First Time In Vancouver - Things To Do
 

Hi! I've read some great tips on what to see while in Vancouver. In addition to walking across one of the suspension bridges, I am hoping to find something a little different.

I am taking my sister to Vancouver for the first time and I would like to find something that she enjoys. She likes learning how things are made and/or watching people make things (ie, glassblowing in Murano, Italy). She especially enjoys baking/cooking. Is there a place in Vancouver where I can take her?

There will be a group of four of us (in our 30s) and, unfortunately, we'll only be there for three days. We will have a car. (Places to go at night for fun would also be appreciated.)

Thanks!

What time of year will you be here Kylie?

Oops. We will be there this month. In about a week.

Usually there is a totem pole maker working on a pole, right near the Capilano Suspension Bridge. We watched him for quite a while, and he chatted with us about his craft.

If you sister likes cooking and baking, be sure to take her to Granville Island during the day to check out the Granville Island Public Market - a food lover's dream. (http://www.granvilleisland.com/en/publicmarket)

As well, be sure to drop into Yaletown to look around at all the boutiques and shops. If she loves cooking the same way my dad loves cooking, then she'll get a thrill out of checking out Urban Fare - a large gourmet grocery store known to import a lot of things you generally don't find in other grocery stores.(http://www.urbanfare.com/home.htm)

Check out the websites and see if those are the kind of places she might enjoy.

I will look into your suggestions. They sound great. Thank you all for your help!

BTW - I forgot to mention that Granville Island has many artists studios and shops (ie: pottery, glass, painting), including the prestigious art school, Emily Carr Institute of Art & Design. You can tour all the studios on Granville Island which you'll enjoy if you like looking at artists at work.

Capilano Suspension Bridge, in my opinion is a tourist trap, as they charge about $20 for admission... but many tourists enjoy it. However, there's the free Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge further down the highway which I prefer. It also has a larger park to explore, also free. Since you have a car, it'll be easy for you to get to.

If you're wanting to explore local native culture, I'd look into a visit at the Museum of Anthropology at UBC campus (www.moa.ubc.ca). It's a 15 minute drive from downtown Vancouver.

For fun things to do at night - what kind of places interest you? Are you looking for a nightclub, or a nice lounge? Restaurant lounges? A few of my favourites are restaurant/lounges such as Wild Rice, Balthazar, Hapa Izakaya, Zin, the Crime Lab, Kitanoya Guu, and Section 3... and all would be a fun place to go for four people in their 30's.