We are thinking about a trip to Vancouver mid July....We have never been to Western Canada. What other places should we include? We do not hike...We are traveling from Boston.
Thanks

I like circles.

Vancouver to Banff to Calgary (which gets you across mountains) to Drumheller (prairie, badlands, and dinosaurs)to Edmonton to Jasper to Banff and back to Vancouver.

BAK

That's like telling someone who wants advice on visiting LA to head on over to the Grand Canyon - both rims - Phoenix and Tucson

That's a long drive! Only done it once and have lived here 48 years.
To answer your question, what do you like to do?
A nice scenic drive is Whistler. Lots of shopping, no need to hit the hiking trails to find something to do!
If you like wine, the Okanagan has great wineries in Osoyoos, Penticton or Kelowna (4-5 hour drive). Or a trip on the ferry to Victoria.
All these trips would require an overnighter for a day or two at the least.
Day trips? White Rock beach, Granville Island and Yaletown (connect via aquabus ferry for a few bucks), Stanley Park, UbC botanical gardens and Spanish Banks, Robson Street.

BAK's suggestion is excellent IMHO *if*
1. you like a driving vacation
2. if you have about 8 days minimum, more preferable ... not including the full days you will definitely want to spend in Vancouver.


I've done that exact trip.
Drumheller is way off most tourists maps ... but there is one of the most spectacular paleontology museums anywhere there, and it is a nice introduction to the Canadian praries wheat, cattle, and oil country.

There are lots of other alternatives too.

The road between Banff and Jasper is the most spectacular mountain highway in North America IMO - it even goes right by a live glacier (you can take tourist rides on the glacier from the highway)

At Banff I much prefer staying in the Lake Louise area rather than Banff Townsite ... its less builtup.

Other places to thingk about are Victoria on Vancouver Island, just west of Vancouver - and the Gulf Islands inbetween the two.

Because of the cost of one way car rentals you likely want to fly in and out of the same city (either Calgary or Vancouver). But if the cost of one-way rental is not a problem, consider open-jaws

If your intention is just to visit the area around Vancouver, there is so much you could concentrate on.
Tell us more what you'd like:
see lots of different things?
see less things in more depth?
see the mountains?
see the coast?
city things?
museums?

BTW ... Vancouver is spectacularly beautiful.

Thank you all...........Looks like we will spend 4 days in Vancouver and then drive to Whistler returning to Seattle to fly home...All of this in a week....Wish we had more time, but this will be the basic intinerary.......Any good hotels in Whistler? Places to visit along the way???
Thanks again

Whistler is overrun with 4 star hotels ... every major loging company you can think of. Go the Whistler's website. Are you more interseted in top-of-the-line 4 strar? or meduim 3+ star, or more economic 3 Star?
Be sure to take the Gondola to the top for a good view if its clear.

Do you just drive and do city things, or walk / minor hike too? If the later, Lighthouse Park on the North Shore in West Vancouver is one of the gems that isn't on the standard tourist list.
Same with driving up Mount Seymour, or up to Cypress Bowl ... fanatastic views over Vancouver. I prefer doing that than going up Grouse Mountain.

Do you ride bike? A great day is to rent a bike then ride thew Seawall from downtown, around Stanley Park, along False Creek at least as far as Yaletown ... and if you have energy, continue along the seawall and trail around the end of False Creek, along its South shore, to Granville Island. Then ride the mini ferry for 5 minutes back to downtown.

Other don't miss:
Museum of Anthropology at UBC
Granville Island
Stanley Park
google the above for more info

in Vancouver check out Sutton Place if you looking for 5 star hotel with 5 star service. We just spent 4 days there. Didnt want to leave. We were treated royaly from the moment we arrived until we left. Only reason it a 5 star is because they dont give more stars

We just returned from Vancouver and Victoria. We had a great time. The one thing you should not miss is the Buttchart Gardens near Victoria. You will take the ferry to Victoria the gardens are on the way into town. They are absolutely beautiful and are planted to be in bloom every season. I hope you have a great trip.

MELANIETRAVEL, how many days did you spend in each place? Exactly how did you get to Butchart Gardens (which ferry and which bus line?), if you don't mind me asking? Do you recommend it? We're thinking of spending one of our three days there. any advice would be appreciated!