Family Road Tip to Vancouver, BC from Oregon in February
Jan 13th, 2014, 05:56 PM
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Family Road Tip to Vancouver, BC from Oregon in February
Hello,
My family, my husband, my 5-year-old son, and I are going to drive to Vancouver, BC from Oregon for a week or so in February. We have never been there before, and since we are crossing the U.S. border, we are expecting to visit places where we cannot see anywhere else. I did some research on the Internet and found some places we all could enjoy, but I'm wondering if there are any "must-see" attractions or "must-go" restaurants in Vancouver or Victoria. This would be our very first time to go to Canada, so we want to make our trip memorable and special.
Any advice or suggestions would help.
Thank you.
My family, my husband, my 5-year-old son, and I are going to drive to Vancouver, BC from Oregon for a week or so in February. We have never been there before, and since we are crossing the U.S. border, we are expecting to visit places where we cannot see anywhere else. I did some research on the Internet and found some places we all could enjoy, but I'm wondering if there are any "must-see" attractions or "must-go" restaurants in Vancouver or Victoria. This would be our very first time to go to Canada, so we want to make our trip memorable and special.
Any advice or suggestions would help.
Thank you.
Jan 14th, 2014, 09:39 AM
#2
I really like Vancouver (never been to Victoria). Check this website to determine what you want to see. http://bigbus.ca/home/
The hop on hop off bus will work a lot better than trying to drive and park at many locations in the city.
My favorite way to arrive in Vancouver is on an Amtrak train or bus from Seattle.
My last trips across the border in my car was to the area around White Rock. It takes a lot longer to get back into the US at the Peace Arch than it does to get into Canada.
Expect to have to pop your trunk when you come back into the US. FYI: If either of you has ever had a DUI, you can't go to Canada.
The hop on hop off bus will work a lot better than trying to drive and park at many locations in the city.
My favorite way to arrive in Vancouver is on an Amtrak train or bus from Seattle.
My last trips across the border in my car was to the area around White Rock. It takes a lot longer to get back into the US at the Peace Arch than it does to get into Canada.
Expect to have to pop your trunk when you come back into the US. FYI: If either of you has ever had a DUI, you can't go to Canada.
Jan 14th, 2014, 11:01 AM
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Hmmmmmmmmph,
The weather could be anything, but expect gloomy and rainy (of course). The late January weather outlook is very favorable considering that it's the middle of winter. (but who knows if February will match that)
First thing to do is DECIDE whether you really want to take the time to go to Victoria. If so, you might even consider driving up the Olympic Peninsula to Port Angeles, WA... spending about <b>a hundred bucks</b> for 2 adults, 1 youth, and a standard car to sail ONE-WAY from Port Angeles to Victoria.
Then you visit Victoria for a couple of days, before taking another <b>one-way</b> ferry trip on BC Ferries for about <b>ninety dollars</b> (car, 2 adults, 1 youth) from Nanaimo to West Vancouver.
If those ferry fares and the time consumed are more than you want to spend, then just drive straight up I-5 and into Canada (making sure both adults have either passports or enhanced driver's licenses, no matter the mode of entry into Canada).
Vancouver alone has plenty of things to do to occupy most of a week. Granted the winter weather will restrict some of the vast possibilities there, but in how many other spots can you drive 10 minutes out of town and take a gondola up the side of a mountain at any time during the year? The "Grouse Mountain Skyride" costs about $40 per adult ($14 for 5yo) and when you get to the top you're in the center of a skiing area with spectacular views of the valley below.
Vancouver's downtown is considerably flat and compact, making getting around fairly easy (although winter could make it cold and inhospitable at times).
If you've never been to Canada then even winter will afford you all sorts of new scenery and culture in Vancouver, and to just *know* what's there will enhance your awareness of the area not far away from Oregon. Why even the candy counters in Canada are flush with brand new discoveries.
Hope this helps.
The weather could be anything, but expect gloomy and rainy (of course). The late January weather outlook is very favorable considering that it's the middle of winter. (but who knows if February will match that)
First thing to do is DECIDE whether you really want to take the time to go to Victoria. If so, you might even consider driving up the Olympic Peninsula to Port Angeles, WA... spending about <b>a hundred bucks</b> for 2 adults, 1 youth, and a standard car to sail ONE-WAY from Port Angeles to Victoria.
Then you visit Victoria for a couple of days, before taking another <b>one-way</b> ferry trip on BC Ferries for about <b>ninety dollars</b> (car, 2 adults, 1 youth) from Nanaimo to West Vancouver.
If those ferry fares and the time consumed are more than you want to spend, then just drive straight up I-5 and into Canada (making sure both adults have either passports or enhanced driver's licenses, no matter the mode of entry into Canada).
Vancouver alone has plenty of things to do to occupy most of a week. Granted the winter weather will restrict some of the vast possibilities there, but in how many other spots can you drive 10 minutes out of town and take a gondola up the side of a mountain at any time during the year? The "Grouse Mountain Skyride" costs about $40 per adult ($14 for 5yo) and when you get to the top you're in the center of a skiing area with spectacular views of the valley below.
Vancouver's downtown is considerably flat and compact, making getting around fairly easy (although winter could make it cold and inhospitable at times).
If you've never been to Canada then even winter will afford you all sorts of new scenery and culture in Vancouver, and to just *know* what's there will enhance your awareness of the area not far away from Oregon. Why even the candy counters in Canada are flush with brand new discoveries.
Hope this helps.
Jan 14th, 2014, 11:23 AM
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