Destination attractions things to do in Vancouver

Posted: 02/09/2007--25/11/2008 || Rate this Article: 3 || Views|| Sign In || Register ||Hello Guest

Vancouver is a beautiful city on the west coast of Canada. For those interested in the outdoors, there is the UBC Botanical Garden which consists of 70 acres of plants from all over the world. You also might want to visit the Nitobe Memorial Garden, which is an authentic Japanese Tea and Stroll Garden. Another excellent tourist attraction is Vancouvers only garden under glass. The Bloedel Floral Conservatory in Queen Elizabeth Park features extremely varied plant displays, free-flying tropical birds, and colorful koi fish. One garden worth checking out is the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden. Set in the middle of downtown Vancouver, it is the first authentic classical Chinese garden ever built outside of China. They offer a guided tour with complimentary tea.

If the outdoors are not your cup of tea, there are several other sights to see. For example, you may want to visit the Capilano Suspension Bridge and Park, the oldest and most famous attraction in Vancouver. Todays bridge was originally built in 1889 and is the fourth bridge at this location. It reaches 450 feet across and 230 feet above the Capilano River. The Capilano Suspension Bridge is easy to find, being only 10 miles from downtown Vancouver. The Park includes such sights as the Totem Park, which displays more than 25 authentic totem poles collected since the 1930s and life-size red cedar statues carved during the Depression. Also worth visiting is The Living Forest, which features an interactive display offering tree identification clues and fun facts about the vegetation and animals indigenous to the West Coast rain forest.

One of the most popular attractions in Vancouver is the ocean. The coast provides many activities and attractions including boat cruises. One company, Harbour Cruises and Events, offers many different packages. One is the Sunset Dinner Cruise. This includes a 2.5 hour cruise that travels past the downtown skyline, the cruise ship terminal at Canada Place, the Mountains behind the North Shore, the West Vancouver shoreline, and much more. The cruise offers live music in addition to the meal. The company also offers the only narrated tour of Vancouvers inner harbor. This scenic tour takes you up close to many of Vancouvers most famous landmarks including Stanley Park, the Lookout Tower, Lions Gate Bridge, the historic skyline, Gastown, and the beautiful North Shore Mountains.

Grouse Mountain is a must for all visitors. This mountaintop offers the best panoramic views and is named after the blue grouse which early hikers hunted while climbing the mountain. It boasts the worlds first double chair lift which was built in 1949. This replaced a two to three hour hike from the skiers bus stop at the base of the mountain. The mountain also boasts the Grouse Mountain Skyride, North Americas largest aerial tramway. Opening in 1966, the 45 passenger ride offers magnificent views of Vancouver, the Pacific Ocean, the Gulf Islands, and the gorgeous mountainside. At the top of Grouse Mountain rests The Refuges for Endangered Wildlife, a research, education, and conservation center. Currently, the five-acre mountaintop habitat is a protected area for two orphaned grizzly cubs and four gray wolves. One of the most popular adventures available at Grouse Mountain is the spectacular helicopter rides. Many different packages are offered at different prices. Sights that can be seen from the variety of rides include the crater of an extinct volcano, the peaks of Goat and Crown Mountains, the Capilano Valley, the Coastal Mountains, Stanley Park, downtown Vancouver, and more. While the packages are a bit pricey, the stunning views are worth every penny! The time of year you are visiting Grouse Mountains dictates what other activities are available. If you are visiting in the summer, you must attend the World Famous Lumberjack Show. Two world-class lumberjacks recreate the historic world of a logging camp while amazing the viewer with their skills, tricks, and showmanship. The challenges they compete in include a 60-foot tree climb, an axe-throwing competition, and log rolling. Also of interest to summer visitors is tandem paragliding. You will take flight from the top of Grouse Mountain, flying tandem with a professional paragliding pilot. After seeing gorgeous views of Grouse Mountain, Vancouver and more, you will land in Cleveland Park at the base of the mountain. Winter visitors to Grouse Mountain enjoy other activities including skiing, snowboarding, and ice skating. Complimentary sleigh rides are also offered with your Grouse Mountain Admission, pass, or lift ticket.

If you are a museum fan, you have a wide variety to choose from. First, there is the BC Sports Hall of Fame and Museum. It includes galleries from the 1860s all the way through present day, featuring British Columbia sports heroes such as Terry Fox and Rick Hansen. There is also a sports playroom where you can test your own abilities! There is also the Barnaby Village Museum, an open-air historical village. It highlights over 30 full scale buildings as well as costumed interpreters and a gift shop. Finally, dont forget the Vancouver Police Centennial Museum! Located in the historic former Coroners Court, the museum houses an extensive collection of police artifacts including counterfeit currency, the Coroners Forensic Exhibit, and rare weapons. All of the above mentioned activities and adventures are just a small portion of the many sights you can see and things you can do in Vancouver, British Columbia. Go and see the rest for yourself!