun. Anyway, Grouse Mtn is a must. But rather than going in the evening, I'd vote to go during the day since the admssion ticket for the lift up the mountain also gets you ringside seats to the many outdoor activities on top of the mountain -lots of fun for teens and adults. On the way to Grouse Mtn there's also the Capilano Bridge, claimed to be the longest suspension bridge in Canada (I think). You might want to also consider the possibility of a whale watching boat out of Vancouver.
May 26th, 2004, 11:16 PM
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That's a tough question as to what would interest your sons. But I'd suggest the boys pick up a free copy of the Georgia Straight (or check out http://www.straight.com ) and see if there are any bands or clubs that interest them. The 18-year-old might be too young for some of these, but the 20-year-old would be fine. Some concerts do not have an age limit.
I hate to suggest this, and this is somewhat tongue in cheek, but they might like Wreck Beach too.
I hate to suggest this, and this is somewhat tongue in cheek, but they might like Wreck Beach too.
May 28th, 2004, 09:23 AM
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Vancouver has become a dirty, polluted, urban wasteland unfortunately. Not the home I remember 
New York west.
I adore Victoria. Trust me, there is so much to do here you simply won'thave time to do it all.
Aside from the obvious...Butchart Gardens, Whale Watching tours, Parliament, the Empress, etc, there is so much more that people overlook.
Take an open-air double-decker bus around the the whole tip of the island and Victoria. Spectacular scenery and views and a very reasonable price (contact Royal Blue Line).
Have High tea at the Empress...or if that's too pricey, nip over to Oak Bay and enjoy just as nice a tea and lovely atmosphere at the Bethering Place.
Feed the wild seals at Oak Bay Marina.
Shop Douglas street or the famous Government street for both upscale trendy stores and quaint historical stores (and don't miss Roger's chocolates).
Stroll the Dallas road waterfront that overlook the straight and the olympic mountain range in Port Angeles Washington.
Visit Point Ellice house and Emily Carr's house.
Enjoy the huge Beacon Hill park with it's various ponds and paths and footbridges and then check out the zoo area (by donation).
Sip coffee at Murchies outdoor patio whule listening to the local buskers play some great music.
Visit Parliament and the legistlative buildings.
Head out to Cordova Bay Village for some lunch and great shopping and unique shops.
East breakfast atop the Chateau Victoria in Vista 18 with the best view in the city for a very reasonable price...and it's casual attire too.
Tour Craigdarroch Castle and learn about the history of the Dunsmuirs, one of Victoria's founding families.
Take in a concert or play at the Royal Theater or MacPherson Theater.
Enjoy lunch or dinner at Il Terrazzo...a wonderful little restaurant tucked away in a quaint alley with a beautiful meditteranean feel and awesome food.
Check out the "Orca's in the City" statues all over Victoria. There are 100...can you find them all?
Tons of great restaurants, tons of activities, beautiful scenery and the best climate in all of Canada...what more could you want?
It's not that I don't like Vancouver (I was born and raised there), it's just that I absolutely adore Victoria and all it has to offer.
It seems a world away from the hub-bub and hype of the city of Vancouver and has such a nice, laid back, British feel...it's like visiting another country altogether.
So I guess you know what I would choose
New York west.I adore Victoria. Trust me, there is so much to do here you simply won'thave time to do it all.
Aside from the obvious...Butchart Gardens, Whale Watching tours, Parliament, the Empress, etc, there is so much more that people overlook.
Take an open-air double-decker bus around the the whole tip of the island and Victoria. Spectacular scenery and views and a very reasonable price (contact Royal Blue Line).
Have High tea at the Empress...or if that's too pricey, nip over to Oak Bay and enjoy just as nice a tea and lovely atmosphere at the Bethering Place.
Feed the wild seals at Oak Bay Marina.
Shop Douglas street or the famous Government street for both upscale trendy stores and quaint historical stores (and don't miss Roger's chocolates).
Stroll the Dallas road waterfront that overlook the straight and the olympic mountain range in Port Angeles Washington.
Visit Point Ellice house and Emily Carr's house.
Enjoy the huge Beacon Hill park with it's various ponds and paths and footbridges and then check out the zoo area (by donation).
Sip coffee at Murchies outdoor patio whule listening to the local buskers play some great music.
Visit Parliament and the legistlative buildings.
Head out to Cordova Bay Village for some lunch and great shopping and unique shops.
East breakfast atop the Chateau Victoria in Vista 18 with the best view in the city for a very reasonable price...and it's casual attire too.
Tour Craigdarroch Castle and learn about the history of the Dunsmuirs, one of Victoria's founding families.
Take in a concert or play at the Royal Theater or MacPherson Theater.
Enjoy lunch or dinner at Il Terrazzo...a wonderful little restaurant tucked away in a quaint alley with a beautiful meditteranean feel and awesome food.
Check out the "Orca's in the City" statues all over Victoria. There are 100...can you find them all?
Tons of great restaurants, tons of activities, beautiful scenery and the best climate in all of Canada...what more could you want?
It's not that I don't like Vancouver (I was born and raised there), it's just that I absolutely adore Victoria and all it has to offer.
It seems a world away from the hub-bub and hype of the city of Vancouver and has such a nice, laid back, British feel...it's like visiting another country altogether.
So I guess you know what I would choose
