Fresh, clean and cosmopolitan, Vancouver effortlessly blends Canada’s rugged wilderness past as a logging town, railhead and seaport with its modern future. The last stop on the transcontinental railroad and Canada’s busiest seaport, Vancouver is still a major player in the forestry industry. Surrounded by raw natural beauty, it is not surprising that Vancouver’s second largest industry is tourism.
Ranked the world’s most livable city by The Economist in 2011, Vancouver is a fascinating mix of many cultures that offers vacationers plenty of exciting activities. Warmed by ocean currents, the summers are typically dry in Vancouver with temperatures typically ranging in the low to mid-70s.
Some of Vancouver’s must-see sights include:
- Stanley Park is the place to spend the day outdoors. Built on the tip of Vancouver’s “thumb,” the 400-acre park offers 22 miles of hiking trails, including a wonderful paved biking trail with beautiful ocean views. You’ll find plenty of scenic spots for a picnic at Stanley Park and several fine beaches. The best swimming is at Second and Third beaches. The park is also home to an aquarium, children’s farmyard, kiddie spray park and four very nice restaurants. You can tour Stanley Park by horse-drawn carriage or make use of the ho-on, hop-off bus which stops at the most popular attractions, including a grove of native totem pole.
- Granville Island is the place to shop for souvenirs or for fresh food and exotic goodies to stock your fabulous British Columbia vacation rental. On Granville Island you can browse through gift shops and art galleries but the huge indoor market is the main attraction. If you can’t find what you want on Granville Island, try the shops in historic Gastown or on Robson Street.
We’ve barely scratched the surface. More must-see Vancouver sights next time.