As I left the VIA station, tickets in hand, a thought occured:
"What are we gonna do in Vancouver for a whole week?"

Can any babblers from the Wacky Wonderful Wet Coast provide any ideas?

Vancouver is situated gloriously, no argument there, but otherwise it lacks, I think, for what you are likely looking for.

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I would recommend spending a day in Vancouver and then getting off the mainland over to Victoria, or perhaps a Gulf Island.

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BAH!!!! I've been in Van for 12 years now and still have no lack of new things to do! I'd take Vancouver hands down over Victoria any day.

Not to say that a ferry ride would be a bad idea!

The VanDusen Gardens are close to downtown Van, on Oak and 33rd. (approx.) Grouse Mountain truely is spectacular but kind of expensive, especially if you want to grab a meal.

Granville Island is connected to False Creek by mini ferries which are a lot of fun.

If you ride bikes confidently then they are the best way to get around Van. You can find bike rentals on Denman Street downtown or Robson and Seymour at Simon's bikes. Rollerblading Stanley park is fun too.

The art gallery is great and on Thursday evenings admission is by donation.

The burger and brew on the patio at the Cambie pub is good and cheap (Cambie and Cordova), but unless you like loud and rowdy go for lunch. Then have a quick tour around Gastown. It's a real tourist trap, but the steam clock seems to attract a lot of people...

The skytrain is an attraction for some people. On the east end it takes you to the New Westminster Quay and on the Western end you hop on the sea bus over to North Van to the Lonsdale Quay. Grab some bread, cheese and fruit and eat by the water.

Take a bottle of wine to Jerico Beach and toast the sunset.

So much to do, and you only have a week?

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BAH!!!! I've been in Van for 12 years now and still have no lack of new things to do! I'd take Vancouver hands down over Victoria any day.

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That's a matter of personal preference. If you wanted peace and quiet and a romantic setting? Remember, these folks just got married and they do not have twelve years to come to know the place.

If they were to take my advice they'd say hi to Joe at Hotel Vancouver upon arrival and then be on the ferry to Victoria the next day. There they could spend a couple of days and then set off for a "bed and breakfast" on a quiet little Gulf Island for a few days of solitude. On their return they can spend a day or two in the 'Couv.

Vancouver is a far cry from being a truly great city -- like Montreal, London, or Paris.

edited to add:

a couple of my favorite happenings are later in the year: the lantern festival, and the MadHatters Tea Party. Both take place in Trout Lake Park, btw.

[ 13 April 2003: Message edited by: flotsom ]

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Vancouver is a far cry from being a truly great city -- like Montreal, London, or Paris.

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Bah again!!!!!!!! Montreal, London and Paris have nothing on Van, excepting the history.

But I'll agree, it's a matter of personal preference. If you want to hang out with old fogies head over to the island. If you want to hang with COOL old fogies and young'uns stay in Van.

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my favorite happenings are later in the year: the lantern festival, and the MadHatters Tea Party

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[ 13 April 2003: Message edited by: skadie ]

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bah again!!!!!Montreal, London and Paris have nothing on Van, excepting the history

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The cry of the Coastal Mainland Sheep is very similar to that of the common sheep, but louder.

Like. Oh. My. God.

The only things that Vancouver has going for it aren't Vancouver, namely, the ocean and the Coastal Range.

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But I'll agree, it's a matter of personal preference. If you want to hang out with old fogies head over to the island. If you want to hang with COOL old fogies and young'uns stay in Van

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This from someone who has never heard of the Mad Hatter's Tea Party.

But I am a little relieved to hear you say that.

Also. Only grackels call Vancouver "Van" but the Cool Ones always refer to Vancouver as "The Couv".

Say it. The Couv. Sounds sleazy. But somehow not inappropriate

Really. Vancouver bites. I've lived on the Drive, I've lived just north of Robson on Bute Street, and I've lived a few blocks from English Bay.

People from Vancouver think they're on the big time...

If they come around they move to Vic, and if they get lucky they find their place on a funky little Gulf Island from which they may visit Vancouver twice a year at the most. Victoria Once every other month.

On Salt Spring, Helga at Roses' left the island for the first time in thirty years a while back.

Okay, I love Vancouver. I admit it. But it still lacks. Profoundly.

The post-bowl view of the city lights from the field of Grandview High. The Railway Club. The W.I.S.E. Club. Joe at Joes' Cafe.

But it is still a mid-sized city with big city wet-dreams. Always will be.

[ 13 April 2003: Message edited by: flotsom ]

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Gee, thanks

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Oh, come now. Victorians are always subjected to the "newly wed or nearly dead" cliche. Surely Vancouveriks can take a little gentle ribbing from time to time. I do love Vancouver. Really.

Victoria obviously has nothing on Vancouver in the way of an arts scene or political culture. But, just as travellers often comment on how verdent it becomes once one is west of Abbotsford, well the same transformation -- taking green to the next level -- occurs when you get off the ferry on the Swartz Bay side.

"Welcome to the next level."

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Victoria obviously has nothing on Vancouver in the way of an arts scene or political culture.

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A little hijacking of Jingle's thread. I find the arts and political scene in Vancouver to be incredably clique-bound. You see the same people at the same functions year in and year out. You are considered lucky if you hear about many of these functions because the cliques tend to stick together.

These cliques are made of the same people who lament Vancouver's lack of support for arts and culture.

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I am not too sure if I would be wild about, it seems a really rainy winter. I should complain about the bloody cold and snow we get. Would I be happier if it was mild and rainy?

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[ 14 April 2003: Message edited by: skadie ]

We would like to do some hiking and such, with the caveat that we are extremely cheap, and as such cannot spend a whole lotta milka on hotels, car rentals, and meals at some out-of-the way place.

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A little hijacking of Jingle's thread. I find the arts and political scene in Vancouver to be incredably clique-bound. You see the same people at the same functions year in and year out. You are considered lucky if you hear about many of these functions because the cliques tend to stick together.

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jingles,
you'll have shitloads of stuff to do.

here

[ 14 April 2003: Message edited by: bakunin ]

I have only been to Vancouver and Edmonton briefly, on business. There is no comparison. Vancouver is a city.

Edited to add: Bakunin (and others) you posted that tourist info site, but they say they haven't got a lot of $$$, could you suggest modestly-priced places to stay, eat, things to do? Is the St-Regis hotel reputable (in the sense of not being over-run with roaches or have a murder every other night)? It looks reasonably priced and well-located. http://vancouver.com/accommodations/hotels/stregishotel/index.htm Too bad all the b & b's listed are so expensive. Perhaps there are others. There are many good, reasonably priced Asian restaurants in Vancouver. How about some cool cafés that aren't parts of chains?

[ 14 April 2003: Message edited by: lagatta ]

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Grouse Mountain is really neat. On my one and only visit to Vancouver, I went there. That cable car up the side of the mountain is really cool.

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Locals walk up the mountain.

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How do you bust the cliques open?

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As for cheap places to stay, there are some nice hostels in the city, but not so great for newly weds... The Biltmore hotel on Kingsway and 12th is reputedly cheap and pretty decent.

Here is their web site. They list the price as $89 bucks a night, but you could probably talk them down. I don't think they're brimming with patrons right now...

Some hostels do have private rooms if you book early.

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skadie,
there is almost no snow now. the North shore mountains barely had a ski season this year.

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