Vancouver vacation/anniversary recommendations

[John]

Long time no speak LT brethren. Been an interesting past few weeks, but I'm back for a bit.

Taking the wife on an extended surprise anniversary weekend to Vancouver since neither of us have been there before. Flying in late 7/16 until the morning of 7/20 and staying downtown, so I'm looking for recommendations in and out of the city to entertain her. Look forward to hearing your thoughts. Thanks!

[Randy Chase]

No advice about Vancouver, but consider a side trip to Victoria on the Island.

[Monsi]

its a bit of a trip but the drive to whistler(and whistler itself) is pretty awesome

[Randy Chase]

So the first two bits of advice involve leaving where you are.

[John]

Don't want to spend the entire time on the road - but would happy to make day trips to Victoria or the Whistler region if feasible. How far is each (via ferry to Victoria and car to the Whistler region)?

[thetoast]

From Vancouver, it's roughly two hours to Whistler. There was construction on that road last year, though I don't know what's the status now.

About the ferry, it's maybe 30 minutes drive to the ferry, then (I'll guess) another hour or so on the boat.

For things around Vancouver, it depends what you're in to... There are several beaches which are a nice place to spend a few hours, and even the clothing-optional Wreck Beach, out by the university. Wreck Beach is an absolutely fantastic spot to watch the sunset (see Picasa Web Albums - Michael - sunset on beach for pics). From the road, it takes a few minutes hike down a somewhat steep forest path to get to the beach. There are the occasional odd people, but pretty much everyone is fine.

For dining, I'd recommend checking out the ratings on Restaurants and Reviews for Metro Vancouver, Whistler and Victoria . Pretty much all cuisines are covered.

edit: I'm living in Vancouver, but I don't really get around a whole lot. If there is a sort of thing that interests you, I'm happy to see what I can find.

[cd4age]

Depends what ur after and what ur interests are. If your into outdoors stuff u there's lots of great hikes around even the Chief if ur heading to WHistler. During the summer there's Mtn biking in whistler but even to spend the day there is great, as someone mentioned it's about 2hrs from DT Vancouver, there's even a bus that can take u up there but the road is great 2 drive. Most of the construction is done so the roads r nice and smooth and the drive is scenic. I'm not sure when the symphony of fire fireworks display is this yr but u might be able to catch it while ur here. There are usually 4 countries that have a fireworks display here in the summer on Wed and Sat and that's a large attraction just be warned it will be packed @ the beaches for that.

If ur more into tourist stuff u can head to Capilano suspension bridge in North Vancouver, Stanley park, and Granville island. As someone mentioned above u can take a ferry ride over to Victoria or any of the Gulf islands. Some of the smaller islands are really beautiful but there isn't much else on there.

For shopping there's alot of malls but since ur downtown u might aswell walk Robson street and Pacific center mall since they are both downtown.

Let me know what ur hoping to do what ur out there and maybe I can make some more suggestions.

[Viggen]

Depending on how much time you have.... spend a few nights in Whistler (that where I did my first honeymoon, not sure where to go the next time) & it's a awesome place.

Vancouver Island is also really cool..... again depending on the time you have spending a few days over there is awesome. My favorite town is Tofino, the surfing capital of Canada!

[Randy Chase]

The Ferry ride to Vancouver Island is cool in itself. On the island you can visit Bouchard Gardens, Craigdorach (sp?) Castle, tea at the Empress hotel. Victoria is a very cool and British city with good restaurants and ambience. Best to spend a couple days here. The gardens will take most of one day to do well.

[TRMiller]

I'm also headed up to Vancouver area, in October. Have relatives to visit on the island and then the mainland. It's $45 each way on the ferry for a vehicle (so RT $$ = a couple days of car rental!)
so I'm toying with the idea of flying in to Victoria, renting a car on the Island, turning in the car, getting to the ferry (somehow?), renting a car on the mainland side (where?), and later flying out of Vancouver. Hmmmmmmmmmm. It already sounds like too much work and inconvenience just to save $90. Anybody make this work?

Vancouver Island, especially up north, has a swell woodsy feel to it. Many cool B&B, cabins, lodges, etc. Sea kayaking on the protected inside passage is pretty cool. BC visitor's bureau will happily send you ideas.

be safe

[Sideoiler]

Consider flying over to Victoria from Van. if time is tight. I think the ferry is 2 hrs and the plane is 15 min. Tofino is high on my list, the drive through the forest to get there is worth it on it's own. I haven't spent much time in Vancouver proper, always gone to the island.

[Sideoiler]

Originally Posted by TRMiller

I'm also headed up to Vancouver area, in October. Have relatives to visit on the island and then the mainland. It's $45 each way on the ferry for a vehicle (so RT $$ = a couple days of car rental!)
so I'm toying with the idea of flying in to Victoria, renting a car on the Island, turning in the car, getting to the ferry (somehow?), renting a car on the mainland side (where?), and later flying out of Vancouver. Hmmmmmmmmmm. It already sounds like too much work and inconvenience just to save $90. Anybody make this work?

Vancouver Island, especially up north, has a swell woodsy feel to it. Many cool B&B, cabins, lodges, etc. Sea kayaking on the protected inside passage is pretty cool. BC visitor's bureau will happily send you ideas.

be safe

The ferry takes foot traffic, and there's transit/shuttles/cabs at both ends. Lots of help onboard too.

I'm working on a real estate deal in Campbell River. If it works out, that will be home for me.

[thetoast]

the fireworks are happening, but it starts on july 22...

HSBC Celebration of Light

Originally Posted by cd4age

Depends what ur after and what ur interests are. If your into outdoors stuff u there's lots of great hikes around even the Chief if ur heading to WHistler. During the summer there's Mtn biking in whistler but even to spend the day there is great, as someone mentioned it's about 2hrs from DT Vancouver, there's even a bus that can take u up there but the road is great 2 drive. Most of the construction is done so the roads r nice and smooth and the drive is scenic. I'm not sure when the symphony of fire fireworks display is this yr but u might be able to catch it while ur here. There are usually 4 countries that have a fireworks display here in the summer on Wed and Sat and that's a large attraction just be warned it will be packed @ the beaches for that.

If ur more into tourist stuff u can head to Capilano suspension bridge in North Vancouver, Stanley park, and Granville island. As someone mentioned above u can take a ferry ride over to Victoria or any of the Gulf islands. Some of the smaller islands are really beautiful but there isn't much else on there.

For shopping there's alot of malls but since ur downtown u might aswell walk Robson street and Pacific center mall since they are both downtown.

Let me know what ur hoping to do what ur out there and maybe I can make some more suggestions.

[John]

Thanks for all your suggestions - looks like we'll have enough to keep us busy and will problem just resign outselves to a day-trip to Victoria on Friday or Saturday, and a hike on Sunday somewhere...

[Randy Chase]

It is very hard to do Victoria in a day... but if I did... I would try to spend 4-5 hours at Buschart Gardens, tea at the Empress hotel in the afternoon and drive around a bit.