Top 10 Summer Activities in Vancouver
June 25th, 2009 | 
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Capilano Suspension Bridge
Guests will be pleased to know that the Capilano Suspension Bridge is only a short drive from downtown Vancouver. Just as the name implies, the Capilano Suspension Bridge is a long suspended bridge that crosses a deep gorge. In addition to crossing the Lower Mainland’s largest suspension bridge, visitors will also be treated to the largest private totem pole collection in the world. Although there is an entrance fee associated with this activity, there are eager guides available [included in entrance fee] to show you the facilities.
Vancouver’s Gardens
Queen Elizabeth Park, Vandusen Garden, and Dr. Sun Yat-Sen’s Classical Chinese Garden are amoungst the most spectacular displays of horticulture in all of the Greater Vancouver Area.
Vandusen Botanical Garden is the largest of the bunch with over 255,000 plants from all ends of the earth. Dr. Sun Yat Sen’s Classical Garden may not be the biggest, but it is the most convenient as it’s located directly beside Vancouver’s Chinatown. Note: both Vandusen Botanical Garden and Dr. Sun Yat-Sen’s Classical Chinese Garden have entrance fees.
Unlike the previous two, Queen Elizabeth Park is free and is consequently the second most visited park in Vancouver. Aside from its beautiful display of plant life, the park also features a pitch-n-putt golf course and conservatory for tropical animals.
Vancouver’s Nightlife
Convenience, location, and atmosphere are the three components which make Vancouver’s Granville Street a downtown hub for late night partygoers. Cool sea breezes and sounds make downtown’s waterfront area a great place for couples looking for a calmer, more romantic setting.
Vancouver’s Beaches
Vancouver’s Kitsilano Beach and English Bay are the most popular beaches to soak in the rays. Public amenities like outdoor & indoor showers and change rooms are available at both beaches. Restaurants and snack bars are also close by. Tourists wanting to get away from the crowds while still being on the beach should consider heading down the Seawall into Stanley Park where there are smaller sized beaches with less people. Please note, the smaller beaches at Stanley Park do not have active lifeguards or many public amenities.
Seawall
Roller-blading or biking around Vancouver’s seawall is a great way to catch a glimpse of some of the city’s faces. Biking around the seawall typically takes 3-6 hours for the average rider and there are restaurants/stores all along the way ensuring you’re never too far from a refreshment.
Vancouver’s Markets
Granville Island and Chinatown are two great Vancouver markets tourists must visit.
Granville Island specializes in fresh local produce, fresh local fish, and imported cheese and spices. Granville Island is known as one of the best places in Vancouver to buy fresh produce.
Chinatown on the other hand is extremely influenced by Asian-Canadian culture and located a short walking distance from the downtown core. Tourists are able to purchase traditional Chinese medicines, modern Chinese apparel, and much more.
Both Chinatown and Granville Island are great half day trips and are free to explore!
The Grouse Grind
The Grouse Grind is a 2.9 kilometre trail which snakes its’ way up the side of Grouse Mountain. Hikers must trek up an elevation of 800 meters which typically takes anywhere from an hour to two and a half hours depending on personal fitness level. The prize at the top of the mountain is worth it as Grouse Mountain hosts a live bear display, a lumberjack show, and a semi casual restaurant with full patio & bar. Guests not willing to climb the treacherous trail can pay a premium fee to ride the gondola up. Tourists looking to challenge themselves should seriously consider taking on the Grouse Grind.
PNE/Playland
Once a year, the Pacific National Exhibition (PNE) comes to town and joins Playland to host a carnival/fair-like experience to the visitors & residents of Vancouver. Playland, which is located in Vancouver’s Hastings Park, is Canada’s oldest amusement park. Don’t let the age fool you; Playland brings in new advanced rides while disposing of old ones every year to keep the amusement park fresh. One ride Playland won’t get rid of however is the Wooden Rollercoaster which was built in 1958 and is the most popular ride in Vancouver.
Popular with families, the Vancouver Aquarium is a place where people can have fun and learn at the same time. Located in Stanley Park, the Vancouver Aquarium features sea creatures from across the globe, this is made possible by a separate conservatory for tropical wildlife. Visitors should note, there is also a petting zoo right next door where people can interact with farm animals.
HSBC Fireworks
The downtown coastline gets crammed with hundreds of thousands of spectators every year as HSBC hosts the annual fireworks show. Entire countries put their pride on the line as they compete for the best display. Professional judges later vote and decide on a winner. Canada, Spain, and China, are all recent first place winners.
(Author: Devon O’Malley)
About the Author:
Devon O’ Malley is a staff writer for alluraDirect, a website featuring vacation rentals in many parts of Vancouver. Research, review, & book Vancouver lodging through a safe, trusted website – alluraDirect
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com
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Great post, very informative!