Vancouver is an incredibly vibrant, multicultural city experiencing strong growth in anticipation of the Winter Olympics the 2010th Considered one of the world’s most livable and beautifully situated cities, Vancouver offers a wealth of exciting experiences for the curious visitor. Here we present a few old favorites for travelers to enjoy, as well as one or two places off the beaten path for the curious adventurer.
1) Canada Place
The first stop for anyone coming to Vancouver should be to walk along the spectacular promenade of Canada Place at Waterfront Station. Constructed as the Canadian pavilion for the World Exhibition Expo 1986 and now houses the city’s Convention Center, a tour around Canada Place allows visitors to take in the beautiful harbor of Burrard Inlet, with its vista of snowy mountains, Stanley Park and the modern glass towers of Coal Harbour nearby.
Canada Place also showcases the dynamics of Vancouver economic power and position in the global market. The inlet hive of container ships bound outwards to China and parts. In the summer cruise ships from the world’s largest lines dock along the pier on the way to Alaska. Floatplanes take out the wild natural bays of the Inside Passage and helicopters departure for Vancouver Island increase the energetic scene.
It was here that the Canadian Pacific Railway completed the transcontinental railroad in 1889, gave Vancouver the nickname of ‘Terminal City’. Since then, Vancouver has changed from being “end of line”, and is now regarded as the ‘Gateway to Asia’ and the far north. It is a perfect introduction to the city of Vancouver and should not be missed by the curious traveler.
2) Spanish Banks
For a different perspective on the city ride out the beaches at Spanish banks, on the north shore of Point Grey. In the summer with the tide out, like the golden sands of the beautiful beaches that stretch out to infinity. The water is still low and warm with the tide during the warm months, but at any time of year view remains breathtaking, with tall modern condominium towers of Vancouver sparkling in the distance like shards of light in the green jade bowl of mountains addition .
Treat yourself to a visit to the Jericho Sailing Association and share a huge plate of nachos served up on the lovely terrace. From your commanding perch you can see sailing hobbyists and windsurfers at play in the water or see stately craft from the nearby Royal Vancouver Yacht Club pull up their sails. Further inland, Ultimate Frisbee players sprawl out on the green fields and tennis courts attract some of the city’s best players.
The area of the park was once a seaplane base and military camp during World War II and now a youth hostel, a local community center and theater. It is a perfect place for a picnic or just to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and well worth the visit.
3) Sushi in West End
Vancouver is world famous for its venerable China Town and the hundreds of restaurants that are contained therein. The city has been a home for Asian immigrants since the construction of the railway in the 19th century. Those who braved the journey to ‘Gold Mountain’ brought culinary traditions that have enlivened the palates of generations of Vancouverites. In addition to Chinese, Vietnamese and Korean neighborhoods Vancouver once had a thriving Japan Town along East Hastings, now sadly in decline.
These days, thousands of English students from Japan and Korea turned the area along the west Robson Street and Denman into a miniature Tokyo or Seoul. One of the best ways to sample some of the city’s delights is to visit a few of the many restaurants that offer affordable and delicious all-you-can-eat buffets of sushi and sashimi.
Shabusen restaurant on the corner of Burrard and Robson is a good place to start, with its wide selection and wonderful Korean barbecue deals on weekends, when you can cook spicy marinated chicken, beef and pork on your own personal Brazier. Another great stop is Tanpopo restaurant near the corner of Denman and Davie streets, with its wealth of fresh wild salmon, tasty gyoza dumplings, salt spinach ohitashi salad and a fantastic outdoor terrace where you can watch the world go by on the nearby English Bay.
Be prepared to leave both restaurants completely satisfied when you continue your exploration of the multicultural celebration is Vancouver.
4) Nightlife in Gastown
For a night out in the city of Vancouver has a lot to offer the adventurous. The Granville Street strip is where revelers head to dance and drink the night away under the flashing neon signs on heritage Orpheum and Vogue theaters at such busy nightclubs that Republic, Tonic and Ginger 68, just to name a few.
Gastown along Water Street is where the first European settlement was made back in the old lumber camp days and locale as one of Vancouver first saloons opened by the legendary ‘Gassy Jack Deighton in the late 1800′s. On the cobbled streets you can find some excellent ponds, which continues the tradition set by Vancouver’s pioneers.
Close to the original site of ‘Gassy Jack Deighton own Hotel is a charming Irish Heather Bistro, home of the best pints of Guinness in town. In the rear, built in the warm walls of the old city jail is a cozy glassed-in patio that hosts live Irish and Scottish music most nights. The “Heather” boasts a progressive menu combines old pub standards with modern flair.
For a more raucous scene sample Blarney Stone pub across the street. A true Irish dance hall packed with college students on weekends, Blarney Stone known throughout the city as a wild and noisy place to make new friends and have a good time. There is free foosball tables on the upper level and be ready to hoot and holler along with Fiddles and drums all night long.
These are just a few of Vancouver’s many active hotspots. Recommendations for venues, concerts and films can be found in the entertainment section of the free weekly cultural paper ‘The Georgia Straight “, found throughout downtown. Select one, and you will not fail to find something for everyone.
5) Sports in the City
Vancouver boasts several professional sports franchises and a history of excellence. In 1915, the Vancouver Millionaires hoisted the famous Stanley Cup on the ice at the old Denman Arena, the first indoor artificial ice hockey rink in North America.
Since then, the city’s teams include the locally beloved Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League and the defunct Vancouver Grizzlies in the NBA. The 1994 and 2000 Grey Cup champion British Columbia Lions of the Canadian Football League play at BC Place Stadium, site of the opening and closing ceremonies of the Winter Olympics the 2010th
During the year, there is always a game on a place for fans of every sport and every budget.
Some of the best fun can be had with Vancouver’s minor league teams. The Oakland Athletics affiliate Vancouver Canadians of the single ‘A’ NorthWest Baseball league play in a jewel of a ballpark at Nat Bailey Stadium near Queen Elizabeth Park. It’s a fun afternoon of baseball in a lovely pastoral setting for both young and old, who will often end with music and fireworks, or a visit by the mayor.
If Canucks tickets are too expensive or difficult to find a good alternative in winter, Vancouver Giants in the Western Hockey League. This young team played at the historic Pacific Coliseum because of the PNE fairgound and come out a championship 2006-season.
Vancouver is also witnessing a resurgence of interest in football, especially with the Risen Vancouver Whitecaps. The team was champion of the North American Soccer League in 1979 during the height of ‘soccernania’ in Canada and the U.S., winning the Soccer Bowl in New York City that same year. They currently play at Swangard Stadium close to a Skytrain station in Burnaby, and in the case of a new downtown stadium in anticipation of Vancouver hosting the 2007 U-20 World Cup.
Stanley Park is named after the Governor-General of Canada who donated the Stanley Cup to hockey and the city is waiting for its next championship, and the eyes of the world in 2010 for the Olympics. With so much to do and see, is a visit to Vancouver more interesting than ever. It is a chance to share the excitement and enjoy the hospitality of this ‘City of Tomorrow’.