Vancouver Pleasures and pastimes:
THE GREAT OUTDOORS: Nature has truly blessed this city, surrounded it with verdant forests, towering mountains, coves, inlets, rivers, and the wide sea, called the Georgia Straight. With Diving, mountain biking, hiking, skiing, snowboarding, and sailing are among the many outdoor activities possible in or near the city. Whether you prefer to relax on a beach by yourself or join a kayaking tour with an outfitter, to take you out to the Gulf islands, Vancouver has plenty to offer.
Nightlife & the Arts Vancouver residents support the arts enthusiastically, especially during the city’s film, jazz, folk and theater festivals, most of which take place between June and October.
The city also covers the spectrum of arts and nightlife, from opera, ballet, and symphonies to live music, theater venues, pubs, and vibrant nightclubs.
The west staircase (to your left). This takes you out to Granville Square with its views of the working harbor and cruise-ship terminal. Head directly across Granville Square, to the staircase on the far side. The stairs will take you down to Howe Street. Turn right to see the soaring canopies of Canada Place, were you can stroll around the cruise-ship- style decks for great ocean and mountain views, visit the port Authority Interpretive Centre, or catch a film at the IMAX theater.
The Vancouver tourist Info Centre is across Canada Place Way (next door to the Fairmont waterfront Hotel). Canada Place is also the starting point of Vancouver’s Seawall Walk, a pedestrian and bike route that follows most of the city’s coast line around Stanly Park. The first mile takes you past the waterfront parks, marinas and condominiums of coal Harbour to Stanly Park.
Until 2008 you’ll have to detour around the construction site next to Canada Place, but its smooth sailing from there.
This tour takes about an hour to walk, not counting stops along the way.
Allow an hour or more for the Vancouver Art Gallery, depending on the exhibits, and about 30 minutes for the Vancouver lookout.
Add another 30 minutes to an hour if you add a stroll along the Seawall Walk.
What to See
Canada Place. When Vancouver hosted the Expo 86 world’s fair, this former cargo pier was transformed into the Canadian pavilion.
Extending four city blocks north into Burrard Inlet, the complex mimics the style and size of a luxury ocean liner, with exterior promenades and open deck space.
The Teflon-coated fiberglass roof, shaped like five sails, has become a Vancouver skyline landmark. Home to Vancouver’s main cruise-ship terminal, Canada Place can accommodate up to three luxury liners at once.
It’s also home too the luxurious Pan Pacific Hotel, and, for the time being, the Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre( a new convention centre, due to open in 2008, is under construction next door) You can stroll the exterior promenade and admire views of Burrard Inlet, Stanley Park, and the North shore Mountains.
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