RA40

iTrader: (6)

We've been considering a getaway vacation to the Vancouver area first part of September. As of now we'll be staying at the Sheraton Wall Center. Our general likes are food of any type. Coffee and my being able to see some expanses of nature. That may be hard in the city but if it is reachable by bus or commuter rail that may be an option. Otherwise cityscapes are fine. We won't have a car so public transportation in the area would be used as well as taxis when necessary. I realize it is pretty vague but would like to gain some suggestions on what you would have for some sights to see in that location. Our planned stay is about 5 nights/6days.

Wife says seafood, so restaurants of that type are welcomed. Suggestions for Chinese food in or around the China town area? We're 40 somethings so attractions that are a bit milder would be welcomed. We basically want to relax eat some tasty food and enjoy a change of scenery from the So. Cal grind.

TIA.

LexFather

Hey, I can offer my visitor perspective. I was there two weeks ago for the second time and ate at
https://www.vancouverdine.com/carderos . It was nice, on the water downtown. The Halibut was good as the Chowder (get white not the red).

My stay was at the 4 Seasons so it was easy to walk around. The train was a block away. If I recall you can take the train from the airport to downtown, there are also 2 lines, one along the water and one that takes you through the middle of the city. I tried to take it but the route I needed suddenly had an issue.

I have done Stanley Park twice, that is a must! I have not done Whistler Mountain but I heard it is a must if you have time there.

The year before I remember loving the friend mashed potatoes here and the rotisserie chicken

http://www.joeyrestaurants.com/menu/...t/170/our-food

RA40

iTrader: (6)

Thanks Mike, will look into those.

Looking at the travel brochure Whistler looks very pretty. The agent suggested Butchart Gardens in Victoria, was thinking I'd prefer natural landscape over manicured...dunno. Much to refine and the tour books list so much that the choices are overwhelming. Basically we want to hit the less mainstream spots. Kinda funny because the hotel is in downtown so that is at odds. Hopping the train makes it easier to be away from the city center.

Will definitely look into the rail aspect and see where the line goes to.

604GSE21

here is my list of a few good place i go to...

-Kirin at Star Light Casino is best out of all Kirin Restaurants in Vancouver IMO..
http://www.kirinrestaurants.com/inde...ions#starlight

-HK BBQ Master has the best hong kong style Roast Pork, BBQ Pork and BBQ duck in town...
http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/14/14188...aster-Richmond

-Guu Garlic has some good unique japanese food.. well each guu kinda hav different theme too
http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/14/18077...rlic-Vancouver

-Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ - great place to eat too as the name suggest its jap bbq..
http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/14/15727...-BBQ-Vancouver

-Rajio is another good jap restaurant
http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/14/17150...ouse-Vancouver

-Phnom Penh, its a viet restaurant, they have the best fried chicken, and many different viet dishes besides pho... MAKE SURE MAKE A RESERVATION BEFORE GOING!!!
http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/14/18138...Penh-Vancouver

-Flying Pig in Yale Town hav great food...
http://theflyingpigvan.com/

Rodney's Oyster House, if you love oysters this is the place...
http://rohvan.com/

Dollar Meat Store... if you don't want to go to richmond for bbq pork or roast pork this is also a good place but its take out only cuz they are a meat shop...
http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/14/16112...tore-Vancouver

RA40

iTrader: (6)

Thanks for the list 604GSE21

How is China town these days? The Trip Advisor reviews don't seem to good.

The aquarium seems like a nice stop and seeing the waterfront. We won't have a car so we'll likely use the bus or rail to get around. Any tips?

604GSE21

china town is alright just don't walk on E. Hastings then you are fine... cuz its like the ghetto of vancouver where all the druggys, bums and weird people hang out...

as for rail don't buy tickets for Canada Line at the airport station... go buy a booklet of "fare savers" at 7Eleven at domestic terminal of the Airport cause it cost extra $5/ticket if you buy at the station of the Canada Line at the Airport... other than that basically everytime you buy a ticket basically u get 1 1/2 hr to ride anything you want (ie: bus, sky train and seabus) except for West Coast Express, there is apps... more info here: http://www.translink.ca/en/Fares-and-Passes.aspx

Translink hav a app for iPhone
http://buzzer.translink.ca/2008/11/t...ple-app-store/

Shmee

iTrader: (3)

If you are going to be around on the 6th, I'll be in Van and can drag you out to the Serialnine block party and car show! If you do come to Vic, let me know and we can grab a beer! ��


So much to see in van though, I'll give you a good list of stuff to do later tonight.

Shmee

iTrader: (3)

As far as places to see that are easily accessible, Stanley park is a must for a nice 2hour walk around the seawall, 15min detour mid-walk and you are at the aquarium. Take the seabus over to north van and take the Tram up to the top of grouse for dinner with an amazing view. The food is ok, but the view is what you pay for, or at least was the last time I went.

It might be too late in the year but if you like baseball, the Vancouver Canadians are the Toronto Blue Jays AAA affiliate and it's a pretty great ball park to watch a game and have a few beers on a nice day/evening.


Tons of shopping on Robson, and downtown, all be it over-priced.

One of my favorite restaruant a is the Chambar and/or Medina.
If beligian beers and massive plates of mussels are you thing, check out Biercraft on cambie or commercial.

What else to you like?

Music?
Shows?
Dancing?

For a laugh, you might be able to catch a CFL football game... It might confuse the hell out of you if you are a die-hard 4-down fan! :P

RA40

iTrader: (6)

Will likely be in town after the 11'th. Thanks for the offer, would have been cool to catch-up.

I'll add your suggestions to the plan. This trip will be basic relaxing and wind down. Focused on eats, pretty sights and for the Mrs. good coffee places. Planned is Stanley Park, aquarium, Granville Island market and wandering the areas in that section of down town. Originally we'd planned some time in Victoria to see the gardens. The ferry transfer times and losing that much on each end we figure that we'd do a focused trip of Victoria some other time. Seafood is a definite for us so coupled with beer I'll be.

Jetfire

iTrader: (3)

If you like beer, we have an exploding craft beer scene. There is a lot along main street area. I'd be willing to take you out to a few places or we could have a small clublexus meetup for beer tasting.

If you want nature North Vancouer is your best bet. Head to Deep cove if you want to go rent kayaks/canoes and go for a nice quiet paddle filled with natural beauty.

Here's a good website for trails if you want to do any hiking
http://www.vancouvertrails.com/trails/

I like going to Lynn canyon or UBC spirit park for nature close to Vancouver with free parking. Instead of going to capilano suspension bridge which is a tourist trap, Lynn canyon is a free suspension bridge with an easy hike that loops around. For a little more challenging they have the Lynn headwaters trail but that's not too difficult either.

I say to avoid Grouse mountain too. Tourist trap as well. Expensive tram ride. The restaurant had alright food, there's better places. If you want a really nice view of the city, drive up to Cypress mountain.

The sea to sky highway is a beautiful drive up with nice scenic pit stops to Whistler. It's worth the daytrip if you have the time.

There's some nice restaurants in coal harbour if you want a nice view. There's Cardero's, tap & barrel, cactus club. They're not the fanciest/best restaurants but the view is great. They're close to Stanley Park as well.

I had dinner at Teahouse the other night in Stanley Park and it is quite nice there. Nice view, nice setting, the food is pretty good there.

There's still historic sites in chinatown but there's not much left in terms of restaurants/shops. I'd recommend Dr. Sun yat sen garden in Chinatown, they have a free portion with a nice pond, big koi fish and plants.

Queen Elizabeth park also has a nice view of the city and beautiful gardens.