Need to fill in trip plans with one more destination near Vancouver
 

Thank you in advance for your input on our upcoming trip to Vancouver. I am looking for advise on where to spend the first 2-3 days of our trip. So far we will be in Vancouver for 3 nights in June, then will be staying in Tofino 4 nights including travel days, then fly home. We have probably 3 days to fill in when we arrive until when we need to be in Vancouver.

So far I am thinking about Whistler area. I want to be sure we are not missing another destination(s) that we might love. I was looking at the Nita Lake Lodge. We've been to Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper on another trip so I am not sure if Whistler should be a must do. Wondered about Salt Spring Island. Originally my plan and desire was to spend time in a native First Nations area but from research I have done, it appears to be too far. We love when we travel to experience life as it is in communities, villages. If you have a suggestion of what to check out, that would be so helpful. By the way, I am not all that open to taking float and other small planes to get to places.

Does it <I>have to be</i> <b>Canada</b> ??


IF not, then perhaps the <U>North Cascades Highway</u> in northern Washington would be of interest.

It is a 4-hour (206 miles) drive <b>(NOT including the border traffic/delays)</b> from Vancouver to the town of <I>Winthrop, WA</i>. Much of that along the wonderful <I>North Cascades Highway</i>, with pleasant scenery all around.

If you wanted more, it is another couple of hours to the unique <I>Bavarian</i> town of Leavenworth, WA... and then another 4 hours <b>back to Vancouver</b> from there.

Such a loop is a grand total of 531 miles and/or 10 hours of <I>driving time</i>, with impressive scenery along much of the path.

NorthwesrMale, since its going to be a good part of a day to go to Tofino from Vancouver, and we have only 3 days on the front end of the trip your suggestion is just too much driving, but thank you anyway.

are you flying into vancouver? driving in? can you move your plans. stay in vancouver at the start and then go to the island and spend those 3 days in the northern part of the island or go to one of gulf islands. or, i love the okanagan...drive to penticton / summerland / naramata area for those nights. want some fun and see great scenery...whitewater rafting interest you?...go on the 2 day big water excusion with kumsheen rafting and book a canvas cabin for your accommodations. it was so much fun and a great place to stay (bring earplugs...lots of trains in the valley)

Hi again...

OK... what IF there is just SO much to see & do IN CENTRAL VANCOUVER that you would do well to stay and see MORE OF it???

It is routinely mentioned as the most livable city in North America... How about just switching hotel neighborhoods and staying 5-6 nights??

I love it there, and I've been hundreds of times (literally).

Why don't you spend some time in Victoria. There is plenty to do there and you mention First Nations. The Royal BC Museum has a wonderful First Nations exhibit and the museum itself is world class. http://royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/
http://www.hellobc.com/victoria
http://www.tourismvictoria.com/things-to-do/

Victoria is a good option and the ferry across from Vancouver relaxing and scenic.

I would give Vancouver more time.We happily spent a week there last year.

I'd choose Victoria over Whistler, which I don't find all that great. But I'm more a water person than a mountain person. The museum is very interesting if you like Indigenous cultures and settler history. Victoria also has an old world/village feel. It's very compact. There's a fish stand on the dock, Red Fish Blue Fish, that alone makes the ferry trip worth it. Then of course there is Butchart Gardens, if you are interested in that, or even afternoon tea somewhere.

You could also go south for places in WA like the La Conner/Whidbey Island area- that would definitely fall under the cute villages idea.

But I'm with the others about spending more time in Vancouver. I've been several times, and two days will barely scratch the surface. The park and Seawall alone is probably two days. The aquarium- if you like aquariums at all- is easily three hours. Then you have neighborhoods, the botanical garden, shopping, excursions, hiking nearby, local events, suspension bridges, etc. There's even an Asian night market in Richmond (?) that I've heard is fun. If you have never been in this area before, I think you would regret trying to cram it all into 2 days!

Of course- you could add 2 days to Vancouver and do the last day as a day trip to Victoria, especially if you weren't interested in the Butchart Gardens. I've only done it as a day trip- it's probably worth 2-3 days because of the commute time, but you can get a good feel for it in one day if you head out early and come back late. Driving might make it shorter, but I prefer just walking onto the ferry and then taking the bus to Victoria, which is very walkable.