Vancouver Places of Interest
Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden
Nestled behind white walls in the center of Vancouver’s bustling Chinatown district, the serene Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden recreates the Ming Dynasty’s 15th century China in the form of a classical Chinese garden – the first of its kind outside of China. Known as the Garden of Ease, the grounds are based on the harmony of the four main elements of a classical Chinese garden: rock, water, plants and architecture. The garden features Tai Hu rocks that are thought to evoke supernatural powers, tranquil jade green ponds and bamboo and winter-flowering plum plants that represent triumphant rebirth. Many of the plants in the garden are natively Chinese, but local plants have been incorporated to reinforce the bridging of cultures in Vancouver. The Yun Wei Ting (Colorful and Cloudy Pavilion) imitates tree boughs with its spires, while the Han Bi Xie (Jade Water Pavilion) appears to float on the pond; the beautiful Hua Feng Tang (China Maple Hall) and Bai Chuan Tang (Hall of One Hundred Rivers) are available for private functions
The garden is open daily, May 1 to June 14, from 10 AM to 6 PM; daily, June 15 to August 31, from 9:30 AM to 7 PM; daily, September 1 to September 30, from 10 AM to 6 PM; and daily, October 1 to April 30, from 10 AM to 4:30 PM. Guided tours leave hourly. Admission is C$10 for adults and C$8 for students. Admission for children under 5 is free. Admission for families (two adults and up to two children under the age of 18) is C$24. Parking is available adjacent to the garden. For more information: 604-662-3207
University of British Columbia Museum of Anthropology
The University of British Columbia’s Museum of Anthropology is Canada’s largest teaching museum, housing 535,000 ethnographic and archaeological objects, many of which originate from the northwest coast of British Columbia. Its world-renowned collection includes 10 full-scale totem poles, hundreds of pieces of 15th to 19th century pottery and various indigenous plants and grasses. The museum’s Visible Storage section includes more than 13,000 objects from around the world. The museum recently announced a 50 percent, $52 million expansion project to be completed by spring 2009 that will add 48,800 square feet to the space. The museum, which sits on the cliffs of Point Grey, not only functions as a university and public institution, but is also available as a private meeting and event space.
The UBC Museum of Anthropology is open Tuesday, mid-October to mid-May, from 11 AM to 9 PM and Wednesday through Sunday from 11 AM to 5 PM. It is open daily, May to mid-October, from 10 AM to 5 PM and Tuesday from 10 AM to 9 PM. Admission is C$7 for adults and C$5 for students. Admission for children under 5 is free. Guided tours are available by reservation. Parking is available across the street from the museum. For more information: 604-822-5087
Vancouver Art Gallery
Located in a historic, turn-of-the-century building that originally functioned as a courthouse, the downtown Vancouver Art Gallery features both traditional and cutting-edge contemporary exhibits. Established in 1931, the gallery houses nearly 9,000 permanent works, including the largest collection of works by modernist landscape painter Emily Carr. The permanent collection also features a century’s worth of British Columbia art, ranging from 19th century landscapes to modern photographs. The gallery’s bookstore is known for its Canadian giftware and jewelry, and no visit is complete without stopping by the gallery’s sleek café with a lush outdoor patio area for some delicious dessert. With its four-story dome, grand foyer and twin marble staircases, the Vancouver Art Gallery is a stunning venue for private functions – and has been a popular choice for movies filmed in Vancouver.
The gallery is open daily from 10 AM to 5:30 PM, and Tuesday and Thursday until 9 PM. Admission is C$6.50 for children ages 5-12 and C$15.75 to C$19.50 for adults, depending on the season. Parking is not available on the grounds, but plenty of public parking is available near the gallery. It is also accessible by public transportation. For more information: 604-662-4719
Vancouver Lookout
It’s no secret that there are many sights to see in Vancouver. The best place to start is the Vancouver Lookout tower, which offers 360-degree views of the city, the North Shore Mountains and the Pacific. At 581 feet tall, Vancouver Lookout is Vancouver and British Columbia’s tallest building and has been in operation since 1977, when Neil Armstrong cut the ribbon to one of the city’s most popular destinations today. Located in the heart of downtown Vancouver, the building’s exterior glass-walled elevator takes guests up 50 stories in less than 50 seconds to the newly-renovated observation deck. Guests are welcome to amble around the deck or join a guided talk, which is included in the admission price. Full deck and meeting space rentals are available.
Vancouver Lookout operates daily, mid-October to late April, from 9 AM to 9 PM, and daily, May to early October, from 8:30 AM to 10:30 PM. Admission is C$6 for children ages 6-12, C$9 for youth ages 13-18 and C$13 for adults. Admission for children under 6 is free. Group rates are also available. For more information: 604-689-0421
Vancouver Maritime Museum
As Canada’s principal maritime museum, the Vancouver Maritime Museum tells the story of Canada’s connection with the sea and Pacific port. An expert in hands-on educational activities, the museum’s cornerstone exhibit is its restored Royal Canadian Mounted Police schooner St. Roch, which was built in 1928 as a supply ship for Arctic police detachments and was the first ship to travel the Northwest Passage in both directions. Other treasures include Captain George Vancouver’s journals, which tell the story of his trip along the coast of British Columbia from 1791 and 1795, as well as original ship models and various artifacts. The museum’s extensive library features thousands of monographs, records and publications detailing the maritime exploration and history of the Pacific Northwest, early Arctic and Antarctic exploration, Canadian naval history, naval architecture and navigation science. The museum’s gallery spaces, outside terrace and meeting room are available for private functions.
The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 AM to 5 PM. Admission is C$7.50 for youths ages 6-19 and C$10 for adults. Admission for children under 6 is free and C$25 per family. Plenty of parking is available on museum grounds. For more information: 604-737-2621
Vancouver Museum
Located in Vanier Park, opposite English Bay and downtown Vancouver, the Vancouver Museum is Canada’s largest civic center and home to unique exhibits detailing Vancouver’s cultural and natural history. The museum’s thousands of artifacts are featured in four collections: the Vancouver Collection, which tells the history of the Lower Mainland; the First Nations Collection, which focuses on the Aboriginal peoples of the Pacific Northwest coast; the Pacific Rim Collection, which explores China, Japan and Oceania; and the World Heritage Collection, which highlights treasures from around the globe. The museum’s bright space and unparalleled view of English Bay make it the perfect place for private functions.
The Vancouver Museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 AM to 5 PM and Thursday from 10 AM to 9 PM during the fall, winter and spring seasons. It is open Monday through Sunday from 10 AM to 5 PM and Thursday from 10 AM to 9 PM during the summer season, which runs July 1 to Labor Day. Admission is C$7 for youths ages 5-17, C$11 for adults and C$9 for students. Admission for children under 5 is free. For more information: 604-736-4431
Vancouver Entertainment
Chinatown
Chinese immigration to Vancouver dates back to the railroad construction of the 1800s. Today, Mandarin and Cantonese are the mother tongue for 30 percent of Vancouver’s homes.
Vancouver’s Chinatown is second only to the Chinatown in San Francisco
San Francisco as the largest in North America and boasts an unrivaled open-air shopping and food market along Pender and Keefer streets during the summer months. Guests often walk down the Silk Road Route, which connects downtown Vancouver and Chinatown, to pass many of the area’s attractions, including the Vancouver Chinatown Millennium Gate, Chinese Cultural Center and the West Han Dynasty Bell, a replica of a West Han Dynasty bell that was unearthed in Guangzhou, China, in 1983. Hundreds of shops featuring Chinese crafts and gifts line the district, while the Fresh Market located east of Main Street is home to traditional Chinese medicine shops and savory Chinese cuisine.
For more information: 604-682-8998
Gastown
Gastown, Vancouver’s historic district, is known for its preserved Victorian buildings and cobblestone streets. Named after John “Gassy Jack” Deighton, riverboat captain, gold prospector and saloon keeper who arrived in Vancouver in 1867, Gastown has a unique, flavorful character that permeates its eclectic shops, nightlife and more than 20 restaurants and pubs. Guests looking for unique décor and apparel should check out the 300 block of Cordova Street, an up-and-coming fashion hub for Vancouver, which features the shops and studios of young designers and stylists. Close to downtown Vancouver, Gastown is easily accessible by public transportation and has over 2,000 covered parking spaces.
For more information: 604-683-5650
Robson Street
Robson Street is synonymous with all things chic and sophisticated in Vancouver. This three-block shopping district between Burrard and Jervis streets features high-fashion boutiques, lush spas and style-savvy coffee shops. Robson Street is the place to people watch and catch sight of the not-so-occasional celebrity. European in style and tone, this unrivaled shopping area is home to 200 shops, restaurants, salons and hotels and a haven for nighttime entertainment and vendors. Guests should be prepared for crowds and plenty of high-energy excitement.
For more information: 604-669-8132
Vancouver Restaurants
Azia
Serving fine Southeast Asian cuisine ranging from fresh Japanese sushi to authentic Malaysian, Thai and Chinese fare, Azia is known for its sumptuous menu selections and amazing décor. Azia’s modern interior is graced with warm woods, extra tall ceilings, paper shade chandeliers and punches of bright yellows and reds. Menu favorites include Japanese salmon carpaccio, Mandarin smoked tea duck, coconut rice wrapped in banana leaves and Thai Som Tum spicy green papaya and mango salad. The restaurant is also an expert in specialty martinis, such as the signature Azia Martini, which blends vodka and aloe vera juice. Azia can accommodate up to 60 guests on its private mezzanine level, which overlooks the rest of the restaurant, and offers set menus for private functions.
For more information: 604-682-8622
Blue Water Café and Raw Bar
Blue Water Café and Raw Bar is one of Vancouver’s most revered seafood and fine dining restaurants. Located in a brick and beam warehouse conversion in Vancouver’s Yaletown, the restaurant’s elegant interior is marked by its simple sconces, leather chairs and pristine table settings, as well as a view into the kitchen and rawbar. Blue Water’s menu is spectacular and decadent; among its many choices are seared ahi tuna carpaccio, lobster ceviche with avocado and sweet potatoes and creamy red jalapeño sauce. The extensive sushi, sashimi and nigiri menu includes such favorites as the lobster sushi roll with mango and fresh lobster salad in an omelet crepe, or the stamina sushi roll with fresh crab, barbequed eel, smoked salmon and sweet soy glaze. Its extensive dessert menu features caramelized pumpkin custard, chocolate coffee macaroons and several artisan cheese selections. Blue Water specializes in hosting private functions and offers two private rooms in its active wine cellar. Easily combined, the two rooms can accommodate 80 sit-down guests. The semi-private terrace can accommodate 40 sit-down guests, and the dining room, with space for 170 sit-down guests, can also be reserved for private functions.
For more information: 604-688-8078
Coast Restaurant
The sleek, modern Coast Restaurant, located in Vancouver’s trendy Yaletown district, combines a variety of the freshest seafood from coasts around the world with seasonal local ingredients. The restaurant’s décor is simple and stunning; its centerpiece is the community table, where guests are treated to a chef-hosted tasting menu, available for groups of up to 14 people. All entrees are moderately priced; favorites include Jamaican jerk-spiced calamari, Alaska king crab gnocchi and British Columbia shrimp and smoked squid spring rolls. Coast also serves an international oyster selection, with oysters from the east and west Canadian coasts, Japanese coast and European coast. Fresh seafood, including Baja scallops, Alaskan sablefish and wild British Columbian salmon, is always available and always delicious. Extravagant desserts include warm chai-spiced rice pudding and orange blossom crème caramel. Coast’s dramatic 17-foot-high wine display features thousands of local and international wines. The restaurant’s private mezzanine level and outdoor patio are available for private functions.
For more information: 604-685-5010
Joe Fortes Seafood and Chop House
A favorite among locals and tourists since 1982, Joe Fortes Seafood and Chop House serves award-winning American cuisine, with more than 50 kinds of fresh fish, premium oysters and chops daily. Located near Vancouver’s fashion-forward Robson Street, Joe Fortes Seafood and Chop House features several unique dining areas perfect for groups. The main dining room is home to the restaurant’s famous oyster bar, while the mezzanine level, which can accommodate 20 to 30 guests, offers a perfect view of the dining room situated below. The semi-private wine room, dressed with mahogany walls and private wine lockers, is located near the main floor, while the airy atrium, tucked behind the main dining area, can be made private by closing its mahogany blinds. Guests can also dine in the restaurant’s casual bistro and bar area, as well as the year-round heated and covered roof garden that offers spectacular views of the city.
Joe Fortes Seafood and Chop House serves brunch on Saturday and Sunday from 11 AM to 4 PM, featuring such brunch favorites as classic eggs Benedict and French toast, as well as unique selections such as smoked steelhead and herb cream cheese terrine and seafood crepes of shrimp, scallop, salmon and halibut in herb cream. Lunch and dinner entrée favorites include halibut and chips, rosemary chicken panini and seared Canadian scallops. Dessert lovers will savor the eggnog panna cotta and German chocolate and praline cheesecake with raspberry coulis. For more information: 604-669-1940
Sanafir
Known for its exotic tapas and international small plates, Sanafir prides itself on its intense flavors and beautiful plate presentations. Sanafir features an extensive tapas menu showcasing North African, Asian, Middle Eastern, Mediterranean and Indian cuisine, complemented by an impressive wine and champagne menu. Unique and delicious tapas include Indonesian chicken satay with peanut sauce, oxtail cappelletti with white truffle cream, Dungeness crab risotto, burnt orange baklava and passion fruit vanilla crème brulee. Sanafir’s warm atmosphere is created by its neutral tones, glittering mosaics and delicate sheers separating each table. Guests can enjoy intimate dining in the main dining area or opt for the low-level tables on the mezzanine lounge. Sanafir’s semi-private mezzanine lounge and dining room can accommodate private parties and groups of up to 150 people.
For more information: 604-678-1049
Vancouver Nightlife
C9
Sightseeing and enjoying cocktails at the same time is possible at C9, the revolving restaurant located 42 stories high in Vancouver’s Empire Landmark hotel. Since 1973, C9’s 20-foot-high windows have showcased spectacular views across up to 200 miles on a clear day. C9 takes an hour and twenty minutes to make a full 360-degree revolution, giving guests plenty of time to enjoy the view and C9’s full bar and international wine selection. When the lights go down, C9’s interior glows with fiber optic lighting that resembles twinkling stars. C9 offers a full menu of signature dishes and regional specialties, including a fresh green salad with Okanagan pear vinaigrette, crumbled gorgonzola cheese and toasted pecans, fresh oysters, mussels and clams and, for the very hungry, the Landmark bouillabaisse of salmon, halibut, prawns, mussels and clams in a tomato saffron broth. Guests are treated to live piano entertainment every evening for a C$7 cover charge.
For more information: 604-687-0511
ginger sixty two
Vancouver’s posh Granville Street is home to the ultra-trendy ginger sixty two, known for its chic 60s décor and world-class mixologists. ginger sixty two’s live music and DJ entertainment is perfectly complemented by its lavish martinis and signature champagne cocktails. Guests can nibble on exotic small plates, including steamed shrimp dumplings, Swiss gruyere cheese fondue and mini lamb burgers, while indulging in some serious people-watching. The private and exclusive Red Room seats up to 30 guests on plush red couches.
For more information: 604-506-5135
Kingston Taphouse and Grill
Kingston Taphouse and Grill is a self-proclaimed “urban oasis” located in downtown Vancouver. Its exposed brick walls, stone fireplaces and display kitchen are the perfect backdrop for sampling the extensive martini and specialty cocktail list. Kingston Taphouse and Grill offers four unique levels: the Taphouse Pub, which houses several big-screen televisions; the WrecRoom billiard area, perfect for relaxed gatherings; the rooftop Lido deck, which offers stunning views of the city; and the secluded, cozy Oasis patio, a lush and relaxing gathering place and favorite among locals. The dinner menu, including fresh salads, woodplank pizzas and savory burgers and sandwiches, is served nightly until 10 PM; large party appetizers are also available. Kingston Taphouse Bar and Grill offers daily drink specials ranging from specialty tropical drinks to international tap beers; martinis are just C$7 every Thursday.
For more information: 604-681-7011
Un Wine’d
Un Wine’d, a stylish and sophisticated wine and tapas lounge, is located just one block away from Vancouver’s chic Graville Street. Even though the lounge’s interior is sultry and lavish, its atmosphere is casual and comfortable, perfect for, as the name implies, unwinding. The tapas selections, including duck confit salad, wild mushroom risotto, lobster macaroni and cheese and pancetta-wrapped prawn and ravioli, are wildly popular, as are its unparalleled drink specials. Guests enjoy two-for-one tapas and C$3.50 highballs Tuesday and C$6 specialty martinis Thursday. Wednesday at Un Wine’d is wine night, with wine sampling and hors d’oeuvres for C$10 per person, as well as C$10 off every bottle of wine. A house DJ serves up entertainment Friday and Saturday nights.
For more information: 604-682-5225
Family Activities in Vancouver
BC Sports Hall of Fame and Museum
Located in the downtown Vancouver BC Place Stadium, the location for the opening and closing games for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the BC Sports Hall of Fame and Museum is an impressive showcase of British Columbia’s world-class athletes. The museum’s 20,000-square-foot history gallery displays an array of Olympic medals, jerseys, equipment and other memorabilia dating from the 1800s to the present. Guests flock to the Participation Gallery, which features a rock-climbing wall, running track and sports simulators, including a high-tech, high-definition Racing Simulator. Operating since 1966, the BC Sports Hall of Fame and Museum is not only inspirational, but enjoyable for the whole family. Museum facilities are available for group accommodations.
The museum is open daily from 10 AM to 5 PM. Admission is C$8 for youths ages 5-17, C$10 for adults and C$25 for a family of up to four people. Metered street parking and lot parking are available. For more information: 604-687-5520
Playland Amusement Park
Guests can let loose at Vancouver’s Playland Amusement Park, home to more than 35 rides and attractions that range from tame to just plain spooky. Key attractions include Playland’s 35-foot-high climbing wall, haunted house, Electric City Arcade, 18-hole miniature golf course and Glass House Maze. The family-friendly Kids Place features pint-sized activities for younger children. Playland is available for group accommodations.
The park is open daily during the summer from 10 AM to 8 PM and during the winter from 10 AM to 3 PM. Day passes are C$17.95 for guests under 48 inches tall and C$26.96 for adults. Plenty of public parking is available on park grounds. For more information: 604-253-2311
Science World, TELUS World of Science
Families love this innovative, hands-on museum that promotes positive attitudes toward science and technology in an enjoyable environment. Science World features several galleries, including the Eureka! Gallery, which demonstrates the science of water, air, light, sound, motion and machines, and the Search Gallery, which features a climb-inside, 800-year-old Western Red Cedar. Children ages 2 to 6 can enjoy the Kidspace Gallery, while the Illusions Gallery highlights the science behind optical illusions and effects. Science World is the home of Canada’s first three-dimensional laser theater, and its OMNIMAX theater shows films on the world’s largest domed screen. Science World is available for private parties and events and can accommodate up to 1,200 people for receptions or 400 people in its theater.
Science World is open Monday through Friday from 10 AM to 5 PM and Saturday and Sunday from 10 AM to 6 PM. Admission is C$11.75 for children ages 4-12, C$13.75 for youths ages 13-18 and C$16.75 for adults. Admission for children under 4 is free and family admission is C$57. Admission for an OMNIMAX show is C$10 per person. Science World is accessible by public transit. Parking is available on-site for C$4 for two hours, C$6 for four hours and C$8 for six hours. For more information: 604-443-7478
Vancouver Aquarium
Home to more than 7,000 species of sea life, the Vancouver Aquarium, Canada’s largest aquarium, is a must-see for guests of all ages. Vancouver Aquarium highlights include up-close underwater viewing stations for resident beluga whales and Pacific white-sided dolphins, as well as a massive shark exhibit and walk-through Amazon rainforest. The aquarium’s Clownfish Cove is an interactive exhibit featuring touch pools filled with sea stars, sea cucumbers and sea urchins. The cove also offers daily kid-friendly activities, including puppet shows and crafts. The aquarium can be reserved for private groups and events and offers full-service catering.
Vancouver Aquarium is located in the downtown-accessible Stanley Park and offers plenty of public parking. The aquarium is open daily during the winter from 9:30 AM to 5 PM and during the summer from 9:30 AM to 7 PM. Admission is C$11.95 for children ages 4-12, C$14.95 for youths ages 13-18 and C$19.95 for adults. Admission for children under 3 is free. For more information: 604-659-3474
Recreation and Outdoors in Vancouver
Capilano Suspension Bridge
Capilano Suspension Bridge, originally built in 1889, is Vancouver’s oldest tourist attraction. The bridge spans 450 feet across and 230 feet high above Capilano River, located in a 27-acre park that specializes in breathtaking views and pure adventure. The park’s award-winning Treetops Adventure Excursion allows guests to walk from one Douglas fir to the next on a series of suspension bridges that are as high as 100 feet above the forest floor. Guests can also tour the seven-acre West Coast Rainforest, a temperate rainforest that houses hundreds of trees and plants, many of which are unique to Canada. Capilano Suspension Bridge’s indoor and outdoor venues are available for group accommodations.
The park is open daily from 8:30 AM to 5 or 9 PM, depending on season. Admission, which includes staff-guided eco tours and lectures, is C$8.75 for children ages 6- 12, C$16.95 for youths ages 13-16 and C$27.95 for adults. Admission for children under 5 is free. For more information: 605-985-7474
Stanley Park
Heralded as one of the world’s greatest public parks, Stanley Park is a 1,000-acre park located near downtown Vancouver. More than eight million guests visit the park each year to enjoy its natural and man-made attractions, as well as its breathtaking sea and mountain views. Its forest is full of beautiful cedar, hemlock and fir trees, accessible by miles and miles of walking and hiking trails. Stanley Park’s many gardens include its rose, perennial, community and rhododendron gardens. The five-mile-long paved Seawall Walkway takes pedestrians and bikers around the circumference of the park, skirting Vancouver’s entire inner waterfront and beaches. The park is full of art displays and statues, including a spectacular totem pole display. Stanley Park is extremely family-friendly with its Children’s Farmyard and heated outdoor pool with slide and water park. The park is within walking distance of downtown Vancouver, is accessible by public transit and has plenty of public parking.
For more information: 604-257-8400
University of British Columbia Botanical Garden and Centre for Plant Research
The University of British Columbia Garden and Centre for Plant Research, a 110-acre hidden gem perched on the tip of Point Grey, is Canada’s oldest continuously operating university botanical garden. The garden is home to 8,000 different plants and multiple themed gardens of alpine, Asian, native, food, physic, winter and Japanese plants. Guests should plan on visiting in April or May for the most impressive floral displays, or in September and October for fall foliage and harvestable food in the Food Garden. The garden’s reception center and pavilion are available for private events.
The garden is open daily from 10 AM to 4:30 PM. Entrance fees are C$6 for youths and C$8 for adults. Admission for children under 13 is free. The garden is accessible by public transit, though parking is available on campus. For more information: 604-822-5858
Vancouver Tours
A Wok Around Vancouver
A Wok Around Vancouver is a culinary and cultural walking tour of Vancouver’s bustling Chinatown area, led by culinary expert Robert Sung. The tour provides an insider’s view on the history and remarkable cuisine of Vancouver’s Chinatown, the 2nd largest Chinatown in North America. Guests begin at the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden and proceed through Chinatown’s specialty vendors and shops, including a visit to a Taoist temple. A Wok Around Vancouver runs Friday through Monday from 10 AM to 2 PM and includes a dim sum lunch for C$68 per person.
For more information: 604-736-9508
Deep Cove Canoe & Kayak
Located less than 30 minutes away from downtown Vancouver, Deep Cove Canoe & Kayak offers a variety of daily guided kayak tours during the summer and early fall. The Deep Cove Explorer and Natural History tour is a three-hour historical tour and relaxing paddle through Deep Cove, a protected area rich with marine life, including harbor seals and eagles. The five-hour Island Explorer tour, which includes lunch, is a low-intensity day of exploring the nooks and crannies of the Southern Indian Arm and Twin Islands. Deep Cove’s third tour option, the three-hour Full Moon Evening Paddle, is for those with previous kayaking experience. During the nighttime tour, guests will be treated to a discussion on how the moon affects the tides.
Deep Cover Explorer and Natural History tours run daily, April to mid-October, from noon to 3 PM and Monday, Wednesday and Friday, June to September, from 5 to 8 PM. The Island Explorer tour runs Saturday and Sunday, May to September, from 10 AM to 3 PM. The Full Moon Evening Paddle runs on select days May, June, July, August and September. Deep Cove Explorer and Natural History tour tickets are C$50 for children ages 12 and under and C$80 for teens and adults. Island Explorer Tour tickets are C$110 per person and Full Moon Evening Paddle tickets are C$55 for a single kayak and C$40 per person for a double kayak. Previous kayaking experience is required for the evening tour. For more information: 604-929-2268
Prince of Whales Whale Watching Tour
The popular Prince of Whales tour offers passengers a spectacular day-long whale-watching trip that starts with a four-hour morning whale watching tour, followed by a day in Victoria with plenty of free time, then a guided sightseeing coach to Butchart Gardens, a 55-acre floral masterpiece. The day is topped off with a return sunset cruise through the Gulf Islands National Park. Guests often see killer whales, humpback whales and grey whales, as well as sea lions, porpoises and bald eagles, aboard the Ocean Magic, a state-of-the-art vessel that reduces the amount of noise projected into the whales’ environment. Tours depart daily, May 30 to September 1, at 7:30 AM and return at 7:30 PM. Tour tickets are C$239 for children ages 5-12, C$259 for youths ages 13-17 and C$289 for adults. Transportation from downtown Vancouver hotels to the tour dock is available. Reservations are strongly recommended.
For more information: 888-383-4884
Stanley Park Horse-Drawn Tours
Guests can sit back and relax on this old-fashioned horse-drawn tour of Vancouver’s 1,000-acre Stanley Park. The hour-long trip takes guests in 20-seat trams past numerous park highlights and spectacular views, including Deadman’s Island, Lions Gate Bridge, Red Cedar Forest, S.S. Empress of Japan Figurehead and the Rose Garden. Tours leave daily, March to October, every hour beginning at 9:30 AM. The last tours depart at either 4, 5, or 5:30 PM, depending on season. Tour tickets are C$14.99 for children ages 3-12, C$26.99 for adults and C$24.99 for students. Stanley Park Horse-Drawn Tours depart from the kiosk at the Coal Harbour parking lot, which is adjacent to the Georgia Street entrance to Stanley Park. Reservations are not required.
For more information: 604-681-5115
