Things to do in the Vancouver area
 

Hi all,

I am heading over to Vancouver end of the month for the Vancouver marathon. I will be there for the week with my partner and we are looking for suggestions on things to do while we are there. I will get a car for a couple of days.

When we leave we are going to get the ferry to Victoria for the night then head to the US via the Port Angeles Ferry.

Thanks, Rich

There are some older threads in this forum with lots of suggestions. Here's one: 3 days in Vancouver - recommendations? It's a great city. Have fun!
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13F

Yes, the older threads are probably the best place to start for initial research and general suggestions.
Is there anything specific that you're interested in and/or want more info on? Markets, viewpoints, trails/walks, parks, shopping, types of dining, etc?

Thanks all,

Yes I guess "what can I do..." is very vague!

We will be staying at the Marriot Residence Inn (or whatever it is called now as it has just changed named) so are looking forward to going to some markets and then cokking back in the apartment.

Also be nice to go on some walks to help the legs recover after the Marathon!

I guess suggestions for things to do outwith the usual touristy things would be good but the other thread has some great suggestions in it.

Going to Richmond for some Asian food is already on the list!

Rich

I visit Cardero's, a seafood restaurant near the Westin, on almost every trip to YVR. It's not the best restaurant in town, but the great location makes for a very entertaining visit. Watching the seaplanes and the other harbour traffic is a great way to pass a summer afternoon or evening. And with it's location, you can combine a visit with a nice walk.
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13F

If you are an outdoor enthusiast - try the Grouse Grind. A hike of 3Kms, an elevation gain of 850m.... basically a hike up the side of the mountain -if your legs can stand it after your run. Its a very beautiful and invigorating hike and when you get to the top there is a great view of Vancouver and the Pacific!
Also, Stanley Park is a must. Enjoy.

Just to throw in some of the standard suggestions with a little colour on top of the good suggestions so far...

If you're going to Richmond with a car, Steveston might be worth a trip. Kind of an old fishing village district thing going on with boats that sell seafood off the pier.
Granville Island is very standard. Parking is a pain in the rear on weekends. Lively, fun to walk around, and has a food market. Just off the island along a walkway is also a pier with boats selling seafood.

Walking across the Burrard Street Bridge to Vanier Park and Kits Beach might be nice depending on the weather. Or of course along the seawall area towards Stanley Park. Quite a number of areas to walk along the water actually.

If you're a twitcher, now is a good time to visit the Reifel Bird Sanctuary. It's on the way to the Victoria ferry (Ladner).

You're well-situated for that. The Residence Inn is on Hornby Street. If you walk south "down" Hornby (away from the mountains) to the very end of it you'll hit the dock for the 'Aquabus' - A small passenger ferry that will take you on a five-minute trip across "False Creek" to the public market on Granville Island:

http://www.theaquabus.com/visitors.htm

http://www.granvilleisland.com/en/public_market

You can also pick up the seawall at the foot of Hornby and head West along the beaches of English Bay.