VC09 - Attractions Guide

• ARCHITECTURE
• BEACHES, PARKS & GARDENS
• CASINOS
• PROFESSIONAL SPORTS
• OUTDOOR RECREATION

 • ARCHITECTURE

AIBC Walking Tours
440 Cambie St.
Vancouver, BC
604-683-8588
Let the Architectural Institute of B.C. walk you through the city’s genesis in Gastown, the industrial lands of Yaletown, or the unique storefronts of Chinatown ($5).

Canada Place
999 Canada Pl.
Vancouver, BC
604-775-7200
Built as the Canada Pavilion for Expo 86, Canada Place — known for its 27-metre fibreglass sails — is primarily used as a cruise-ship dock, but harbour views are impressive from its perimeter. Next door, the breathtaking new Vancouver Convention Centre will host world media during the 2010 Games.

Lions Gate Bridge
Now 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, BC
Architect George Nairne intended the 27-metre lobby of this 1930s building to resemble a treasure-filled Mayan temple, featuring etched brass renditions of sea life, elevators inlaid with 12 B.C. hardwoods, and lavish murals celebrating 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, BC
When the City appropriated all but two metres of 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 deep, says The Guinness Book of World Records, it’s the world’s shallowest commercial building.

Simon Fraser University
8888 University Dr.
Burnaby, BC
778-782-3111
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, BC
604-331-3603
$100 million buys a lot of critical commentary. Completed in 1995, the Moshe Safdie-designed main branch is the city’s most expensive public project ever. Critics continue to sniffle that the striking Colosseumlike design is too derivative and, well, striking, but Vancouverites — mostly — love it. The ninestorey spiral structure of taupe-hued concrete incorporates 315 arches, as well as an atrium plaza and an outdoor amphitheatre-style courtyard.

 • BEACHES, PARKS & GARDENS

Bloedel Floral Conservatory
Queen Elizabeth Park
30 30th Avenue East
Vancouver, BC V5V 2T9
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, BC V7R 4J1
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, BC V4K 3N2
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.

Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden
578 Carrall St.
Vancouver, BC V6B 2J8
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.

English Bay
Denman St. at Davie St.
Vancouver, BC
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 for a highball (1154 Gilford St., 604-681-9321); the original heritage hotel in the West End provides the perfect (licensed) water view.

Jericho Beach
1300 Discovery St.
Vancouver, BC
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.

Kitsilano Beach and Pool
2305 Cornwall Ave.
Vancouver, BC
604-731-0011
Kits Beach 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.

Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve/ Rice Lake Loop
North end of Lillooet Rd.
North Vancouver, BC
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, BC
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, BC
604-822-9666
An authentic Japanese tea and stroll garden, the Nitobe Memorial Garden offers a place for quiet reflection.

Stanley Park
W. Georgia Street
Downtown Vancouver, BC
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 first-date couples.

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

Vancouver Aquarium
Stanley Park
845 Avison Way
Vancouver, BC V6G 3E2
604-659-3474
The aquarium has 166 displays with over 70,000 animals, from West Coast mammals (sea lions and harbour seals) to exotic species like Amazonian caimans. A Trainer Tour ($15 to $25) lets you interact with sea otters, or help train a whale on a Beluga Encounter ($150 per person, $210 per adult and child).

VanDusen Botanical Garden
5251 Oak St.
Vancouver, BC
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.
Vancouver, BC
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.

 • CASINOS

Edgewater Casino
750 Pacific Boulevard
Vancouver, BC V6B 5E7
604-687-3343 or 1-877-688-3343
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 baccarat, blackjack, craps and roulette, as well as Vancouver’s only 15-table poker room. Contact Edgewater Guest Services for pick up locations near you. Edgewater Casino is open 24 hours, 7 days a week.

River Rock Casino
8811 River Rd.
Richmond, BC V6X 3P8
604-273-1895
Western Canada’s biggest casino has poker rooms, craps, slots (more than 900), blackjack, and, if your timing’s right, a night with Julio Iglesias.

 • PROFESSIONAL SPORTS

The NHL season runs from October to April, and our Vancouver Canucks always draw capacity crowds. Home games at General Motors 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, with home games at the Pacific Coliseum. 100 N. Renfrew St., 604-444-2687.

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

From June to September, catch Vancouver Canadians home games at Nat Bailey Stadium — the perfect spot to enjoy some baseball, beer, and a bask in the sun. 4601 Ontario St., 604-872-5232.

Catch a BC Lions home game at BC Place. The CFL football season (June to November) puts our five-time Grey Cup Champions to work. 777 Pacific Blvd., 604-589-7627.

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

 • OUTDOOR RECREATION

Grouse Grind & Skyride
6400 Nancy Greene Way
North Vancouver, BC V7R 4K9
604-984-0661
The Grouse Grind is the summer hike of choice for resident masochists, but the view-heavy Skyride is your year-round 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.

Mountain Biking
The folks at Cove Bikes in Shopping Malls North Vancouver (877-929-2638. Covebike.com) 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. Mec.ca) 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. Deepcovekayak.com).

Skiing/Snowboarding
Whistler Blackcomb (866-218-9690. Whistlerblackcomb.com) is home to more than 8,000 skiable acres, including 12 alpine bowls, three glaciers, over 200 trails, 38 lifts, and the highest drop of any ski hill on the continent. Locally, try Grouse (604-980-9311. Grousemountain.com), Cypress (604-926-5612. Cypressmountain.com), and Seymour (604-986-2261. Mountseymour.com).

Snowshoeing
Cypress, Seymour, and Grouse mountains offer dozens of groomed snowshoe trails. Check out A Vancouver Guide to Snowshoeing by Devon Girard for maps and routes.

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

Windsurfing
Jericho Beach is good for beginners; its school (Windsure Windsurfing School, 604-224-0615. Windsure.com) has lessons for all levels. Squamish (Squamishwindsports.com) offers some of the best surfing in the country.

Fishing
At Painter’s Lodge (800-663-7090), Tyee Club members must reel in a 30-pounder from a rowboat. King Pacific Lodge (888-592-5464) is one of the choicest wilderness resorts on the continent. Locally, call Sewell’s Marina (604-921-3474).

Gear
For equipment and advice, hit W. Broadway between Alberta and Ontario streets: As well as Mountain Equipment Co-op (130 W. Broadway, 604-872-7858), there are a dozen outdoor-gear specialty stores and outfitters, including local producers Taiga Works (301 W. Broadway, 604-875-6647) and Eco Outdoor Sports (202 W. Broadway, 604-875-6767).

Golf
Stunning views of Howe Sound are Furry Creek’s greatest draw (Furry Creek Golf & Country Club, 150 Country Club Rd., 888-922-9462), though it’s a bit far from town — near Squamish. McCleery Golf Course is a local fave, recently redeveloped and open year-round (7188 MacDonald St., 604-257-8191). Find a full 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 and Grouse Mountain (604-980-9311).