Six Things To Do In Vancouver: A Great Air Canada Destination

VANCOUVER, B.C. - This is one of the world's great cities; a gorgeous slice of land sandwiched between the sea and the mountains, with remarkable nature and culture all around. It's also a hub for Air Canada, which flies to Vancouver from cities around the world.

Here's one frequent visitor's list of six great things to see and do.

Chinatown Tour

Judy Lam Maxwell of Historical Chinatown Tours takes visitors on deep dives into local Chinatown culture, including “secret” or lesser-known spots that even many locals don’t know about; family shrines, small Asian clubs and balconies with great views of Chinatown and the surrounding city. You’ll also pass colourful shops and markets and take in some of the hip places that have increasingly encroached onto the city’s traditional Chinatown.

A Tale of Two Bridges

Capilano Suspension Bridge in North Vancouver is a wildly popular tourist destination that features a bouncy, slightly swaying bridge that’s suspended high over a deep canyon. There also are cliff-side walks and other attractions. It’s a lot of fun, but it can be expensive for a family. If you’re on a budget, or simply look for something different, the Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge is quite close to Capilano and doesn’t cost a nickel. It’s not as high off the ground, but it still offers a great experience, including marvellous nature walks and swimming holes when the weather’s good. You can’t beat the price, or the natural beauty.

Adorable Boats

Vancouver’s Aquabus is a small set of cute boats that bob along False Creek, just south of downtown. There are eight stops in all, including popular Granville Island (home of great shops and a terrific market) and trendy Yaletown, where you’ll find some of the city’s best restaurants and bars. One-way tickets start from $3.50. It’s an easy way to get from place to place and a wonderful way to enjoy some fresh air and wonderful city views.

Awesome Food

Vancouver has a ton of great restaurants, including Hawksworth at the Rosewood Hotel Georgia (a creation of celebrity chef David Hawksworth, who also runs the wonderful, more casual Nightingale and who created the menu at the Air Canada Signature Suite at Toronto Pearson, a truly remarkable place to dine). For something different, and probably cheaper, try the Dumpling Trail in nearby Richmond (it’s where the main Vancouver airport is located). You can sample incredible broth-filled dumplings at R&H Chinese Food in Lansdowne Mall for a few bucks. Even better, try HK BBQ Master on No. 3 Road, where some of the city’s top chefs stop when they want an affordable, delicious meal.

Craft Beer

They do love their craft beer out west, and Vancouver is home to dozens of great options. Postmark Brewing is an outstanding option in the trendy Railtown district near downtown. It’s located in the lovingly restored, spacious Settlement Building; a space it shares with a great restaurant called Belgard Kitchen. Bomber Brewing was started by a group of hockey lovers and makes a wide range of tasty beers, while Storm Brewing calls itself Vancouver’s longest-running craft brewery. Offerings may include a Lime and Black Pepper IPA or Black Plague Stout.

Rainy Day Vancouver

Fly Over Canada is a fun, family friendly ride on the Vancouver waterfront at Canada Place. You’ll find yourself strapped into a contraption that sways and rises and falls in front of a giant movie screen that captures the majesty of the Canadian outdoors. You’re not really flying, but you’ll feel like it; with swoops and drops and a marvellous, soaring feeling as you “fly” over Atlantic Canada, Niagara Falls and the Rockies. The Vancouver Art Gallery is a magnificent spot for classic and modern art, while the Vancouver Aquarium in Stanley Park features terrific displays of everything from salmon and sharks to spectacular, floating jellyfish that are terrific for Instagram videos.

Staying

You can’t go wrong with the Fairmont properties in Vancouver. The Fairmont otel Vancouver is the grand dame of the bunch, while the Fairmont Pacific Rim and the Fairmont Waterfront are newer and a bit more trendy (especially the Pacific Rim). The Fairmont Vancouver Airport is a tremendous spot that connects directly to one of the terminals; super convenient, and with beautiful rooms. Downtown, the Shangri-La also is a huge treat, including a Jean-Georges Vongerichten restaurant called Market. If you’re looking for something more casual, there are several Holiday Inn and Suites that provide lots of room for families or folks who like a little more space.

Arriving

Air Canada flies daily, non-stops to Vancouver from cities all over Canada and the United States, as well as from Asia, Australia and Europe.