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The parade starts at the Wild Renfrew Adventure Centre and ends at Beach Camp where the float winners will be announced with games and hot dogs. Celebrate Canada Day in Sidney. Start the day with a pancake breakfast am , followed by the annual parade — Once the parade completes its route, people are encouraged to move to Iroquois Park to join in the Family Fun Fair — pm where the fun continues.
Enjoy a variety of activities for the entire family including an inflatable obstacle course, carnival-style games, dog show, watermelon eating contest, and so much more!
For more information, please visit the Gorge Canada Day Picnic website. Clap your hands, or dance yourself silly to the live music throughout the day. Be a kid again, jump in and take part in all the fun activities. Enjoy the food and snacks at the concession, but remember to leave a bit of room for a piece of the HUGE cake. Town of Lake Cowichan Festivities start at 11 A. Food, Music, Arts and Cultural activities and fun for kids until 3 P. Youbou in Arbutus Park starts at 10 am Food, Music, activities and fun for kids until 2pm.
Honeymoon Bay at the Honeymoon Bay Hall starts at am, with scholarship awards at am. Cake, Music, and award presentations until 2 P. Mesachie Lake at the Skydome Park, concession, cake, Music, activities and fun for kids 6pm to 8pm. Waterwheel Park sets the stage for this annual family-friendly event where there is a little something for everyone, no matter your age!
All the events take place between 11 am — 3 pm, leaving lots of time for you to simply enjoy a day in the park dressed in red and white. The town of Ladysmith will be hosting a fun celebration this year.
There will be kids games and activities, live music, a giant cake, and more! This event is FREE to attend. Lots of events and live entertainment happening all day long. Family activities include face painting, crafts, games, bouncy castles, kayaking, balloon animals, magic, dance performances, and much more! The day ends with the fabulous grand finale fireworks, sponsored by Thrifty Foods. Add in food trucks, concessions, and artisan booths and it will be a full day of family fun.
The family day event starts with an early morning pancake breakfast and ends with a street dance later that night! Further information, including times and location of all events, can be found on the Comox Valley Canada Day website.
This Canada Day event has a full day of activities, starting with a pancake breakfast and ending with a Festival of Lights display. Fun for all ages. Further information, including times of all events, can be found on the Campbell River Canada Day Event website. The parade features many creative floats all of which start on Stamp Avenue outside of the Catalyst Parking lot.
The Parade will start at the sound of the Steam Whistle around am from the Baldwin Steam Train which will be about 1. Once at the Quay, the party takes over with many vendors set up for all to enjoy! Events happen all day and into the evening at Harbour Quay. Head to the Village Green from — pm for some Canada Day festivities. Expect artisans, kids activities, local vendors, Free hot dog BBQ, and live music.
If you know of any other Canada Day Celebrations on Vancouver Island, please let me know in the comments below. Thank you for the reminder. Discover Vancouver www. Georgia Straight www. Tourism Vancouver www. Tyee www. Vancouver www. Vancouver Magazine www. Vancouver Sun www. Also has an outlet at the airport. Chichi Yaletown attracts hipster window-shoppers, while the real bohemians are more likely to be found cruising Commercial Dr or South Main SoMa.
Laid-back Kitsilano enjoys great beach access and leads out towards the tree-lined University of British Columbia UBC campus, a minitown on its own.
Once a disappointing regional gallery with nothing more than a clutch of Emily Carr canvases to recommend it, the Vancouver Art Gallery Map; ; www. Canada Place Map; ; www. This waterfront landmark resembles a series of soaring white sails.
With a recent and long-overdue renovation, Vancouver Lookout Map; ; www. Next, take a window-shopping stroll along Robson St, then cut down towards the waterfront for some panoramic sea and mountain vistas.
Walk west along the seawall, grabbing a coffee along the way, and make for Stanley Park below. Spend the afternoon exploring the beaches, totem poles and Vancouver Aquarium below here before ambling back downtown for dinner. Two Days Follow the one-day itinerary then, the next morning, take a taxi to clamorous Chinatown opposite.
Christ Church Cathedral Map; ; www. Hosting regular choir and organ recitals as well as Shakespeare readings, it offers free tours by appointment. There are also four restaurants in the park if you need a fuel-up. Those traveling with kids could easily spend a full day in the park. The Vancouver Aquarium Map; ; www.
Look out for the iridescent jellyfish tank and the two playful sea otter as well as the stroll-through butterfly environment. For a glimpse of what pioneer town Vancouver looked like before the glass towers, drop by Roedde House Museum Map; ; www. This handsome mansion is one of several attractive timber-framed old homes lining Barclay Heritage Sq. Check out the Contemporary Art Gallery Map; ; www. See www. The heritage buildings are mostly still here but they now house souvenir shops, popular tourist restaurants and a growing clutch of trendy clothing stores.
The landmark hissing steam clock Map is halfway along Water St. The disused tunnel was once used by mail employees for a subterranean Halloween party. An explosion of sight, sound and aromas, this bustling district teems with shops hawking exotic fruits, ancient remedies and the occasional bucket of live frogs. Bohemian coffee bars, vegetarian-friendly eateries, one-of-a-kind boutiques and bold little artist-run galleries are blooming in this area.
For information on happenings, check www. It has an international food court eat lunch early or late to avoid the rush and a kaleidoscope of cool craft stalls. Popular three-hour tasting tours of the market are offered by Edible BC , ; www.
You can also take a tour at nearby Granville Island Brewing Map; ; www. The guides here walk you through the tiny brewing room production has mostly shifted to larger premises before depositing you in the taproom for samples including Cypress Honey Lager and the recommended Kitsilano Maple Cream Ale.
A short waterside walk from Granville Island, Vanier Park hosts the stripy tents of the annual Bard on the Beach Festival and is also home to a clutch of small, family-friendly museums.
Among these, Vancouver Museum Map; ; www. Recent history is also on offer, with colorful displays covering s pop culture and s hippy counter-culture. The final member of the triumvirate, the Vancouver Maritime Museum Map; ; www. Highlight exhibits here include the St Roch, an arctic patrol vessel that was the first to navigate the Northwest Passage in both directions. Its concrete campus is surrounded by the University Endowment Lands, complete with accessible beach and forest areas and a smattering of recommended visitor attractions.
What makes Bard on the Beach a uniquely Vancouver festival? The exquisite beauty of the sea, the mountains and the sky becomes the backdrop of a great production of classical theater, bringing the two worlds of stage and nature together.
How do you think Shakespeare would react to seeing his plays performed in waterfront tents? I think he would be delighted! Essentially he wrote his plays for the Globe Theatre in London, which was open above a portion of the audience.
Our theater is open behind the stage, so everyone is dry. The cultural scene in Vancouver is at an exciting precipice right now. Professional production companies are providing outstanding seasons, while emerging artists are bringing a new energy and cultural growth to the city.
Personally, what are some of your favorite Vancouver cultural pursuits? The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, the opera and all of the theater productions in Vancouver. Outside Bard, what other festivals do you personally enjoy visiting? Festival Vancouver, the Folk Festival and the Jazz Festival: there is a festival for everyone in this city. Any tips for first-time visitors on how to make the most of their Bard experience?
Buy your tickets early! Once you have your tickets, plan to come down early and have a picnic in beautiful Vanier Park. Over the years, what have been the most requested plays among Bard fans? But Shakespeare has such a wonderful canon that we have been able to offer a little of everything to fans.
With the addition of our Studio Stage in it allowed us to bring more of the rarely performed works to the stage. What is your own favorite Shakespeare part and what is your favorite Shakespeare play? Playing Shakespeare is always a passion and a constant delight. Ask about the free, twice-daily gallery tours to get the most from your visit.
Designed by Arthur Erickson, the museum building mirrors the post-and-beam construction of early aboriginal structures. Designed by a top Japanese landscape architect, the lovely Nitobe Memorial Garden Map; ; www. Follow Trail 6 into the woods then head down the steps to the waterfront to find Wreck Beach Map; www.
The regulars are in a continuing battle with the university over the building of residential towers that threaten their privacy, so be sure to offer your support as you peel off. If you fancy an enjoyable window-shopping stroll, South Granville www. Vanier Park Laid-back grassy knoll with languid sea and mountain vistas. Kitsilano Beach Giant sandy expanse with nearby swimming pool to help you work up an appetite. You can check your bags, collect an area running map and borrow an iPod for your trek.
Cycling Joggers share the busy Stanley Park seawall with cyclists and in-line skaters , necessitating a one-way traffic system that also acts to prevent bloody pile-ups.
The sea-to-sky vistas are breathtaking, but the exposed route can be hit with crashing waves and icy winds in winter. This extended route, including Stanley Park, is around 25km. Olympic Village construction was affecting parts of this route on our visit, so watch out for diversions.
There are several bike and blade rental outlets near the park around the Georgia and Denman Sts intersection. One of these, Spokes Bicycle Rentals Map; ; www. With its calm waters, Vancouver is a popular spot for both veteran and novice kayakers.
For those who want to be at one with the sea breeze, Windsure Adventure Watersports Map; ; www. Try to find a seat on the patio for what may turn out to be the best sunset view of your life. Pull out your camera for some photos of the nearby totem poles 3 , then turn around and shoot the downtown towers and maybe a floatplane or two landing in False Creek. The adjoining downhill stretch will bring you to the oft-photographed Girl in a Wetsuit 6 sculpture and the undercarriage of the towering Lions Gate Bridge 7.
If your legs are feeling wobbly, you can pick up the free shuttle bus here to return you to the park entrance. Pick up the pace after your break, stroll past the swimming pool at Second Beach 11 and hit the home stretch to English Bay 12 , where coffee shops and restaurants abound.
Stanley Park can keep most families occupied for a full day. Make sure you save time for the Vancouver Aquarium and, if your kids have been good, consider a behind-the-scenes trainer tour. For arguments in support of legalization, duck into the shop and offices of the BC Marijuana Party at Cannabis Culture Headquarters Map; ; www.
It also houses the Vapour Lounge, where you can chill-out with some like-minded new buddies. You can strikeout in a more wholesome way at one of the last remaining downtown bowling alleys in Canada. Some visitors might have more fun losing their shirts at Hastings Racecourse Map; , ; www. Rates include bikes and helmets. Boat Tours Accent Cruises ; www. Departs from Granville Island. Harbour Cruises , ; www.
Bus Tours Big Bus , ; www. Gray Line West , ; www. Vancouver Trolley Company , ; www. West here for a crash-course on the local scene, and check www.
Along with this family-friendly street fiesta, there are dozens of pre- and post-parade events covering all kinds of interests and desires. For support of all kinds, the Centre Map; ; www. These friendly folk also staff the Prideline ; pm , a telephone peer support, information and referral service. Gastown Historic Walking Tours ; www. Departs from Gassy Jack Statue. Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival ; www.
Bard on the Beach ; www. Vancouver International Jazz Festival ; www. Alcan Dragon Boat Festival ; www. Canada Day ; www. Vancouver Folk Music Festival ; www. Celebration of Light ; www. Pride Week ; www. Festival Vancouver ; www. Pacific National Exhibition ; www. Vancouver International Fringe Festival ; www. Vancouver International Film Festival ; www. Vancouver International Writers Festival ; www. Santa Claus Parade Christmas procession in mid-November, complete with the great man himself.
While rates peak in the summer months, there are some great deals available in fall and early spring when the weather is often amenable and the tourist crowds mercifully reduced. The website of Tourism Vancouver www. HI Vancouver Central Map; , ; www. Rates include continental buffet breakfast. Moda Hotel Map; , ; www. The new rooms have loungey flourishes like mod furnishings and bold paintwork and the bathrooms have been given a swanky makeover. The flat-screen TVs are a nice touch if you decide to have a night in.
Comfort Inn Downtown Map; , ; www. The corner suites, with fireplaces and Jacuzzi tubs, are the best rooms. Kingston Hotel Map; , ; www.
The friendly staff is second to none, the rooms are stuffed with reproduction antiques and the balconies enable you to smirk at the grubby plebs shuffling past below. Steam up your monocle with a trip to the spa where a Shiatsu massage should work off those sore shopping muscles.
The dorms are all small and added extras range from bike rentals to internet-access computers. Rates include continental breakfast. Buchan Hotel Map; , ; www. The smiley front-desk staff is excellent and there are storage facilities for bikes and skis.
Tropicana Suite Hotel Map; ; www. Blue Horizon Hotel Map; , ; www. Sylvia Hotel Map; ; www. The best rooms are the 12 apartment suites, each with full kitchens and panoramic waterfront views. Listel Vancouver Map; , ; www.
Victorian Hotel Map; , ; www. Most are en suite with summer fans, TVs and robes provided but the best rooms are in the extension, complete with its marble-floored bathrooms. St Regis Hotel Map; , ; www. Rates include continental breakfast, access to a small on-site business center and entry to the gym across the street. Georgian Court Hotel Map; , ; www. The spruced-up standard rooms have new carpets and curtains but the apartment-style corner suites, with their quiet, recessed bedrooms, are recommended.
Opus Hotel Vancouver Map; , ; www. Outdoors types can rent bikes and sports equipment on site or stroll to the nearby kayaking and surfing operators. Your cooked breakfast is served in the high-ceilinged dining room downstairs. Family-friendly, the hosts can supply toys, cribs and even babysitters. Granville Island Hotel Map; , ; www. The top-floor penthouse has a nice private balcony while the downstairs Garden Suite has a kitchenette. Shaughnessy Village Map; ; www.
Despite the retro approach, the hotel is perfectly ship-shape, right down to its clean, well-maintained rooms. Extras include cooked breakfasts, an outdoor pool, large laundry and an on-site hairdresser where you can book that beehive hairdo you always wanted.
The standard rooms, complete with IKEA-esque furnishings, all have fridges and en suites, while the larger two-bedroom suites have handy kitchenettes.
The building has a coffee shop and a coin-operated laundry and there are several UBC restaurants within walking distance. Head to the decadent mezzanine level where you can lie down and feed like a king.
Encouraging diners to be adventurous and share the unfamiliar French-influenced dishes with their friends, highlights here include tempura-battered olives and duck confit with liquefied foie gras. Scallops wrapped in octopus bacon and served with foie gras is a signature, deceptively uncomplicated dishes of side stripe prawns and Queen Charlotte scallops are highly recommended.
Chef Rob Clark spearheads a local drive against farmed salmon and only uses superior-tasting wild sockeye. The animated youngsters come for the laid-back vibe and ever-popular spicy chicken stir-fry signature but the squid alternative is also recommended if you fancy something different.
If you can pull yourself away from the vistas, dip into gourmet comfort dishes like bison strip loin and prosciutto-wrapped salmon. Reservations recommended, especially if you want to sit on the patio with the likes of Halle Berry and Robin Williams.
Mimicking the diet of its namesake, nothing is cooked, leading to innovative treats like crunchy lasagna strips of zucchini substitute for pasta and pizza made from a dehydrated-seed crust and topped with tomato sauce, tenderized zucchini and mashed avocado. Save room for an icy almond shake dessert. With lots of vegetarian options, try the feastlike Plato Mixteco if you want to share.
Pull up a bar stool at the long table and choose from the blackboard of cured meats and local cheeses, accompanied by a glass or two of great wine.
Restoring the social aspect to dining, the warm room is usually noisy with chat by the end of the night. Dishes range from satisfying dim sum to steaming wonton soup bowls, bobbing with juicy dumplings. Try the congee rice porridge: a fancy-free soul food dish that takes three hours to prepare and comes in seafood, chicken and beef varieties. Wild boar with jasmine rice and plantain chips is particularly recommended, as is the comprehensive martini list. This is a popular late-night hangout on Fridays and Saturdays.
Combining a rustic Latin American ambiance with a roster of satisfying Afro-Cuban-Southern soul-food dishes, highlights range from yam fries to slow-roasted lamb curry and a shellfish platter of clams, mussels and oysters.
Favored by in-the-know locals, hence the frequent line-ups, all dishes are made to order and include house-chopped coleslaw.
Both rooms have an intimate, wood-lined feel with their shared waterfront patio becoming a chatty al fresco hangout on most summer evenings. The oysters, best enjoyed on the rooftop deck, are recommended and the strong wine list is something to write home about. Live music is served up Thursday to Saturday when the urban professionals drop by and loosen their ties. But the menu and weekend brunch queues show that these guys mean business, encouraging legions of repeat diners who keep coming back for stuffed quesadillas, hearty Farmers Breakfasts and sesame-fried potatoes with miso gravy.
Consider coming back later in the day for a slice of mountain-sized apple pie. If not, console yourself with some Okanagan cherry tart. The maplewood sushi bar seats here are more sought-after than a couple of front-row Stanley Cup tickets, so reserve as early as possible and make sure you sample a selection or two from the sake menu. The great and good come to sip alongside live soul music on Monday and Tuesday, while Thursday to Saturday combines house and Top 40 tunes on the dance floor.
Serves gourmet pub grub like smoky-bacon-and-gorgonzola burgers alongside exotic European brews like Belgian cherry beer. Honey Map; ; Abbott St; noon-late A refreshing alternative to the Granville St party rabble, this resto-lounge venue transforms into a club on weekends and is especially renowned for its Friday-night Mod Club, when a welcoming and pretense-free crowd of young coolsters dresses up for a night of pop-soul-and-everything-else partying.
Good drinks specials, too. A comfort food menu perfectly matches the drinks selection of fortifying martinis. Work your way down the list, sink further into your comfy chair and try to figure out what the giant swirly glass thing above the bar is supposed to be.
Both bars were planning a possible move across the street on our visit. Seventy Two Sports Bar Map; ; Robson St; ampm Right in the heart of Robson St, you can pull up a patio chair on the 2nd floor here and still hear the chatty shoppers shuffling past below. The signature beer here is Lions Gate Lager, a good summer tipple. The menu is packed with pub standards, but the pizzas are a stand-out.
Tickets for many events are available from Ticketmaster performing arts , concerts , sports ; www. At the time, pilots considered it the best-lit city in North America. Complete with a bouncy dance floor, it showcases great visiting bands and the best in local talent. Across the street, the Plaza Club Map; www. The venue hosts a varied array of rising and smaller visiting talent. Blues fans should head along Granville to the Yale Map; ; www.
Popular world classics and works by contemporary Canadian playwrights are also part of the mix offered by the Arts Club Theatre Company ; www. Those looking for more challenging fare might prefer the Firehall Arts Centre Map; ; www. For multiplex movie fans, the Scotiabank Theatre Map; ; www. Mixing its own blockbuster offerings with festival flicks, Tinseltown Cinemas Map; ; www.
The innovative Scotiabank Dance Centre Map; ; www. Ballet BC ; www. Sports The Vancouver Canucks ; www. Book your seat at their GM Place Map; ; www. They play at the Pacific Coliseum, east of downtown. And if you want to see the Vancouver Whitecaps ; www. Markets Chinatown Night Market Map; ; www.
These sites include BC Place, which will host the opening and closing ceremonies as well as nightly medal presentations; Pacific Coliseum in Hastings Park, which will host figure skating, short-track and speed-skating; the UBC Winter Sports Centre, which will host hockey and Paralympic sledge hockey; Hillcrest Curling Centre, which will host curling and wheelchair curling; GM Place, which will host ice hockey; Cypress Mountain, which will host freestyle skiing and snowboard; and the Richmond Speed Skating Oval, which will be the home of long-track speed-skating.
Other events will take place in and around Whistler. Highlights can include crunchy apples, lush peaches and juicy blueberries; home-baked cakes and treats are frequent accompaniments. Vancouver Flea Market Map; ; www. Its barnlike venue near the Main St SkyTrain station houses dozens of semiprofessional and amateur hawkers, giving it the feel of a sprawling indoor garage sale.
Dream Designs Map; ; Commercial Dr; 10am-6pm Mon-Sat, am-5pm Sun Visiting greenies will enjoy dipping into this small organic home store that sells everything from yoga knick knacks to linen pajamas and hemp bed-sheets. Check out the local pottery selection and enjoy a calming chat with the staff about your favorite natural spa treatments. Check out the narrow aisles of international condiments, then start building your ideal picnic from the impressive bread, cheese and cold-cuts selection.
Next stop: years of addiction therapy. Intra-Canada flights include regular Westjet ; www. Linked to the main airport by shuttle bus, the South Terminal receives BC-only flights from smaller airlines and floatplane operators.
These include frequent Harbour Air Seaplanes , ; www. Boat BC Ferries , ; www. Services also arrive here from the Southern Gulf Islands. Greyhound Canada ; www. Perimeter Tours , ; www. Quick Coach Lines , ; www. If you want to go downtown, turn left onto Hastings and follow it into the city center, or continue on along the North Shore toward Whistler. All the recognized car rental chains Click here have Vancouver branches.
VIA Rail ; www. Amtrak ; www. Note that only the first service of the day from Seattle is by train, with buses used for the remaining four services. Alternatively, the Vancouver Airporter , ; www. Bicycle With routes running across town, Vancouver is a relatively good cycling city. Cyclists can take their bikes for free on SkyTrains, SeaBuses and rack-fitted transit buses. Bike rentals: Reckless Bike Stores Map; ; www.
Spokes Bicycle Rental Map; ; www. Its cutthroat rival is False Creek Ferries Map; ; www. Try the alternative Second Narrows Bridge. Parking is at a premium downtown: there are few free spots available on residential side streets and traffic wardens are predictably predatory. Underground parking at either Pacific Centre shopping mall or the Central Library will have you in the heart of the city. Public Transportation The website for TransLink ; www.
A ticket bought on any of the three services is valid for 90 minutes of travel on the entire network, depending on the zone you intend to travel in. The three zones become progressively more expensive the further you journey. Many buses have bike racks and are wheelchair accessible.
Exact change or more is required since all buses use fare machines and change is not given. These buses have their own limited arrival and departure points and do not use regular bus stops. There is also a route night bus system that runs every 30 minutes between am and 4am across the Lower Mainland.
The last bus leaves downtown Vancouver at am. Look for the night-bus signs at designated stops. The original minute Expo Line takes passengers to and from downtown Vancouver and Surrey, via stops throughout Burnaby and New Westminster.
The newer Millennium Line alights near shopping malls and suburban residential districts in Coquitlam and Burnaby. Trains depart every two to eight minutes between 5am and am Monday to Friday 6am to am Saturday, 7am to pm Sun. All SkyTrain services are wheelchair accessible. Services depart from Waterfront Station between am and am Monday to Saturday am to pm Sunday.
Vessels are wheelchair accessible and bike-friendly. For green travelers, Yellow Cab has a large fleet of low-emission vehicles. A drive or transit trek over the soaring Lions Gate Bridge will deliver you to the forest-fringed doorstep of North Vancouver and West Vancouver, complete with their outdoors attractions and waterfront views, while a short-hop ferry from Horseshoe Bay takes you over to Bowen Island for a rustic day excursion.
For information on what to do here, check out the municipal website www. The grounds also include rainforest walks, totem poles and a swinging network of smaller cable bridges strung between the trees. In summer, Skyride gondola passengers can access mountain restaurants, lumberjack shows, alpine hiking trails and a grizzly-bear refuge. You can also harden your calf muscles on the Grouse Grind, a steep 2. There are also plenty of excellent hiking trails and some great picnic spots.
Like Grouse, the area transforms in winter, when Mt Seymour Resorts ; www. It has a playground, outdoor pool and free continental breakfast. Lonsdale Quay Hotel Map; ; www. Interiors will be familiar to the business-traveler crowd but there are also two colorful family rooms with bunk beds and bath toys.
There are plenty of shops and restaurants nearby to keep you occupied. Quality pub food in a ski-lodge setting. From the bus terminal at the quay, bus runs to Capilano Suspension Bridge then up to the base of Grouse Mountain. Rocky Mountaineer Vacations runs its popular Whistler Mountaineer , ; www. You can check out all the local information and parochial intrigue at the city council www. About 13km of hiking trails crisscross the area, including a recommended trek that leads to Point Atkinson Lighthouse and some shimmering views across lovely Burrard Inlet.
Each suite has a fridge and DVD player, as well as a decanter of sherry for that essential al fresco evening tipple. You can sober up with a stroll to nearby Point Atkinson Lighthouse. Proving just how authentic the food is, there are usually a few expat Iranians here, tucking into large platters of Barbary bread with eggplant dip and long-simmered stews.
The recommended fish, chicken and beef kabobs dominate the menu. You can also catch a minute ferry ride to Bowen Island from here. For Horseshoe Bay information, check www. Bowen Island has its own Visitor Centre ; www. West of Horseshoe Bay, Whytecliff Park off Map; ; block Marine Dr attracts scuba divers to its protected waters, hikers to its rocky trails and rock climbers to its granite cliffs.
Hiking trails and picnic grounds similarly abound on Bowen. Scenic kayaking tours are offered by Bowen Island Sea Kayaking , ; www. Carrying 22 million passengers a year, the BC Ferries system has a few unusual stories to tell.
There have been 21 on-board births, several weddings and a missing dog that disappeared from a boat in , only to arrive bedraggled on Bowen Island two days later, following an exhausting doggy paddle. Pub grub is the main focus here and the fish and chips are recommended.
BC Ferries , ; www. In addition, a handful of attractions aim to keep you away from the shops. For information, contact Tourism Burnaby ; www. Offering a peaceful environment minus the hectic energy of downtown, the pathways of Deer Lake Park Map crisscross the meadows and woodlands, circling the lake where fowl and other wildlife hang out. The adjoining Burnaby Village Museum Map; ; www. To get there, take the Sperling Ave exit off Hwy 1 and follow the museum signs. An ever-expanding homage to materialism, Metropolis at Metrotown Map; ; www.
The mall is a minute SkyTrain ride from downtown Vancouver. For information, drop into the Visitor Centre Map; , ; www. At the time of writing, the market was considering a new location: check its website for location updates before you set off.
Kuan Yin Temple Map; ; www. Rooms are tastefully lined with reproduction antiques and landscape paintings. The best feature is the chintzy guest lounge, which opens directly onto a large, secluded swimming pool. Fairmont Vancouver Airport Map; , ; www. A great option for boarding your long-haul flight in trance-like state of calm. The rooms are elegantly furnished with high-end flourishes including remote-controlled drapes and marble-lined bathrooms.
The giant, naturally occurring Buntzen Lake off Map; reservoir is surrounded on three sides by steep, tree-covered mountains and on its fourth side by a gently curving beach, complete with picnic tables, old-growth trees and those ambling, ever-present Canada geese. Take the Ioco exit and follow Ioco Rd to the left. Turn right on First Ave and continue to Sunnyside Rd.
Turn right again and continue to the Buntzen Lake entrance. The journey should take around an hour. It can get crowded here in summer, so arrive early if you want your pick of the picnic tables. Vegetarians are also well served on a menu that stretches to almost 50 dishes. Drive here from Vancouver via the Steveston Hwy exit off Hwy 99 for an early-evening stroll along the boardwalk.
Most of the machinery is still in place and you can learn all about what a horrible job it was working the production line here. Fort Langley is 45 minutes southeast of Vancouver via Hwy 1.
Head to the slick new visitor center, named the Squamish Adventure Centre , ; www. The underground train tour May to October only into the mines is a highlight, especially for kids who like a fright. West Coast Railway Heritage Park ; www. This volunteer-driven outdoor museum has around 90 railcars, including 10 working engines. A few minutes past Squamish, riverside Brackendale village is a fancy-free spot with a major claim to fame.
The winter feeding ground for thousands of salmon-scoffing bald eagles, it draws legions of binocular-clad visitors, who flock around Thor Froslev, the eccentric owner of Brackendale Art Gallery ; www.
Activities Home of a sheer, m granite rock face that attracts climbers from across the region, Stawamus Chief Provincial Park www. Call Squamish Rock Guides ; www.
Known for its high wind quotient, Squamish Spit is a popular kiteboarding and windsurfing destination. There are two shower buildings with flush toilets, and campers often indulge in activities like swimming, hiking and biking rentals available.
Consider an interpretive ranger tour through the woods July and August only to find out a little more about the region. Squamish Inn on the Water , ; www. These are among the best producers and their recommended beers : Dead Frog Brewery www. Granville Island Brewing www. Phillips Brewing www. Russell Brewing www. Storm Brewing www. Vancouver Island Brewery www.
The slightly more salubrious Perimeter Squamish Shuttle , ; www. Summer hikers seem magnetic- ally drawn here but the trails also double as cross-country ski routes in winter. The trailhead is 8. The Elfin Lakes trail 11km is a lovely and relatively easy day trek.
For overnighters, the trail continues on to the extinct volcano of Opal Cone. The trailhead parking lot is 16km east of Hwy The bright aqua hue of the undisturbed lake contrasts with the dark, jagged peak of Black Tusk rising behind it. A short stroll through the forest leads to a leg-jellying platform overlooking the top of the falls, where water drops suddenly out of the trees like a giant faucet.
A 7km looped trail leads further through the dense forest and ancient lava beds to Cal-Cheak Suspension Bridge. If you fancy staying, there are 15 drive-in campsites ; www. Co-hosting the Winter Olympics www. Once little more than an off-season afterthought, the area has seen summer visitor numbers leaping in recent years, with many people dropping by to try mountain biking, alpine hiking and a full roster of adventurous outdoor activities.
Luckily, there are plenty of street signs and lots of people around to snag directions from. Pick up The Pique or Whistler Question newspapers for further local insights. Armchair Books ; Village Sq; 9am-9pm Central bookstore with strong travel section. Whistler Activity Centre , ; Whistler Way; 9am-5pm Recommendations and bookings for local activities. Whistler Visitor Centre , ; www. Whistler was originally called Alta Lake and Whistler Mountain was named London Mountain in the s by some evidently homesick British naval officers.
Whatever season you arrive, head to the visitor center or Whistler Activity Centre for tips and recommendations. There are dozens of lifts to transport skiers and snowboarders and a hotly anticipated 4. Snowshoers are also well served at Lost Lake: you can stomp off on your own on 10km of trails or rent equipment and guides. Outdoor Adventures Whistler ; www. Prices include equipment rentals and the company also offers a wide range of non-snowshoe tours and activities. The cool, line course operated by Ziptrek Ecotours , ; www.
Hiking With more than 40km of flower-and-forest alpine trails, most accessed via the Whistler Village Gondola, this region is ideal for those who like nature of the strollable variety. Favorite routes include the High Note Trail 8km , which traverses pristine meadows and has stunning views of the blue-green waters of Cheakumus Lake.
Pick up a route map from the visitor center for other trails. Whistler Alpine Guides Bureau ; www. Rafting Tumbling waterfalls, dense forest and a menagerie of local wildlife are some of the visuals you might catch as you lurch along the Elaho or Squamish rivers on an adrenalin-rushing half- or full-day rafting trip.
Whistler River Adventures , ; www. Kokanee Crankworx www. Cornucopia www. Whistler Film Festival www. The visitor center has a handy accommodation reservation service , ; www. Budget HI-Whistler Hostel ; whistler hihostels. Dorms are predictably institutional, but private rooms are also available. Book ahead year-round. The on-site restaurant serves great breakfasts have the salmon eggs Benedict. Fireside Lodge ; www. Midrange Blackcomb Lodge , ; www.
It offers lofts and studios with full kitchens, and a selection of cheaper but very comfortable standard rooms. Alpine Lodge ; www. Crystal Lodge , ; www. Both share excellent proximity to village restaurants and are less than m from the main ski lift. Or you can just hop in the hot tub and dream about the large buffet breakfast coming your way in the morning.
Edgewater Lodge , ; www. Pinnacle Hotel , ; www. Top end Adara Hotel , ; www. The front desk loans iPods. The region hits the international spotlight when it joins Vancouver to host the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in February and March Go to www. Choose a room overlooking the slopes and you can watch from your balcony as the skiers slide home. Fairmont Chateau Whistler , ; www.
The hallways, lobbies and rooms are adorned in rich hues and tastefully furnished with classic west coast elegance. Also recommended: Sundial Boutique Hotel , ; www. Suites have full kitchens, heated bathroom floors and rooftop hot-tub access.
Legends , ; www. Fight your way to the counter and buy as many cookies and muffins as you can eat: smiling while stuffing your face has never been easier. Try a glass of hot sake on a cold winter day. The loungey, sometimes raucous, bar will keep you occupied here until past midnight when you can stagger back to wherever your hotel might be. Save room for dessert: the cheese menu is small but perfectly formed and the Okanagan apple cheesecake will have you licking the glaze off your plate.
You can treat your hangover to a late breakfast the next day by coming in for a good-value fry-up. From its wrought-iron chandeliers to its stone hearth and giant picture windows, you can tell anyone who will listen here all about your daring escapades on the slopes.
They might even believe you. The food, including pasta, pizza and great fish and chips, is superior to standard bar fare. Thursday is the best night of the week, attracting locals with indie and funk tunes, but be prepared to line up for weekend entry when everyone within a 25km radius seems to be trying to get in. MY Place ; www. Motor coach services from Perimeter Tours , ; www. Snowbus , ; www. Alternatively, you can grab a taxi from Resort Cabs ; www. Check the website of the Sunshine Coast Tourism Partnership www.
The Sunshine Coast Transit System ; www. Malaspina Coach Lines ; ; www. This service is also handy for traveling up and down the highway between the Sunshine Coast communities. West of town, Roberts Creek Provincial Park ; www. Exactly what a great hostel should be, Up the Creek Backpackers , ; www.
Its large upstairs suite, complete with kitchenette, is popular with families but the lovely Renaissance Room is perfect for some romantic canoodling. Return to beginning of chapter SECHELT pop A useful base for active travelers, with plenty of hiking, biking, kayaking and diving opportunities in the area, Sechelt is the second-largest town on the Sunshine Coast.
For information, drop by the Visitor Centre , ; www. About as far from camping as you can get, each luxurious canvas-walled cabin has a heated rock floor, Jacuzzi tub and a private deck overlooking the bay.
Your first stop should be Pemberton Museum ; Prospect St; admission by donation; 10am-5pm Jun-Sep where you can wander around a village of rescued pioneer shacks and imagine the Gold Rush sweeping through. Next, don your Stetson and saddle up with Adventures on Horseback ; www. An even better way to see the area is from the air.
Head to the Pemberton Soaring Centre , ; www. Tell the pilot you like rollercoasters and see what happens next. Finally, roll back to your cozy bed at the Whistler-style Pemberton Valley Lodge , ; www. Hop aboard a steel-hulled water taxi operated by High Tide Tours ; www. West of downtown, Willingdon Beach City Park is an ideal spot for a waterfront picnic. Or you can hit the water with a kayak from Powell River Sea Kayak , ; www.
For a quirky sleepover, the Old Courthouse Inn , ; www. In keeping with the historic theme, the rooms are nicely decorated with antique furnishings. Nearby, the old Rodmay Heritage Hotel ; www. For an introduction to the island, contact Tourism Vancouver Island , ; www.
This was a surprise to anyone who actually came from Britain, since Victoria promulgated a dreamy version of England that never really was: every garden complete with the occasional palm tree was immaculate; every flag pole was adorned with a Union Jack; and every afternoon was spent quaffing tea from bone-china cups. Thankfully this tired theme-park version of Ye Olde England has been gradually superseded in recent years. Fuelled by an increasingly younger demographic, a quiet revolution has seen lame tourist pubs, eateries and stores transformed into the kind of bright-painted bohemian shops, wood-floored coffee bars and surprisingly innovative restaurants that would make any city proud.
Visitor Centre Map; ; www. Parliament Buildings Map; ; www. The BC legislature welcomes history-hugging visitors. Consider stopping for lunch Click here. This tiny strip of businesses is fronted by an incongruously large Chinatown gate. Consider a guided tour to learn all about days of opium dens and anti-Chinese sentiment. Check the online calendar of events if you want to rub shoulders with the locals at lectures, presentations and even singles nights aimed at lonely arts fans.
The multiturreted Craigdarroch Castle Map; ; www. The elegant, wood-lined stone mansion is dripping with period architecture and antique-packed rooms. Enter the park via Douglas St. Emily Carr House Map; ; www. When you get to Victoria Bug Zoo Map; ; www. This clutch of scrubbed colonial strongholds is now home to the Maritime Museum of British Columbia Map; ; www.
Some operators: Orca Spirit Adventures Map; , ; www. Some operators: Ocean River Sports Map; , ; www. Sports Rent Map; ; www. Cycle Treks Map; , ; www. Gray Line West Map; , ; www. Hidden Dragon Tours Map; , ; www. Victoria SkaFest www. Victoria Jazzfest International www. Moss Street Paint-In In mid-July artists demonstrate their skills at this popular one-day community event.
Symphony Splash www. Victoria Fringe Theatre Festival www. Victoria Cycling Festival www. A great place to meet fellow travelers. Daily guided excursions and tours include city, bike and history treks. HI Victoria Hostel Map; , ; victoria hihostels.
Free weekly city tours are offered. Geometric bedspreads and pastel paintwork color most interiors but the courtyard suites are much larger and suitable for small groups. Ocean Island Suites Map; , ; www.
James Bay Inn Map; , ; www. There are some kitchenettes but the downstairs neighborhood bar also serves good pub grub. Add extra time for the painfully slow elevator to arrive. Queen Victoria Map; , ; www. The rooms here have abandoned the floral bedspreads in favor of a smart business hotel feel. All have new bathrooms and fridges, some have kitchenettes and many overlook Beacon Hill Park from their little balconies. Shamrock Suites Map; , ; www. Call ahead for year-round room discounts.
Rosewood Victoria Inn Map; , ; www. Bring your laptop to the library-like lounge for wireless access or hit the selection of board games.
The Heritage House is a restored family home with antiques, fireplaces and private patios. The larger Garden Suites have a contemporary feel and a smattering of Asian design flourishes.
Gourmet continental breakfast is included. Swans Suite Hotel Map; , ; www. Most of the rooms are spacious loft suites where you climb upstairs to bed in a gabled nook, and each is decorated with a comfy combination of wood beams, rustic chic furniture and deep leather sofas.
Oswego Hotel Map; , ; www. Cleverly, the smaller studio rooms have space-saving high-end Murphy beds. Fairmont Empress Hotel Map; , ; www. Check out the handmade candies on display near the entrance and pick up some marzipan teeth for the road. Hulking sandwiches of the melt-in-your-mouth pulled pork variety beef brisket and smoked chicken variations are also offered dominate the simple menu and you can wash that down with a pail of homemade ice tea.
Expect lunchtime queues better to arrive early or late and consider perking up your order with a side of succulent cornbread or a fried-banana-and-peanut-butter sandwich dessert. Signature sarnies feature roast beef or pastrami but the bulging vegetarian sandwich is also popular. Soups, wraps and sandwiches dominate the menu and there are plenty of vegetarian-friendly options. Heaping Belgian waffles are served with homemade cream cheese, and those who come for dinner can choose from a medley of international comfort foods, from calamari to pierogies.
Even meat-eaters have been known to swoon here, as they tuck into surprisingly tasty spring rolls, dim sum and potstickers. Combo meals are the best option, since they offer an array of different flavors.
Carnivores will be just as happy here, though, with hearty savory dishes like shitake-tofu potstickers and an array of dense fruit smoothies. Weekend brunch is popular and heavily patronized by hung-over students moaning quietly from the corners. The excellent beer selection includes Phillips and Lighthouse craft brews. Try the salmon-and-cream-cheese bagel melt at ReBar above. Save room for dessert: a frightening array of giant cheesecakes.
With a great wine menu, this spot invites adventurous foodies. Locally sourced produce is de rigueur, so the menu constantly changes to reflect seasonal highlights like figs, salmonberries and heirloom tomatoes. We recommend the lamb shank, served with mustard-creamed root vegetables and braised chard. Unassuming from the outside, the ever-changing dishes might range from a hearty squash soup with butter-fried sage to a mouth-melting sablefish, served with rapini and poached eggs.
Savvy diners drop by on Saturdays, when a creative five-course tasting menu hits the blackboard. Extensive first-hand research was undertaken for these reviews.
Summer drinkers often enjoy the lighter Honey Blonde Ale, while those with darker palates should make for the Nut Brown. Save room for dinner: the menu of seasonal, locally-sourced dishes is superior to most pubs and includes some excellent seafood.
Irish Times Map; ; Government St; 11am-1am Colonizing a former downtown bank building, this lively Celtic bar is a cut above standard Irish pubs.
The interior is a pleasing fusion of high ceilings and dark wood finishes and the draft selection is a buffet of classics from Ireland, France and Belgium. Friday is also popular and there are also regular live acts. The Friday and Saturday night dance parties here are the main attraction.
The latter is also home of the Victoria Symphony ; www.
Canada day vancouver island’s wilderness first premier – canada day vancouver island’s wildernes –
On July 1st each year there are Canada Day festivities throughout the Lower Mainland including in the Shipyards and Lower Lonsdale area of North Vancouver. For the past three decades . Into the wilderness: Welcome to Canada’s newest trail. Brendan Sainsbury. October 5, Some 16 years ago, a Canadian hiker decided to create a long-distance trail on Vancouver . Jul 01, · Thu, October 6, pm. Blue Stockings. Thu, October 13, pm. Experience ART IMMORTAL at the Beaumont Studios October 13 to Fri, October 21, pm. Diwali .
Canada Day and Langford’s 30th Anniversary Event – City of Langford.
On July 1st each year there are Canada Day festivities throughout the Lower Mainland including in the Shipyards and Lower Lonsdale area of North Vancouver. For the past three decades . Aug 12, · Howe Sound Boating. This body of water that’s surrounded by a network of towering fjords is a great place to explore by boat. Renting one at Granville Island or Sewell’s . Canada Day Events in Greater Vancouver. Canada Day takes place on July 1st each year. On that date, throughout the Lower Mainland, there are celebrations of all kinds. There are .