We arrive early June 20 and stay at the Hampton Inn 111 Robson Street. We leave for home on the 26th. That gives us 5 full days, Sun-Thurs for activities. We have chosen those that we want to do from an internet search, but still have some specific questions and wonder if we are forgetting anything.

1. Stanley Park: We believe we can get to or into Stanley Park with the hotel free shuttle. We plan to do the two gardens, the aquarium, do the scenics, have lunch and perhaps do the carriage tour. Maybe one, maybe two days. SPECIFIC QUESTIONS: how best do we get back to our hotel? Does the free shuttle within the park operate any more (mixed data on the internet, of stoppage for costs).

2. Gastown: We plan to go to gastown, and take the free historic tours starting at 207 Abbott St. It is 90 minutes and runs 2pm-3:30. Before this we would see the steam clock and have lunch. Visit the Police Centennial Museum. (Don't walk Hastings street...why?) SPECIFIC QUESTIONS: We may or may not be able to get there with the hotel shuttle, but will need to know how best to get there otherwise and to get back. Note that a Stadium Skystain stop is near our hotel and naturally some where these is a bus.

3. Chinatown: We plan to do the walking tour provided by the Chinese Cultural Centre 555 Columbia St, but starting at 50 E Pender St at 10:30 or 1pm. It cost $10/adult and $8 senior. The CCC also offers a slide show, tour of their museum, meal, etc for extra fees, and combinations of same. The walk is about 75 minutes, unknown time for other activities. We also want to go to the Dr. Sun Yat-sen Japanese Garden. SPECIFIC QUESTIONS: Same transportation question. Should we go to the CCC first and then figure out the museum, etc or start at the CCC. When do they open? Looks like Japanese garden is nearby?

4. We plan to do a full day at Granville Island and surrounds. That would include a long walk to the ferry (False Creek Ferries) and over? (end of Davie ST?). The hotel shuttle will not cross a bridge, I am told. We would like to catch the Maritime Market, public market and the net loft. We would like to also do Vanier Park (Maritime museum and Vancouver Museum). Maybe time for a view of the beach at Kitsilano. SPECIFIC QUESIONS: Same transportations questions. Can one walk across the Granville bridge?, avoiding the ferry charge?

5. If we have a day left, then we would like to venture out a bit.
a) The Vancouver Zoo is a long ways away. 9am-7pm, Adults $18
b) USC is much closer, has Botanical Gardens, Nitobe Japanees Gardens, both with charges, a free tour of the facilities M-F 19am and 1pm that starts at the student union building and lasts about 1.5 hours. The main attraction is the Museum of Anthropology.
c) Queen Elizabeth Park with its quarry gardens, Bloedel Floral Conservatory, big time views, rose garden and arboretum.
SPECIFIC QUESTIONS: We will likely pick b) or c). Same old questions of transportation. b) has parking fees associated with rental car and issues on transportation on campus. Need help with both. c) is likely a bus determination? help?

6. This will still leave undone (for us): Burnably Village Museum, VanDusen Botanical Garden, Police Centennial Museum and many thing others would choose to do. We do have most of the day of arrival, if we can get into the hotel and shed our material luggage from the previous days of vacation elsewhere in Canada and Alaska.

MORE questions:
I found the Smart visit card on the internet. At $119 +tax, not sure it will benefit us?
The Vancouver Trolley offers transportation and commentary, but does not seem to fit our "hub" touring arrangements?
The Big Bus Vancouver is likewise not a good fit for our hub touring?
Saw the Stadium skytrain station near our hotel, but don't really understand it?
Went to the bus link, but seem to be too soon to get data, and there is the issue of some possible interuptions because of the economy (like everywhere) and the upcoming Olympics preparation (especially around Queen Elizabeth Park)? Big question, is the XYZ bus to somewhere also the XYZ bus back? Have found some data useful for getting somewhere but then getting back becomes an issue.
What time can I expect it to be light enough out to find our way?
How safe is the area around our hotel at night?
Zachary's, at our hotel, has an iffy reputation, but is likely good for a pizza in the early evening?
Told the Yalestown strip (10 minute walk SW of hotel) has many eateries to choose from. Any suggestions?
Any comments about Kingston Taphouse & Grill (755 Richards ST) or Jimmy's Tap House (783 Homer st)?
Understand there is a "7-11" type mini store along Robson, close to the hotel for buying food stuff. Also a liquor store next to Jimmy's to buy wine for the room?
Finally, I read somewhere about an express bus from Downtown V to Stanley Park, that leaves from V Art Gallery on Hornby St. between Robson + George in the "passenger zone". It is $3 and leaves at 5 past the hour?

I have asked a bunch of questions. I have also provided a great bit of information for others who might want to visit this wonderful city. We had a brief stay several years ago, but only took a sightseeing bus tour. Thank you for any help your might provide, or correction to anything I have put here.

We are both seniors, and I have a bad foot, but seem to motor along on the flat very well.

>Does the free shuttle within the park
>operate any more

I work in Downtown Vancouver, and haven't seen the "free" shuttle for a while. Note that it's not technically free - You an read more here:

http://www.stanleyparktours.com/shuttlebus.html

The #5 Robson Bus will take you from 'near the edge of Stanley Park' to 'near your hotel' as will the #19 (see below):

http://www.translink.bc.ca/bus/50/routemap/r005.pdf

>will need to know how best to get there otherwise and to get back

The easiest method would be to take SkyTrain from The Stadium Station to Waterfront Station. Gastown is just east of Waterfront Station.

>Same transportation question.

If the tour is 75 minutes, and you're comfortable with that, then I would just walk from your hotel to the CCC as it's not too far:

http://www.cccvan.shawbiz.ca/index.htm

Walk north on Beatty street (downhill) to Pender street, then turn right and walk down Pender to the CCC.

>That would include a long walk to the ferry (False Creek Ferries) and over?

It's not too far... The Aquabus has a dock at the Plaza of Nations, which is a few blocks from your hotel:

http://www.theaquabus.com/images/FERRYMAP.pdf

>Can one walk across the Granville bridge?

Yes, you can walk over all the bridges in Vancouver. The walk over the Granville bridge is very nice, but note that there are a couple of crosswalks across bridge on and off-ramps where you've got to pay close attention to the traffic.

>The Vancouver Zoo is a long ways away.

Yes - Only option here is really a rental car. If you do venture out that way the Fort Langley National Historic Site is interesting:

http://www.pc.gc.ca/lhn-nhs/bc/langley/index_E.asp

> The main attraction is the Museum of Anthropology.

Correct. Well worth visting.

> We will likely pick b) or c)

You can get out to UBC and the Museum of Anthropology on the Bus. You can get close to Queen Elizabeth Park on the bus, but you'll need to walk up the hill into the park. It can be a bit strenuous for some.

>I found the Smart visit card on the internet.
>At $119 +tax, not sure it will benefit us?

I've never heard of it.

>Saw the Stadium skytrain station near
>our hotel, but don't really understand it?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SkyTrain_(Vancouver)

>Big question, is the XYZ bus to somewhere also the XYZ bus back?

Yes and no. The bus NUMBER stays the same, but the name of the bus route may be different.

For example, to work in the morning I take the "#3 Downtown" bus and then home I take the "#3 Main" bus. Exactly the same route, with the same number, but a different destination description.

>What time can I expect it to be light enough out to find our way?

In June it's usually light out until 9:30pm. However there are street lights everywhere.

>How safe is the area around our hotel at night?

Very safe - It's near the sports stadiums. You will likely encounter panhandlers, particularly in events nights, but they're not dangerous. You'll encounter them all over Vancouver, particularly in the summer.

>Told the Yalestown strip (10 minute walk SW
>of hotel) has many eateries to choose from. Any suggestions?

What kind of cuisine? Yaletown has everything from fine dining to casual.

>Any comments about Kingston Taphouse & Grill
>(755 Richards ST) or Jimmy's Tap House (783 Homer st)?

I'd pick Jimmy's over the Kingston.

>Understand there is a "7-11" type mini
>store along Robson, close to the hotel for
>buying food stuff. Also a liquor store next to
>Jimmy's to buy wine for the room?

Yes and Yes.

>Finally, I read somewhere about an express
>bus from Downtown V to Stanley Park

I haven't heard about this? You could also take Bus #19 that runs along Pender and Georgia Streets right into Stanley Park:

http://www.translink.bc.ca/bus/50/routemap/r019.pdf

Gastown
It should be walkable from where you are staying even with your bad foot. The area in between is not the greatest but it's not overtly bad. Just hopping on the Skytrain might be simplest.

A stretch of Hastings Street (~btw Main to Cambie) and a bit of surrounding neighbourhood is notorious for being one of the poorest areas in Canada and drug activity. I wouldn't necessarily call it unsafe from a violence perspective (I'd walk it if I'd have to) but it's not a pleasant area and why take the chance.

Chinatown
Like gglave said, probably easiest just to walk. However, where you are staying is a bit higher in elevation than Chinatown. You'd have to slope down along Beatty or take the stairs around the stadium.
We park in Chinatown and walk to the stadium for games and find it a light walk.
Chinatown is not as vibrant as it used to be. In the past, Chinatown used to be pretty much to only pace to get Chinese goods/groceries and attracted the crowds. In over the last decade, Chinese shopping has been more distributed with a large hub in Richmond (without the historical/cultural factor).

Granville Island
Like gglave says, yes, you can walk across the bridges but you have to watch for traffic when you cross the on/off ramps. Burrard St Bridge is probably a more scenic route if you are going to go to Vanier Park also.
Personally, if it's a nice day, I'd recommend just getting a daypass for the ferry that runs around False Creek.

Vancouver Zoo, UBC, QE Park
- Never been to the zoo myself. It's definitely a bit of a drive. Not worth the effort IMO.
- Yes, you can get to UBC by bus. Easiest is across Broadway with a transfer at Alma I think. UBC is a pretty spread out campus. It's a bit of a (triangular) walk btw the SUB (Student Union Building), Museum of Anthropology, and Botanical Gardens. BTW, UBC has a Rose Garden too.
There's campus parking lots all around (Botanical Garden, Museum of Anthropology has metered but the Rose Garden across the street has underground parking, etc)
You have to like West Coast aboriginal art to really enjoy the Museum of Anthropology.
The Botanical Garden is very... woodsy and plantsy. Not very flowery if that's what you are looking for.
- QE park would be a more compact attraction. More garden/flowery.

Burnably Village Museum, VanDusen Botanical Garden, Police Centennial Museum
- Personally, I don't see the attraction of Burnaby Village Museum. We've had a couple of company picnics there and I found it to be ...meh. They have a carousel. Nearby Deer Lake is nice. Hart House Restaurant is nice. No worth the effort to get to without a car IMO.
- VanDusen is easier to get to by bus. Maybe latch it onto a trip to QE Park?
- Police Centennial Museum... never been.

Not familiar with Smart Visit card (tho I took a quick look at it online just now and it looks kind of iffy from a value perspective if you ask me). Haven't taken the trolley but seen it around town. Not familiar with the Big Bus.

QE Park is along Cambie St where they've been doing a lot construction for the new airport to downtown skytrain line. Haven't been to that neck of the city for a while but I think while there still be some construction going on, it's not as bad as it was.

Agree with gglave that the area around your hotel is very safe. You're pretty good heading every direction. But once you head N (ie. NE) across Dunsmuir, it gets a bit seedy IMO but not necessarily unsafe.
If you want to head out of the hotel for the night and check out the surroundings, your best bet IMO is to head W (ie. NW) along Robson and then branch off to what interests you.

Zachary's, Dining, etc
- Maybe use Dinehere.ca as an initial guide. Take some of the reviews with a grain of salt.
If you like Belgian food (ie. Moules Frites, etc), I'd like to recommend Chambar, ~4 blocks from your hotel on Beatty.
There's also a 7/11 down Beatty on the corner of Beatty and Smithe.

Heads up that there's a pre-season football game at the stadium on Tue the 23rd.

WOW, thank you both, gglave and Jay 71

The free shuttle I was referring to is the Stanley Park shuttle bus that operated in the park only and was indeed free. Run by Parks and Gardens. The last post said it was suspended by the budget, but they were looking for funding. Other referrences seem to speak of it still operating, but are likely older. The shuttle gglave refured to is the one I described for $3, that takes you to the park, and is indeed the one the link provided refers to. It would be nice if that still worked.

The Big Bus Vancouver (says Vancouver Sightseeing on the side) is a competitor of the trolley. Same price and similar route.

The SmartVisit Card www.smartvisitsolutions.com (1-877-295-1157) is a prepaid discount card on various venues. It is $119 plus tax each. It appears that we would do better with the Entertainment book, although I do not know if Vancouver has one, or if it includes 2-4-1 on activities/attractions as ours does here in San Diego, CA.

You both have given me so much information, leaves me with the means to collect the rest. Thank you.

As to Restaurants, I did not provide any info...my bad, sorry. My wife and I (mainly me) are casual dinners. More taken to simple foods. Fish or fish and chips/scallops, etc. Italian, mostly pizza and pasta. Mexican, mostly enchiladas and raviolis. American, burgers, corn beef sandwitches, rib eye steak bbq ribs, chicken with fries or baked. Wine more that beer. Often order pizza in the room and open a bottle of wine purchased locally. Usaully do one "nicer place" on a trip. I went through dinehere.ca and tried to carve out a few. The write-ups are often very inconsistent. Seems like one should be prepared for poor service at most places. We look to $10-20 main range, pp., with another $15-25 for a bottle of wine. Know to have beer sometimes, but simple not complex brew pub stuff.

We will need to eat lunch in Stanley Park, Gastown, Chinatown, Granvill Island and Queen Elizabeth Park (maybe). We will likely try Zackrys at our hotel one night. Eat at Jimmy's one night. Any recommendations given the added data?

You can download bus/metro maps and timetables from the Translink website.

I'd recommend the Translink day pass. Costs C$9, I think.

The Anthropology Museum is quite a walk from the end of the B-line bus from Downtown. Don't do what I did and trek out on a day when it is closed!

If you're travelling after Labour Day the metro from the airport should be open.

Thanks, Seat64A (sorry about the coach status??)

We are coming in mid late June 2009. USA, labor day is not until Sept 7th. I believe it is the same in Canada, so we will miss the new service from the AP.

Previously undisclosed, we will be coming from the port after a 4 day cruise on Holland America, preceded by some time in Alaska and the Yukon.

I have not thought about transport from the ship to the hotel yet.

I will return to transit link to fill in the gaps in the data provided to date. The site was not too straight foreward to me, but we only take buses and trains when we are out of the USA so it becomes a big learning curve each time. Then there is the sky train too.

"ranles",

Thank you for your concern about my coach status! Luckily, seat 64A is one of the better Club World (i.e. business class) seats on the upper deck of British Airways' 747s and is much sought after!

You should have no trouble with transportation when you arrive. There is, as you probably know, a SkyTrain station to hand and if that is inconvenient a taxi to your hotel would be inexpensive.

We need to stop muddying the waters for the OP re SkyTrain. While they are near the Stadium station and can use the Skytrain to get to locations such as Gastown, the SkyTrain to/from the airport will NOT be in operaton when the OP arrives in June.

Based on your comments above, I'd suggest -

Yaletown Brewery
http://www.markjamesgroup.com/yaletown.html
1111 Mainland Street
Vancouver
604-681-BREW

Earl's Yaletown
http://www.earls.ca
1095 Mainland Street
Vancouver
604.688.4990

Milestones Yaletown
http://www.milestonesrestaurants.com/
1109 Hamilton Street
Vancouver
604.684.9111

>Understand there is a "7-11" type mini
>store along Robson, close to the hotel for
>buying food stuff.

There is also an IGA Grocery Store not far from you -

Marketplace IGA
http://www.marketplaceiga.com/locato...City=Vancouver
489 Robson Street
Vancouver
604-684-5714
Store Hours:
Sat through Sun 7:00 AM - 12:00 AM

Note that unlike our neighbours to the south and east, you cannot purchase alcohol at a supermarket.

Whoa, thank you.

We will definitely be seeking our a few bottles of wine for our stay in Vancouver.

The 7-11, or the place next to Jimmy's or the IGA: Which has wine and which does not! Another misadventure prehaps avoided!


We spent three days looking for wine in Northern Arizona! The weekend was a problem. Grocery stores were only selling beer. Monday was a holiday. We were on the Navajo Reservation land (much of the developed parts are commercial properties, not on, but in, the reserrvations)...many adhereing to the Reservation rules.

Thanks for the dining recommendations (based on my "modest eating" requests). I did get to the "L" on the site. Lombardo's Restorante Pizza for in town along with 4 others all with mixed reviews. None in Gastown. One on Grandville, Art & Getroromy (sp), and two in Yalestown, Amarcord Rest and the Hurrican Grill (horrible reviews).

As we only need a couple, I will go with your suggestions! Thanks again.

Just with regards to transportation from the pier to the hotel, please note that cruise ships in Vancouver currently uses two ports: Canada Place and Ballantyne Pier. Canada Place is near Skytrain whereas Ballantyne Pier is not (and you're pretty much stuck using a taxi).

Yes, Vancouver does have an Entertainment book.

There are a couple of restaurants in Stanley Park as well as concession stands. "Relatively" outside of Stanley Park there are quite a few restaurants along Denman Street.
I'd like to suggest eating at Go Fish! which is just off of Granville Island along a seawall pathway. Food stands in the market itself is hit and miss IMO and a tad pricey for what you get.
There is a restaurant in QE Park (Seasons in the Park) but I'm not sure if it fits your criteria.
Can't think of any good suggestions for Gastown and Chinatown.
You might want to check out Flying Wedge Pizza which has a location in library square which is a block or two from your hotel. They have some interesting toppings (and the classics too). They sell whole pizzas and by the slice. I like their toppings but don't "love" the crust (it's ok) and their pizza's are a tad pricey IMO. Note, they are not a "restaurant" tho but more of a order at the counter type place.

With regards to the DineHere.ca reviews, again, take them with a grain of salt and you might want to give a bit more credibility to posters who have reviewed a number of places.

Looks like your closest (government) liquor store is in Yaletown. I really can't see 7-11 or IGA carrying any wine (or at least I haven't seen any in the ones I've gone to in Vancouver).

Thank you all once again!
Seat64A-sorry. Yes, we like the upstairs of the 747 too. Bus. on UA LAX to SYD a few times. My wife especially likes the little stuff holder by the window and the ability to put her feet up on it too. Seems like on UA, it was rows in the teens, but it has been awhile.

gglave
checked out the IGA, thanks. Looks like the nearest BC liquor store is at 1108 Pacific Blvd (closed Sunday, but 10-7 all but Friday, then til 9). Also Yaletown Brewery seem a good choice for us.

Jay71 Will see what I can find out about pier we will be using, and/or prepare for both. I ordered the Entertain book for Vancouver today ($15 including shipping, hopefully, we will get in before May is out). A coupon our two will easily get that back and then I can gift it to someone we meet there. Go fish it is for just off Granville Island, along the seawall path (hopefully which direction will be obvious). Hopefully Halibut fish and chips. Library Square for Flying Wedge Pizza for a very casual pizza close by.

Question: If we were to consider the Skytrain from Canada Place, is luggage on the Skytrain practical? We will each have a Large suitcase (check in, on rollers, 45# type) and a small carryon (8-15#) and one medium/small back pack. We would have to walk with same to "Canada Place" and then to the Hotel from our local station.

The IGA on Robson says they are open only Sat-Sun!!! Do you thinik that is just a mistake on the web site?

Luggage on the current Skytrain cars is doable IMO. I just wouldn't do it during a weekday rush hour. Navigating the escalator might be tricky but I think each station should have an elevator.
The walk from your hotel to the Stadium Skytrain station is easy.
Mind you, you'd only be saving about $10 I think ($15 cab ride - $2.50x2 tickets).

BTW, Granville Island really isn't an island per se. It's just a piece of land under the Granville Street Bridge that juts into False Creek. If you enter along the main entrance along the sidewalk (this is the only way in/out for cars), you have to go over a small bridge by a marina. Just before the bridge is a seawall walkway along the marina. The path should take you to Go Fish! in <5mins. Warning though: They basically cook out of a portable/shack so there is only outdoor seating (go only if the weather is nice). The open at 11am or noon (closed Mon) and the lineups/wait for the food can be killer (30mins?) because they make to order. They have halibut & chips as well as cod and salmon. Have to recommend their soup and fish tacones also.

Yes it is a mistake.