What to do in Vancouver for 1 1/2 days in January?
 

I will be in Vancouver two weeks from now. I'll have Saturday afternoon free, and all day Sunday, leaving Monday mid-morning. I've been gathering information about what to do, but I'd be interested in opinions here.

I'm looking for things that are unique to Vancouver, things I can't find anywhere else. For example, I live near San Francisco, so large Chinatowns don't impress me (although if I have time I wouldn't mind taking a walk through just to get a feel for it), nor does tremendous variety of available cuisines. I've been in musuems in major cities all over the world, so they really have to have something special to attract me.

I lived for several years in Montreal, so being in Canada per se is not all that special.

A couple of things I've read about do sound interesting. The idea that one can take the SeaBus to Lonsdale and then take a city bus for a twenty minute ride to the base of a gondala, and from there ride up to the top of a mountain sounds really intriguing. It seems expensive to ride up to Grouse Mountain but it's exactly the unique thing I'm looking for. What other city has something like that?

Also, despite what I said before about museums, the Anthropological Museum seems to really have something worth seeing.

In general, I'm interested in natural beauty, and I like leisurely strolls, but I'm not an avid hiker. I like to take walks in city neighborhoods that are representative of the city.

Thanks to all,
Ed

I've been to Vancouver twice, and I really enjoyed the walking across the Capilano Suspension Bridge (http://www.capbridge.com/). On the way to the bridge, you walk across a dam. The scenery there is breath-taking.Also, if you haven't seen Stanley Park (http://www.seestanleypark.com/), you must see this 1000 acre park. It has a wonderful trail right along the water. Both times that I was there, I saw cruise ships departing from the the cruise ship terminal located on the opposite side of the park. These wee my two favorite places, and you can definitely do them in a day. Check out the websites. I hope this helps. If you have more questions, let me know.

It's often fun to try to think what someone else would enjoy.

And when someone is from San Francisco, it's harder to make a city attractive in comparison.

Think about Granville Island, for its market, restaurants, boats and art galleries, on Saturday afternoon, when it is still lively.

On Sunday, your Grouse Mountain plan sounds good. There's a great view from the bottom of the gondola ride; no need really to go to the top. And once there, you are close to the Capilano bridge.

You might invest in a cab or two to get you to some places, and then, which still in North Vancouver / West Vancouver (that's where you get by taking the Seabus) switch back to another coity bus and cross the Lions Gate Bridge, which will take you to Stanley Park. Rural enough for a good hike but non-rural enough for a good meal, too.

I might find a restaurant along Robson Street for Saturday dinner, followed by window shopping and dessert in a different restaurant.

BAK

If you can see Grouse Mountain from downtown then by all means head on up-if not then forget it.
However if it's just a foggy day you might be in for a real treat with the tops of downtown buildings sticking up out of the clouds that envelop downtown in winter and views to the Gulf Islands and even Vancouver Island shining in the sun beyond.
The Anthropology Museum is a delight-unique and well planned.
As to walking http://www.walkvancouver.com/ for some details.

Things to do:

1 - Strolling - walking the sea wall around Stanley Park is a must.

2 - Learn about Haida art and culture.
Visit the Anthropological museum
at UBC is a good start.
Check out the "Jade Canoe" Haida
sculpture at the
airport by Bill Reid. The original
"Black Canoe" is at the Canadian Embassy in
Washington.

3 - Learn about Emily Carr
Visit the Vancouver Art Gallery
A contemporary of the Group of Seven,
Carr captured the landscape of BC's
native villages, shorelines and forests.

4 - Architecture
Marine Building (Art Deco)
Vancouver Public Library

5 - Cuisine
I worked with two guys from SF and
thought they had the best until
they visited Toronto which goes
to show that SF can be topped in
the cuisine department.
Vancouver has top rated Asian,
East Indian and French.
Try Lumierre at 2551 West Broadway.

6 - Read the New York Times travel article at
http://travel2.nytimes.com/mem/trave...56C0A9629C8B63

Thanks, everyone, for your replies.

Ed

Chiming in rather late to endorse Grousse Mountain, despite the expense.

If I were you I would pinpoint when SUNSET happens on the day you go, and then straddle sunset with your time up on top.

The view is stunning from up above, and I will share that the last time I went, we stood at the bottom, having already paid our $30-ish per person, only to spot a significant FOG BANK half way up the moutain, seeming to ruin our hoped-for view from the top.

When we got to the top, we barely had time to turn around before the fog had completely disappeared, leaving an awesome view near sunset.

IT WILL BE COLDER THAN HECK up there in January. It's cold at the top in May or July, but it is completely "Winter" in mid-January.

About Vancouver proper, if the weather is tolerable (I.E. no rain or snow at the time), just walking around town is completely enjoyable. If you can somehow rent a car, or even afford a taxi for the service, a DRIVE through adjacent "Stanley Park" can be quite scenic. (The park houses the Vancouver Aquarium which is quite impressive) Otherwise, think of a wilderness area immediately adjacent to a booming metropolis and have a look.