Half-day in Vancouver
 

We will be going to Whistler next month, but before meeting up with the rest of the group to head up there, we will have a half day to spend in Vancouver (we are arriving very late the night before and will need to be back at the airport around 3pm). With this short amount of time, what would you recommend we see in Vancouver? We are 4 adults (3 of which have never been to Vancouver, the 4th was last there at least 10 years ago). We are from NYC, so we do have access and exposure to city shopping, art museums, Chinatown, etc. Thanks for your suggestions.

Being in NYC, you've outclassed all shopping & culture in Vancouver. I'd head for the beaches (Jericho, Kitsilano, 2nd, or Wreck if you want to wear your b'day suit), or explore Stanley Park, or check out the local mountains - either a hike in the North Shore mtns or Grouse Mtn sights.

Enjoy-la!

There's the Museum of Anthropology near UBC, which could be combined with a Wreck Beach visit, if so inclined.

Did I miss something? I wouldn't recommend Wreck Beach sans suits in February.

I'd suggest walking or biking around/through Stanley Park in the morning, stopping at perhaps one of these two restaurants for lunch (have been to both for dinner and enjoyed them; not sure about lunch hours)

http://www.raincitygrill.com/

http://www.fishhousestanleypark.com/

Maybe I missed something, like the date!

However, I did sometimes visit the Wreck Beach area during the winter when I was at UBC. It's a beautiful area to walk along the beach.

How about a dim sum lunch in one of Vancouver's nicer Chinese restaurants. I know you have a Chinatown in NYC, but the dim sum in Vancouver overall is so much better than what you get in New York. I also like the Stanley Park and UBC suggestions as well.

Is there a specific reason you need to go back to the airport before leaving for Whistler?

I'd opt for a quick stroll around Stanley Park (if it's not a torrential downpour). Stanley Park is the same size as Central Park, except it's located on a peninsula surrounded by water and beaches and most of it is temperate rainforest.

I find the western seawall along Stanley Park (between English Bay and the Lions Gate Bridge) great because it's more wild and has more sandy beaches. You also look away from the city can feel like you're located on some island miles and miles away. The eastern side of the park by contrast tends to be more developed (with more tourist attractions like the Vancouver Aquarium and the totem poles) - no real sandy beaches and you look over towards the city skyline.

I'd then opt to walk along the seawall from English Bay another 10 minutes to the water taxi dock across to Granville Island. The atmosphere/ambiance of the shops and market on Granville Island is definitely not New York - it's west coast Vancouver. Have lunch here.

If it's pouring rain, I'd start with Granville Island first and then spend the afternoon at the Museum of Anthropology out at UBC. You could grab a cab on Granville Island from outside of the Arts Club Theater and take it to the museum in about 15 minutes. It would probably cost $15.

That would be about all the time you'd have. You could get the museum to call you up a cab back to the airport - the Museum of Anthropology is about a 20 minute drive from the airport.

Other notes - I'd also recommend skip Chinatown. Chinatown in Vancouver is historic and it has a lot of gritty character, but it's not known for its Chinese restaurant scene. Maybe once upon a time it was, but in the past 20 years the hundreds of restaurants outside of Chinatown are what's making the news in Vancouver.

In particular, the city of Richmond, which is located south of the airport (about a half hour drive south of downtown) is home to a miniature Hong Kong... full of busy, authentic modern Hong Kong style restaurants (ie: where the food doesn't come in a syrupy neon orange sauce), Asian karaoke bars, half a dozen Asian shopping malls, etc. It bewilders unsuspecting tourists who stay in the airport hotels in Richmond who'd otherwise anticipate a sleepy surburb, and instead find themselves next to a metropolis of bubble tea parlours and late night hot pot restaurants. ;)

I don't think you have this kind of mega modern Hong Kong scene in NYC, but I could be wrong. I wouldn't really recommend visiting it if you're only in Vancouver for half a day, but the next time you're in town and have a few days to spare and that kind of thing interests you, it's definitely worth a visit.

I'm with the Stanley Park group. It's great. If you are up for renting bikes, it's a great way to see the park and to ride around the city.

Also, if the Art Musuem in downtown still has an Emily Carr exhibit, I would go there. It's a great into to British Columbia.

For the Vancouverites, is the sea wall repaired all the way around Stanley Park?

Yes, the seawall reopened back in November so you can cycle all the way around it.

Bookmarking. Thanks everyone for all these good ideas. I plan to be there a lot longer than 1/2 day, but all your ideas help me, too.