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