Vancouver Hotels & Holidays
Canada, North America
Vancouver is dominated by the ocean; Burrard Inlet and False Creek all provide access to the Pacific in the city centre and make this a city of bridges. This city's tableau is set against the spectacular snow-capped backdrop of the Coastal mountain range and the laid back citizenry are known for their orientation toward outdoor activities. There are beaches like Spanish Banks, Jericho, and Third Beach in and around downtown for those lazy days of summer. But Vancouver, thanks to its oceanic climate, enjoys mild winters where snow is a rarity, and during the winter there are plenty of activities to undertake in and around the city that don't necessarily involve down jackets.
Map of Vancouver
Beach and Promenade
Vancouver Holidays Planner
In the heart of the city lies Vancouver's Stanley Park, a four hundred hectare park of beautiful evergreens, criss-crossed by trails and encircled by a seawall around which residents and tourists cycle, rollerblade, or walk every day. You can rent bikes at conveniently located outlets for the scenic walk, and there are plenty of opportunities to spot wildlife like seabirds and seals even in this downtown environment.
Located in Stanley Park is the Vancouver Aquarium, a family-oriented facility with dolphin, beluga, and otter shows that you can watch and catch the occasional splash from. Inside you can see tanks of fish and jellyfish from the Pacific Northwest and all over the world. There is also an exhibit on frogs that is very informative as well as a movie theatre and kids' play area.
Vancouver is the origin for many cruise lines going up the BC coast to Alaska, and occasionally the population of the downtown core trebles with eager holidaymakers having their five or six hours of scheduled fun time in the city before the cruise ship leaves. It's always nice if your cruise ship departs from this city to schedule a few extra days to spend here as the city has a lot to offer.
The downtown core has a lot of shopping. There is an underground shopping mall plus the famous Robson Street, full of many boutique stores which cover most price ranges. There are also plenty of shops to explore just off the beaten path in places like Gastown, and in neighbourhoods like Commercial Drive and Main Street, which have a lot of quirky shops.
After shopping, you may want to check out Vancouver's nightlife, there is a vibrant bar and nightclub scene; whether your interest goes towards dance clubs or live music, just pick up a copy of the Georgia Strait, available throughout the city for free for listings of things to do and you'll have plenty of ideas.
In the summer months, the adjoining city of Richmond hosts the Night Market, held by local Chinese merchants with the best street fare on offer that you'll find this side of China and plenty of discount clothes and gadgets.
In winter, you can go from the mild weather of Vancouver to the snow covered mountain of Grouse within an hour for some afternoon skiing or snowboarding.