On your trip to Vancouver as you start flying down the Canadian’s City Airport runaway, you will be greeted by scenic natural scenery with mountains on one side and the sea lying beautifully on the other side. More emphasize as to what you should expect in the city of Vancouver is felt in the baggage claim area, as you will be greeted with large beautiful Pacific Northwest Coast Indian art carvings. Needless to mention, it will augment your overall taste of nature and create an ambience that distinguishes Vancouver from the rest of the cities in Canada.
As you drive from the airport along the Granville Street, you will notice that the hedges and trees surrounding the residential areas are taller and larger than trees anywhere else in the world. Myth has it that the oversized trees are due to the huge amount of rainfall experienced in Vancouver, but what would you expect of a city sandwiched between mountains and the ocean? The best time to visit Vancouver for a true holiday experience is during the summer months, most preferably the month of September when the sun is known to sooth and calm the skin against a scenic backdrop of mountains and calming ocean.
Stanley Park
One of the top tourist attractions in Vancouver, which happens to be strategically located, is the Stanley Park, found on the west side of downtown Vancouver. While at the park, you get to see Vancouver’s Aquarium, beautiful tall trees that seem to touch the skies and you will also get to marvel at a splendid collection of Pacific Northwest Coastal Indian art totem poles. The Stanley Park is connected to North Vancouver with the Lion’s Gate Suspension Bridge on the other side of the port. The Grouse Mountain, the closest ski resort to Vancouver, is another great tourist attraction that can be visited all year round.
If you happen to be in Vancouver over non winter months, ensure you visit the Grouse Mountain for a memorable hiking experience and have an aerial view of the beautiful skyline that delineates Vancouver. Just nearby, there is the Capilano Suspension Bridge that you must visit. It will allow you to take a relaxing nature walk as you enjoy the calming and soothing winds of Vancouver.
Only in Vancouver do you get to sample mouthwatering delicacies, top among them the salmon. While most restaurants have specialized in making a unique salmon meal, the Salmon House that is adjacent to West Vancouver has an unrivaled delicacy of the same. The restaurant is located to give you an impressive view of the night as you unwind and relax while exercising your taste buds.
Shopping
A trip to Vancouver will not be complete without bringing back home some collectibles and souvenirs, and thanks to the Gastown, Granville Island and Yaletown Districts, you get an opportunity to find great boutique shopping bargains for just about anything. Having the largest Asian community in North America, Vancouver has a shopping district known as Chinatown just near the other shopping districts, and gives you an opportunity to feel as if you visited Hong Kong.
If time is on your side, you can always take a day trip to Whistler. This is one of the most popular and largest ski resorts in North America, located circa two and a half hours drive away from the city. The drive along the Sea & Ski Highway gives you very beautiful points. Being an all season resort, Whistler has numerous activities for you to enjoy such as biking, hiking, festivities, of course and great shopping opportunities in the village. As you ride up the Gondola, you will have a very strategic aerial view of the grand Canadian Rockies mountain range.
Vancouver is a city worth a visit, if for no other reason, to see how a major, busy city has so many beautiful attractions and warm and irresistible surroundings. If you happen to land in Vancouver on transit to Alaska or Hawaii, why not spare a day or two to see what this city sandwiched between the sea and mountain have in store for you.
By: Macon Gravlee
