Vancouver

Built in 1889, the Capilano Suspension Bridge is one of the Vancouver's oldest and most popular tourist attractions. With plenty of activities and sights in the park, there are endless opportunities for park visitors.Stretching 450 feet (137m) across and perched 230 feet (70m) above the Capilano River, the bridge was originally made of cedar planks and hemp rope. But now, it's a more sturdy construction of reinforced steel and concrete; though still not for the faint-hearted.A recent addition to the park is the Treetops Adventure, where elevated suspension bridges allow visitors a spectacular view of the rainforest, while they walk above the forest floor between Douglas fir trees.Other attractions in the park include a story centre; a First Nations Cultural Centre where visitors can see carvers, weavers, and beaders at work; a large collection of First Nations Totem Poles; and guided tours of the rainforest. Admission includes all these sights and activities, and there are also several food options and a shop.

Address : 3735 Capilano Road, North Vancouver

E-mail : [email protected]

Website : www.capbridge.com

Telephone : (604) 985 7474

Opening times : Varies according to season.

Admission : $46 adults, $15 children, other concessions available.

Vancouver's Chinatown is not only a strong, established ethnic community, but also a popular tourist attraction and prosperous commercial district. Its bustling streets are full of colour and commerce; even the pagoda-topped telephone booths add to the atmosphere. Shop displays spill onto the pavements, and tables groan with the weight of exotic foodstuffs and the strange wares of the Chinese apothecaries.The Sam Kee Building in Pender Street is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as being the narrowest building in the world, at only six-foot (two metres) wide. This was the result of a local property owner reacting to the expropriation of most of his land in 1912 for the widening of the street: Chang Toy decided to build what he could on the remaining tiny strip.Another main attraction in Chinatown is the Dr Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, enclosed behind high walls, that was built in 1986 at a cost of C$5.3 million with the craftsmen and materials all imported from China. It is a quiet haven of walkways, pavilions, gnarled trees, water features, and natural rock sculptures. Next door to the Garden is the Chinese Cultural Centre with its elaborate gated entrance hand-painted in traditional colours.

Address : Downtown Vancouver

Website : www.vancouver-chinatown.com

Transport : Bus or SkyTrain, to Main Street Station or Stadium Station

Commercial Drive is as non-commercial as it gets, one of Vancouver's most eclectic and increasingly trendy neighbourhoods. What started out as a skid row for the lumber industry in the late 1800s swiftly became a neighbourhood of English tradesmen and shopkeepers with the birth of the interurban railway.World War I brought an influx of Chinese, Italian, and Eastern European immigrants, and World War II saw a vast increase in the Italian population, earning the drive the moniker of 'Little Italy' for many years.Diversity and energy are still the hallmarks of this area, and an afternoon is well spent exploring its various treasures, from all types of food to chic boutiques, second-hand stores, live music venues, and more.Go ice-skating at the Britannia Community Centre rink or bowling at the Grandview Lanes, enjoy a delicious Italian gelato or espresso, or simply grab a table at one of the many bars or restaurants. There are always plenty of festivals and events going on too, such as the Parade of Lost Souls on the Saturday before Halloween, the Stone Soup Festival in May, and the Eastside Culture Crawl in November.

Address : Commercial Drive (from Venables to Grandview)

Website : www.thedrive.ca

Transport : Skytrain, to Commercial Drive or Broadway stations

Alongside Chinatown, the fascinating historic enclave of Gastown transports visitors back in time to envision the city in the days of old. Set in the central core of Vancouver, it has cobbled streets, antique gaslights, Victorian architecture, narrow alleys, courtyards, and hidden boutiques and restaurants.Gastown was named after Vancouver's first settler and saloon owner, Jack 'Gassy' Deighton, whose historic hotel was destroyed in the Great Fire of 1886 along with much of the city. The fire swept through the town in less than an hour, leaving only two of the 400 or so houses standing.Gassy has been immortalised with a statue in Maple Tree Square in Gastown. Another point of interest is the Lamplighter Pub in the Dominion Hotel, which was the first Vancouver inn to serve alcohol to women.The Europe Hotel was the first fireproof building in western Canada, having been built just after the fire in 1892. Gastown keeps time with the world's first steam clock, which plays the Westminster chimes every 15 minutes on five brass steam-whistles inside its cast bronze case.

Website : www.gastown.org

Transport : Gastown is easily accessible by Vancouver’s Rapid Transit System, SkyTrain, and city buses

What was once a run-down industrial area in Vancouver is now a thriving entertainment and shopping hub, with a vibrant market central to the island's activities. It is accompanied by the Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design, a theatre, and a brewery.The island is easily accessible, located in the middle of Vancouver under the Granville Street Bridge on the south shore of False Creek and linked by a road to the city. While it barely seems like a separate place, it's nonetheless a relaxing break from the city.The public market is a riot of colours, smells, local produce, fresh meats and fish, flowers, tasty treats, crafts, clothing, and souvenirs are all on offer. The separate Kids Market is a must for children, with toy stores, games, and more, while the Maritime Market is a showcase for boat-builders, with a museum, supply stores, and tours.Visits to the Granville Island Brewing Company and taste-tests of their brews are possible. For something more cultural, one can catch a show at the Island's theatre or enjoy a student art show at the Emily Carr Institute. The island has the biggest free waterpark in British Columbia, open May to September.Perhaps the best way to enjoy the island, however, is to grab something to eat from one of the many stalls, choose a table outside and simply watch the people go by. Or one can take a self-guided tour, being sure not to miss the picturesque houseboats.

Website : www.granvilleisland.com

Transport : Granville Island is accessible by car, bus, on foot, or by Aquabus or ferry. The #50 False Creek bus travels from Gastown in the downtown area, along Granville Street, stopping just off the island

On Vancouver's north shore is the year-round mountaintop playground of Grouse Mountain, just a 15-minute drive from the downtown area across the Lions Gate Bridge. Ascending the mountain is part of the adventure in the Super Skyride, a passenger tram that glides up the steep mountain slopes carrying visitors up 3,700ft (1,100m) above sea level in just eight minutes.At the top, apart from magical views of the city below, is the Theatre in the Sky, which offers a high-tech presentation about Vancouver. There is also a cedar longhouse called the Hiwus Feasthouse that offers the chance to experience native West Coast culture with displays of dancing, storytelling, chanting, and native cuisine.There are hiking trails up the side of Grouse Mountain and on the east side one of them features the Grouse Grind, which is billed as the world's biggest stair-climb. Mountain biking is also a popular pursuit on the mountainside, as is, of course, skiing and snowboarding in the winter months.

Address : 6400 Nancy Greene Way, North Vancouver

Website : www.grousemountain.com

Tucked in the Strait of Georgia, in between Vancouver Island and the mainland, are the picturesque Gulf Islands. More than a dozen of these long, thin islands, and numerous islets, can be found on Canada's West Coast and each island has its own character and beauty, making them well worth a visit.The islands are home to artists, writers, retirees, and those seeking a more community-based lifestyle, with many Vancouverites escaping to holiday homes tucked in the rainforest. Large parts of the islands have been designated as marine parks, preserving the land for the numerous native birds and animals.Bowen Island is only a 20-minute ferry ride from West Vancouver's Horseshoe Bay and visitors can enjoy a stroll from Snug Harbour, past the historic Union Steamship Company store, grab a bite to eat, or take a walk in the Crippen Regional Park.Galiano Island is the second biggest of the group and is about the size of Manhattan Island in New York. Only 50 minutes away on the Tsawassen Ferry on the Lower Mainland, Galiano Island draws all sorts of visitors who come to picnic in Bellhouse Park; take a walk through the lush rainforest up to Bluffs Park to enjoy spectacular views of neighbouring Islands; indulge in a spot of fishing, kayaking, or golf; or visit one of the local galleries or shops. Many of the islands host events and festivals each year, where the community spirit and laidback atmosphere typical of the Gulf Islands is evident.

Website : www.gulfislandsguide.com

Situated in North Vancouver, Lonsdale Quay offers spectacular views of downtown Vancouver, its harbour, and the North Shore Mountains. There are also a variety of shops, restaurants, and an excellent public market.The best way to experience the quay is to catch the SeaBus from Waterfront Station on Cordova Street in downtown Vancouver, a fifteen-minute ride that allows one to relax and enjoy the view, watch seaplanes land and see what cruise ships are in the harbour, before embarking on some retail therapy.The market, though slightly smaller than that of Granville Island, boasts mouth-watering fresh goods, from seafood to fresh fruit and vegetables, pastries and sweets, and there is a wide range of restaurants available, including Mexican, Greek, Japanese, Indian, and more.There are also a variety of stalls selling all sorts of arts and crafts, souvenirs, and clothing, and the retail level boasts plenty of boutiques, a kids play area and specialty kids stores, topped by the Lonsdale Quay Hotel. A climb up the quay's signature red tower with its large Q on top is a good way to work off all the delicious food and to enjoy spectacular views of the city and mountains.

Address : 123 Carrie Cates Court, North Vancouver

Website : www.lonsdalequay.com

Transport : SeaBus from Waterfront Station; also accessible by bus

Opening times : Market and retail: Open daily, from 9am to 7pm. Restaurants are open later.

Admission : Free

In the west of Vancouver at the University of British Columbia on the cliffs of Point Grey, totem poles mark the way to the Museum of Anthropology, world-renowned for its displays of Northwest Coast First Nations art.One of its main features is the world's largest collection of works by internationally acclaimed Haida artist Bill Reid, including his famous cedar sculpture 'The Raven and the First Men'. In the museum's unique Visible Storage Galleries, more than 15,000 objects and artefacts from around the world are arranged according to culture and use. In the grounds of the museum are two Haida houses, showing the dramatic beauty of traditional Northwest Coast architecture.

Address : University of British Columbia, 6393 Marine Drive

Website : www.moa.ubc.ca

Telephone : (604) 822 5087

Transport : The University of British Columbia is served by buses 4, 9, 17, 25, 41, 43, 44, 49, 84, 258 or 480

Opening times : Open daily, from 10am to 5pm (until 9pm on Tuesday)

Admission : C$18 (adults), C$16 (students). Free for children under 6, and other concessions are available

Home to the celebrated Othello Tunnels, the Coquihalla Provincial Park lies just outside the town of Hope and about an hour's drive east of Vancouver. This quintet of railway tunnels which traverse the steep-sided Coquihalla Gorge were built for the Kettle Valley Railway and today offer visitors a fascinating insight into the history of the area, as well as a wonderfully scenic and unique hiking experience.While the Othello Tunnels themselves are dark and dank (flashlights are recommended), the two-mile (3.5km) railway trail also crosses above thundering rapids and cuts through impressive, nearly 1,000-foot (300-metre) granite rock faces. The Othello Tunnels are an accessible and highly rewarding day trip from Vancouver, offering visitors of all ages a great mix of exercise and adventure.

Address : Just outside Hope, BC – about 95 miles (150km) east of Vancouver

Website : www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/coquihalla_cyn/

Transformed from an ugly stone quarry in the 1950s, the exquisite Queen Elizabeth Park in Vancouver now boasts lush gardens bursting with flowers, live theatre, the Bloedel Floral Conservatory, a restaurant, a Pitch and Putt course, and much more.The park receives about six million visitors annually who come to enjoy a 360 degree view of Vancouver from its highest point, 505 feet (167m) above sea level. The Bloedel Floral Conservatory, with its characteristic geodesic dome, is home to more than 100 species of tropical birds that roam free in the area, as well as hundreds of species of exotic plants and flowers.Other highlights of the park include the Quarry Garden, J. Seward Johnson's sculpture 'The Photo Session', the Lions Clock, and the arboretum, with its fine examples of indigenous trees from across Canada. Spring is an excellent time to visit the park as it becomes a riot of colour, with white and pink cherry blossoms and all sorts of flowers displaying their finest.

Address : 4600 Cambie St

Website : www.vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture/queen-elizabeth-park.aspx

Transport : Bus to Main Street at 33rd Avenue

Opening times : Open daily 9am to 5pm. Conservatory open daily, from 10am to 5pm

Admission : Admission to the park itself is free, but some attractions within the park have admission fees.

The San Juan Islands form one of the best boater paradises in the world. The hundreds of islands are separated by nationality but are part of the same scenic and rugged archipelago, located off the northwest coast of Washington State.Much of the area is in a rain shadow behind Vancouver Island, making a surprisingly dry and sunny reprieve in the northwest. Little island communities, great wildlife, and the open water provide a real and intuitive disconnect from the mainland.Frequent government ferry services connect the mainland and larger inhabited islands to each other, but others can only be visited by smaller shuttle boats and yachts. Friday Harbour is San Juan's largest town and an enchanting tourist destination. Anchorages are bustling throughout summer, but largely empty in other seasons. Yacht charters are available out of Bellingham.

The pride of Vancouver's network of parks and gardens, Stanley Park covers 1,000 acres (405 hectares) and is one of the largest parks in any urban centre in North America. Situated in the heart of Vancouver's densely populated West End, it stretches out on a peninsula and surrounded on three sides by water.Stanley Park is at once a refuge for visitors seeking a brief escape from the urban jungle, a showcase for the natural beauty that surrounds the city and an entertainment centre. The park is criss-crossed through its dense rainforest interior by miles of wide gravel paths surrounding Beaver Lake and Lost Lagoon.It is home to hundreds of migratory birds such as Canada geese, swans, and ducks, and large populations of racoons, squirrels, skunks, and coyotes. The park has a miniature railroad, putt-putt golf course, and an aquarium. It is also possible to walk, jog, cycle, or rollerblade around the long seawall that encircles the perimeter.

Address : Georgia Street, Vancouver

Website : www.vancouver.ca/parks/parks/stanley/

Transport : Translink bus #19

Opening times : Open daily

Admission : Free

Established in 1931, the Vancouver Art Gallery boasts thousands of national and international exhibitions by a range of artists, sculptors, and photographers, housed in a turn-of-the-century heritage building in the centre of downtown Vancouver. The building also houses a cafe and shop.National and international touring exhibitions take place regularly at the gallery, with works from Picasso, Rodin, Andy Warhol, and others. Whether you prefer the Old Masters or more contemporary artists, the Vancouver Art Gallery is well worth paying a visit. Check out the official website listed below for details on current temporary exhibitions.

Address : 750 Hornby Street

Website : www.vanartgallery.bc.ca

Telephone : (604) 662 4700

Transport : Skytrain to Granville or Burrard Stations; any downtown bus

Opening times : Open daily, from 10am to 5pm (until 9pm on Tuesdays).

Admission : C$24 (adults), C$6.50 (children over five), free for children under five. Other concessions are available.

Perhaps one of the best ways to begin one's visit to Vancouver is with a trip up the Harbour Centre Tower to the Lookout, where one can enjoy a 360 degree view of the city, Greater Vancouver, the North Shore Mountains, and even neighbouring Vancouver Island on a clear day.A 45-second trip in the outdoor glass-fronted Skylift elevator delivers visitors to the Lookout and informative signs point out key attractions in the city and surrounds. As tickets are valid for the entire day and evening, visitors can also enjoy a cup of coffee while watching the sunset from the Lookout or see the lights of the city begin to twinkle below.The tower is also home to The Top of Vancouver Revolving Restaurant, and visitors can enjoy the unique experience of dining above the city while the restaurant completes a full revolution every hour. The Skylift to the restaurant is free. The Harbour Centre itself is home to part of the Simon Fraser University campus, several shops, and a food court.

Address : 555 West Hastings Street

Website : www.vancouverlookout.com

Telephone : (604) 689 0421

Transport : Skytrain to Waterfront Station; SeaBus from North Shore to Waterfront Station

Opening times : Open daily, from 8:30am to 10:30pm (May to September); 9am to 9pm Monday to Thursday, and 9am to 9:30pm Friday to Sunday (October to April).

Admission : C$17.50 (adults), C$9.50 (children aged 6 - 12). Concessions available.

With 22 hectares (55 acres) and roughly 11,000 different plant species, VanDusen Botanical Garden is a spectacular showcase of the natural world, right in the heart of Vancouver. Landscaped gardens are laid out exquisitely and specific areas are cultivated to demonstrate botanical relationships or geographical origins, such as the popular Rhododendron Walk or the Sino Himalayan Garden.One of the most popular events held in the garden is the annual Festival of Lights, when the beauty of the flowers is matched by over a million dazzling lights set up in order to celebrate the festive season. Choirs and carol singers, visits with Santa, a Dancing Light display on Lake Island in the park, the Golden Chain Walk, magicians, and tasty treats are all part of this family favourite, running from 9-31 December each year. Daily walking and cart tours are available in the garden from April to October at 2pm and also at 11am on Wednesdays.

Address : 5251 Oak Street (37th Avenue and Oak)

Website : www.vandusengarden.org

Telephone : (604) 257 8335

Transport : #17 Oak bus from downtown Vancouver to West 37th Avenue

Opening times : Opening times vary according to season, with slightly different hours every month - check the official website for details.

Admission : October to March C$8.25 (adults), C$4.25 (children aged 3 - 12); April to September C$11.25 (adults), C$5.50 (children aged 3 - 12). Concessions available.