University of British Columbia Museum of
Anthropology. This museum is well worth a visit. There is so much
displayed here that you could easily spend 2 days here and come away
thirsting for more knowledge and artifacts. There are many large wooden
totem poles that are displayed both inside and outside of the museum.
There are large wooden sculptures displayed, carved by renowned artist
Bill Reid. One is quite impressive and depicts a large raven standing
over a clam shell, from which small children are emerging. This
sculpture depicts a story told by the local tribe, the Haida. This
museum is located at 6393 NW Marine Drive almost at the point of the
University peninsula, the western most part of the campus. There is also
a nude beach located on the campus. Hint: it is located very close to
the museum and I doubt it would be worth your time to visit in the
winter months. The museum is open in the summer daily from 11am until
5pm, and on Tuesdays until 9pm. In the winter they are closed Monday.
For more information call PHONE NUMBER (604) 822-3825.
Website: www.moa.ubc.ca
Grouse Mountain - to fully see Grouse Mountain and experience the
awesome views it is best if one takes the SkyRide, a 3,700 foot climb in
a fully enclosed gondola to the top of the mountain. This tram operates
year round. The tram is about 1/2 hour from downtown. From the top you
can experience panoramic views of the surrounding area. This is a great
spot on a clear warm summer night for overlooking all that is Vancouver.
You will be able to see the twinkling lights of the city as well as the
lights of the wharf reflected off of the harbor. There is a cafeteria, a
gourmet restaurant, and a theatre at the top. Skiing if offered in the
winter time and helicopter rides are given in the summer. The tram is
open daily from 9am until 10pm. The price for general admission is
$14.50, those over 65 years of age are $12.50, students with ID are
$9.25, and those children between the ages of 6 and 12 are $5.95. The
tram is located at 6400 Nancy Greene Way in North Vancouver. For more
information call PHONE NUMBER (604) 984-0661. Website:
www.grousemountain.com
Capilano Suspension Bridge - is the longest and highest suspended
footbridge in the world. Its entire length spans over 450 feet across a
river canyon at a height of 230 feet. This bridge is located at 3735
Capilano Road in North Vancouver. Admission is $6.95, students with and
ID are $4.50, and those over 65 years of age are $5.50. For more
information PHONE NUMBER (604) 985-7474.
Website:
www.capbridge.com
Stanley Park is located on the downtown peninsula, only 5 miles
from the downtown business district. There are 50 miles or roads in this
park. There is a zoo, lawn bowling, tennis, rose gardens, children's
zoo, and totem pole displays in this park. The park is open 24 hours a
day and admission is free. From parts of the park there are awesome
views of the Vancouver skyline, i.e. the Seawall. The seawall is 6.5
miles long and took over 60 year to finish. Be sure to look for the
bronze sculpture "Girl in a Wetsuit" located on a rock in the
water, just off of the seawall. This sculpture is supposed to represent
the "Little Mermaid" sculpture in the harbor of Copenhagen in
Europe. If you glance out across the water towards North Vancouver you
will see large yellow piles of something. After some investigation and
smelling I determined these huge piles were sulfur that was waiting to
be exported on ships. For more information about Stanley Park call PHONE
NUMBER (604) 683-3525.
Website:
www.city.vancouver.bc.ca/parks/parks/stanley
Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Gardens are located in the
heart of Vancouver's Chinatown at 578 Carrall Street. Daily tours are
given. PHONE NUMBER (604) 689-7133.
Website:
www.vancouverchinesegarden.com
Vancouver Aquarium - this aquarium exhibits more than 8,000
marine mammals. Special emphasis is placed on Arctic Canada and the
Amazon Rain Forest. There is a sea otter colony, killer whales, and
beluga whales. I would recommend 2 hours at the minimum. Admission is
$9.50. PHONE NUMBER (604) 682-1118. Website:
www.vanaqua.org
Science World is located at 1455 Quebec Street. The OMNIMAX
theatre regularly schedules scientific films. Scientists are regularly
scheduled to share scientific information. Admission is $11. PHONE
NUMBER is (604) 268-6363. Website:
www.scienceworld.bc.ca
The Lookout! at Harbour Centre is located at 555 W. Hastings
Street. This lookout is basically and observation deck with awesome
views of Vancouver. There are two glass elevators whisk you up to the
top, on the outside of the tower. There is also a large screen theatre
and a revolving restaurant at the top. The elevators run run daily from
8:30am until 10:30pm from April until November. The rest of the year
they are open from 10am until 8pm. Admission is $5.50. PHONE NUMBER
(604) 689-0421.
Website:
www.vancouverlookout.com
Vancouver Art Gallery is located at 750 Hornby Street. This
museum is fantastic and is well worth a visit by those interested in
art, especially by those who appreciate varied works from the 17th
century to the present. I spent several hours here, looking at the large
variety of paintings. Some of the countries represented are Canada, the
United States, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and France. Canada's
own artist Emily Carr is also well represented. Georgia Okeefe also has
some very nice paintings displayed here. Admission is $4.75. PHONE
NUMBER (604) 682-4668.
Website:
www.vanartgallery.bc.ca
Playland Family Fun Park contains rides, games, miniature golf,
and a delightful roller coaster. They are open daily, however the times
vary throughout the year. Call ahead for times. Admission is $5.50. Call
PHONE NUMBER (604) 255-5161 for more information. Website:
www.pne.ca/playland
VanDusen Botanical Gardens is the home to an outstanding
collection of trees, plants, and shrubs. There are 39 different sections
to this garden. Some sections include the Sino-Himalayan garden, and
areas devoted to foliage of Canada. There are small ponds covered with
water lilies, streams, and waterfalls. The gardens are located at 5251
Oak Street. Allow one hour minimum. However if you like to relax, or
read a good book, you will want to spend much more time here. I spent
close to half a day here. One area of the gardens the children will
enjoy is the hedge maze. This is a maze built entirely out of a hedge
supported by wire mesh. There is a small gift shop here. They sell small
garden mementos as well as some fine pottery. Free guided tours are
offered every Sunday at 2pm and also on other days by reservation. The
gardens also have electric carts for those with limited walking ability
(April through October). For more information call PHONE NUMBER (604)
266-7194.
Website:
www.city.vancouver.bc.ca/parks/parks/vandusen/website
Bloedel Conservatory is located on a hill overlooking the entire
city of Vancouver. The observatory is surrounded by lush gardens. This
is a great spot to bring the family of loved one for a picnic lunch. The
observatory contains a lush garden of tropical plants and birds. During
the dead of the winter months this can be an enjoyable outing. You can
come up here and dream that you are in Costa Rica or some other tropical
country. Queen Elizabeth Park, surrounding the Conservatory, is
according to the pamphlet put out by the Conservatory, "an oasis in
the heart of Vancouver." I would have to agree; the 53 hectares
display many different types of trees, shrubs and also exotic species.
Bloedel Conservatory is located at 33rd and Cambie. They are open 7 days
a week; the only day they are closed is Christmas day. In the summer
they are open from 10am until 9pm and in the winter they are open from
10am until 5pm. Website:
www.city.vancouver.bc.ca/parks/parks/bloedel
