Vancouver - First Time
 

Hello. I will be in Vancouver in early december, for the first time, for 5 days. I plan to spend one of those days in Whistler. As far as Vancouver, which part of the city would anyone recommend me staying in? Can I walk to Robson st. from Stanley park area? Also, is it worth it to stay overnite one nite at either Granville island or Vancouver island? Thanks.

Robson Street runs east-west, and Stanley Park is located on the western end of Robson Street, so yes, you can definitely walk to Robson Street from the Stanley Park area. <BR> <BR>As for your Granville Island/Vancouver Island question - Granville Island's a whole different ballgame than Vancouver Island. <BR> <BR>If you're staying downtown in Vancouver around Stanley Park, there's no need to spend a night at Granville Island. <BR> <BR>Granville Island technically isn't an island, but more or less a tiny piece of land underneath the Granville Street Bridge - a 5 minute drive away from Stanley Park. It's home to a public market, several theatres, restaurants, and art school and art galleries. There's one hotel there too. <BR> <BR>http://www.granvilleisland.com is their website. <BR> <BR>Granville Island, aside from Stanley Park, is one of Vancouver's main tourist attractions... but there's no need to spend a night there. <BR> <BR>Vancouver Island on the other hand, is I believe, the largest island on the Pacific coast of North America - about 300 miles long, home to the capital of BC (Victoria), several cities and towns, an entire mountain range, gorgeous beaches, rainforest and wildlife. <BR> <BR>http://www.vancouverisland.com <BR> <BR>You could make a daytrip to Vancouver Island and spend a night in Victoria, but don't expect to see "Vancouver Island" - only expect to see "Victoria" - it takes at least one week, preferibly 2 or 3 to see Vancouver Island. <BR> <BR>You have to take a ferry from the Tsawwassen ferry terminal (40 minute drive south of Vancouver) over to Victoria (about a 1.5 hour ride across). There are tons of attractions in Victoria (ie: Empress Hotel, Royal BC Museum, Butchart Gardens, Beacon Hill Park, Chinatown, etc) but the true essence of Vancouver Island lies outside of Victoria (in my opinion) in the mountains, and along the beaches. Kind of like the true essence of Hawaii doesn't exist in Honolulu - it exists outside of the city. ;)

I don't want to rain on your parade but do you realize that you will be coming to Vancouver at the wettest, gloomiest time of year. Rain falls on average 4 or 5 days of the week and the days are barely 8 hrs long. On the other hand when the sun does come out it can be gorgeous because the local mountains have received their first major snowfalls <BR>of the year and the Xmas Carol boats are doing their Harbour and Bay circuits <BR> <BR>If you are going to choose a hotel I would choose one close to the heart of the city around the Pacific Centre which range from Moderate, (the Crowne Plaza) to Super Deluxe (the Four Seasons). That way in the event of rain you can go indoors and actually travel through much of the city via the Sky Train stations. Staying on Granville Island or the West End at that time of year means a fair amount of walking - very likely in the rain. <BR> <BR>Skiing however should be great and I'd give the North Shore Mountains, (Grouse, Seymour & Cypress Bowl), a try while you're in town and maybe consider a day in Victoria, (which is marginally drier), as well. Whistler of course is in a class of its own and if you love ski resorts you've chosen the very best.

my husband and I stayed at the sheraton <BR>wall centre in vancouver in september <BR>it was handy to robson street and the <BR>little ferries that take you to granville island, the skytrain was handy <BR>to.

I agree with the first person. Granville Island is very close to Vancouver. I stayed at the Vancouver Hyatt and walked for about 15 minutes until we hit the water. To get to Granville Island, there was a ferry that charged $1-2 US--it was a nice way to get there. We spent the afternoon there, and it was plenty. Also walked to Stanley Park and Gastown--on different days. Generally, compared to major US cities like NYC, I found Vancouver to be fairly small and accessible