Vancouver is a beautiful city. Majestic mountains, ocean, rivers, and green space are immediately noticeable but how do you get around to really enjoy the place?
1. Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley Service
Take advantage of the Hop-On, Hop-Off Vancouver Trolley Car service. This travels all over the city for a very reasonable fee. You can stop wherever you want and enjoy the sites and then get back on when you are ready to continue. If you stop in Stanley Park, check on the horse drawn wagon rides. The rides are seasonal but take you all around the park in less than an hour.
2. Foot Ferry
To get over to Granville Island from the downtown area take one of the little foot ferries from the various stops along the seawall. The cost is very reasonable and the ferries run into the evening. The ferry captains are full of stories and facts about Vancouver as a bonus!
3. Bicycles
Bicycles are becoming a more common means of tourist transportation in Vancouver. They can be rented at places downtown close to Stanley Park. There are also sea kayaks for rent at English Bay if you want “to do the driving yourself!”
4. By Foot
Of course, there is always foot power and Vancouver is an extremely walkable city. The seawall starts at Canada Place in Coal Harbour and runs all the way around Stanley Park, under the Lion’s Gate Bridge, past BC Place Stadium and the Science Centre. It continues to Granville Island and eventually ends at Kitsilino Park. The complete distance is 22 KM. Or you can walk from Canada Place to English Bay around the park for a distance of 12 KM. Make sure you have comfortable walking shoes!
5. Skytrain
Take the opportunity to ride all the Skytrain lines. This can be done in half a day for a very reasonable price and gives a good overview of the lower mainland, as the coastal communities are called. It won’t be as crowded if you leave after 9 AM and return before 3 PM. The greater Vancouver bus service is also easily accessible anywhere along the Skytrain route.
The Skytrain service leaves constantly from the airport and takes you right downtown to the waterfront. From there you can access greater Vancouver, Burnaby, Surrey, and Coquitlam by Skytrain Huge shopping centres and a couple of casinos are easily accessible from the Skytrain. There is also no shortage of ethnic restaurants along the way.
6. Seabus
If you just want to spend a little time traveling across the Burrard Inlet, the seabus is the way to go. The crossing takes approximately 20 minutes and the views are spectacular. Leave the Waterfront Station and travel over to the Quay in North Vancouver. There is a market and many local vendors have the perfect souvenir gift for you to take home.
7. Westcoast Train
If you wish to venture even farther you can check out the Westcoast train schedule. It also leaves from the waterfront and travels out to the town of Mission with many stops along the way.
8.Bus Service
The Vancouver bus line service is a great way to site see. There is excellent service leaving from downtown Vancouver and traveling all over the lower mainland.
Greyhound bus service leaves from near Main Street Skytrain Station at the old CN Train Station. There you can connect with ferry service over to Vancouver Island and the gulf islands from Tsawwassen. It’s a nice way to spend a sunny day. Or you can take a trip up to Horseshoe Bay and catch a ferry to Nanaimo or the Sunshine Coast.
Take a local bus close just outside the Waterfront Station and visit Capilano Canyon or Lynn Canyon or Cypress Bowl. The Grouse Mountain Chairlift has a fantastic view of the city and harbour.
9.Rent a Car
Vancouver is an easy place to drive around in. There are so many places to see and a trip up to Whistler is a beautiful way to pass the time. All major car rental services are available at the Vancouver International Airport as well as downtown.
Enjoy your stay in Vancouver and take advantage of all the things to do see in this beautiful city. You won’t regret it!
