I'm attending a conference in Vancouver in mid September. With one, or at most two, days free, what are the top things to see and do. Should I take a guided tour, or do it myself? I'm in good shape with varied interests. I like to see lots, go all day, and take many photos.

Definitely Stanley Park, which is huge and beautiful. If you walk all around the seawall, there's an amazing view of the city and surrounding areas. I'm actually going to Vancouver myself next week and am looking for other things to do/see besides Stanley Park, which is where I always seem to end up!

You may want to do a day trip to Whistler. Or... Walk around Lynn canyon and across the suspension bridge. Take the gondola up Grouse Mtn. Drive to the look out up Cypress Mtn. (last 2 weather permitting). Visit the Richmond night market fri-sun 7pm-12. Take the aquabus over to granville island market and visit the artisans and shops. The museum of anthropology at UBC. Kits beach. West 4th or west 10th shopping, cafe's and restaurants. ferry over to Victoria. ferry to Bowen Island for the day or just for dinner at Blue eyed Mary's. Drive out to White rock and walk the promenade/pier and have gelato at Dolce Gelato. It's excellent and my daughter works there on sunny days. Have a great time and I hope our weather improves by then. I think Sept. is going to be great because the last 2 weeks have been terrible. Bring a jacket with a hood or an umbrella just incase.

Where do you catch the aquabus to Granville Island?

At the foot of Hornby Street, and I think there are other places as well.

You can pick up an Aquabus (or a False Creek Ferry) from the south foot of Hornby Street, from Vanier Park in Kitsilano, or the eastern foot of Davie Street.

Thank you, Christina and Weasel. Excellent suggestions.

One more question. Can I go on a kayaking tour of no more than a day right in the city? Which vendor would you recommend?

Good advice from everyone!

Unfortunately, the Museum of Anthropology is closing from Sept.2
until March for a refit.

I had a terrific time in Vancouver. My hotel, the Fairmont Waterfront, lent me a bicycle late one afternoon, and I rode all around the water front and Stanley Park (counterclockwise), which offered constantly varying views of the city, the ocean, and nearby mountains. Another afternoon, I took the False Creek Aquabus from start (Science World) to finish (the Kitsilano beach area) crisscrossing False Creek numerous times with views of the downtown all the way. I walked up to a couple of the beaches, through an upscale residential neighborhood, and then back to Granville Island, about a mile, where the public market offers salmon, crab, and other seafood specialities, and many other specialty food items. I bought smoked salmon to bring home for Christmas gifts and a few bites of different types of smoked salmon and crab for a snack. There are many other types of gift shops there, too. I ate at a downtown Chinese restaurant, where I found the food the best Chinese I'd ever had. My last day, I took the SeaBus to Lonsdale Quay on the North Shore then a public bus to the Deep Cove Canoe & Kayak Centre on Indian Arm for half a day's paddling around the fjord. Great views of surrounding mountains and summer homes on the hillsides. Lots of fun. I can't wait to go back.

Thanks for posting back about your visit. Glad you had a good time here! Sounds like you experienced a good sampling of the activities Vancouver has to offer.

You hit my big three - Stanley Park seawall, Granville Island and something on the water. Glad you had a good time.