“Take me down to the paradise city where the grass is green and the girls are pretty…”
Have you ever sang this song as a kid, dreaming that one day you’d venture out into the world in search for a city where, besides glittering glass, steaming asphalt and rushing crowds, there is also a ubiquity of lush green color of nature; unique parks, gardens and beaches to explore, an ocean to swim in, beautiful natural sights and breathtaking cityscapes, skiing resorts right out of town, all along with a rich culture and a thriving arts scene?
Well, you’ve just found it.
Vancouver is just that and much, much more.
Here are 5 of the best places to explore in this extraordinary city:
1. Stanley Park
Stanley Park is one of the city’s main tourist attractions and a symbol of its passion for nature. It spreads on the tip of the Burrard peninsula, it is surrounded by the calm Burrard Bay, and most of its area used to be a temperate rainforest. Therefore, it has a variety of trees, including ancient western red cedar, bigleaf maple, and Douglas fir.
One of the best ways to take in the place is to take a walk or ride a bike along the scenic sea wall, which encircles the park. The fresh, balmy air, the sight of the boats bobbing in the calm waters of the Burrard Bay, its surface glistening in the sun will surely bring peace to your mind.
Once you enter into the interior, you can let the smell of flowers from the park’s many gardens refresh your senses, or dive into the world-renowned Vancouver Aquarium, which is home to about 70, 000 creatures, including dolphins and Beluga whales, and which offers educational programs for all ages.
At Brockton Point, there is a wonderful display of First Nation’s art – the art of this region’s indigenous peoples – including gigantic, beautifully carved Totem poles.
For some active relax, there are white sand-covered beaches, the Second Beach and Third Beach, which both offer scenic vistas, natural sands and a plentitude of sporting activities, and are great places to watch the sunset.
2. Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge and Capilano Suspension Bridge
While Vancouver has multiple suspension bridges, those at Lynn Canyon and Capilano River are probably the most popular, and for a good reason. Long, narrow and fearsome, they provide the thrill of walking tens of feet above the ground on a brittle wooden structure, a wobbly experience that will stay in your legs for hours to come, and outstanding views of beautiful forests and deep valleys with rock-strewn slopes. The admission to the bridge at Lynn Canyon is free, so you might want to opt for that one, unless you have a particular preference for the other.
3. Gastown
Named after John “Gassy Jack” Deighton, the proprietor of the makeshift tavern around which the original settlement was built, Gastown is the oldest part of the city.
Today, it is a place of Victorian architecture, a thriving fashion scene, décor boutiques, unique galleries, some of the best culinary scene in Vancouver, and lofty apartment buildings. It is a gathering place for stylish locals, an ideal neighborhood to explore on foot, and something of the city’s cultural tourist center.
The spot where the tavern once stood is now marked by a picturesque steam clock.
A story has it that Gassy Jack was a boisterous, rugged sailor who also built a couple of saloons in the town and made a reputation for himself as an eloquent storyteller.
4. Luxury department stores, nightlife and casinos
Not only a green city and a cultural hub, Vancouver also provides a teeming nightlife and opportunities for fancy shopping. If you favor brand-name fashion, Robson Street and Pacific Centre Mall are great places to forage. Should you like to try sporting something new, take a look at local brands such as Lululemon Athletica and Aritzia.
If you like to roll the dice at night, River Rock Casino Resort, Parq Casino and Grand Villa Casino Hotel & Conference Centre are the right places for you. Make sure, however, that you know how to gamble safely. It might save you a great deal of money and help you not to spoil a memorable holiday by the regret of losing too much.
There are also a plethora of bars and nightclubs that will keep you entertained during your midnight forays. Who knows, if you’re lucky, perhaps you’ll chance meeting one of the many celebrities who live in this city and like to enjoy its vibrant nightlife.
5. Grouse Mountain and the Grind
In both winter and summer, Grouse Mountain offers an unmatched panorama in clear weather. That’s especially so in the evenings when the city lights are on.
With good hiking trails and easy ski runs, great dining, a gondola, and wildlife hiding amid the trees, Grouse Mountain is the perfect destination if you desire a day out of the city. Some of its residents are not so shy, though. Behold old Mr. Grumpy, who will likely come out after you and follow close at your heels, grunting irksomely, if you get too close to his home.
The Grind is a “natural staircase”, leading from the base up to the mountain’s summit. With an elevation gain of over 853 meters, it is a challenging trail and an excellent way to sweat off some of the delicious food eaten down in the city. Once you get up there, you can enjoy the panorama, replenish the calories again, and take a gondola to get back down.
Get a taste of Vancouver’s culinary variety
There is one last thing that needs to be mentioned about Vancouver. Being a cultural capital, it boasts an extraordinarily wide variety of national cuisines. You can take a guided food tour to explore its exquisite uniqueness, taking part in a culinary experience of your wildest dreams, and tuck into everything – from the sweet freshness of exotic fruits, fish and veggies, to French café et croissants and Italian pizzas, to meat and bread and dairy straight out from local farms.
In conclusion…
Now you know more about this city of dreams come true, a city every adventurer dreams of, come sun or moon. We have described 5 places you won’t regret visiting, but there is a whole lot more in Vancouver to do and see.
After all, you’ll have to explore it on your own. If you’re a true backpacker, you’ll be enchanted by the eloquent beauty and unique vibe of this place. Let me assure you, it will be an adventure you’ll never forget.
