Stay in Vancouver

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Vancouver is very similar to its counterpart over the border (Seattle) in having one of the nicest natural settings for a large city in North America. With snow-capped Whistler Mountain in the background and the beautiful Inner Harbour in the foreground, most people spend their time outdoors in one of the nicest climates you can find – that’s if you like it not too hot and not too cold. Vancouver is used by many as the winter gateway to the popular Whistler ski resort – some two hours drive away.

The downtown area has one of the most attractive shopping precincts in Canada. Robson Street not only contains all the major shopping chains, it has widened footpaths, nice restaurants, bars and cafes. In fact, Starbucks were so keen to get a piece of this street that they have two large franchises diagonally opposite each other on one of the busiest pedestrian intersections there is – the corner of Robson and Burrard.

One of the most famous urban parks in the world is Stanley Park. It is at least North America's largest urban park – much larger than Central Park. With an accessible entrance in Vancouver’s west end (which is also one of the densest residential areas in North America) Stanley Park houses the Vancouver Aquarium; a zoo; restaurants; snack bars; a swimming pool; a miniature railway; a water park; as well as abundant wildlife, including beavers, coyotes, bald eagles and raccoons. Like Central Park, this is where Vancouverites go to run, skate, bike and walk.

Other neighbourhoods worth visiting include Gastown, the quite touristy old-town section of downtown; Chinatown, which unlike many similar precincts around the world is not touristy, probably because Vancouver has one of the highest Asian populations in North America; Granville Island, which remains a major seafaring precinct and has an impressive public market; and the so-called Haight-Ashbury of Vancouver called Kitsilano, which is probably the best restaurant precinct in Vancouver.

Fly to Vancouver

Within USA  

From Australia and NZ

From UK and Europe

Vancouver International Airport is located some 20km south of the City. Three Translink bus routes service the Airport Bus Terminal: Route 100 connects to Vancouver and points east; Route 404 travels to Richmond connecting to points south; and the 98 B Line connects to downtown Vancouver. The Vancouver ViaRail station is located at Pacific Central, 1150 Station Street at the corner of Main Street and Terminal Ave. Greyhound Buses are also located at Pacific Central Station.

The Translink (or BC Transit) system includes electric trolley buses (uniquely connected to overhead electric wires), SeaBus catamaran ferries, and the magnetic-rail SkyTrain. The system allows you to get almost everywhere, including the beaches and ski slopes. SkyTrain's Expo Line runs from Vancouver to Burnaby and Surrey.

VANCOUVER CANUCKS

GENERAL MOTORS PLACE

Ticket information through NHL

General Motors Place hosts the Canucks and is located just east of the downtown area at 800 Griffiths Way, Vancouver. Opened in 1995, the Place used to host both basketball and hockey, but with the Grizzlies leaving, it’s primarily used for hockey, and has a capacity for it of 18,500.

By public transit, take the SkyTrain to Stadium Station and walk south down Beatty towards the stadium or just take the relatively easy walk from downtown.

End July – CART  Molson Indy Vancouver, Concord Pacific Place Road Circuit, 750 Pacific Boulevard, Vancouver.  

Ticket information through CART

The Concord Pacific Place temporary road circuit is located in the southern section of downtown Vancouver along the waterfront near General Motors Place. The nearest station to here is the Skytrain Stadium Station – walk several blocks past BC stadium to the waterfront.