Vancouver Winter Olympics: Non-Olympic Activities

Our Local Expert Says:

Have tea in the park, watch the fish breeze through their tanks at the Aquarium, and smell the salty air as you walk around the Seawall.

Description:

Located in Downtown Vancouver, Stanley Park offers a green oasis to city dwellers, stretching over 1,000 acres of land. Lord Stanley of Preston opened the park in 1888; at the time it was a haven for gathering various material and food. Today, Stanley Park is home to half a million trees, the Vancouver Aquarium, the Malkin Bowl, carved totem poles, monuments, beaches, a lighthouse, and plenty of trails to take in the fresh air. If hiking through forests isn't your thing, take advantage of the Seawall where you can run, walk, cycle or rollerblade the 5.5 miles around Stanley Park. Once you have worked up an appetite, stop and grab a cold drink and delicious bite to eat at one of the many restaurants in Stanley Park.

Our Local Expert Says:

Tuesday night is their cheap night, which makes it hard to resist visiting the Gallery. The café is quite possibly the most delightful place to sit on a sunny afternoon.

Description:

The Vancouver Art Gallery is the fifth largest art gallery in all of Canada. The VAG has rotating exhibitions, along with its permanent collection that boasts over 9,100 items. Art junkies will be impressed by the 200 major works by the Group of Seven, Emily Carr and Mark Chagall, which are all housed in the VAG. In 1931, when the VAG was founded, it started out at a different location. In 1983 it was moved to its current address, the old provincial courthouse on Robson St. and Hornby St. The Art Gallery Café is the perfect way to spend a sunny Saturday afternoon, grab a bite, sip on a glass of wine or tea and listen to the Classical music that surrounds the umbrella scattered patio.

Description:

Get a 360-degree view of Vancouver and its outlying areas from BC's tallest building, the Harbour Centre. Its observation deck gives an unobstructed view of the city, Burrard Inlet, the North Shore mountains, Burnaby Mountain, West Vancouver and Bowen Island. Getting there is a fun experience in itself; glass elevators whisk you up 168 meters (553 feet) in just 40 seconds. There are multilingual guides available for those who are interested. Hours for the observation deck depend on the season, so please check the website for details.

Our Local Expert Says:

Treat yourself to one of Vancouver’s hidden gems and learn about the city’s dark past.

Description:

Dive into the underbelly of Vancouver's crime history at the Vancouver Police Museum, Canada's only museum of its kind. While at the museum you can learn about previous policing methods and check out the equipment and vehicles they used to use. The Vancouver Police Museum houses around 20,000 items, documents, pictures and other materials that explain the Vancouver Police's past. While in the museum, inspect counterfeit money, browse the Firearms collection and take a peek at the confiscated weapons. If you're feeling adventurous, check out the Coroner's Forensic Exhibit, this used to be the city's morgue. Some say the museum is haunted, that's not surprising considering they have murder evidence hanging around. Whether you're going for an educational experience, or to haunt yourself silly, the Vancouver Police Museum is a great way to spend an afternoon.

Our Local Expert Says:

Hitting the Market early on a Saturday morning is the perfect way to start off your weekend.

Description:

Once Vancouver's industrial manufacturing area, Granville Island is now home to many local artists, restaurants, theatres, a hotel and the Emily Carr University of Art and Design. Granville Island has something for everyone; a children's area, jewelry stores, art shops, a beer brewery, boat rental offices and unique clothing stores. Once you have made your away around the shops, head over to the Public Market. There you can treat your taste buds to some local smoked salmon, artisan cheeses, local produce and fresh fudge. Make sure you don't miss the food hall; you can grab a bite from one of the many food vendors and sit inside to enjoy your treat, or make your way outside to watch some of the city's finest street performers. Located in False Creek, an adventure to Granville Island is just a boat or bus ride away from Downtown.

Our Local Expert Says:

Shop, sip and savor the finer things in life! This is where to go if you're looking for upscale shopping and refined dining.

Description:

Yaletown has transformed itself drastically since the World's Fair in 1986. Once an industrial warehouse area, Yaletown is now a favorite haunt to those who like the finer things in life. Vancouver is called "Hollywood North" and it is not uncommon to see a movie being filmed on various streets around town. When celebrities are in town, Yaletown is where they like to hang out. Sit on one of the many patios and keep your eyes peeled for movie stars. Or, step into one of the charming boutiques where you will find the latest fashions in clothing, shoes and accessories. Some of the city's finest boutique hotels have made their way into Yaletown where guests are pampered, spoiled and treated like kings and queens. Boutique hotel not in your budget? Don't worry; join the locals that go into the hotel lounges for a drink and to be a part of the action.

Our Local Expert Says:

Go to The Drive for tasty treats, great people watching and a diverse experience.

Description:

Commercial Drive is located in East Vancouver and is reachable by car, bus or Skytrain (Vancouver's monorail system). "The Drive", as locals call it, was once a skid road for dragging logs to the harbor. Today, it is a residential area that is littered with coffee shops, ethnic restaurants, grocery stores and bakeries. The Drive was once known as Vancouver's "Little Italy", and Italian influences can still be savored in an espresso from one of the cafés. The Drive is heavily focused on creating diversity and welcoming new cultures, and annual events, such as the Vancouver Dyke March and the Parade of Lost Souls, evoke this sentiment.

Description:

This was where the original German community in Vancouver shopped. Robsonstrasse, as it was formerly known, was lined with delis, bakeries and restaurants. Today, it's one of the city's most fashionable shopping streets: Alfred Sung, Salvatore Ferragamo, Chanel, Rodier Paris and Stephane de Raucourt are just some of the big names in this urban shopping destination. Options for grabbing a bite abound. Find everything from Schnitzel to Sushi along this bustling thoroughfare. It is also cruising central in the summertime, with cars and sidewalks filled with people enjoying the warm summer air.

Description:

On a street corner of this Victorian-era warehouse district stands the world's first steam clock, and probably the city's most photographed attraction. The timepiece plays the Westminster Chimes every hour and whistles every fifteen minutes with a gush of steam. Despite its Gothic style, it's not as old as it looks. Famed inventor and horologist Ray Saunders built the clock to muffle steam from underground lines that were used to hean local buildings.

Our Local Expert Says:

Anywhere named after someone called "Gassy Jack" is worth a visit. Plus, there are some amazing art galleries and boutiques in the area.

Description:

One of Vancouver's oldest areas, it was the original Downtown Core. The area is named after "Gassy" Jack Deighton who was a seaman from the United Kingdom. "Gassy" Jack, as locals fondly know him, came to the City in 1887 and founded the first saloon. That past time has continued on over the years. Today locals and visitors can walk down the cobbled streets to one of the many restaurants and pubs in the area to wet their palate. Gastown's most famous landmark is the Steam Clock, which operates on steam. It's hard to miss it while it blows out steam and echoes delightful sounds throughout the street passages. Vancouver has many talented artists and fashion designers, step into one of the galleries or boutique shops to grab a piece of the local talent.

Our Local Expert Says:

Try one of the walking tours of Chinatown to learn even more about this fascinating corner of Vancouver.

Description:

Vancouver's Chinatown is the second largest Chinatown in the Western hemisphere, San Francisco being the largest. Chinatown is close to many parts of the city; it neighbors Gastown, the Financial District and is a hop away from Strathacona. One of the main landmarks in Chinatown is the "China Gate" on Pender Street; this was donated by the Government of the People's Republic of China Government to the City of Vancouver after the World Fair in 1986. The design and color of this amazing structure are definitely worth stopping and admiring. Dr. Sun Yat Sen Classical Chinese Garden is a beautiful garden in Chinatown that never fails to disappoint. There are also many vendors and little shops selling everything from ancient herbal medicines, traditional tea, fresh fish, unique trinkets, fabulous furniture and traditional clothing. It's a great place to find that unique gift to bring back home.

Our Local Expert Says:

The Aquarium is always an exciting, worthwhile visit that is sure to bring out the inner child in you.

Description:

Vancouver is known to have some of the best underwater wildlife in the world, the only problem is that the waters off the coast can be rather chilly. The Vancouver Aquarium has solved that problem and brought some of British Columbia's most interesting sea creatures inside to inspire and educate visitors. The Vancouver Aquarium is a non-profit organization and they partake in worldwide marine mammal rescue and rehabilitation projects. When inside the Aquarium, step into the Rainforest where you will be greeted by a Sloth, tropical birds, crocodiles, snakes and fish. Then, mosey on over to the display of fish that call British Columbia home. Make sure that you go outside and watch the Sea Otters goof around and catch one of the many shows that include Dolphins, Beluga Whales and Sea Lions.

Our Local Expert Says:

Whether you're 6 or 60, TELUS World of Science is the perfect place to go on a rainy day. Educate and amaze yourself with the permanent and rotating exhibitions.

Description:

Go with the kids or your grandma, Science World, also knows as TELUS World of Science, is bound to excite all ages with the cool and educational exhibits. Science World keeps things fresh and interesting by hosting rotating exhibits alongside their permanent displays. The 400-seat OMNIMAX theatre is the perfect way to spend a rainy afternoon. Located at the end of Vancouver's False Creek, Science World is easily accessible by bus, Aquabus or Skytrain.