Vancouver is an amazing place all year round, Winter Olympics or not.
Even those who hate sport so much that even talk of the Winter Olympics sends a dull glaze over their eyes will find plenty to enjoy about this huge cosmopolitan city. There’s a wealth of festivals, restaurants, parks and museums which will keep most occupied for weeks. Here are a few attractions which I would especially recommend:
1. Visit Gastown
Gastown is part of the more historic part of Vancouver, and comprises the original town centre. It’s now relatively quaint in comparison the skyscrapers that dominate many other parts of the city, although it’s known to have some of the best nightclubs around. A popular tourist attraction in this area is one of the world’s only Steam Clocks, which makes a sound like an Victorian locomotive every hour with its steam-powered whistles.
2. Eat at one of Vancouver’s Unique Restaurants
The Blue Water Cafe serving fresh oysters and sushi is well known for being one of the best places in town, and there’s also the Banana Leaf Restaurant with its Thai and Malaysian Cuisine. For the Vegetarians among us, the Annapurna serves Indian Vegetarian food with a well-rounded menu. Steak lovers will appreciate the New York-themed Gotham Steakhouse, which has become a hangout for executives who come here to be noticed.
3. See the Vancouver Museum
One of Canada’s largest Museums and one that contains all sorts of items and documents obtained by Vancouver’s residents over the years, as well as numerous themed galleries, covering topics such as the Great Depression, and Vancouver’s early history and economic boom in the 1900’s, among others.
4. Explore the Duncan Farmer’s Market
A huge market in downtown Vancouver selling fresh produce such as organic meats, free range eggs, all kinds of home-made jams, and even clothing and furniture. It’s quite an unusual feature in the middle of a city, but it’s all quite charming and is a good place to scout for gifts.
5. Walk round Dr Sun Yat Sen Classical Chinese Garden and Park
This Traditional Chinese Garden is a peaceful part of an otherwise very bustling city. The Park (and the Garden where you have to pay for admission) was built in the 1980’s using traditional Chinese Philosophy such as Feng Shui. Additionally, it’s the largest Chinese-style garden built outside China. Often special cultural performances take place here, so it’s worth checking in advance the best time to visit.
Top 5 Hotels in Vancouver, Canada
- Metropolitan Hotel Vancouver – 4-star Hotel – Double from CAD $170
- Hotel Comfort Inn Downtown – 3-star Hotel – Double from CAD $139
- Hotel Terminal City Tower – 4-star Hotel - Double from CAD $209
- Victorian Hotel – 4-star Hotel - Double from CAD $69
- Hotel Accent Inns Vancouver Airport – 3-star Hotel - Double from CAD $119
Photo of Vancouver in winter by Maziarh
Topic: Top five Monday |
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Tags: restaurants, Vancouver, winter
About the author
Paul Crompton is an avid reader and has a passion for cars and technology, primarily. He loves traveling to whichever exotic travel location which is cheap. His dream is to become an advertising executive.
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