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