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Things To Do Vancouver

Are you looking for something to do in Vancouver? You are in the right place! Through these pages we have developed a travel guide listing all the great things to do in Vancouver.

Did you know that you could go skiing, sailing and play golf all in one day? That is what makes Vancouver Canada so unique and a fun place to be. But if those ideas don't tickle your fancy then how about spending some time in Vancouver's urban Stanley Park, explore Gastown, Chinatown or Yaletown, cross the Capilano Suspension Bridge, enjoy some shopping at the eclectic Granville Island or just watch one of the most beautiful sunsets at English Bay.

Zipliners in Robson Square

Is that enough Ideas for you? No? Then jump on over to our Vancouver Travel Guide that starts below or use the side menu to go to directly what you are looking for. We explore in detail all your best Vancouver attractions, points or interest as well as where to stay in Vancouver and the best restaurants to eat at.

Vancouver Travel Guide
By Zabrina Way

If you are looking to visit a vibrant, multicultural hub of activity in Canada, Vancouver is definitely the place to go. The capital of British Columbia is actually Victoria, but Vancouver is the largest city in the province, and the third largest city in Canada.

The climate is very mild (among the mildest in the country, in fact), making it ideal for foreign tourists and those who are reluctant to brave the chilly winter temperatures found in the rest of the country. In Vancouver, the temperature rarely dips below freezing for very long, unlike much of Canada.

In part due to the climate, Vancouver’s nickname is Lotusland, but this nickname also fits Vancouver well because it has a laid-back feel and many outdoor recreation options.

Rose

In a 2007 survey measuring the quality of life in urban centres, Vancouver was rated the best Canadian city, and third-best city in the world.

Culturally, Vancouver is a diverse and fascinating city to explore. With the highest percentage of Chinese residents of any city in North America, the Chinatown in Vancouver is large and well established. Many restaurants are available if you would like to try some ethnic cuisine during your stay. There are sizable communities from other countries, too, including Japan, India and Thailand. The diversity of Vancouver will make for a unique experience.

Another interesting aspect of Vancouver is its popularity with American filmmakers. The mild climate, tax concessions, and variety of colorful districts found in Vancouver all contribute to this popularity. A number of well-known TV shows, feature films, and movies were (and continue to be) filmed in Vancouver. (Canadian filmmakers gravitate towards Toronto, however.)

Vancouver is also a major port city, one of the reasons for its diversity and its popularity with tourists. One estimate claims that a million cruise ship passengers on 300 or more sailings see Vancouver each year.

Sports-wise, Vancouver is home to two well-known provincial sports teams: the BC Lions, part of the CFL, and the Vancouver Canucks, part of the NHL.

Vancouver skyline and blossoms

One major sporting event that Vancouver was chosen to host was the 2010 Winter Olympics. The International Olympic Committee decided that Vancouver was better suited to hosting the excellent athletes from over eighty countries than Pyeongchang, South Korea, or Salzburg, Austria were. The prestige of this recognition made Vancouver an even more appealing destination to tourists than it already was.

Things to Consider when Planning your Vancouver Trip

If you don’t live in the Vancouver area, and particularly if you’re from another country, there are some more general things you should know about Canada.

Crossing the USA border

Regardless of the border crossing you choose to use, if you’re coming from the USA, there are general rules and regulations you can become acquainted with that will make your border crossing faster and easier.

The process of crossing the border generally isn’t that complicated as a rule, but avoid peak times like rush hour after workdays, holidays, or weekends whenever possible. The lineups can be quite lengthy, even for the more remote border crossings!

Ensure you have your passport (which you’ll need for reentry to the USA) and identification for everyone in the car (particularly children), and be prepared to answer the following questions:

Get your passport for travel to Canada now

--Where are you coming from?
--Where are you going?
--How long will you be in Canada?
--Are you visiting for business or personal reasons?
--Are you bringing anything that you intend to leave behind?

Be sure to answer the questions honestly! Border officials have their ways of knowing whether you’re lying or not, and can often identify you and the answers to at least some of the questions before you’ve even pulled up to the crossing gate.

Also, make sure you have proof of ownership of the vehicle you’re driving, if you’re driving across the border. For rental cars, this would be the agreement that also states that you have permission to take it across the border. If you’re borrowing a car, get written permission to take it to Canada and back from the owner.

There are strict regulations about how much of certain goods you can bring into Canada. A carton of cigarettes, fifty cigars, and 14 ounces of tobacco is the current limit for tobacco products. A bottle of liquor or wine, or a case of bottles or cans of beer, is also acceptable, as long as it is for personal consumption.

Check the regulations on both the US and Canada border security websites before leaving, as they sometimes change without warning.

Finally, be aware that firearms restrictions are very tight, and you should carefully read the regulations pertaining to importation of a firearm before you reach the border. Always be sure to declare anything that could be considered a weapon or firearm!

Keep these regulations in mind while crossing the border, and you should experience a quick, hassle-free process and be en route to Vancouver in no time.

This You Tube Video highlights some of the attractions, points of interest and a seaplane tour in Vancouver.

Multicultural Vancouver

You might be surprised at how many signs have store names and information in foreign languages as well as English. The official languages of Canada are English and French, but Chinese in particular is almost the third official language of Vancouver.

There are also sizable communities of Japanese, First Nations, Sikh, and Taiwanese people, among others.

Overall, Vancouver is an extremely multicultural city. While out and about, you will see architecture inspired by First Nations people, including totem poles, hear unfamiliar dialects, and have an adventure if you explore the ethnic areas of the city. More than half of the locals in the city speak a first language other than English.

Especially if you plan to visit Chinatown, you might have difficulty figuring out what the different stores are or finding out about the goods they sell, as some store signs have only Chinese. The employees at most restaurants and shops have at least a basic understanding of English, however, so come prepared for some small language barriers but don’t let that stop you from exploring this incredibly diverse city.

Vancouver is a destination that will appeal to almost anyone! With such a variety of activities for people of any age with any budget and interests, you simply cannot go wrong. Outdoors enthusiasts, cultural explorers, fine dining connoisseurs, and hardcore shoppers alike will all find something in Vancouver to catch and hold their interest.

The beautiful setting of Vancouver is a jumping-off point to explore the gorgeous scenery of Vancouver Island or inland BC, or to enjoy on its own.

Vancouver offers a temperate climate, a great blend of cultures, recreation options galore, fantastic food, and best of all, is friendly to tourists and locals alike.

One final warning: be prepared to fall in love with Vancouver and return time and time again.

Enjoy your visit to Lotusland!


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