Stuff to Do

Vancouver was voted the "Best City in the Americas" for 2004, 2005 and 2006 by Condé Nast Traveler magazine, based on the categories of ambience, friendliness, culture and sites, restaurants, lodging, and shopping.

Below is just a small sampling of the many activities available during your August visit.

Shopping

Granville Island Public Market
Rusty tin-sided factories boast rebirth as a Public Market, an art school, shops, restaurants, theatres, galleries, a hotel, and more.

Kitsilano
Vibrant neighbourhood shopping area with a unique collection of one-of-a-kind shops, niche boutiques, sports stores and restaurants.

Chinatown
One of the biggest Chinatowns in North America, featuring many varieties of fresh and dried seafood and mushrooms. You'll also find inexpensive houseware and traditional Chinese medicine, and an open-air night market in summer.

Museums

UBC Museum of Anthropology
Exhibits, collections, and programs specializing in First Nations culture.

Vancouver Museum
Explore Vancouver's history.

Science World
In addition to the OMNIMAX Theatre and the Science Theatre, Science World is home to five permanent galleries, all inside Vancouver's favourite "golf ball."

Vancouver Art Gallery
Contemporary art and Vancouver's internationally renowned artists.

Amusement Parks & Zoos

Vancouver Aquarium

PNE - Pacific National Exhibition & Playland
Shows, exhibits, amusement rides, sporting competitions, community events, concerts, cultural activities and the summer Fair at the PNE.

Beaches

Almost 18 kms (11 miles) of beaches surround Vancouver. Enjoy the waterfront while cycling, walking or driving by; playing in the sand, swimming, windsurfing, sailing or merely sitting.

> listing of beaches & amenities

Parks

Stanley Park
Vancouver's first park and one of the city's main tourist attractions, Stanley Park is an evergreen oasis of 400 hectares (1,000 acres) close to the downtown core.

Queen Elizabeth Park
The top of this 52 hectare (130 acre) park is the highest point in the city, at 167m (505 ft) above sea level. From the lookouts, visitors have a 360 degree view of the Vancouver skyline.

Dr. Sun Yat Sen Chinese Garden
Journey back in time to 15th Century China and enjoy this "window to another world."

VanDusen Botanical Garden
Over 255,000 plants representing more than 7,300 taxa from around the world. Plant collections represent ecosystems from tropical South Africa, to the Himalayas, to the Canadian Arctic, as well as plants native to the Pacific Northwest.

Just Outside the City

Capilano Suspension Bridge
Naturally thrilling since 1889, Capilano Suspension Bridge is Vancouver's oldest and most famous visitor attraction. The bridge spans 137 meters (450 feet) across and 70 meters (230 feet) above Capilano River.

Grouse Mountain
North America's largest aerial tramway is under 30 minutes from downtown Vancouver.

Whistler/Blackcomb
Internationally renowned ski resort is a 2 hour drive from Vancouver.