Travelling to Vancouver (and Seattle)...suggestions?

[Janitor]

Hey everyone,
I'll be travelling to Vancouver, along with Whistler and Seattle, next month for vacation. First time going, so I figured who better to ask for tips than some fellow Canadian peeps!?

Bear in mind this will be with my wife and 9 month old son, so nothing too crazy. And this isn’t a “toy hunting expedition” either so while buying TFs is always nice, def. not a high priority. Ie. “Ages 3+ Up” is too far of a trek for us. Details/things we have in mind:

Whistler: 1 day
Vancouver: 4 days. Won’t have a car/mainly getting around by public transportation. Staying downtown (Scotiabank Theatre area) . The Aquarium, Stanley Park, Gastown, Robson Street, Miku Sushi, Fisherman’s Terrace (Richmond)
Seattle: 4 days. Have car. Pike Place Market, Chihuly Glass & Garden/Space Needle, Mariners game @ Safeco Field, Serious Pie (pizza)

Looking for suggestions on places to eat, things to see and do, shopping, etc. and just overall any general tips. Thanks in advance!

[Blitzwing]

When you're in Seattle, you should definitely check out the Experience Music Project, it's basically a Rock and Roll Museum. It's a great way to spend a day with the family. If you like 90's grunge, they have a huge Nirvana exhibit as well as feature other bands from the Pacific Northwest. Last year they had a Jimmy Hendrix Exhibit as well, not sure if that's still there. They also have non-music stuff like Sci-Fi and Horror movie sections.

You can't really go wrong doing anything in Whistler. Depends how much money you want to spend, but they have everything from renting bikes and canoes to renting dune buggies and ATVs.

[SinnaStormheart]

guys should try a few trails while your around.

[Pascal]

Capilano Suspension Bridge, Grouse Grind (if it's open)... although it might be tricky with a baby. Granville Island can be cool too.

[jjwankenobi]

Make a sunset dinner reservation at either the Boathouse at Kits Beach or The Cactus Club on English Bay. Neither offers anything unique like the multitude of ethnic restaurants in Vancouver but we are blessed with gorgeous sunsets this time of year and you must take advantage of being able to dine beachside when you come. If you are staying downtown you can easily walk to English Bay or take transit from The Scotia Bank Theatre Area.

If fine dining on a mountain top is your thing (though with a 9 month old an no car this might be a longshot) make sunset dinner reservations at The Observatory on Grouse Mountain. This will be $$$ but the tram is complimentary with your reservation and the view is breathtaking.

Another semi-fine dining alternative with awesome views of the city is the Top Of Vancouver revolving restaurant atop Harbour Centre. Again, your typical North American fare but the revolving restaurant is always a hit with out of towners. Be sure to make reservation near dusk to have panoramic views of Downtown Vancouver transform into a gorgeous myriad of lights as the sun goes down.

Be sure to catch an Aqua Bus or False Creek Ferry from Yaletown when you head to Granville Island. More scenic than taking the underground Canada Line (subway) or bus across one of the bridges. Yaletown would be a 20 minute walk from your location.

Good luck and enjoy!

[SinnaStormheart]

DON'T FORGET TO EAT POUTINS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Team Jetfire]

Not sure if the timing lines up, but I will throw out the suggestion of going to a Vancouver Whitecaps Soccer match. Tickets are like 15 bucks and it is a great atmosphere.

[Rodimus Prime1]

Here's a good site

http://www.tourismvancouver.com/acti...e-attractions/

check out the free section too.



A walk around the sewall is very nice too

theres a water park for the wee one just below the Aquarium. The new restaurant in The Aquarium is quite nice and reasonable.

Lots of trails and walks in Stanley park.


The Tee-House in Stanley Park is really nice, Lunch is cheaper than dinner, might need a reservation too



The Planetarium, False creek and Granville Island, Science world, Pacific Centre Mall. Lots of shops in the Vanc core too, Gastown.

I'd also recomend the Noodle Box in Gastown, as well as the Old spaghetti factory vancouver in gastown

https://www.google.ca/search?q=restu...town+vancouver


https://www.google.ca/search?q=restu...couver+gastown

[Janitor]

Thanks for all the input everyone, super-helpful! Some great, great suggestions here (a lot which I never considered/looked into).

Always good to hear from firsthand experience, time to get a-plannin'!

[Pascal]

You can also shop at Metrotown in Burnaby. And there's a store that sells comics and some Transformers right on the other side of the street (forgot the name).