Howcast

Visiting Vancouver’s North Shore

Howcast — Wed, 21 Aug 2013 18:42:50 +0000

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Vancouver is a great city for nature lovers, from the abundance of parks to the use of local ingredients in restaurants. And one of the best places to commune with nature is the North Shore, where you’ll find mountains and forests only a short distance from downtown Vancouver. If you visit during the winter, you can go skiing on Grouse Mountain. In the summer, take a walking tour or go hiking instead. You’ll get fantastic views either way. Another great hiking location in the North Shore is Capilano River Regional Park, where you can also walk across the Cleveland Dam or go canoeing or kayaking on the Capilano River. Over the river is the Capilano Suspension Bridge, a wooden suspension bridge two-hundred and thirty feet above the water, stretching over four hundred feet across it. If you’d rather not try to cross the bridge, you can walk nature trails on-site or see the collection of authentic First Nations totem poles. When you’re done, head back to the city and make a stop in Lonsdale Quay, where you can take in a view of the Vancouver harbor and go shopping in the Lonsdale Quay Market. The market also has a food court, in case you worked up an appetite in the wilderness. One of the best parts of the North Shore’s natural attractions is that it doesn’t take long to get back to civilization.

Visiting Stanley Park in Vancouver

Howcast — Wed, 21 Aug 2013 18:40:13 +0000

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Just a few blocks away from the bustle of downtown Vancouver is Stanley Park–a thousand acres of greenery almost completely surrounded by the Pacific Ocean. Stanley Park is essential to Vancouver, and it would be a mistake not to visit. You could just take a walk or a bike ride, but there’s a lot more to see and do. Stanley Park is home to nine totem poles carved by First Nations artists, representing several different Native American groups. It’s some of the best art you’ll ever get to see for free. The natural attractions are also worth the trip. The seawall, a paved path running along the outside of the park, right next to the ocean, is beloved by locals and tourists alike for its amazing views of the water and the city. But the best view of all is at Prospect Point, the highest point in the park. From there you can see not only the park, but the activity in the harbor, plus Lion’s Gate Bridge and Vancouver’s North Shore. If you’re not really up for spending time outdoors, don’t worry–Stanley Park is also where you’ll find the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Center. The Aquarium is home to dolphins, sea otters, beluga whales, and many other species of marine life. For education, exercise, and recreation, Stanley Park has everything you need.

Visiting Granville Island in Vancouver

Howcast — Wed, 21 Aug 2013 18:34:36 +0000

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Granville Island is actually a peninsula, not an island, but it feels like a world apart from Vancouver. It’s not what you’d call quiet, but the atmosphere is different from the rest of the city, with artists and craftspeople thriving in this unique enclave. The island’s biggest attraction is the Granville Island Public Market, where British Columbia’s best artists, artisans, and farmers sell their wares. The farmers’ market is the longest-running one in Vancouver, where you can buy the freshest vegetables, fruit, baked goods, and seafood. On any given day at the market you might find handmade soap, jewelry, artwork, wines, jams, and much more. Vendors have a rotating schedule, so there’s always something new. There’s also always plenty of great things to eat right in the market, so keep an eye out for food vendors. Granville Island is also a great place to go if you’re travelling with children. In addition to the Public Market, there’s a special Kids’ Market with an indoor play area, plus a free public water park. There are also a variety of street performers year round, from musicians to magicians. For more adult fun, take a beer-tasting tour of the Granville Island Brewing Company, which was Canada’s first microbrewery. Whatever you go to Granville Island for, you’ll feel refreshed by the time you leave.

Top 8 Places to Eat & Drink in Vancouver

Howcast — Wed, 21 Aug 2013 18:29:00 +0000

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Vancouver is a foodie’s dream city, with tons of restaurants covering a variety of cuisines prepared by skilled chefs. For the best in regional haute cuisine, go to West, where local ingredients are used in new interpretations of classic dishes. Raincity Grill also focuses on eating locally–try the “100 Mile” tasting menu which, as the name suggests, showcases ingredients from within one-hundred miles. Given the close proximity to the Pacific Ocean, it’s no surprise that Vancouver seafood is especially good. Blue Water Cafe serves up the best of the best, using local seafood in innovative ways. Or opt for the low-brow, less expensive option at Go Fish, where you can get classics like fish and chips cooked to perfection. But Vancouver actually has a lot more to offer than seafood. One of the city’s most popular restaurants is Vij’s, where delicious and creative Indian dishes are served in an elegant setting. Just as elegant is Sun Sui Wah, which is the place to go for Chinese food. Try the dim sum or choose your dinner from a live seafood tank. Another popular Chinese restaurant is Bao Bei, where modern Chinese food is served tapas-style. For sushi, Tojo’s Restaurant is pricey but has been the standard for years, with an emphasis on fresh, local ingredients. High quality food is easy to find in Vancouver, so you’re sure to eat well no matter what you like.

How to Get Around Vancouver

Howcast — Wed, 21 Aug 2013 18:20:11 +0000

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Compared to many other cities, Vancouver isn’t too difficult to drive in, but a car really isn’t necessary anyway. Many locals rely on the public transportation, which is cheap, dependable, and covers just about anywhere in the city you’d want to go. It’s easy to use, so there’s no reason you can’t rely on it too. All of the public transit operates under the TransLink system. This includes buses, the SkyTrain, and the SeaBus. The SkyTrain is a light-rail service that goes from downtown Vancouver to the suburbs. The SeaBus is a ferry system that connects the downtown to North Vancouver. The buses cover the most ground and generally have service every few minutes. Tickets are valid for an hour and a half, and allow you to transfer between methods of transport as much as you need and in any direction. You can visit the TransLink website for maps of the system and trip planning, so you won’t have to worry about getting lost. You could also take a taxi if public transportation isn’t cutting it, but it can be difficult to just hail one on the street. It’s better to call a taxi service; they usually arrive without too much of a wait. But if the weather’s nice, try biking. Vancouver has plenty of bicycle routes and places to rent them, and drivers are generally attentive to bikers in Vancouver. No matter how you prefer to get around, you won’t have any trouble in Vancouver.

Best Time to Visit Vancouver

Howcast — Wed, 21 Aug 2013 18:17:12 +0000

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Vancouver is a rainy city, especially in the winter, but overall it has some of the nicest weather in Canada. In the winter, it rarely freezes, there’s little snow, and the hotel rates are at their lowest, so it’s a great time to visit if you enjoy winter sports. But if you also want to see the city itself, winter really isn’t the best time, because there won’t be much sunlight. On the other hand, in the summer, Vancouver is one of the drier Canadian cities. It’s generally pleasant and mild, with sunshine and temperatures in the low 70s. However, summer is also peak tourist season, so hotel rooms will be at their most expensive. You’ll also need to book ahead of time, as hotels can fill up quickly. Spring and fall both offer moderate temperatures and moderate prices, making them ideal compromises–but spring is actually best. Vancouver spring can start as early as mid-February and is especially beautiful, as the flowers start to bloom again and the city comes to life. Whenever you visit, keep in mind that Vancouver weather is famously unpredictable; always pack an umbrella and make sure you have some plans for indoor activities, just in case. As long as you come prepared for sudden changes, a visit to Vancouver will go smoothly any time of year.

Top 6 Museums to Visit in Vancouver

Howcast — Wed, 21 Aug 2013 18:12:51 +0000

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Vancouver’s museums aren’t just attractions, they also offer insight into the history and culture of British Columbia. Start by learning about the city’s history in the Museum of Vancouver, which features everything from 1950s neon signs to Northwest Coast First Nation artifacts. Even better is the The Museum of Anthropology at the University of British Columbia, which has an impressive collection of artwork from around the world, but is best known for its collection of First Nations art. See the towering totem poles, or works by the celebrated Haida artist Bill Reid. More of his work can be seen at the Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art. The museum showcases jewelry, sculpture, wood carvings, and prints by Reid and other contemporary artists. Also worth a visit is the Vancouver Art Gallery, which is Western Canada’s largest art gallery. The collection contains thousands of works by Canadian artists, including major pieces by the great British Columbian artist Emily Carr. But if you want to see modern art, head to the Contemporary Art Gallery, where there’s always a new exhibition featuring artists from Canada and beyond. If you’re more interested in science than art or history, the University of British Columbia’s Beaty Biodiversity Museum might be the place for you. Here, you can see the skeleton of a blue whale, among many other specimens. Vancouver’s museums are some of Canada’s best, so be sure to make time for a few during your visit.

Top 7 Places to Visit in Vancouver

Howcast — Wed, 21 Aug 2013 18:08:45 +0000

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Vancouver is a city for people who like to be out and about, whether for relaxation, shopping, or exercise. In the summer, Kitsilano Beach is where Vancouverites go to unwind. It’s a little too cold for serious swimming, but the heated saltwater Kitsilano Pool makes up for that. For shopping, Robson Street is where you’ll find the best grouping of high end labels and chain stores, but Vancouver has a lot more variety to offer as well. Visit Granville Island for the eclectic charm and the Granville Island Public Market, where you’ll find the best in local art, crafts, and food. Vancouver is also a nature-lover’s paradise, with the North Shore offering easy access to hiking and skiing on Grouse Mountain. Or if you’re brave enough, walk across the Capilano Suspension Bridge, which hangs over two hundred feet above the Capilano River. If you’d rather stay closer to the city, get your nature fix in Stanley Park, which is minutes from the downtown and offers amazing views from the seawall and Prospect Point. Stanley Park is massive, but it’s far from the only place to see some greenery in Vancouver. Take a tour of the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Chinese Garden, the first Ming Dynasty-style garden to be built outside of China. Or explore the Nitobe Memorial Garden, which is considered one of the most authentic Japanese gardens outside of Japan. Whatever you do in Vancouver, you’re sure to leave feeling refreshed and re-energized.

Top 7 Neighborhoods to Visit in Vancouver

Howcast — Wed, 21 Aug 2013 18:06:05 +0000

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Vancouver is considered one of the world’s best cities to live in, and exploring the different neighborhoods makes it easy to see why. Start in downtown, where you’ll find the Vancouver Art Gallery and the Bill Reid museum, as well as the best high-end shopping in the city. Just east of the downtown is Gastown, the oldest part of Vancouver. Gastown was rebuilt after a devastating fire in the late 1800s, and there are still a lot of Victorian-style buildings left. Not far from Gastown is Vancouver’s Chinatown, where you’ll find great restaurants, a Chinese garden, and plenty of shopping opportunities. Then head over to the West End, one of the more popular neighborhoods in Vancouver, where you can hike through Stanley Park and take a break from the city. But if the park isn’t far enough from the city for you, visit Granville Island for a quirky small-town feel. Wander through the Granville Island Public Market for a taste of local food and art. Back in the city, sports fans will probably find themselves in the Yaletown-False Creek area, which is where Vancouver’s major sports arenas are located. It’s also one of the more upscale, fashionable areas, with lots of great shopping and restaurants. Even trendier is Kitsilano, where you’ll find the Museum of Anthropology, Kitsilano Beach, and lots of restaurants. Take your time getting acquainted with the different parts of Vancouver; you’ll be sure to love it just as much as the locals do.