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Green Travel in Vancouver

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Vancouver is consistently ranked as one of the world's most livable cities, and it's definitely one of the greenest as well. Even the new Olympic village is as eco-friendly as it gets. Vancouver is also full of restaurants that have a strong commitment to using regional and sustainable ingredients, and the city is full of parks, gardens, and other open spaces to explore on foot or by bicycle.

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Author: JennyMM

Day 1 - Vancouver

The Pacific Palisades Hotel has undertaken an "EarthCare" program, which uses sustainable products from environmentally-friendly lighting and cleaning products down to organic coffee and minibar food. And if you request the EarthCare package upon reserving a room, they'll contribute a carbon offset credit if you fly in. Once you get settled in at the hotel, take a walk around downtown. There are a number of interesting buildings near the hotel. The Christ Church Cathedral, Marine Building, Sam Kee building, and the Library Square are some of the more impressive architectural examples. The Cactus Club Cafe is a great place for a lunchtime introduction to green dining in Vancouver, casual yet delicious fare that has a strong focus on local ingredients and sustainable meat and seafood. Near the cafe is Artspeak, an innovative non-profit art centre, if you would like to get a look at the works of some local artists. Also nearby are several of Vancouver's many parks and green spaces. Particularly beautiful is the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Chinese Garden, created to encourage cultural dialogue and built in the classical style. Vanier Park is another lovely open area, with several beaches and most of Vancouver's large museums, including the Vancouver Museum, Maritime Museum, and Space Centre. Even if you don't go into any of the museums, there's lots of interesting sculptures and architecture to appreciate, and Vanier is a good place to just enjoy the outdoors. Watch the sunset on the water, and then walk over to Bishop's restaurant. Known as one of Vancouver's finest restaurants, this is also one of the first restaurants in the area to emphasize the importance of local and sustainable food.

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Christ Church Cathedral

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Location:

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690 Burrard St
(At Georgia Street)
V6C 2L1 Vancouver, Canada

Phone:

+1 604 682 3848

Marine Building

Location:

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355 Burrard Street
V6C 2G8 Vancouver, Canada

Phone:

+1 604 683 8604

Sam Kee Building

Location:

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8 West Pender Street
V6B 1R5 Vancouver, Canada

Phone:

+1 604 683 2000(Tourist Information)

Library Square

Location:

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350 West Georgia Street
V6B 6B1 Vancouver, Canada

Phone:

+1 604 331 3603

Cactus Club

Location:

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1136 Robson Street
Vancouver, Canada

Phone:

604 687 3278

Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden

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Location:

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578 Carrall St
V6B 5K2 Vancouver, Canada

Phone:

+1 604 662 3207

Artspeak Gallery

Location:

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233 Carrall St
(Near Cordova)
V6B 2J2 Vancouver, Canada

Phone:

+1 604 688 0051

Vanier Park

Location:

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1000 Chestnut Street
V6J 3J9 Vancouver, Canada

Phone:

+1 604 257 8400 (Board of Parks and Recreation)

Bishop's Restaurant

Location:

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2183 West 4th Avenue
(bet. Arbutus & Yew Sts.)
V6K 1N7 Vancouver, Canada

Phone:

604 738 2025

Pacific Palisades Hotel

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Location:

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1277 Robson St
At Jervis
V6E1C4 Vancouver, Canada

Phone:

1 604 688 0461

Day 2 - Vancouver

Get out early to Lynn Canyon for a morning hike. There is an ecology centre here with information about local flora and fauna, and there is rainforest, waterfalls and pools, and a suspension bridge that swings 20 stories above the canyon. Lonsdale Quay is a fun place to visit for the observation tower, visiting stores, and people watching, and also a good place to find something tasty for lunch, as there are a number of local vendors selling everything from Mexican to Italian cuisines. You can spend the rest of the afternoon exploring some more of the open spaces in north Vancouver, such as the Tilford Gardens, which has a number of interesting theme gardens including one that has several rare indigenous species. Also in the area is Ambleside Park, which has a long, clean beach perfect for swimming or lounging, and Lighthouse Park, a lovely wilderness area. Hike to Jackpine Point in time to watch the sunset over the ocean. When you're ready for dinner, try one of the tasting menus at Raincity Grill, which are made up entirely of ingredients from farms and producers within 100 miles of the restaurant.

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Lighthouse Park

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Location:

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South of Highway 1/99, on the mouth of Burrard Inlet
Caulfield Drive
Vancouver, Canada

Phone:

+1 604 925 7275

Raincity Grill

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Location:

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1193 Denman Street
(Morton Ave.)
V6G 2N1 Vancouver, Canada

Phone:

6046857337x

Day 3 - Vancouver

To get out to see the glacial fjords, head out on a kayak tour with Lotus Land Tours, who offer a Vancouver Kayak Wilderness Adventure. Indian Arm is Canada's most southernmost fjord, and is a calm inlet filled with marine life. Lunch is fresh veggies and fish on a small island in the fjord. You'll get back just in time to head up to Grouse Mountain, and take a gondola ride up to the top of the peak just north of the city. Take the sunset tour and try dinner at one of the restaurants at the summit, or travel up the mountain on your own and then grab Indian for dinner at Vij's, where seasonal local food is shaped into fabulous Indian fusion food.

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LotusLand Tours Inc.

Location:

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1251 Cardero Street
Suite 2005
V6G 2H9 Vancouver, Canada

Phone:

+1 604 684 4922

Vij's Restaurant

Location:

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1480 W 11th Ave
(bet. Granville & Hemlock Sts.)
V6H 1L1 Vancouver, Canada

Phone:

604 736 6664

Grouse Mountain

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Location:

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6400 Nancy Greene Way
North Vancouver
V7R 4K9 Vancouver, Canada

Phone:

+1 604 984 0661 / +1 604 980 9311

Grouse Mountain Sunset Tour

Location:

Vancouver, Canada

Day 4 - Vancouver

Visit Stanley Park in the morning, the city's most famous park. There is a community garden, rhododendron collection, and plenty to see and do. Take a walk along the seawall, a scenic path that runs along the entire shorelength of the park. Grab lunch at Subeez Cafe, a casual and friendly place to get some innovative fresh fare, and then take the bus northeast of town to Harrison Lake & Hot Springs. A small community on the lake, this is a great place to relax in the hot springs and take advantage of the beautiful surroundings on the beach or on a hike. Have dinner in town here, or ride back into town for a meal at C Restaurant, one of Vancouver's premiere seafood restaurants. C also happens to be one of the city's most ecologically responsible, even founding a fish protection program.

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Stanley Park

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Location:

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Stanley Park Causeway
Stanley Park
V6G 3E2 Vancouver, Canada

Phone:

+1 604 257 8400 (Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation)

Stanley Park EcoWalk Tours

Location:

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Stanley Park Causeway
Second Floor, Stanley Park Dining Pavilion
V6H 3H4 Vancouver, Canada

Phone:

+1 604 683 7943

The Seawall

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Location:

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Stanley Park Causeway Road
(Outside of Stanley Park)
V6G 3E2 Vancouver, Canada

Phone:

+1 604 683 2000(Tourist Information)

Subeez Cafe

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Location:

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891 Homer St
V6B 2W2 Vancouver, Canada

Phone:

604 687 6107

C Restaurant

Location:

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2-1600 Howe Street
(Beach Ave.)
V6Z 2L9 Vancouver, Canada

Phone:

6046811164x

Day 5 - Vancouver

Take the morning to tour some more of Vancouver's parks and green spaces. Don't miss the Pacific Spirit Regional Park, which borders the west side of the city and the University of British Columbia. This huge forest is filled with miles and miles of paths to hike. Nearby is the UBC Botanical Gardens, which has tons of rare and unusual plant species, and the Nitobe Memorial Garden, one of the most authentic and beautiful Japanese gardens in the Western Hemisphere. Stop in for some great local cheeses and charcuterie at the Salt Tasting Room at lunchtime, and then set out on one of Vancouver's famed mountain biking tours. You'll be hungry by dinner, and O'Doul's is the place to try some of British Columbia's wines paired with one of the restaurant's many delicious seafood dishes.

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