Vancouver Attractions Guide

Parks And Gardens

Bloedel Floral Conservatory
The Conservatory’s triodetic dome looks like a prop from a 1960s sci-fi flick but is really habitat for hundreds of tropical, subtropical and desert plant and bird species. If lousy weather’s got you down, head here and talk to the parrots. Queen Elizabeth Park, (604) 257-8584.

Capilano Suspension Bridge/Trading Post
Breathtakingly suspended 230 feet above and 450 feet across the Capilano River, Capilano Suspension Bridge takes you to towering evergreens, serene trails and the award-winning attraction, Treetops Adventure. Seven suspension bridges, some reaching as high as 100 feet, take you high above the forest floor for a thrilling encounter with the heart of the forest. Guided eco-walks, a First Nations cultural experience and voices from the past at the Story Centre mingle with the sounds of live seasonal performances. Unmatched shopping in the Trading Post and West Coast cuisine round out this entertaining West Coast experience. 3735 Capilano Road, North Vancouver, (604) 985-7474.

Cypress Provincial Park
In winter, Cypress Mountain features terrific skiing and snowboarding, including night skiing. Once the snow melts, head to Cypress Bowl for easy to challenging hikes; for an easy one, start the base of the Black Lift for a 45-minute loop known as Yew Trail. Cypress Mtn., (604) 926-5612.

English Bay
Bring a blanket and lounge on the grass with your book, or walk the seawall path and see how many dog varieties you can name. Denman St. at Davie St.

George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary
If you can’t remember the last time you saw a red-necked phalarope or Hudsonian godwit, you may be in luck here. The 850-acre wetland provides habitat for over 250 bird species and now attracts 60,000 annual visitors as one of Canada’s top bird-watching sites. 5191 Robertson Rd., Westham Island, Delta, (604) 946-6980.

Grouse Grind/The Skyride
The Grouse Grind is the summer hike of choice for resident masochists, but the view-heavy Skyride is the year-round preference for those who want to do more than gasp once they reach the top. 6400 Nancy Greene Way, North Vancouver, (604) 984-0661.

Kitsilano Beach and Pool
The beach is densely populated in summer with distractingly attractive volleyball players, Frisbee flingers and sunbathers. 2305 Cornwall Ave., (604) 731-0011.

Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve/Rice Lake Loop
The birthplace of North Shore-style mountain biking (steep, fast and tricked out with jumps), the Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve is renowned as some of the “sickest” mountain biking terrain on the planet — so if you’re looking to test your mettle on some classic trails, this is the place to be (check out Darrin Polischuk’s Mountain Biking British Columbia [Gordon Soules] for the inside scoop). There are tamer pleasures to be had, including 25 kilometres of hiking trails that vary in length and strenuousness. There’s even a paved, 10-kilometre wilderness path around Rice Lake that’s ideal for strollers and in-line skaters. North end of Lillooet Rd., North Vancouver, (604) 990-0483.

Lynn Canyon
This North Vancouver park is 250 hectares of temperate rainforest surrounding Lynn Creek. A local favourite for easy hikes, summer river dips and a lesser known but still no less nerve-wracking suspension bridge. 3663 Park Rd., North Vancouver, (604) 981-3103.

Nitobe Memorial Garden
One of the most authentic Japanese tea and stroll gardens in North America, the Nitobe Memorial Gardens offer a place for quiet reflection. University of British Columbia, (604) 822-9666.

Stanley Park
Over 400 hectares of mixed evergreen forest and open green spaces are bounded by the 8.8-km seawall, an essential experience beloved by local runners, in-line skaters and first-date couples. Save time for a stop at the ice cream stand. Downtown Vancouver, (604) 257-8400.

UBC Botanical Garden
is a fascinating world of plants. With more than 10,000 different plants on display, visitors can stroll through 110 acres of gardens to see Alpine & Asian treasures, medicinal and culinary plants and the towering trees of a B.C. coastal native forest. Mobility scooters & audio guides available. Shop in the Garden/Plant Centre specializes in gifts, books and rare plants and seeds. While visiting the UBC campus, see the Nitobe Memorial Garden, one of the best traditional Japanese gardens in N. America. University of British Columbia, 6804 S.W. Marine Dr. (at 16th). Info: (604) 822-9666.

VanDusen Botanical Gardens
Seventyfive hundred plant varieties equals garden paradise — and an Elizabethan hedge maze, too! 5251 Oak St., (604) 878-9274.

Vanier Park
On-shore breezes and long stretches of lawn make Vanier Park a kite’s best friend. Pick up a single-line delta (the beginner’s model) at Kites & Puppets on nearby Granville Island, in the Kids Market, (604) 685-9877, and put your Charlie Brown phobias to rest. 1000 Chestnut St., (604) 257-8400.

Wreck Beach
One of Canada’s two officially sanctioned nude beaches, Wreck Beach is located below UBC’s hallowed halls of academe. It’s named not for the physiques of the beachgoers but for several sunken barges in the vicinity. Off Trail 6 along N.W. Marine Dr.

Outdoor Recreation

Gear
For equipment and advice, your best bet is West Broadway between Alberta and Ontario streets: Mountain Equipment Co-op, 130 W. Broadway, (604) 876-6221; and a dozen other outdoor gear specialty stores and outfitters including Taiga, which sells locally made products, 301 W. Broadway, (604) 875-6647; and Eco Outdoor Sports, 202 W. Broadway, (604) 875-6767.

Hiking
Try Best Hikes and Walks of Southwestern British Columbia by Dawn Hanna (Lone Pine Publishing). Two other local favourites: Golden Ears Provincial Park, canadatrails.ca/hiking/bc/goldenears.html; and Grouse Mountain, (604) 980-9311.

Mountain Biking
The folks at Cove Bikes, (604) 929-1918, in North Vancouver can set you up with gear and a trail map for North Shore (read: challenging) riding. Or try one of the hundreds of city paths that wend their way along the seawall or on city streets: no visit here is complete without a ride around the 8.8-kilometre, oceanside loop of Stanley Park. Denman Bike Shop, (604) 685-9755.

Skiing/Snowboarding
Whistler Blackcomb is home to more than 7,000 skiable acres including 12 alpine bowls, three glaciers, 200 trails, 33 lifts and the highest vertical drop of any ski hill on the continent, (604) 932-3434. Locally, find Grouse, (604) 980-9311; Cypress, (604) 926-5612; and Seymour, (604) 986-2261.

Snowshoeing
Find dozens of designated, groomed snowshoe trails on Cypress, Seymour and Grouse mountains. Check out A Vancouver Guide to Snowshoeing by Devon Girard for maps and route descriptions or call the snowshoe centre at Mount Seymour, (604) 986-2261.

Sailing
Yacht cruise charters, boat rentals and daylong or multiday sailing classes can be booked at Granville Island through Cooper Boating, (604) 687-4110.

Windsurfing
Jericho Beach is good for beginners, and the school there has lessons for all levels; Windsure Windsurfing School, (604) 224-0615. Squamish is more challenging and offers some of the best windsurfing in the country (www.squamishwindsurfing.org).

Paddling
Rent a canoe from Mountain Equipment Co-op (604) 709-6241, and head an hour north of the city toward Squamish to paddle the Squamish River Estuary (www.mysquamish.com); sea kayak at Deep Cove (604) 929-2268; or Jericho Beach (604) 689-7575.

Fishing
Painter’s Lodge, 800-663-7090, home of the original Tyee Club (wherein members must reel in a 30-pound fish from a rowboat) and King Pacific Lodge, 888-592-5464, is one of the most luxurious wilderness resort on the continent. Locally, call Sewell’s Marina in West Vancouver (604) 921-3474.

Flying
TRK Helicopters is Vancouver’s premier helicopter service. We pride ourselves in providing brand new state-of-theart Eurocopter Aircraft for our clients. Our helicopter tours and tailored sightseeing packages are the ultimate way to experience Vancouver and its surrounding mountains. TRK’s staff and network of resources enable us to provide you with a range of options. Whether it be a Mountain Peak Tour, the Vancouver at Sunset Flight, Heli Golf, Winery Excursion or that “Special Occasion” you will always have a truly memorable experience. Flights are available from anywhere in the Lower Mainland, including the Downtown Heliport. For more information call 1-888-TRK-HELI.

Markets

Granville Island
The Public Market is an excellent place to spend a couple of hours seeking out local gourmet items before treating yourself to the best food-court meal around. Under the Granville Bridge, (604) 666-5784.

Lonsdale Quay
North Vancouver’s answer to Granville Island. Take the SeaBus in Gastown to the market shops and get great views of the Vancouver skyline on the way. Foot of Lonsdale, North Vancouver, (604) 985-6261.

Punjabi Market
The authentic epicentre of Punjabi shopping. Find saris, spices, jewellery, trinkets galore and buffets serving up saag paneer and traditional desserts like laddoos and gulab jamun. Main St. and 49th Ave.

Misc.

British Columbia Lottery Corporation
invites you to discover a new entertainment experience at one of our 17 casinos throughout the province. Whether you’re in the Okanagan, the North Interior, Vancouver Island or the Greater Vancouver area, there is a casino to meet your needs. Each casino offers a unique atmosphere with many featuring live entertainment, restaurants and hotel accommodations. Visit a B.C. casino and try your luck today! For casino hours and locations call 1-866-815-0222.