We are planning a trip to Vancouver from 5/18 to 5/26, 8 days. It’s a unique combo, 2 ladies in their 50’s and 2 in their 30’s. After reading through all the messages from the board, this is what I came up with. I still need some help filling out the trip. Please take a look and see what else I can add to our trip.

We’re flying Alaska Airline to Vancouver. We rented a car for the days that we are there. The first few days we are staying at a friend’s home, but we have to leave on the 23rd, so I decided we could stay a night in Victoria.

5/18 Fly to Vancouver. Get there around lunch time. Maybe lunch at Richmond, and walk around
5/19 Capilano Bridge, Salmon Hatchery, and Grouse mountain for a hike?
5/20 Day trip to Whistler
5/21 Stanley Park and ??
5/22 ??
5/23 Car Ferry to Victoria. Butchard Garden, Royal Museum of BC. Staying at Magnolia Hotel
5/24 Morning to Sooke? Victoria back to Vancouver. Staying at Best Western Richmond
5/25 Relax, eat at Richmond. Flight back home.

Please give us some tips to fill out the 2 days. We’re not sure what to do since we are not familiar with Canada.

I have some questions:
Which ferry should I take to Victoria? I assume we are staying near Richmond, and downtown Vancouver.
What’s the best way to spend our 2 days in Victoria? I would like to add a whale watching trip. What is the latest time we can take the ferry back to Vancouver?
My friend wants to go to a museum in Vancouver that is in the middle of a bridge? It’s supposed to be really nice. Is that the Museum of Anthropology that I have been reading about?

Thank you!!

You should take the Tswassen to Sydney ferry, which will land you about 10 minutes away from Butchart Gardens and 30 minutes from downtown Victoria. I strongly suggest making a reservation on the ferry on their website. www.bcferries.com
I would suggest stopping at the Gardens on your way in from the ferry, you might be taking too much on wanting to drive to Sooke as well as seeing the museum and gardens. The ferry website will let you know when the last ferry is on the days in question. You should be aware that May 19th is a holiday in Canada.

Cruiseryy - Thanks for your help. I took a look at the ferry webpage, and I can't find the Tswassen to Sydney ferry. I just taw Tswassen to Swartz Bay and Duke Point? I'm not sure??

Also, I didn't know 5/19 was a holiday. Does that mean everything will be closed? Can you suggest something for us to do??

Thanks!!

Sorry - Schwartz Bay is the one you want. No the tourist sites will be open on the 19th and probably most restaurants, I don't think you'll have a problem.

Thanks!

I also wanted to ask if you know of any good whale watching tour for Victoria?

I've never done one but I've read lots of good reviews about Prince of Whales, which I believe leaves from the Inner Harbour (right in front of the Empress Hotel).

I was getting excited about my trip, and after checking the weather online, I am afraid it will be a bad trip.

It shows that it will be having rain showers the whole next week when we are there!

What can we do in the rain??

Well, those of us who live in the Pacific NW just get out and do things anyway. It's unlikely to rain the whole day, and it will most likely be light showers rather than hard rain. So bring rain jackets and hats and go outside anyway.

You can always go visit the museums on your itinerary if it's really wet (the UBC museum is definitely worthwhile).

I'd still go to Butchart Gardens in the rain. They provide clear umbrellas for your use while there. You can do everything you were planning to do and beside, never trust a weather forecast more than 24 hours ahead of time.

While in Vancouver, you could do a few things with your unplanned time:

1. wander around Gastown and Chinatown. At the latter, visit the Sun Yat Sen Chinese Garden.

2. take a city bus out to see the Museum of Anthropology at the University of British Columbia.

3. see the Aquarium while in Stanley Park.

4. wander around Yaletown, then find Granville Island. Both have plenty of shops and restaurants.

Thanks for the ideas! I guess it doesn't rain the whole day. That was what I was afraid of!

I am interested in Granville Island. what is the best way to spend the day at Granville island?

How do you there from Richmond?? I read that you can take a mini ferry over, where do we do that?

Thanks so much!!

I see your probably on your trip right now - and I know that you are having great weather in Vancouver....

Only recommendation would be to ditch the Capilano Bridge/Grouse Mountain and go to Lynn Valley if you want to do the bridge thing. You can experience the same thing at Lynn Valley for free! It's also on the North Shore (across the Lions Gate Bridge)....just ask your hotel front desk and they should be able to help.

I would recommend the Museum of Anthropology...great museum...and the Vancouver Art Gallery has great exhibits as well.

Please report back and let us know how your trip went!