Bordered by jaw-dropping scenery of the North Shore Mountain Range and the Pacific Ocean, Vancouver is often ranked as “one of the world’s most liveable cities,” and has one of the smallest carbon footprints of any major city in North America. Its rugged good looks are balanced by a cosmopolitan attitude; the city boasts high-fashion boutiques, a thriving arts scene and a fondness for the pleasures of the table (or the picnic blanket). Whether you’re traveling on business or for pleasure, this city has every budget covered.
Although Vancouver Airport has an impressive range of services for the busy traveler, from banks and shops to dentists, movies and spas, make the most of your trip by making a quick exit. If you don’t have Canadian dollars to hand, drop by one of the airport ATMs before you leave. (1 Canadian dollar is approximately 0.98 U.S. cents at the June 2010 exchange rate)
Getting to and from the airport
The SkyTrain Canada Line, Vancouver’s new rapid-transit rail link, offers an easy 26-minute ride from the airport terminal to downtown Vancouver. Fares cost $2.50 for zone one destinations, $3.75 for zone two and $5.00 for zone three. To avoid an additional $5 Canada Line YVR AddFare, use prepaid fares, DayPasses, FareCards and FaresSaver tickets – ask at an information desk for more information.
Alternatively, a taxi from outside the airport terminal to the city center will cost you around $30, but you will have to queue.
Getting around Vancouver
Once in downtown Vancouver, much of the city can easily be explored on foot or by bike – a car is really not necessary. Note: It is illegal – and dangerous – to walk across a street anywhere but at an intersection.
Granville Public transportation in Vancouver is extensive and convenient, with the fare system covering the bus, SeaBus (ferry) and SkyTrain networks. Buying a single fare lets you travel for up to 90 minutes across the Lower Mainland.
Where to eat?
Once you’ve worked up an appetite you’ll find that Vancouver has a plethora of small restaurants and cafés offering satisfying and reasonably priced food. Here are some of our top picks:
Granville Island Market is a great place to visit and to eat on the run and on the cheap. The international food court has an excellent selection of food including Chinese, Indian, Mexican, Japanese, soup and sandwiches, sausages and hot dogs.
Go Fish is a walk up outdoor cafe at Fisherman’s Warf with excellent lunches, early dinners and long lines. Tip: Take along the phone number and call to place your order when you arrive. By the time you get to the front of the line, your food will be ready.
Terra Breads Bakery and Café, on 4th Avenue, makes the best bread in Vancouver. Fill up on delicious sandwiches and soups, but leave room for dessert.
If you fancy fine-dining without having to pay the big bucks, then head to Bistro 101 – a little gem of a place run by The Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts, located near Granville Market. Here you can glimpse the world’s future great chefs in training. A three-course dinner meal will cost between $24 and $30.
What to do?
Burn off your lunch with a stroll or bicycle ride through one of Vancouver’s many parks, the most famous of which is Stanley Park. Amidst its more than 1,000 acres of woodlands, trails and gardens, you’ll find one of North America’s biggest and best public aquariums, which costs about $20 to enter.
Because Vancouver is a gateway to Asia, you might want to roam the crowded sidewalks of Chinatown and stroll through the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden. Or Visit the neighboring Gastown with its restored Victorian-era buildings, cobblestone lanes and the world’s first steam-powered clock.
Look up Vancouver’s Museum of Anthropology, which has one of the most extensive collections of anthropological items and artifacts in the world. As you enter its massive carved-wood doors, make your way to the Great Hall where the tall glass walls overlook the cliffs of Point Grey. Entrance fees are $14 for adults or a $7 flat rate applies on Tuesdays between 5 and 9 p.m.
Before you leave Vancouver, make the trip across the Burrard Inlet to the North Shore and one of the city’s most popular attractions, the Capilano Suspension Bridge. You can drive over the Lions Gate Bridge or scoot across the harbor via SeaBus to Lonsdale Quay and pick up a taxi or bus from there.
Shopping:
The easiest approach to shopping in Vancouver is on a neighborhood-by-neighborhood basis. Most shopping areas are within easy walking distance of the downtown core. If you’re looking for authentic Native American crafts, your best bet is Gastown, east of Canada Place along Water Street. The Punjabi Market (at 49th and Main streets) and Chinatown (southeast of Gastown) make for interesting shopping with an ethnic flair. The South Granville neighborhood features art, housewares, stylish gifts and upscale antiques. You can find funkier antiques on Main Street between 16th and 25th avenues, which locals refer to as Antique Row.
If you’re looking for a megamall experience then head for Canada’s largest mall, the Metropolis, which has more than 450 shops, restaurants, a cinema complex and a hotel.