Attractions
Vancouver Tourist Attractions and Tourism Services
Visiting Vancouver can be as diversified as you would like to make it. We are situated by the ocean, and by the mountains. Hemmed in by natural beauty, our greatest value is this proximity to the majesty of our surroundings. But of course there are many things to consider, like any city, when visiting.
The following may be useful for your travel to Vancouver and stay at the West End Guest House.
Transportation:
From Vancouver International Airport you can take a cab for less than $30 CAD or you can take the CanadaLine Train and in approximately 22 minutes to be at our nearest stop, City Centre at Georgia and Granville Streets. We are 8 blocks from that stop. The West End Guest House is one block south on Haro. Another way to travel from the Airport is by Limousine, you will find limos just outside the doors from the International Arrivals area.
Car rentals are available from the airport and also from their offices in downtown Vancouver:
There is no Ferry that travels from Seattle to Vancouver. However, there is from Seattle to Victoria and from Victoria to Vancouver.
AmTrak has a train to Vancouver and it also has a bus service as well. Best to check their schedule if you would like to come by train, it’s more scenic than by bus but it only goes once a day in either direction.
The Quick Shuttle also goes from Seattle (Sea-Tac) to Vancouver and back, their toll free number is 888-665-2122.
Alaska Cruises leave from the Port of Vancouver. However, there are two terminals and you should check to see which terminal your ships arrives/departs to/from. Canada Place is within walking distance from the West End Guest House and Ballantyne Pier is approximately 10 to 15 minutes by taxi. If you have luggage you will want to take a taxi or limo. These arrangements can be made by the West End Guest House.
The bus and other mass transit system in Vancouver is known as TransLink. If you usually travel by transit you might like to get a multi day pass.
Victoria is often a destination for visitors to Vancouver. BC Ferries is the way most people travel, especially if they are driving to Victoria or taking a tour but harbour to harbour sea planes are also available. West Coast Air and Harbour Air are both within a 20 minute walking distance from the West End Guest House along Vancouver's famous Sea-Wall. Check out www.walkvancouver.com for this and other area for walking tours. Remember we don’t recommend having a car, Vancouver is so accessible by other means.
Our Weather is often precarious, being that we are part of a rain forest the locals are always ready for rain. If you have lived in Vancouver a long time then you’ll know it’s not fun carrying around an umbrella, although the West End Guest House does provide them should you need them. But if you can get around without an umbrella, perhaps a hat or cap instead and some type of water repellent outer clothing you’ll look as cool as the locals. Summer generally isn’t a very wet time of year, but fall and winter and spring can be. You might like to have a pair of comfortable walking shoes or sneakers that are dryable for our wetter times. Check out the weather report to get an idea of temperature and conditions.
Sights and Activities
An easy start to visiting Vancouver is a walk along Robson Street, it’s only a block away from the West End Guest House and leads to many interesting shops, restaurants and other activities. The Vancouver Art:Gallery is located on Robson Street at Hornby just behind Virgin Records.
Another way is by the various tour companies. West Coast and Nature will pick you up directly from the front steps of the West End Guest House. Their tours are of Vancouver, North Shore, Victoria and Whistler. The Vancouver Trolley Company picks up on Robson Street within 2 blocks of the West End Guest House.
Some of the well known sites visited by the Tour buses include the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Garden, in Chinatown. Granville Island is another stop along the way, where you might like to stop at the Granville Island Brewing Company for a tour and tasting or have lunch in the sun patio of Bridges Restaurant or perhaps just a kiosk lunch from the appetite inspiring green grocer market at Granville Island. Enjoy the buskers on the terrazzo and watch the boats and yachts sailing False Creek.You might even see a Dragon Boat race with crews out practicing for the annual Dragon Boat Festival.
Another way to and from Granville Island is via the Granville Island Ferries. These little boats work all day long to bring locals and tourists to the island, which isn’t an island at all, in fact it’s man made and wasn’t even there a hundred years ago!
Vancouver has a world famous museum and a must-see. The Museum of Anthropology at Univeristy of British Columbia is located on the bluff overlooking the Straight of Georgia. World famous Wreck Beach – Vancouver’s clothing optional (nude) beach is also located near the UBC Endowment Lands sandy bluff, but obviously at the bottom.
Vanier Park is home of the HR MacMillan Space Centre with it’s observatory, Planetarium and Theatre. It’s also home to the Vancouver Maritime Museum and the Vancouver Museum. These operate all year round and in summer there are two special events at Vanier Park
In spring the Vancouver Childrens Festival is housed in tents located on the Park, which is at the entrance to False Creek. And directly after the festival is over Bard On the Beach begins. The Shakespeare theatre runs more than one production and has a variety of events such as the Vancouver Fireworks dinner and show.
The Celebration of Light Fireworks Competition: Each summer 3 countries compete in a spectacular Music and Fireworks Exhibition over 4 different nights at the end of July and beginning of August.
Another close to nature experience is Grouse Mountain. It is a place to go for both summer and winter activities and learn about the First Nations People at the Hiwus Feasthouse and Cultural Centre. Along the way is world famous Capilano Suspension Bridge. Built in 1889 it reflects on yesterday through it’s Guides in period costume but focuses on natural history because of it’s location and also through it’s First Nations Carving Centre.
Dining and Shopping:
Many of the Restaurants we recommend do not have their own website, because of this we have a binder of current menus from our favourite restaurants. Vancouver is a very cosmopolitan city with a diverse group of inhabitants. Practically any type of food is available but the one getting the most press is our version of West Coast Fusion – a skillful mix of local food with international themes. Two Vancouver favourites are West and Lumiere. Another restauranteur well known in Vancouver, Whistler and in Italy is Umberto Menghi perhaps after a dinner at Il Giardino you will be inspired to travel to Italy: for his Italian Cooking School in Tuscany Italy.
The well know French restaurant Le Crocodile is located on Smythe Street, a continuation of Haro Street only 3 blocks away. Another French restaurant housed in a West End turn of the century house is Le Gavroche. It’s also within a few minutes walk.
Robson Street has a bevy of restaurants including Cin Cin, Zefferellis, Hermitage, Caffe de Medici, and Joe Fortes.See www.evevancouver.ca for more information on the Vancouver dining scene.
Asian nations contribute much of Vancouver City’s dining tastes. Tojo’s is know for it’s exceptional Japanese cuisine. And Vij’s is the internationally renowned Indian fusion restaurant off South Granville Street
Vancouver place is glorious during the day but at night it rocks. See www.clubzone.com for more info on Vancouver’s Night Life. Granville Street Street bars are located within 5 or 6 blocks. Granville Street is also home to several Cinemas and Theatres including the Vogue, the Orpheum, Capital 6 Cinemas, the Centre for Performing Arts and Queen Elizabeth Theatre and Playhouse.