People always ask about beautiful Vancouver, BC, and an acquaintance from Texas asked me to help plan his trip there.
He's from a hot place, so I told him Vancouver has relatively cool and wet weather, so he may appreciate the change...
If you are driving, a gps would be very helpful, too.
Typically, there's not really much live music in Vancouver. The Jazz Festival is just winding up on July 1.
The entertainment area is called Granville Strip, downtown. The FanClub is cool.
Hotels downtown can be pricey, but for a boutique experience, try the Wedgewood Hotel. If you want budget, try the Ramada near the PNE, below, which is about 15 minutes from the downtown core, but easy access to the North Shore, etc.
Local jazz is www.CellarJazz.com It is on the west side, and has great food and live music, so it ties in perfectly with a day of sightseeing at Jericho Beach
Also on the far west side is the Museum of Anthropology, a close stop to Jericho and Jazz Cellar. More museums as well.
Kits Beach is just east and is nice, more populated, and right near the downtown core (see all) . You can see across the water to English Bay, which is downtown... lots of strolling area and the south entrance to Stanley Park.
You will want to check out Stanley Park, so don't forget to at least drive around that massive downtown park, accessible from a few different points. If you have a few hours you can walk all or part of the great seawall there. There are gardens and concessions and a waterpark, too. See pics.
Capilano Suspension Bridge is on North Shore of Vancouver (across the Lions Gate Bridge from Stanley Park downtown). Really great attraction. Also on the North Shore, near Cap Bridge is the Grouse Mtn Gondola, where you can see EVERYTHING.
A free smaller version of Cap Bridge is nearby: Lynn Canyon Park. After that (you'd be heading east now), and while still on the North Shore, you can drive all along the inlet to Deep Cove. There are two routes, take Dollarton Hwy (most scenic) or Mt Seymour Parkway. These routes start near the Iron Worker's Bridge (Second Narrows). At the end of either drive is a small village with restaurants, etc., and stellar views of the Cove and mountains.
When you come back you can cross over the Second Narrows Bridge to the east side of the city, which is the border between Vancouver and Burnaby. As soon as you cross the bridge you are at The PNE, where there are fairgrounds, concerts, and rides.
There are lots of restaurants in Vancouver, but if you want a generous portion pasta meal not far from the PNE, is Anton's Pasta Bar. Good sized portions and always popular. 5 or 6 pm arrival will beat the line up. There are SO MANY restaurants everywhere, and some adventurous dining experiences in Chinatown, at the east and north end of Downtown.
Further east about 10 minutes is Burnaby Mtn, a scenic drive up a full fledged mountain, with totem poles and a university at the top. There are a few great restaurants there like Horizons...
Once off the mtn, you could take another scenic drive east along the Barnet Highway, with Marine Park along the way, but no major destination at the end, except nice communities called Port Moody,Coquitlam, and Port Coquitlam.
Well that's my quick Travel Guide. I am sure I left out lots of great stuff, but this is the Coles Notes version!
Hope you have a great visit.....
best regards,
Gabriel
