| Vancouver is an incredibly vibrant, | | | | restaurants perfectly satisfied as you |
| multicultural city experiencing | | | | continue your exploration of the |
| tremendous growth in anticipation of the | | | | multicultural feast that is Vancouver.4) |
| 2010 Winter Olympics. Considered one of | | | | Nightlife in GastownFor a night on the |
| the world's most livable and | | | | town Vancouver has a lot to offer the |
| beautifully-situated cities, Vancouver | | | | adventurous. The Granville Street strip |
| offers a wealth of interesting | | | | is where revelers head to dance and |
| experiences for the curious visitor. | | | | drink the night away under the flashing |
| Here we present a few old favorites for | | | | neon signs of the heritage Orpheum and |
| travelers to enjoy, as well as one or | | | | Vogue theaters at such bustling |
| two places off the beaten path for the | | | | nightclubs as Republic, Tonic, and |
| curious adventurer.1) Canada PlaceThe | | | | Ginger 68, to name but a few.Gastown |
| first stop for anyone coming to | | | | along Water Street is where the first |
| Vancouver should be to walk along the | | | | European settlement was created back in |
| spectacular promenade of Canada Place at | | | | the old lumber camp days and the locale |
| Waterfront Station. Constructed as the | | | | saw one of Vancouver's first saloons |
| Canadian pavilion for the World Expo | | | | opened up by legendary 'Gassy' Jack |
| 1986 and now housing the city's | | | | Deighton in the late 1800's. On the |
| Convention Center, a stroll around | | | | cobbled streets one may find some |
| Canada Place allows the visitor to take | | | | excellent watering holes that continue |
| in the beautiful harbor of Burrard | | | | the tradition set by Vancouver's |
| Inlet, with its vista of snow-capped | | | | pioneers.Close to the original site of |
| mountains, Stanley Park, and the modern | | | | 'Gassy' Jack's own Deighton Hotel is the |
| glass towers of Coal Harbour | | | | charming Irish Heather Bistro, home of |
| nearby.Canada Place also showcases the | | | | the best pints of Guinness in the city. |
| dynamism of Vancouver's economic might | | | | In the rear, built into the snug walls |
| and place in the global market. The | | | | of the old city jail, is a cozy |
| inlet seethes with container ships bound | | | | glassed-in patio that hosts live Irish |
| outward to China and parts beyond. In | | | | and Scottish music most nights. The |
| the summertime cruise ships from the | | | | 'Heather' boasts a progressive menu |
| world's major lines dock along the pier | | | | which combines old pub standards |
| en route to Alaska. Floatplanes taking | | | | together with modern flair.For a more |
| off for the wild natural coves of the | | | | raucous scene try the Blarney Stone pub |
| Inside Passage and helicopters departing | | | | across the street. A genuine Irish dance |
| for Vancouver Island augment the | | | | hall crammed with University Students on |
| energetic scene.It was here that the | | | | the weekends, the Blarney Stone is known |
| Canadian Pacific Railway completed the | | | | throughout town as a wild and rowdy |
| transcontinental railway in 1889, | | | | place to make new friends and have a |
| bestowing on Vancouver the nickname of | | | | good time. There's free foosball tables |
| 'Terminal City'. Since then Vancouver | | | | on the upper level and be prepared to |
| has changed from being the 'end of the | | | | hoot and holler along with the fiddles |
| line' and is now considered the 'Gateway | | | | and drums all night long.These are just |
| to Asia' and the Far North. It's a | | | | a few of Vancouver's many active |
| perfect introduction to the city of | | | | hotspots. Recommendations for music |
| Vancouver and shouldn't be missed by the | | | | venues, concerts and movies can be found |
| curious traveller.2) Spanish BanksFor | | | | in the entertainment section of the free |
| another perspective on the city ride out | | | | weekly cultural paper 'The Georgia |
| the beaches at Spanish Banks, on the | | | | Straight', found everywhere downtown. |
| north shore of Point Grey. In summer | | | | Pick one up and you won't fail to find |
| with the tide out, the golden sands of | | | | something for every taste.5) Sports in |
| the lovely beaches seem to stretch out | | | | the CityVancouver boasts several |
| to infinity. The water remains shallow | | | | professional sports franchises and a |
| and warm with the tide in during the hot | | | | history of excellence. In 1915 the |
| months, but at any time of year the view | | | | Vancouver Millionaires hoisted up the |
| remains breathtaking, with the tall | | | | renowned Stanley Cup on the ice at the |
| modern condominium towers of Vancouver | | | | old Denman Arena, the first indoor |
| sparkling in the distance like shards of | | | | artificial-ice hockey rink in North |
| light within the green jade bowl of the | | | | America.Since then the city's teams |
| mountains beyond.Treat yourself to a | | | | include the locally-beloved Vancouver |
| visit at the Jericho Sailing Association | | | | Canucks of the National Hockey League |
| and share an enormous platter of nachos | | | | and defunct Vancouver Grizzlies of the |
| served up on the delightful terrace. | | | | NBA. The 1994 and 2000 Grey Cup Champion |
| From your commanding perch you can watch | | | | British Columbia Lions of the Canadian |
| boating hobbyists and windsurfers at | | | | Football League play at BC Place |
| play on the water or see stately craft | | | | Stadium, site of the opening and closing |
| from the nearby Royal Vancouver Yacht | | | | ceremonies of the 2010 Winter |
| Club pull up their sails. Further | | | | Olympics.Throughout the year there is |
| inland, Ultimate Frisbee players sprawl | | | | always a game on somewhere for fans of |
| out on the green fields and tennis | | | | every sport and every budget.Some of the |
| courts attract some of the city's best | | | | best fun can be had with Vancouver's |
| players.The area of the park was once a | | | | minor league teams. The Oakland |
| seaplane base and military camp during | | | | Athletics affiliate Vancouver Canadians |
| the Second World War and now contains a | | | | of the Single 'A' NorthWest Baseball |
| youth hostel, with a local community | | | | league play in a jewel of a ballpark at |
| centre and theatre. It's a perfect spot | | | | Nat Bailey Stadium near Queen Elizabeth |
| for a picnic or just to escape the | | | | Park. It's a fun afternoon of baseball |
| hustle and bustle of the city and well | | | | in a lovely pastoral setting for young |
| worth the visit.3) Sushi in the West | | | | and old alike that will often end with |
| EndVancouver is world-famous for its | | | | music and fireworks, or a visit by the |
| venerable Chinatown and the hundreds of | | | | mayor. |
| restaurants contained therein. The city | | | | If Canucks tickets are too expensive or |
| has been a home for Asian immigrants | | | | difficult to find a great alternative in |
| since the construction of the railway in | | | | the winter are the Vancouver Giants of |
| the 19th century. Those who braved the | | | | the Western Hockey League. This young |
| voyage to the 'Gold Mountain' brought | | | | team plays at the historic Pacific |
| with them culinary traditions that have | | | | Coliseum on the grounds of the P.N.E. |
| enlivened the palates of generations of | | | | fairgound and come off a championship |
| Vancouverites. In addition to Chinese, | | | | 2006 season.Vancouver is also seeing a |
| Vietnamese, and Korean neighborhoods | | | | resurgence of interest in soccer, |
| Vancouver once had a thriving Japantown | | | | notably with the resurrected Vancouver |
| along East Hastings, now sadly in | | | | Whitecaps. The team was champion of the |
| decline.These days, thousands of English | | | | North America Soccer League in 1979 |
| language students from Japan and Korea | | | | during the height of 'soccernania' in |
| have turned the area along west Robson | | | | Canada and the United States, winning |
| Street and Denman into a miniature Tokyo | | | | the Soccer Bowl in New York City that |
| or Seoul. One of the best ways to sample | | | | year. They currently play at Swangard |
| some of the city's delights is to visit | | | | Stadium close to a Skytrain station in |
| a few of the many restaurants offering | | | | Burnaby and there is talk of a new |
| affordable and delicious all-you-can-eat | | | | downtown stadium in anticipation of |
| buffets of sushi and sashimi.Shabusen | | | | Vancouver hosting the 2007 U-20 World |
| restaurant at the corner of Burrard and | | | | Cup.Stanley Park is named after the |
| Robson is a great place to start, with | | | | Governor-General of Canada who donated |
| its wide selection and wonderful Korean | | | | the Stanley Cup to hockey and the city |
| barbecue specials on the weekends, when | | | | waits for its next championship and the |
| you can cook spicy marinated chicken, | | | | eyes of the world in 2010 for the |
| beef and pork at your own personal | | | | Olympics. With so much to do and see, a |
| brazier. Another great stop is Tanpopo | | | | visit to Vancouver is more interesting |
| restaurant near the corner of Denman and | | | | than ever. It's a chance to share the |
| Davie streets, with its wealth of fresh | | | | excitement and enjoy the hospitality of |
| wild salmon, tasty gyoza dumplings, | | | | this 'City of Tomorrow'.The Victorian |
| salty spinach ohitashi salad and a | | | | Hotel offers great downtown |
| marvelous outdoor patio where you can | | | | accommodation and detailed maps and |
| watch to world go by at nearby English | | | | guides for Vancouver dining, shopping, |
| Bay.Be prepared to leave both | | | | arts, sightseeing and going out guide. |