We have a full day absolutely free in Vancouver on a sunday early in January. The previous day will be spent getting over the flight and having some retail therapy ! We have been to the Aquarium and wandered through Gastown and Chinatown previously. We are looking for some suggestions ! Quite happy to take public transport.. we are a family of five, three teenagers. Thanks

This would not interest everyone, but I love the Museum of Anthropology at the University of British Columbia. There is an interesting and attractive collection of Aboriginal artefacts. In addition to that, the building in which the museum is housed is beautifully suited to its purpose.

I find it interesting to observe the similarities and differences of the crafts created by the Aboriginal people of the British Columbia coast and those of other Pacific Ocean nations (Australia, New Zealand and various other Pacific Islands). To put this into context for someone else who may read this post, I'm mentioning the trans-Pacific link because I seem to recall that you're Australian.

If you think this would be of interest to your family, winter hours are Tuesday - Sunday from 11 am to 5 pm.

Postscript. If you have not already stumbled on it, here is the Trip Planner page for Vancouver's public transportation system:

http://tripplanning.translink.bc.ca/

Thanks Judy, thats the place with the totem pole collection isn't it ?
ps thanks for the transport link !

What about Granville Island on a sunday ?

>>>>>>>thats the place with the totem pole collection isn't it ?<<<<<<

Yes, but there's more to it than that.

>>>>>>What about Granville Island on a sunday ?<<<<<<

It's great on a Sunday. I didn't mention it because I thought you would have used the previous day for retail therapy. But then Granville Island Market doesn't have to be about shopping. It's a good place just to wonder round.

Being a lazy sod...Granville Island is open all day on Sundays in winter ??

Yup.

I would suggest heading over to Kitsilano (start at 4th and Burrard and head west). There are lots of great shops and places to eat. Head north and you'll hit Kits Beach - great for a walk with coffee in hand. You can also get to Granville Island from there, which is near (about a 15 min walk I would guess - just head east down W 3rd Avenue).

Blondie, thanks for the suggestion, a friend has just returned from Vancouver and thought that Granville Island wouldn't be enough for a full day, so I will take your suggestion on board! (not sure I should encourage the spouse to do MORE shopping !!)

Granville Island is really cool. If you come by boat you can park free for about an hour (maybe more).You might find some fun stuff at http://www.1st-vancouver.com
They talk about the Museum of Anthropology too.