Exploring Vancouver
• A WorldWeb.com Travel Guide for Vancouver, British Columbia.
Vancouver is a city of scenery. Its distinctive downtown is encircled by coastal waters dotted with sails and kayaks, its mountains rise majestically out of the sea to form a backdrop to a sleek urban core and a huge outdoor playground at its doorstep. Its sea walls beckon cyclists, joggers and skaters alike. Yes, the city's multicultural vibe delights, its culinary scene whets more than just appetites and its stylish moxie gives it a cosmopolitan touch, but above all, Vancouver is a city of motion and nature—more defined by what's outside than in.
There is no shortage, then, of tours and recreational activities by which to enjoy Vancouver. From a leisurely horse-drawn carriage ride to a wave-soaking windsurfing session, residents and visitors alike can take in the city and its stunning scenery in numerous ways.
SEEING THE SIGHTS
On foot, by bike, by bus, even by horse—a wide range of sightseeing tours of Vancouver are available. Visitors can join guided walks in Stanley Park or the West End's heritage district, or walk themselves along the clearly marked Silk Road pedestrian route that takes in Chinatown's main attractions. For a faster pace, City by Cycle offers daily half-day bicycle tours along the sea wall, and several companies cater to self-guided outings with rentals by the hour, half or full day, and even for multiple days.
One needn't be a fitness fanatic to enjoy Vancouver's offerings, however. Big Bus offers hop-on, hop-off tours on double-decker and open-top buses, and from March through October, old-fashioned, horse-drawn carriage tours are available in Stanley Park. There are also several services specializing in multilingual guides and personalized tours, as well as one specifically for singles looking to meet other like-minded visitors.
BEACH & SEA WALL ACTIVITIES
In addition to Stanley Park's Seawall, Vancouver offers an impressive number of designated cycling and jogging paths along the water that provide spectacular views of the city and can be enjoyed year round. In-line skating is almost as popular as cycling and those who are free wheelin' (via tours, rentals or lessons) can take in English Bay, pass downtown's trendy Yaletown district, explore the False Creek area, keep going to Granville Island and finish up at Kits Beach.
The city's continual motion extends to its beaches, particularly Kits Beach, where beach volleyball is a huge affair. Even avid swimmers can enjoy doing laps along the oceanfront—the city operates two outdoor, saltwater swimming pools (one in Kitsilano, the other at Second Beach near English Bay) located right along the water.
RIDING THE WAVES
The ocean, or Burrard Inlet to be precise, defines Vancouver, meaning some time on the water is almost a compulsory part of a visit. The charming False Creek Ferries pepper the water around Granville Island and offer short and simple sightseeing tours and water taxis along the city's vibrant False Creek area, while over a dozen companies specialize in sailing, sightseeing and fishing charters, as well as public dinner and luncheon cruises.
Another popular way to experience Vancouver's waves is via sea kayaking or canoeing. Paddlers can choose tours that generally explore Granville Island and False Creek or English Bay and Stanley Park. The Ecomarine Ocean Kayak Centre operates in three locations and offers day tours, lessons and multi-day tours of the Strait of Georgia. For anything wind-powered, the Jericho Sailing Centre at Jericho Beach is the place to head. Windsure Adventure Watersports specializes in kite boarding, windsurfing and skimboarding, while Mac Sailing provides sailing lessons and rentals in dinghies.
Whale-watching trips are also widely in demand around Vancouver, thanks to the region's orca pods. Most tours operate from Steveston, just south of the city, and Vancouver Island, but a few companies pick up guests within Vancouver and use high-speed, open-air Zodiacs to search out the black and white beauties.
ON TERRA FIRMA
Vancouver's hilly geography and nearby mountains mean mountain-bike enthusiasts needn't leave the city to get an adrenalin fix. Although many trails are on the North Shore, a couple of parks within the city limits feature a network of trails, including UBC's popular Pacific Spirit Park on Point Grey. For something a bit softer underfoot, Vancouver is home to a host of golf courses that range from championship calibre to par-threes. The Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club has hosted the Canadian Open, while the University Golf Course at UBC is considered one of British Columbia's finest. Even more championship greens await in Greater Vancouver, which golfers can enjoy with West Coast Golf, a tour company offering daily transportation and golf packages from downtown Vancouver hotels.
SPECIALTY TOURS & FARTHER AFIELD
For those with specific interests, a myriad of specialty tours and activities are available, from balloon rides and helicopter flights to First Nations cultural tours and summer camps. Yoga enthusiasts can find studios aplenty, shoppers can enjoy customized shopping sprees and those who want a planned itinerary can enlist the help of such companies as Anderson Vacations or Colibri Tours, which specialize in vacation packages.
And of course, Vancouver's unique setting means that just beyond the city a profusion of other activities await. The snow-capped peaks of the North Shore offer winter skiing, snowboarding, tubing and snowshoeing, while scenic rail tours take visitors from Vancouver to Whistler and the Canadian Rockies. Those wanting fishing, hiking or camping excursions can easily get outdoors from Greater Vancouver, or those wanting to explore the Indian Arm coastal fjord or the Strait of Georgia can easily do so from Horseshoe Bay. Whatever one's interest, Vancouver's scenery invites and inspires visitors to join its motion, explore its nature, live its active attitude.
There is no shortage, then, of tours and recreational activities by which to enjoy Vancouver. From a leisurely horse-drawn carriage ride to a wave-soaking windsurfing session, residents and visitors alike can take in the city and its stunning scenery in numerous ways.
SEEING THE SIGHTS
On foot, by bike, by bus, even by horse—a wide range of sightseeing tours of Vancouver are available. Visitors can join guided walks in Stanley Park or the West End's heritage district, or walk themselves along the clearly marked Silk Road pedestrian route that takes in Chinatown's main attractions. For a faster pace, City by Cycle offers daily half-day bicycle tours along the sea wall, and several companies cater to self-guided outings with rentals by the hour, half or full day, and even for multiple days.
One needn't be a fitness fanatic to enjoy Vancouver's offerings, however. Big Bus offers hop-on, hop-off tours on double-decker and open-top buses, and from March through October, old-fashioned, horse-drawn carriage tours are available in Stanley Park. There are also several services specializing in multilingual guides and personalized tours, as well as one specifically for singles looking to meet other like-minded visitors.
BEACH & SEA WALL ACTIVITIES
In addition to Stanley Park's Seawall, Vancouver offers an impressive number of designated cycling and jogging paths along the water that provide spectacular views of the city and can be enjoyed year round. In-line skating is almost as popular as cycling and those who are free wheelin' (via tours, rentals or lessons) can take in English Bay, pass downtown's trendy Yaletown district, explore the False Creek area, keep going to Granville Island and finish up at Kits Beach.
The city's continual motion extends to its beaches, particularly Kits Beach, where beach volleyball is a huge affair. Even avid swimmers can enjoy doing laps along the oceanfront—the city operates two outdoor, saltwater swimming pools (one in Kitsilano, the other at Second Beach near English Bay) located right along the water.
RIDING THE WAVES
The ocean, or Burrard Inlet to be precise, defines Vancouver, meaning some time on the water is almost a compulsory part of a visit. The charming False Creek Ferries pepper the water around Granville Island and offer short and simple sightseeing tours and water taxis along the city's vibrant False Creek area, while over a dozen companies specialize in sailing, sightseeing and fishing charters, as well as public dinner and luncheon cruises.
Another popular way to experience Vancouver's waves is via sea kayaking or canoeing. Paddlers can choose tours that generally explore Granville Island and False Creek or English Bay and Stanley Park. The Ecomarine Ocean Kayak Centre operates in three locations and offers day tours, lessons and multi-day tours of the Strait of Georgia. For anything wind-powered, the Jericho Sailing Centre at Jericho Beach is the place to head. Windsure Adventure Watersports specializes in kite boarding, windsurfing and skimboarding, while Mac Sailing provides sailing lessons and rentals in dinghies.
Whale-watching trips are also widely in demand around Vancouver, thanks to the region's orca pods. Most tours operate from Steveston, just south of the city, and Vancouver Island, but a few companies pick up guests within Vancouver and use high-speed, open-air Zodiacs to search out the black and white beauties.
ON TERRA FIRMA
Vancouver's hilly geography and nearby mountains mean mountain-bike enthusiasts needn't leave the city to get an adrenalin fix. Although many trails are on the North Shore, a couple of parks within the city limits feature a network of trails, including UBC's popular Pacific Spirit Park on Point Grey. For something a bit softer underfoot, Vancouver is home to a host of golf courses that range from championship calibre to par-threes. The Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club has hosted the Canadian Open, while the University Golf Course at UBC is considered one of British Columbia's finest. Even more championship greens await in Greater Vancouver, which golfers can enjoy with West Coast Golf, a tour company offering daily transportation and golf packages from downtown Vancouver hotels.
SPECIALTY TOURS & FARTHER AFIELD
For those with specific interests, a myriad of specialty tours and activities are available, from balloon rides and helicopter flights to First Nations cultural tours and summer camps. Yoga enthusiasts can find studios aplenty, shoppers can enjoy customized shopping sprees and those who want a planned itinerary can enlist the help of such companies as Anderson Vacations or Colibri Tours, which specialize in vacation packages.
And of course, Vancouver's unique setting means that just beyond the city a profusion of other activities await. The snow-capped peaks of the North Shore offer winter skiing, snowboarding, tubing and snowshoeing, while scenic rail tours take visitors from Vancouver to Whistler and the Canadian Rockies. Those wanting fishing, hiking or camping excursions can easily get outdoors from Greater Vancouver, or those wanting to explore the Indian Arm coastal fjord or the Strait of Georgia can easily do so from Horseshoe Bay. Whatever one's interest, Vancouver's scenery invites and inspires visitors to join its motion, explore its nature, live its active attitude.
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