About Vancouver

Vancouver is a coastal city and major seaport, located on the mainland of southwestern British Columbia, Canada. It is named after Captain George Vancouver, a British explorer. It is located between the Strait of Georgia and the Coast Mountains. Its economy has traditionally relied on British Columbia’s resource sectors: forestry, mining, fishing and agriculture. It was first settled in the 1860s as a result of immigration caused by the Fraser Canyon Gold Rush, particularly from the United States, although many immigrants did not remain after the rush. The city developed rapidly from a small lumber mill town into a metropolitan centre following the arrival of the transcontinental railway in 1887. The Port of Vancouver became internationally significant after the completion of the Panama Canal, which reduced freight rates in the 1920s and made it viable to ship export-bound prairie grain west through Vancouver. It has since become the busiest seaport in Canada, and exports more cargo than any other port in North America.

The economy of Vancouver has diversified over time, however. Vancouver has a growing tourism industry, for example, and has become the third-largest film production centre in North America, after Los Angeles and New York City, earning it the nickname Hollywood North. Vancouver has had an expansion in high-tech industries, most notably video game development.

Vancouver is consistently ranked one of the three most livable cities in the world. According to a 2007 report, Vancouver tied with Vienna as having the third highest quality of living in the world, after Zürich and Geneva. The 2010 Winter Olympics will be held in Vancouver and nearby Whistler

The best website for visitor information on Vancouver is Vancouver.com. More information can be found at Tourism Vancouver, In Vancouver, and Discover Vancouver.

Things to see and do in Vancouver…

Metropolis at Metrotown

With 470 stores, Metropolis at Metrotown is British Columbia’s largest shopping destination. It’s a destination in itself with must see attractions, world class restaurants, theatres and two indoor courtyards, not to mention great shopping. Open 7 days a week, with shopping until 9pm Monday to Saturday.

Lookout at Harbour Centre Tower

The Lookout high atop Harbour Centre Tower is your best place to start your tour of Vancouver! This Vancouver attraction gives dramatic 360 degree views from mountains to skyline.

Gastown

An unique attraction celebrating the birthplace of Vancouver. Gastown is a historical attraction filled with great shops and restaurants. Gastown celebrates the origin of Vancouver! The story goes, in exchange for a barrel of whiskey, smooth-talking “Gassy” Jack Deighton convinced local loggers and trappers to build him a saloon they all could share.

Granville Island

No visit to Vancouver is complete without visiting Granville Island. In the late 1970s, local government transformed this former industrial area into a tourist attraction like no other. It is replete with restaurants, artists’ studios and the Granville Island Public Market. The market is a massive collection of fresh produce, artwork and eclectic cuisine.

Stanley Park

Stanley Park is both incredible and beautiful. It is a 1,000-acre wilderness park located only blocks from the downtown. Stanley Park’s attractions include the Vancouver Aquarium, family fun at the Stanley Park Pitch and Putt, great summer swimming at Second Beach, the Miniature Railway and Children’s Farmyard, and Prospect Point, where cormorants build their seaweed nests along the cliff ledges.

Vancouver Aquarium

Come to face-to-fin with over 70,000 animals including beluga whales, Steller sea lions, dolphins, seals and more! Enjoy the dolphin and whale shows, sea otter feeds, and shark dives. Free-roaming animals abound in the popular Amazon Gallery and be sure to stop by the newest gallery that’s full of interactive exhibits and a children’s play learning area. For a unique hands-on adventure, ask about the Animal Encounters program. The Vancouver Aquarium is open 365 days of the year.

Fort Langley National Historic Site

Fort Langley is the exact location where, a century and a half ago, a huge fur trade organization called the Hudson’s Bay Company established a small post to trade with the First Nations of the West Coast. The enterprise grew, evolved, and influenced history, leading to the creation of the colony of British Columbia. Furs were shipped to Europe via Cape Horn, produce was traded to the Russians in Alaska, local cranberries found their way to California, and Fraser River salmon was enjoyed as far away as Hawaii!

Vancouver Maritime Museum

Every day the Vancouver Maritime Museum charts a different course of adventure for all. Come aboard for fun and knowledge. Discover the rich maritime history and traditions of the Pacific Coast. Step back in time to 1944 on board Canada’s famous RCMP St Roch and explore the many permanent and changing exhibits, Children’s Maritime Discovery Centre, family activities, and the boats in Heritage Harbour. We are seafaring fun at its best!

Outdoor Activities:

Biking

The biking in Vancouver is excellent year-round with numerous trails and a grid of designated bike corridors covering the city. Cycling is a great family activity and one of the best ways to explore Vancouver. Please be advised that Vancouver has a mandatory helmet law for all ages.

Hiking

Hiking Vancouver’s dramatic natural profile is breathtaking. Towering mountains just waiting to be explored soar thousands of vertical feet above the city at water’s edge. The summits of The Lions, Grouse Mountain, Mount Seymour, Golden Ears, Cypress Mountain and Garibaldi Provincial Park are all accessible to healthy, relatively experienced hikers who can follow instructions from a trail guide and are fit enough to carry a daypack containing the “ten essentials” of mountain safety, including a First Aid kit, matches/fire starters, extra food, a map and compass, flashlight with spare bulbs and batteries, sunscreen and sunglasses, rain gear, an army knife and water.

Sea Kayaking & Canoeing

Sea kayaking and canoeing are fast becoming two of the most popular Vancouver activities. A sleek one-person or tandem sea kayak is the most stable and nimble boat on the water, with its origins traced back to the North Coast Indians of the Alaskan Panhandle. Vancouver’s tranquil waters offer sea kayaking opportunities for hard-core paddlers and timid beginners.

Scuba Diving

Vancouver’s beauty extends below the ocean’s surface, too. Scuba divers plumb the frigid waters between Vancouver Island and the mainland to view spectacular marine species like wolf eels and octopus, as well as a brilliant red coral found few other places in the world.