The Gateway to Canada’s Natural Wonders: Vancouver City Guide

Vancouver is the most populous city in Western Canada and the second largest Anglophone metropolitan area in the country, after Toronto. Be that as it may, 52% of the population do not have English as their first language in this rich, diverse city of British Columbia. Vancouver is the busiest and largest port in Canada and its natural harbour seascape made it an important hub of communication and transport in the 18^thcentury, becoming a link between Eastern Canada, London and the Orient.

Vancouver panorama

The city hosts major film production studios that rank it third in North America after Los Angeles and New York City. For many years in a row, Vancouver was declared one of the most “liveable cities” in the world, due to its natural surroundings of a well known urban centre. Thus, the second most important industry is tourism, after forestry. A trip to Vancouver is like a walk in an enormous park, scattered with galleries, museums, historic sites, malls and amazing seascapes on its verge.

1. Vancouver Art Gallery

Everyone starts their city visits with a stroll through the centre and downtown Vancouver will be quite a sight. In the neoclassical former courthouse built in 1906 dwells the Art Gallery, featuring Canada’s largest collection of Emily Carr, First Nations ceremonial objects, works of Canadian modernists such as Lawren Harris, E. J. Hughes, Frederick Horsman Varley and B.C. Binning. The exhibition also includes contemporary works by Jeff Wall, Scott McFarland and many others.

Capilano Suspension Bridge

2. Capilano Suspension Bridge

One of the city’s most thrilling sites is the suspension bridge across the Capilano River. With a height of 70 m and a length of 137m, the bridge offers much more than the excitement of crossing the river: walking over the evergreens and reaching the majestic trails as well as the famous Canadian attraction, the Treetops Adventure. Seven suspension bridges will lead the way to the heart of the forest – a real Canadian experience.

3. Science World at TELUS World of Science

For all you science buffs out there, Vancouver is home to a great scientific venue, featuring interactive displays, science demonstrations and movies with a futuristic feel in the OMNIMAX. Enjoy a show in the Science Theatre, and put your imagination at work in the Contraption Centre to develop your own invention. At Science World you get a chance to meet STAN, the real sized T-Rex and have an unforgettable experience in this almost surreal venue. Sometimes science reaches a level that makes it resemble magic.

4. Van Dusen Botanical Garden

The plant collection hails from all the corners of the world, changing every season from the warm cherry trees in the spring to the gorgeous autumn display. The garden is also home of over 65 species of birds.

Telus World of Science

5. Vancouver Lookout

The 50 storey tower offers a majestic panorama of the city and is probably the first place you should go to when in Vancouver. The view is amazing, be it day or night, and the 360-degree lookout allows the tourists to take in the entire city, the spectacular North Shore Mountains and even Vancouver Island.

6. Burnaby Village Museum

The 10 acre site features buildings from the 1920s village – heritage and replicas alike. Stop at the blacksmith, watch a demonstration in the print shop and take a stroll through the farm house garden. The village also features a 1912 CW Parker carousel and a popular Ice Cream Parlour featuring quite delicious treats.

7. Metropolis at Metrotown

For an afternoon of shopping, visit the 450 stores of Metropolis at Metrotown, the largest shopping centre in British Columbia. The venue is a tourist destination itself, featuring world class restaurants, theatres, indoor courtyards and of course, great shopping.

Hell's Gate Airtram

8. H. R. MacMillan Space Centre

The 360° planetarium is a treat for everyone and a fabulous place for astronomy lovers. Take a look on the night sky and detect the planets, discover our solar system in detail and the stars far, far away. This experience is truly something to remember and the exhibitions are indeed splendid.

9. Hell’s Gate Airtram

One of the most popular natural attractions near Vancouver is the scenic Fraser Canyon and the Gold Rush Trail. Take a trip to the historic heart of British Columbia and take in the majestic views from atop the majestic canyon. In early times, the unique venue was “a place where no human being should venture”, a place where to this day human and nature fight for supremacy. Hell’s Gate is the narrowest part of the Fraser River – that flows twice as thick as the Niagara Falls and the almost fantastic view can be observed from the descending gondolas.

Another natural beauty in Vancouver’s outskirts is Grouse Mountain, a mere 15 minute drive from downtown. The vast alpine playground is one of the city’s most visited natural attractions.

10. Harbour Cruises, Gulf of Georgia Cannery and the Vancouver Aquarium

As the largest seaport in Canada, Vancouver offers a bunch of activities in the harbour, cruises and events. Sightsee through this city of the north by water, take a trip with Harbour Cruises Ltd and enjoy a splendid city view, quite different from anything seen by land.

Vancouver skyline

Stroll towards the Gulf of Georgia and discover the fishing history of British Columbia in the venue that used to be the largest salmon cannery in the province, today a National Historic Site.

To cover all sea wonders, the Vancouver Aquarium is the major must see, featuring over 70,000 captivating creatures, included in the dolphin and beluga shows, sea otter feeds, shark dives and the Amazon Gallery. For an unforgettable experience, encounter a real animal and try the 4D Experience Theatre.

Like all cities of the Great White North, Vancouver is “something else”, covered in natural beauty and numberless attractions that take you directly to the heart of British Columbia. Visit the busiest seaport of Canada and understand what it meant to belong to the First Nations. Vancouver is quite a thrill for everyone, from outdoor lovers to those who prefer a cosmopolitan event and the experience it offers is indeed unforgettable.

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