VC08 - Attractions Guide

The It List »»
Architecture »»
Parks & Gardens »»
Sports »»
Outdoor Recreation »»
Casinos »»
Spas — Beauty and Wellness »»

The IT List

You haven’t truly seen Vancouver until you’ve hit these cultural landmarks:

ENGLISH BAY
Denman St. at Davie St., Vancouver
Bring a blanket and lounge on the grass, or walk the seawall path and see how many dog breeds you can name. Fire dancers, jugglers, and comedians draw crowds on dusky summer evenings. Stop in at the Sylvia Hotel (1154 Gilford St., 604-681-9321); the original heritage hotel in the West End provides the perfect (licensed) water view.

DR. SUN YAT-SEN CLASSICAL CHINESE GARDEN
578 Carrall St., Vancouver
604-662-3207.
This authentic re-creation of a Ming-dynasty-era (1368–1644) scholar’s garden was the first to be constructed outside China. It was built in the mid ’80s by 52 master artisans from Suzhou; the result is a sanctuary laden with Taoist symbolism and intricate landscaping.

MUSEUM OF ANTHROPOLOGY
6393 N.W. Marine Dr., UBC, Vancouver
604-822-5087.
The Great Hall’s post-and-beam architecture opens up to 15-metre glass walls accommodating totem poles from Nisga’a, Haida, and other First Nations.

STANLEY PARK
Downtown Vancouver
604-257-8400.
Over 400 hectares of mixed evergreen forest and open green spaces are bounded by the 8.8-kilometre seawall, an essential experience beloved by local runners, in-line skaters, and firstdate couples.

GRANVILLE ISLAND
Under the Granville Bridge
604-666-5784.
The public market is an excellent place to seek out local gourmet items before treating yourself to the best food-court meal around. The Net Loft is host to artist studios on its street side and boutiques and galleries inside its doors. The Wood Co-op displays work by some of the top woodworkers in the province.

GROUSE GRIND & SKYRIDE
6400 Nancy Greene Way, North Vancouver
604-984-0661.
The Grouse Grind is the summer hike of choice for resident masochists, but the view-heavy Skyride is your yearround bet. While you’re up top, be sure to check out the Refuge for Endangered Wildlife, home to two orphaned bears and a pack of grey wolves.

KITSILANO BEACH AND POOL
2305 Cornwall Ave., Vancouver
604-731-0011.
Kits Beach, as it’s known to locals, is densely populated every summer by distractingly attractive volleyball players, Frisbee flingers, and sunbathers. There’s also a giant heated saltwater pool (137 metres) where you can swim a mile in only 12 laps.

VANCOUVER ART GALLERY
750 Hornby St., Vancouver
604-662-4719.
Under the leadership of director Kathleen Bartels, the Vancouver Art Gallery has attracted global attention for its original and innovative programming, which has featured work from hometown hero Brian Jungen — most famous for his aboriginal masks crafted from Nike Air Jordans — and comprehensive surveys of European painting.

VANCOUVER AQUARIUM
Stanley Park, Vancouver
604-659-3474.
The aquarium features 166 displays with over 70,000 animals, from West Coast mammals (sea lions and harbour seals) to exotic species like Amazonian caimans. Go behind the scenes on a Trainer Tour ($25 to $40 for one adult-child pair) to interact with sea otters, or help train a whale on a Beluga Encounter ($150 per person, $210 per adult and child).

Architecture

Also see our story — Architecture, The Blue Print »»

AIBC WALKING TOURS
100–440 Cambie St., Vancouver
604-683-8588.
For $5 and a couple hours of your time, the Architectural Institute of B.C. will walk you through the city’s beginnings in Gastown, the industrial lands of Yaletown, or the unique storefronts of Chinatown.

CANADA PLACE
999 Canada Pl., Vancouver
604-775-7200.
Built as the Canada Pavilion for Expo 86, Canada Place — known for its distinct 27-metre-high fibreglass sails — is primarily used as a convention centre and cruise-ship docking point, but views of the harbour are impressive from its perimeter. An expansion tripling the convention centre’s size will host world media during the 2010 Games.

LIONS GATE BRIDGE
Nearing 70, the grande dame of Vancouver bridges is still a beauty, especially since she was decked out with lights (a gift from the Guinness family in 1986) and, more recently, received $100-million of reconstruction work. From Stanley Park you can walk across to the North Shore for the full experience.

MARINE BUILDING
355 Burrard St., Vancouver
Architect George Nairne intended the 27-metre lobby of this 1930s building to resemble a treasure-filled Mayan temple, featuring etched brass renditions of turtles, crabs, and sea horses, elevators inlaid with 12 British Columbia hardwoods, and lavish murals celebrating historic voyages of ships like the Golden Hind. A $20-million renovation in the 1980s restored its glory, allowing the Marine to retain its status as one of the world’s great art deco monuments.

SAM KEE BUILDING
8 W. Pender St., Vancouver
When the City of Vancouver appropriated all but two metres of owner Chang Toy’s property in 1912 to widen Pender Street (without compensation for the leftover strip), he built the Sam Kee Building on the ground that was left, in protest. At just 1.5 metres (five feet) deep, it’s the world’s shallowest commercial building, according to The Guinness Book of World Records.

SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY
8888 University Dr., Burnaby
604-291-3111.
Concrete has its limitations, but as Arthur Erickson’s first major project (designed with the Acropolis and Italian terraces in mind), the SFU campus is renowned as a benchmark of integrative architecture.

VANCOUVER PUBLIC LIBRARY
350 W. Georgia St., Vancouver
604-331-3603.
One hundred million dollars buys a lot of critical commentary. Designed by architect Moshe Safdie and completed in 1995, the Vancouver Public Library’s main branch was the most expensive public project ever approved by the City. Its Colosseum-like appearance sparked a local and international scuffle that continues to this day, with many critics sniffing that its striking design is too derivative and, well, too striking, but Vancouverites — mostly — love it. The nine-storey spiral structure of taupe-hued concrete incorporates 315 arches, as well as an atrium plaza and outdoor amphitheatre-style courtyard.

Parks & Gardens

BLOEDEL FLORAL CONSERVATORY
Queen Elizabeth Park, Vancouver
604-257-8584.
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.

CAPILANO SUSPENSION BRIDGE
3735 Capilano Rd., North Vancouver
604-985-7474.
They call it bungee walking and swear it’s strong enough to support a loaded 747, but you’ll still be scared.

GEORGE C. REIFEL MIGRATORY BIRD SANCTUARY
5191 Robertson Rd., Westham Island, Delta
604-946-6980.
The 850-acre wetland provides habitat for more than 280 bird species and now attracts 60,000 annual visitors as one of Canada’s top bird-watching sites.

JERICHO BEACH
1300 Discovery St., Vancouver
604-222-1331
Jericho is a family-oriented beach that begins just west of Alma Street and stretches more than four kilometres down to Spanish Banks. Enjoy the sunset on the Galley patio at the Jericho Sailing Centre, possibly the best public (and licensed) patio in town.

LOWER SEYMOUR CONSERVATION RESERVE / RICE LAKE LOOP
North end of Lillooet Rd., North Vancouver
604-990-0483.
This is the birthplace of North Shore-style mountain biking (steep, fast, and tricked-out with jumps). There’s also a paved, 10-kilometre wilderness path around Rice Lake that’s ideal for strollers and in-line skaters.

LYNN CANYON
3663 Park Rd., North Vancouver
604-990-3755.
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-racking suspension bridge.

NITOBE MEMORIAL GARDEN
6804 S.W. Marine Dr., UBC, Vancouver
604-822-9666.
An authentic Japanese tea and stroll garden, the Nitobe Memorial Garden offers a place for quiet reflection.

UBC BOTANICAL GARDEN
6804 S.W. Marine Dr., UBC, Vancouver
604-822-9666.
Vancouver’s mild climate means that visitors will find something of interest in this 70-acre garden year-round.

VANDUSEN BOTANICAL GARDEN
5251 Oak St., Vancouver
604-878-9274.
Seventy-five hundred plant varieties equal garden paradise — and an Elizabethan hedge maze, too!

WRECK BEACH
Off Trail 6 along N.W. Marine Dr.
One of Canada’s two officially sanctioned nude beaches, Wreck Beach is located below UBC’s hallowed halls of academia. It’s named for several sunken barges in the vicinity.

Sports

The NHL season runs from October to April every year, and our Vancouver Canucks always draw a capacity crowd. Home games at GM Place are a must-see if you are lucky enough to be in town during the season. 800 Griffiths Way, 604-899-4600.

The Vancouver Giants are our less expensive and often more aggressive alternative to the Canucks. The 2007 Western Hockey League champions season runs from mid September to mid March every year with home games at the Pacific Coliseum. 100 North Renfrew St., 604-444-2687.

The Whitecaps soccer season runs from March to September with all home games at Swangard Stadium. Catch one of the men’s or women’s games if you’re looking for some outdoor family fun. 3883 Imperial St., 604-669-9283.

The Vancouver Canadians season runs from June through September with all home games at Nat Bailey Stadium. On a sunny day a Canadians game is the perfect way to enjoy some baseball, beer, and a bask in the sun. 4601 Ontario St., 604-872-5232.

You can catch a BC Lions home game at BC Place downtown. The CFL football season (June-November) puts our five-time Grey Cup Champions to work. 765 Pacific Blvd., 604-589-7627.

Vancouver, now on the marathon circuit, attracts runners from around the world who participate in competitive and non-competitive running events throughout the city. In 1981 the first Terry Fox Run (604-464-2666; Terryfoxrun.org) brought 300,000 participants and raised $3.5 million, and to date more than $400 million has been raised for Cancer research. More than 170,000 Canadians across the country come together for the cure at the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure (Concord Pacific Place-Pacific Blvd, 800-387-9816; Cibcrunforthecure.com). Another event that attracts runners from around the world is the Vancouver Sun Run (Canada.com/ vancouversun/sunrun) an annual 10-kilometre run in April that starts at BC Place.

Outdoor Rec

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

GEAR
For equipment and advice, your best bet is the series of stores on West Broadway between Alberta and Ontario streets: Mountain Equipment Co-op (130 W. Broadway, 604-872-7858) and a dozen other outdoor-gear specialty stores and outfitters, including Taiga Works, which sells locally made products (301 W. Broadway, 604-875-6647) and Eco Outdoor Sports (202 W. Broadway, 604-875-6767).

GOLF
The novelty of golfing alongside stunning views of Howe Sound is Furry Creek’s greatest draw (Furry Creek Golf & Country Club, 150 Country Club Rd., 888-922-9462), though it’s a little farther out of town — near Squamish. McCleery Golf Course is a local favourite, recently redeveloped and open year-round (7188 MacDonald St., 604-257-8191). Find a comprehensive listing of courses at Bcgolfguide.com.

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

MOUNTAIN BIKING
The folks at Cove Bikes in North Vancouver (877-919-2453) can set you up with gear and a trail map for North Shore (read: challenging) riding.

PADDLING
Rent a canoe from Mountain Equipment Co-op (604-872-7858) and head an hour north of the city toward Squamish (Mysquamish.com) to paddle the Squamish River Estuary; or sea kayak at Deep Cove (604-929-2268).

SKIING/SNOWBOARDING
Whistler Blackcomb (800-766-0449) is home to more than 8,000 skiable acres, including 12 alpine bowls, three glaciers, 200 trails, 38 lifts, and the highest drop of any ski hill on the continent. Locally, try Grouse (604-980-9311), Cypress (604- 926-5612), and Seymour (604-986-2261).

SNOWSHOEING
Find dozens of groomed snowshoe trails on Cypress, Seymour, and Grouse mountains. Check out A Vancouver Guide to Snowshoeing by Devon Girard for maps and route descriptions.

SAILING
Yacht cruise charters, boat rentals, and day-long 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 (Windsure Windsurfing School, 604-224-0615) has lessons for all levels. Squamish (Squamishwindsurfing. org) is more challenging and offers some of the best windsurfing in the country.

Casinos

British Columbia Casinos invites you to discover a new entertainment experience at one of our 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 BC casino and try your luck today! For casino hours and locations call 1-866-815-0222.

EDGEWATER CASINO
750 Pacific Blvd. S., Vancouver
604-687-3343.
Vancouver’s only downtown casino is located on the north shore of False Creek, just steps from BC Place and GM Place. Edgewater offers an assortment of 500 slot machines, all your favourite table games including craps, roulette, blackjack and baccarat and Vancouver’s only poker room. Complimentary shuttle service available – contact Edgewater Guest Services for pick up locations near you. Open 24 hours, 7 days a week. Edgewater Casino – Where Winners Play!

RIVER ROCK CASINO
8811 River Rd., Richmond
604-273-1895.
At 70,000 square feet, River Rock is Western Canada’s biggest casino — with poker rooms, craps, slots (a good 900), blackjack, and, if your timing’s right, a concert with Burton Cummings or Howie Mandel.

Beauty and Wellness

Also see our story — The Pleasure Principle »»

ABSOLUTE SPA
604-684-ASPA (2772).
Canada’s touted ‘Spa to the Stars’ with celebrities like Jessica Alba, Megan Fox and Chris Rock selecting Absolute as their spa of choice. From Aromatherapy Associates facials to Spa Binge Organics treatments, Absolute’s team of knowledgeable estheticians and massage therapists invite you to book your Absolute experience at one of Absolute’s 10 locations, including: Absolute @ Century Plaza, Absolute @ the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, Absolute @ the Fairmont Vancouver Airport, Absolute @ River Rock Casino Resort, and Absolute @ Park Royal. Please call 604-684-ASPA (2772).

MIRAJ HAMMAM SPA
1495 West 6th Avenue, Vancouver
604-733-5151.
Experience a traditional Middle Eastern Hammam and Gommage steam and body exfoliation. The Hammam will cleanse your body in low-mist and high intensity steam chambers while stimulating your senses and imagination. Lay relaxed on Jerusalem gold marble while an esthetician exfoliates you with authentic black Moroccan soap, then indulge in a massage and/or aromatherapy facial. Retreat to the sumptuous Sultana Lounge to enjoy Middle Eastern tea and sweet cake before floating outside to rejoin the world.

NEFÉR SPA
571 Cardero Street, Coal Harbour, Vancouver
604-696-0222.
Imagine stepping into historic Egypt, where the secrets of beauty were sacred. Welcome to the Nefér sanctuary, featuring a majestic marble tub, a handcarved marble Vichy table, and elegant Egyptian paintings and statues. Rediscover the ancient definition of natural beauty with Vinoterapia wine baths, massages with soothing heated stones, and silky chocolate wraps. Let us take you to a new level of spa indulgence, inspired by ancient practices of anti-aging and natural wellness.

PACIFIC DERMAESTHETICS
1790-1111 West Georgia, Vancouver
604-682-7546.
A state-of-the-art medical center offering evidence based procedures to address your cosmetic concerns. A personal consultation with the doctor is the first step. Issues such as sun damage, vascular concerns, acne scarring, sagging skin and a lack of facial volume may be discussed. Together, a treatment plan will be designed to address your specific concerns. The blending of the latest technologies and in-depth expertise ensures that your treatment is the perfect one for you. Body treatments are also available.

SOLARICE AT SPAETHOS
2200 West 4th Avenue, Vancouver
604-733-5007.
Voted No.1 Day Spa in 2006 and 2007 by Consumers’ Choice Awards and the Georgia Straight. SpaEthos, an affiliate of Solarice Wellness Spas, Whistler BC, is a refined wellness spa located in the trendy Kitsilano area of Vancouver. SpaEthos reflects natural, earthy elements with unique water features, curving cobble-stoned passageways, beautiful décor and finishing touches. Guests can completely relax and enjoy an aromatic steam and unwind by the fire in our Intention Room. Request Eminence organic facials, pedicures and therapeutic massages in the comfort of a couples’ treatment room.