Grouse Mountain: The Peak of Vancouver

Grouse Mountain is the most famous out of Vancouver's three local mountains. Unlike the neighbouring mountains Seymour and Cypress, Grouse is the only mountain where you can't drive up to the top. As a result, in order to get to the top of Grouse you must pay $32 per person to take the Skyride - a large 200 person capacity gondola - up to the top. If you're on a tight budget or are seriously ambitious, your only other option to get to the top of Grouse is to "hike" up a vertical trail known fondly as the Grouse Grind.

Make no mistake - the Grouse Grind is gruelling; it's not really a leisurely hike. Locals will "do" the Grouse Grind as a weekly work-out routine, although the idea of climbing one and a half hours up a mountain by stairs isn't for everybody. Therefore, taking the Skyride up to Grouse Mountain is often the best way of experiencing it.

While certainly Grouse Mountain can be touristy and expensive, I'd still say it's worth it. I would recommend taking the Skyride up to Grouse Mountain to those who are new to Vancouver, who don't have cars, and who are looking for a unique panoramic experience without having to travel far from the city centre. Most importantly, only go when the skies are clear. Once up top, you can easily spend 3+ hours entertaining yourself.

While your admission gets you up to the top of Grouse Mountain, it also includes admission to the 2 documentaries in the "Theatre in the Sky", the Lumberjack show, a birds in motion show, an endangered wildlife demonstration, the bear habitat, the wolf habitat, a guided eco walk, and the best part (in my opinion) the 20 minute Screaming Eagle chairlift ride. Be sure to ride the Screaming Eagle as it gives you the best panoramic views!

Directions: Take the seabus from Waterfront Station in downtown Vancouver. Once in North Vancouver at Lonsdale Quay, take the #236 "Grouse Mountain" bus. It will drop you off at the base of Grouse Mountain's Skyride.

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Grouse Mountain: The Peak of Vancouver

Gastown

Gastown is more of a landmark attraction than a shopping area. The Gastown area streets are covered with cobble stone. The main attraction of the area is a statue of "Gassy" Jack Deighton, a saloon owner who essentially made Gastown to the popular attraction it was because it was the nearest saloon to the sawmill closeby. Businesses grew around the saloon and the community of Gastown was formed.

Also located in Gastown is the world's first steam clock. Every quarter of the hour and every hour, the steam clock will whistle a short note or tune. The architecture of the historic buildings and the atmosphere of the surroundings make it almost like you're stepping back in time. Souvenir shops are abound in Gastown. There are some nice restaurants around. The Spaghetti Factory is always busy, the Brothers is also quite busy with men dressed in shrouds is quite a sight. There are many other smaller restaurants and bars with Lamplighter Inn and the Pump among the few well known ones.

Leaving downtown Vancouver, there are still a few shopping malls around that are worth a visit. City Square is a relatively small shopping mall located on 12th Avenue and Cambie Street. It was developed from two historic buildings. There is underground parking. If you shop at any of the stores at the mall, you can get a free half hour parking pass. The mall houses a Safeway, Fitness World exercise complex, an expensive Chinese restaurant named Kirin. One thing to note is that an episode of the X-Files was filmed at the mall. The first season episode called "Tooms" in which a liver-eating mutant Eugene Tooms hibernates under the escalator is the elevator of the City Square Mall. So, for X-files fans, this may be a stop worth going to.

Directions: North-east corner of downtown Vancouver, along Water Street in

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Gastown

Capilano Suspension Bridge and Park

The Capilano Suspension Brige and Park is one of the world's nicest suspension footbridges and one of the most popular attractions in Vancouver. It hangs at 70 metres (230 feet) over the 137 metres (450 foot) wide Capilano Canyon which is quite a sight in itself, especially when the Capilano River is rushing. You'll find a Story Centre and Living Forest Exhibits. Of course there is a gift shop and also a native carving centre where First Nations (Indians) artists create their art. A variety of food options are available at a few restaurants.

It's quite an adventure to pass this bridge. Once you are on the other side of the bridge you can pick up a certificate in the giftshop that says that you have been over the bridge! Sometimes it can be very crowded on this bridge, so always remember that it's good to go early in the day or later in the day. Of course it depends what you prefer. The views are great, there are some nice walk ways or hiking trails to follow. There is also a display of totem poles and much more.

New for a couple of years now is the Treetops Adventure at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park. Seven suspension bridges through the evergreens take you up to 100 feet (30m) above the forest floor. There are guided tours here and other events.

It costs about $25.95 CAD to get in this park for adults, $20.25 CAD for seniors, $20.25 CAD for students (17+ and ID), $13.50 CAD for youth (13 - 16), $13.50 CAD for children (6 - 12) and free for children under 6.

Phone: 604-985-7474

Directions: Travel throug Stanley Park and head for the Lions Gate Bridge, stay in the left lane. The first lights mark Capilano Road. Turn left up the hill and you'll see the sign after a short drive.

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Capilano Suspension Bridge and Park

Vancouver Aquarium, Vancouver

Located in Stanley Park, the Vancouver Aquarium is Canada's largest, and holds approximately 8000 sea creatures. It is also a marine mammal rescue and rehabilititation centre.

The aquarium is also very family-focused (thank goodness!!) as we were travelling with three young children and the place kept them entertained for hours. There are tanks where they can touch and handle sea creatures under supervision and and Clownfish Cove, an educational play area, where they can let some steam off. Clownfish Cove is also a great place for parents to nap, as I witnessed several prostate bodies on the padded benches and exercise pads which surround the area.

My favorite thing was the beluga whale observation tank. Watching them swim past in a slow water ballet was very zen after a hot, hectic afternoon with the kids.

Address: Stanley Park

Phone: (604) 659-3474

Directions: Enter via Georgia Street. As you pass the Vancouver Rowing Club, take your first left. Within easy walking distance, there is additional parking near the Yacht Club.

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Vancouver Aquarium, Vancouver

Welcome to Granville Island!

Granville Island is a man-made island built around 1915 for industrial purposes. It lies underneath the Granville Street Bridge, in False Creek. Many factories were established on the island, but starting in the 1950s, many closed down, burned down, or simply moved to a new location. Activity on the island dwindled down until a group of citizens decided to give it a new life in the 1970s, and turned it into a great example of urban redevelopment.

Today, the old factories and warehouses are still there, but the have become home to many restaurants, specialty shops, theatres, galleries, a kids market, the Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design, the Granville Island Brewing Company and the famous Granville Island Public Market. What makes spending a few hours on the island so much fun is that although its purpose has changed, it is still quite easy to picture life as it must have been during its industrial era. There is always plenty of activity going on, whether it be music by street performers or a show organized by a local radio station, kids playing in the park, visitors getting their picture taken, and so on - because another cool thing about the island is that it offers you a really great view of downtown Vancouver so don't forget your camera!

The Granville Island Public Market probably is the island's biggest draw. With over 100 stands, it offers an amazing selection of fresh products (fruits, vegetables, fish, cheese, cold cuts, pasta, bread, desserts, flowers and more) at a reasonably good price. There are also some crafts stands, and a food court that offers a great selection of food from all around the world. The market is open every day of the week, from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm. I would strongly suggest going to Granville Island on foot as driving and parking on the island is no easy task!

Phone: 604-666-5784

Directions: Located under the south side of the Granville Street Bridge. From downtown Vancouver, it can easily be reached by Aquabus.

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Welcome to Granville Island!

Stanley Park, Vancouver

I hadn't been to Stanley Park in years and had forgotten how beautiful it was. I would recommend at least a full day to explore the park fully, as we spent 4 hours in the aquarium itself, seeing the shows and going through all the displays.

Stanley Park is a 1000 acre park, at Vancouver's downtown core. The gorgeous surroundings, west coast flora and fauna and majestic vistas available make it a wonderful oasis in an exciting urban setting.

Parking is $5.00 for a full day, and there is a free shuttle that circles the park with stops at the most popular sites. The bus driver/guide also makes succint commentary at each stop.

Be warned that driving around the park is only in one direction, so if you miss an area, you have to most likely circle around again, which can be stressful at times. What I recommend is actually parking at an area, and taking the shuttle bus once around, to get an idea of the stops you want to take. We found that it took some of the pressure off, and we made note of some of the places we wanted to stop.

Maps of the park are available at the information kiosk near the Vancouver Rowing Club just off Georgia Street. There is also a shuttle bus stop right across the street, with parking available close by, near the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club.

Address: South of the Lions' Gate Bridge

Phone: (604) 257-8400

Directions: You can reach Stanley Park using the Lions Gate Bridge, Georgia Street, Robson or Nelson Streets, or Beach Avenue.

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Stanley Park, Vancouver