Fave active things to do in Vancouver?
 

What are some of your favorite fun, active things to do in Vancouver?

I'm heading there mid-April and will be meeting up with different groups of girlfriends and would like to do something other than our usual "lunch/dinner/dessert" get-togethers.

I was thinking of Grouse Grind but see that I will be there too early in the season for that. This would be the most challenging actvitiy that I'd think our group could do. Suggestions for similar type activities much appreciated!

I'll be getting together with different groups (mid-20's, 30's, 40+ yr olds) who are all mobile and of low-moderate fitness levels. I always put on weight when travelling and am hoping this will curb some of it - at least if we go for a snack afterwards, we'll have worked off some calories beforehand ;)

Enjoy-la!

Try walking the Seawall path in Stanley Park. I really liked the totem poles. There are horse drawn carriage rides as well.
See what is going on in Canada Place. See the steam driven clock and the Gassy Jack statue in Gastown.

Go for walks in Stanley Park, visit some of the heritage sights and museums in the downtown area, bicycle on trails in North Vancouver... There's a lot to do, depends on your tastes!

I like the food market on Granville Island. I like to go to various vendors and end up with a smoked salmon, buns and bread, and fruit lunch. There's a nice area to eatin, too.

Taking the Sea Bus from downtown to the north shore, and then walking around there is fun, too.

BAK

I LOVED the seawall walk. We walked it a number of times on our visit.

~Liz

The Grouse Grind won't be open yet. Head out to North Vancouver if you can, it's 15 minutes on the seabus from downtown and has some amazing hiking trails:

Lynn Valley
Has a short suspension bridge and boardwalks. It offers great veiws of the forest and Lynn Valley Canyon. If you're feeling adventureous start the Baden Powell Trail at Deep Cove and hike about 3 hours to the suspension bridge. You can take a bus to deep cove and there is also one that leaves from the suspension bridge. http://www.vancouversnorthshore.com/...uver.htm#baden
If you want to see a bigger and older suspension bridge check out Capilano, if you're not afraid of heights: www.capbridge.com

Rent bikes and do the seawall and stanley park. Or you could always try rollerblades ;)

If you need a less intensive day just hang out downtown - you can walk everywhere and won't even realise you're getting a workout. Check out the walking tours around Vancouver:
http://www.tourismvancouver.com/visi...r_walking_tour


Sushi is a must in Vancouver, I recommend Honjin Sushi either in North Vancouver or Yaletown... but if you're not a fan grab a Japa Dog from a street vendor downtown.

Let me know if you have any questions - I live in and am in love with Vancouver!

Thx a mint for all the replies.

Guess I'll see if some of them want to do the seawall walk.

AdventureSpecialist - fab recs on North Van. I'll have a car so getting there won't be a problem. I'm sure we'll carpool too. Appreciate the links to the trails - will read up on them and choose one and see if the mid-20's gang want to give it a shot :) Do you have any fave trails (about 2hrs total time) that are open by mid-April?

Sushi is my thing - I'm excited! I was in Vancouver for the Olympics last year and remember Japa Dog - certainly worth a repeat visit ;)

Enjoy-la!

Rent some bicycles downtown and head out to do the Dyke Trail in Richmond.

Catch the Canada Line downtown and take it to Aberdeen Station then head over to the dyke trail beside the North Arm of the Fraser-easily visible from the elevated train-and head west all the way around to Steveston Village.

You can shortcut back on Railway & Granville Avenues-both have bike lanes and you can catch the Canada Line @ Brighouse back into town.

If you're not that adventurous a trip from the rental places on Denman St right around False Creek to Granville Island would take you the best part of an hour and trails lead all the way through the city although the ones around English Bay are the most scenic.

<b>Please Remember Pedestrians Water Side/Cyclists Land Side and Pedestrians Have Right-of-Way At All Times</b>

I love the Baden-Powell trail because you can do as much or as little as you want, it has many access points. The quarry rock portion will certainly be open although it is very easy. http://www.vancouvertrails.com/trails/quarry-rock/ it reccomends 2 hours but it should take you closer to an hour.

The two canyon loop will take about 2 - 3 hours and you get to see the suspension bridge http://www.vancouvertrails.com/trails/two-canyon-loop/ it has boards so if anyone has uneven footing this would be great.

Lighthouse park is awesome because it's near the ocean http://www.vancouvertrails.com/trails/lighthouse-park/

Most of my favorite hikes might still be covered in snow in mid-april :( you'll have to stick close to sea level which makes the hikes all easy.

Are you willing to travel outside of Vancouver? There are lots of fantastic hikes in the fraser valley (1-3 hours away)like Gold Creek Falls near Maple Ridge http://www.vancouvertrails.com/trails/gold-creek-falls/

I hope you have a blast on your trip - now you've got me craving a Japa Dog with a side of Nigiri!

Sam_Salmon, great suggestions - thx a mint!

AdventureSpecialist - thx a mint for your specific recs and links...much appreciated. Probably will stick to the Vancouver/Richmond, North Vancouver or the West Van Lighthouse park areas. For some strange reason, I'm more excited about doing a hike than the usual meals...LOL!

I discovered a grocery store called Fujiya last time I was there. It had a deli style counter but the food was all sushi/bento type boxes. Made fresh and authentic at ridiculously affordable prices. Vancouver is definitely a foodie town :)

Enjoy-la!

If it's a sunny afternoon a short kayaking trip might appeal.

Ecomarine right on Granville Island

http://ecomarine.com/

If it's a <u>calm</u> afternoon head over to Bowen Island and rent kayaks for a tour of Howe Sound & environs.

http://englishbaylaunch.ca/

http://www.bcferries.com/

http://bowenislandkayaking.com/

These sound awesome - thx a mint, Sam_Salmon!

Enjoy-la!

Hon Jin on Lower Lonsdale is a ol'time fav. with folks on
the North Shore BUT there's a new kid on the block - literally
on the corner. It's Bella Sushi and we really like their food
a lot - very artistically presented and some more unusual
choices. It's very popular so give yourself some time and
a free parking spot.

The trails through the Lynn Creek Headwaters/Demonstration
Forest would be prefect for your group - and it's unlikely
there will be any snow up there but - caution - the bears
may be out and about. Lovely little Rice Lake has a trail
around the perimeter - very accessible.

The West Vancouver Seawall is a great flat walk with nice
cafes and restos at both ends.

Hope it's not TOO soggy when you're here.

immimi, thx a mint for those ideas - much appreciated. I will look them up :) Always love reading about locals' food haunts - Bella sounds fab!

Enjoy-la!