Tourist Information about Vancouver
Imagine sprawling streetlights carpeting a rolling landscape into the foothills of the Coastal Mountain range. Imagine vibrant green lawns and ripe leafy trees dripping with fresh rain. Imagine far-stretching ocean adorned with white-sailed boats floating gracefully on the coastal waves. Imagine Vancouver. With the cumulative effort of cities from North Vancouver to Tsawwassen to Coquitlam, Greater Vancouver has it all: All scenery, all cultures, all attractions, all for you. Come see for yourself.For an "overview" of all Greater Vancouver has to offer, test your tolerance for heights at one of the great lookout points. Ride the aerial tramway to the top of 1,250-m (4,100-ft.) Grouse Mountain, or "float" to the top of Harbour Centre in a glass elevator for great photo opportunities. A stroll across the Capilano Suspension Bridge, 70 m (230 ft.) above the Capilano River, or the slightly smaller Lynn Valley Suspension Bridge above Lynn Canyon will also have you walking on air as you hover above the rich forest of evergreen trees. Back on firm ground, be sure to explore Greater Vancouver's endless parks and gardens. Bike, jog, or rollerblade through Stanley Park, Canada's largest city park and home to the Vancouver Aquarium, or walk along the beaches at Kitsilano, English Bay, Jericho, and Crescent Park for a great view of the incoming and outgoing boats. For a refreshing escape from the excitement of the big city, a number of gardens including the UBC and VanDusen Botanical Gardens, the Bloedel Floral Conservatory and the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Gardens, all offer peace and quiet for those who seek it.
After relaxing in the gardens, you'll have only one thing left to do: Head downtown! See what all the excitement is about as you head into the heart of the hustle and bustle for a host of sensational attractions the whole family will enjoy. Grab a bite to eat at one of the many ethnic restaurants in the area, or shop 'til you drop in the fashion boutiques on Robson Street, and the wealth of gift shops in historic Gastown and Chinatown. Get lost in the maze of stores in Pacific Centre, or wander from the hub of downtown to enjoy the friendly atmosphere of the markets on Granville Island, Lonsdale Quay, and New Westminster. Commercial Drive, the Punjabi Market, and Gallery Row, an antique-lover's paradise on South Granville Street, also lure visitors looking for that special something to remind them of their trip. For those who still haven't found what they're looking for, Vancouver also offers a number of exciting activities. Keep your golf swing in practice at one of the city's first class courses, or ponder the deeper meaning of aesthetics at more than 100 art galleries across town. History buffs enjoy visiting heritage sites like the Gulf of Georgia Cannery in Steveston, the Heritage Village & Carousel in Burnaby, and the many museums in Greater Vancouver, including the University of British Columbia’s Museum of Anthropology which features the world's finest display of First Nation's art. Hands-on exhibits at Science World, and mammoth-screen Imax movies at Canada Place and Science World also delight visitors of all ages.
With so many sights and activities stretched over such a large area of land and sea, your biggest problem will be fitting it all in. City transit offers exceptional bus service, combined with water-crossing sea-buses, and high-speed sky trains to take you where you need to go as efficiently as possible. Mini ferries and trolley cars will also help you get around, while horse-drawn carriages, double-decker buses, and harbour cruises let you tour the city in style, pointing out interesting landmarks and dishing local secrets along the way. Located on the Trans-Canada Highway, 154 km (96 mi.) west of Hope, and easily accessed by commercial bus, air, and rail lines, Greater Vancouver welcomes thousands of visitors each day. BC Ferries also sails into Horseshoe Bay and Tsawwassen Ferry Terminals from Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands, as well as Gibsons, on the lower Sunshine Coast. Population: 2,000,000Elevation: 3 m (10 ft.)Average July Temperature: 17ºC (63ºF) Average January Temperature: 3ºC (37ºF)Annual Rainfall: 112 cm (44 in.)Annual Snowfall: 55 cm (22 in.)
