Five Great Things to Do In Vancouver

Vancouver is an incredibly vibrant, multicultural cityperfectly satisfied as you continue your exploration
experiencing tremendous growth in anticipation of theof the multicultural feast that is Vancouver.4) Nightlife
2010 Winter Olympics. Considered one of the world'sin GastownFor a night on the town Vancouver has a
most livable and beautifully-situated cities, Vancouverlot to offer the adventurous. The Granville Street
offers a wealth of interesting experiences for thestrip is where revelers head to dance and drink the
curious visitor. Here we present a few old favoritesnight away under the flashing neon signs of the
for travelers to enjoy, as well as one or two placesheritage Orpheum and Vogue theaters at such
off the beaten path for the curious adventurer.1)bustling nightclubs as Republic, Tonic, and Ginger 68,
Canada PlaceThe first stop for anyone coming toto name but a few.Gastown along Water Street is
Vancouver should be to walk along the spectacularwhere the first European settlement was created
promenade of Canada Place at Waterfront Station.back in the old lumber camp days and the locale saw
Constructed as the Canadian pavilion for the Worldone of Vancouver's first saloons opened up by
Expo 1986 and now housing the city's Conventionlegendary 'Gassy' Jack Deighton in the late 1800's. On
Center, a stroll around Canada Place allows the visitorthe cobbled streets one may find some excellent
to take in the beautiful harbor of Burrard Inlet, withwatering holes that continue the tradition set by
its vista of snow-capped mountains, Stanley Park,Vancouver's pioneers.Close to the original site of
and the modern glass towers of Coal Harbour'Gassy' Jack's own Deighton Hotel is the charming
nearby.Canada Place also showcases the dynamismIrish Heather Bistro, home of the best pints of
of Vancouver's economic might and place in theGuinness in the city. In the rear, built into the snug
global market. The inlet seethes with container shipswalls of the old city jail, is a cozy glassed-in patio that
bound outward to China and parts beyond. In thehosts live Irish and Scottish music most nights. The
summertime cruise ships from the world's major lines'Heather' boasts a progressive menu which combines
dock along the pier en route to Alaska. Floatplanesold pub standards together with modern flair.For a
taking off for the wild natural coves of the Insidemore raucous scene try the Blarney Stone pub
Passage and helicopters departing for Vancouveracross the street. A genuine Irish dance hall crammed
Island augment the energetic scene.It was here thatwith University Students on the weekends, the
the Canadian Pacific Railway completed theBlarney Stone is known throughout town as a wild
transcontinental railway in 1889, bestowing onand rowdy place to make new friends and have a
Vancouver the nickname of 'Terminal City'. Since thengood time. There's free foosball tables on the upper
Vancouver has changed from being the 'end of thelevel and be prepared to hoot and holler along with
line' and is now considered the 'Gateway to Asia' andthe fiddles and drums all night long.These are just a
the Far North. It's a perfect introduction to the cityfew of Vancouver's many active hotspots.
of Vancouver and shouldn't be missed by the curiousRecommendations for music venues, concerts and
traveller.2) Spanish BanksFor another perspective onmovies can be found in the entertainment section of
the city ride out the beaches at Spanish Banks, onthe free weekly cultural paper 'The Georgia Straight',
the north shore of Point Grey. In summer with thefound everywhere downtown. Pick one up and you
tide out, the golden sands of the lovely beacheswon't fail to find something for every taste.5) Sports
seem to stretch out to infinity. The water remainsin the CityVancouver boasts several professional
shallow and warm with the tide in during the hotsports franchises and a history of excellence. In 1915
months, but at any time of year the view remainsthe Vancouver Millionaires hoisted up the renowned
breathtaking, with the tall modern condominiumStanley Cup on the ice at the old Denman Arena, the
towers of Vancouver sparkling in the distance likefirst indoor artificial-ice hockey rink in North
shards of light within the green jade bowl of theAmerica.Since then the city's teams include the
mountains beyond.Treat yourself to a visit at thelocally-beloved Vancouver Canucks of the National
Jericho Sailing Association and share an enormousHockey League and defunct Vancouver Grizzlies of
platter of nachos served up on the delightful terrace.the NBA. The 1994 and 2000 Grey Cup Champion
From your commanding perch you can watch boatingBritish Columbia Lions of the Canadian Football League
hobbyists and windsurfers at play on the water orplay at BC Place Stadium, site of the opening and
see stately craft from the nearby Royal Vancouverclosing ceremonies of the 2010 Winter
Yacht Club pull up their sails. Further inland, UltimateOlympics.Throughout the year there is always a
Frisbee players sprawl out on the green fields andgame on somewhere for fans of every sport and
tennis courts attract some of the city's bestevery budget.Some of the best fun can be had with
players.The area of the park was once a seaplaneVancouver's minor league teams. The Oakland
base and military camp during the Second World WarAthletics affiliate Vancouver Canadians of the Single
and now contains a youth hostel, with a local'A' NorthWest Baseball league play in a jewel of a
community centre and theatre. It's a perfect spot forballpark at Nat Bailey Stadium near Queen Elizabeth
a picnic or just to escape the hustle and bustle ofPark. It's a fun afternoon of baseball in a lovely
the city and well worth the visit.3) Sushi in the Westpastoral setting for young and old alike that will often
EndVancouver is world-famous for its venerableend with music and fireworks, or a visit by the
Chinatown and the hundreds of restaurants containedmayor.
therein. The city has been a home for AsianIf Canucks tickets are too expensive or difficult to
immigrants since the construction of the railway infind a great alternative in the winter are the
the 19th century. Those who braved the voyage toVancouver Giants of the Western Hockey League.
the 'Gold Mountain' brought with them culinaryThis young team plays at the historic Pacific Coliseum
traditions that have enlivened the palates ofon the grounds of the P.N.E. fairgound and come off
generations of Vancouverites. In addition to Chinese,a championship 2006 season.Vancouver is also seeing
Vietnamese, and Korean neighborhoods Vancouvera resurgence of interest in soccer, notably with the
once had a thriving Japantown along East Hastings,resurrected Vancouver Whitecaps. The team was
now sadly in decline.These days, thousands of Englishchampion of the North America Soccer League in
language students from Japan and Korea have turned1979 during the height of 'soccernania' in Canada and
the area along west Robson Street and Denman intothe United States, winning the Soccer Bowl in New
a miniature Tokyo or Seoul. One of the best ways toYork City that year. They currently play at Swangard
sample some of the city's delights is to visit a few ofStadium close to a Skytrain station in Burnaby and
the many restaurants offering affordable andthere is talk of a new downtown stadium in
delicious all-you-can-eat buffets of sushi andanticipation of Vancouver hosting the 2007 U-20
sashimi.Shabusen restaurant at the corner of BurrardWorld Cup.Stanley Park is named after the
and Robson is a great place to start, with its wideGovernor-General of Canada who donated the
selection and wonderful Korean barbecue specials onStanley Cup to hockey and the city waits for its
the weekends, when you can cook spicy marinatednext championship and the eyes of the world in 2010
chicken, beef and pork at your own personal brazier.for the Olympics. With so much to do and see, a visit
Another great stop is Tanpopo restaurant near theto Vancouver is more interesting than ever. It's a
corner of Denman and Davie streets, with its wealthchance to share the excitement and enjoy the
of fresh wild salmon, tasty gyoza dumplings, saltyhospitality of this 'City of Tomorrow'.The Victorian
spinach ohitashi salad and a marvelous outdoor patioHotel offers great downtown accommodation and
where you can watch to world go by at nearbydetailed maps and guides for Vancouver dining,
English Bay.Be prepared to leave both restaurantsshopping, arts, sightseeing and going out guide.