I'll be in Vancouver the weekend of February 16. Since this is such a short stay I wanted to know the short list of things to see and do in 2 days.<BR><BR>I'm visiting a friend who lives in Seattle and were driving to Vancouver. My friend has visited Vancouver only once. We both like museums and galleries, but are open to other suggestions.<BR><BR>We'd also appreciate good restaurant suggestions in the moderate price range. Lunch a maximum of $15pp, and dinner at $25pp (not including alcohol).

I forgot to specify that the meal prices I quoted are in US dollars.

It really depends on the weather. Mid February is the begining of Spring in Vancouver but it can also be wet and blustery. There are some fair to good galleries downtown and on Granville Island. The Science Museum at the eastern end of False Creek is good as is the Maritime Museum at Kits Point. But Vancouver's main claim to fame is it's wonderful recreation facilities. There are 6,000 foot mountains fringing the North Shore of the city with very good ski and snowboard hills. Stanley Park and the Seawall around most of the Western Part of the city is great for walking, jogging, hiking, etc. Shopping is also very good given the week Canadian Dollar. Most things can be purchased for about 50-80% of what it would cost in the States.<BR><BR>For the $ value you mentioned you can eat in all but the very priciest restaurants in Vanocouver. Vancouver is an ethnic wonderland. About 40%of the 2.2 million population is Asian and that includes large Chinese, East Indian, Japanese, Korean, Philipino, Vietnamese, Thai, Pakistani, Iranian and Indonesian communities. It also has large Italian, Ukranian, Greek, French, Jewish, Dutch and other European communities along with it's original British founders. And don't forget the native aboriginal peoples. all of which makes Vancouver a culinary treat. But it also makes it difficult to reccomend a few restaurants without knowing what type of food you prefer. Personally I would sample a Chinese, (and there are over 5 varieties of Chinese Cuisine), an East Indian, (also about 4 or 5 varieties), a West Coast and a Native Salmon House for a full taste of Vancouver but of course you'ld have to decide what appeals to you.

For Saturday lunch, go to the Granville Island market, and buy some smoked salmpon, some bagels, some cream cheese, some coffee, some you name it, and then go sit outside on the benches, or inside in the public seating areas.<BR><BR>And then go for a walk and see the other interesting things there.<BR><BR>BAK

If you're a breakfast guy, go to Sophie's Cosmic Cafe in Kitsilano. Wonderful, wonderful place.<BR><BR>I don't know much about the varieties of Indian cuisine, but we had a great southern Indian meal at Vij's. The menu changes daily (or so I've heard), but everything we had--appetizers, main courses, and desserts--were fabulous.<BR><BR>Sun Sui Wah gets good marks for Chinese food. They have a large fish tank at the restaurant, so the seafood is very fresh.<BR><BR>Can't guarantee the weather will be nice, but Vancouver is spectacularly beautiful--see as much of the outdoors as you can. Stanley Park is lovely. On a clear day, the view from Grouse Mountain is cool, too. Hope this helps...

If you're into Indian food, try Sami's for Indian-fusion, very good with excellent prices; it's at Broadway and Oak. For smaller galleries, there are a few at the bottom of Granville St. (south).

Forgot to mention probably the biggest one...the Vancouver Art Gallery (VAG) right downtown, close to good shopping. You can have yummy lunch at Allegro before or after. Also, just so you know, the Science Museum is one of those "touch and discover" places aimed at kids (though of course adults can go too). I only mention this as you only have 2 days, and it doesn't sound like you're travelling with children. I've been to a few others (e.g., Seattle, Toronto) so if you've been to one in another big city before, likely you'll be disappointed with this one. While I love Vancouver, I am sad to say that our "Science World" isn't stellar.