Vancouver/Burnaby
Jun 18th, 2002, 05:20 AM
#1
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Vancouver/Burnaby
I have 4 weeks till I go to Vancouver and I have a couple of questions that I would appreciate any help with. Firstly, I am staying in Burnaby right off of Lougheed Hwy about 2 blocks from the brentwood mall and I am NOT going to have a car. I heard the skytrain station was not yet open there and wanted to know if that is true and what buses run close to the station. Also, can anyone recommend some things to do over there. I am planning on going to Stanley Park but I am really interested in going over to Victoria and need to know how I can get there and what is there to do? Also, if I wanted to take the train to Whistler Mtn. just to go up there for like lunch or dinner does anybody know how I can find out about that? I dont want to stay all day. Im really interested in just taking a tour for the scenery I dont want to do alot of walking. I would be perfectly happy just riding all day viewing scenery. I need to figure out how I can get around to the places I need to be for any of these excursions from Burnaby. Also, If anyone could help me with recommending restaurants in Burnaby and Vancouver I would appreciate it. We're not into fancy restaurants just good decent food but Im wanting to find an inexpensive Thai, Canadian, and Italian place. I want to go to places that I normally cant get to at home.
thanks
Lynn
> thanks Lynn
thanks
Lynn
> thanks Lynn
Jun 18th, 2002, 01:53 PM
#3
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A few quick answers on the fly ...
There's a bus loop at Brentwood Mall where you can catch a public transit bus just about anywhere. (I thought that branch of the skytrain was operational, but maybe not yet.) Check the BC Transit site for info.
The tour company that does trains to Whistler is the Royal Hudson (or, rather, that's the name of the train). I think there's only 1 train per day, though, and the return trip would eat up pretty much a full day.
To get to Victoria, the best way is to take public transit downtown to the bus depot, then get a Pacific Coach Lines bus from there. 1 ticket will get you bus to the ferry, onto the ferry, then bus from ferry to downtown Victoria.
There's a bus loop at Brentwood Mall where you can catch a public transit bus just about anywhere. (I thought that branch of the skytrain was operational, but maybe not yet.) Check the BC Transit site for info.
The tour company that does trains to Whistler is the Royal Hudson (or, rather, that's the name of the train). I think there's only 1 train per day, though, and the return trip would eat up pretty much a full day.
To get to Victoria, the best way is to take public transit downtown to the bus depot, then get a Pacific Coach Lines bus from there. 1 ticket will get you bus to the ferry, onto the ferry, then bus from ferry to downtown Victoria.
Jun 18th, 2002, 02:34 PM
#4
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You ask a lot of questions in one post and that's probably why most of us are waiting for someone else to tackle this. From the sounds of things you're staying around the Executive Inn on Lougheed. For most things You can take a bus to the nearest skytrain station and get to most Tourist areas downtown in under an hour. For Stanley Park take the Skytrain to Burrard and then get on a Georgia Bus to the Park. or if you're into great walks get off at Canada Place and then walk west on the seawall along the harbour and right around the park.
Goping to Whistler get off at Main Street Station and go over to the bus depot accross the street and take a bus - it's much more convenient than the train as the above post suggests. For Victoria take the PCL bus which takes you right into the heart of Tourist Victoria and includes the Ferry ride. What to do? Check other posts.
Most of the good restaurants in Burnaby are not on Lougheed. Kingsway from start to finish, (about 10 K's), is loaded with great ethnic restaurants, (and a few clunkers as well), especially Asian. If you want something you can't get at home you should definately try the variety of Chinese and East Indian restaurants in Vancouver. Around Lougheed it's mostly chain restaurants - some pretty good for a clean meal but nothing you can't get at home.
There are some great Italian Restaurants on Commercial between about 6th Avenue and Hastings. In BC 'Canadian' food means West Coast and the best of these restaurants are on the westside and WestEnd. I don't know of any in Burnaby.
One of the best way to see the sights in Vancouver is to get on the Vancouver Trolley. It's actually a bus dressed up to look like a trolley that does a 2-3 hour circuit of the top sights in the city and you can get on and off wherever it stops. They run about every half hour and the best place to get on is in Gastown which is just outside the Canada Place station. Also the Seabus to North Vancouver leaves from there and you should take that accross then take a bus to Grouse Mountain and take the Gondola up to the top. Do that in late afternoon and watch the sunset from the top and come down to the lights of the city. It's a sight you won't soon forget.
Hope this has been of some help.
Goping to Whistler get off at Main Street Station and go over to the bus depot accross the street and take a bus - it's much more convenient than the train as the above post suggests. For Victoria take the PCL bus which takes you right into the heart of Tourist Victoria and includes the Ferry ride. What to do? Check other posts.
Most of the good restaurants in Burnaby are not on Lougheed. Kingsway from start to finish, (about 10 K's), is loaded with great ethnic restaurants, (and a few clunkers as well), especially Asian. If you want something you can't get at home you should definately try the variety of Chinese and East Indian restaurants in Vancouver. Around Lougheed it's mostly chain restaurants - some pretty good for a clean meal but nothing you can't get at home.
There are some great Italian Restaurants on Commercial between about 6th Avenue and Hastings. In BC 'Canadian' food means West Coast and the best of these restaurants are on the westside and WestEnd. I don't know of any in Burnaby.
One of the best way to see the sights in Vancouver is to get on the Vancouver Trolley. It's actually a bus dressed up to look like a trolley that does a 2-3 hour circuit of the top sights in the city and you can get on and off wherever it stops. They run about every half hour and the best place to get on is in Gastown which is just outside the Canada Place station. Also the Seabus to North Vancouver leaves from there and you should take that accross then take a bus to Grouse Mountain and take the Gondola up to the top. Do that in late afternoon and watch the sunset from the top and come down to the lights of the city. It's a sight you won't soon forget.
Hope this has been of some help.
Jun 18th, 2002, 03:41 PM
#5
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Yes, I was waiting for gary to tackle this! 
As usual, good job gary!
How about the restaurant on top of Bby Mtn for West Coast cuisine? A while ago, I was not impressed with the food, but when visitors insisted we go there about two years ago, the food was very good! Of course, nice views too.
As usual, good job gary!How about the restaurant on top of Bby Mtn for West Coast cuisine? A while ago, I was not impressed with the food, but when visitors insisted we go there about two years ago, the food was very good! Of course, nice views too.
so your saying to take the sea bus from canada place station to which bus that can take me to Grouse mountain?
Jun 18th, 2002, 09:38 PM
#7
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The seabus arrives at Lonsdale Quay on the North Shore which is a medium sized but very nice public market. It's also the hub for all North Shore bus lines and I'm sure that you will find a bus, (probably the Capilano Road bus), that will take you right to the gondola. But I know there's a transit information kiosk there so you need only ask.
Jun 19th, 2002, 12:27 PM
#8
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Must do: Go to Stanley Park (take skytrain (transfer on Broadway from bus you got at Brentwood Mall or take aquabus - see below) right to end where seabus is and visit Canada Place then walk seawall to park). Take skytrain to Science World (Main and Terminial - not the nicest part of town, but getting better), hop the aquabus to: Yaletown, or Granville Island or Stanley Park - all excellent choices. Rent a bike and go around seawall.
Restaurants near Executive Inn in Burnaby: Milestones (my favorite for a chain restaurant - great bar, good menu, fresh ingredients), down the highway Earls is also good. Go up to Hastings street and try Antons - Burnaby's most popular pasta joint but go early or you'll be lining up on the street. The little strip of Hastings between Boundary Road and Willingdon is Burnaby's Little Italy -lots of neat delis and resaurants (Anton's being one of them)
Dont go to: Gastown - overratted, full of druggies and thiefs. If you go, dont go to far towards Main and Hastings - its the cities worst drug area. (Don't get discoraged, it's great otherwise) Have a great time
Restaurants near Executive Inn in Burnaby: Milestones (my favorite for a chain restaurant - great bar, good menu, fresh ingredients), down the highway Earls is also good. Go up to Hastings street and try Antons - Burnaby's most popular pasta joint but go early or you'll be lining up on the street. The little strip of Hastings between Boundary Road and Willingdon is Burnaby's Little Italy -lots of neat delis and resaurants (Anton's being one of them)
Dont go to: Gastown - overratted, full of druggies and thiefs. If you go, dont go to far towards Main and Hastings - its the cities worst drug area. (Don't get discoraged, it's great otherwise) Have a great time
Jun 21st, 2002, 11:23 PM
#9
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You might want to familiarize yourself with the Skytrain/bus schedule on the Translink site. And I'm sure when it all comes down to it, the hotel staff could point you in the right direction.
http://www.translink.bc.ca/
http://www.translink.bc.ca/
Jun 22nd, 2002, 05:22 AM
#11
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why would you want to go to victoria, when so much more to do and see in vancouver. the greyhound that goes to whistler is a nice 2 hour drive, especially if you sit on side behind driver, with only limited stops. for great pasta go to antons at hastings and willingdon area, be prepared for a lineup though unless you go early, maybe 4 or so. have a great time!!
