Take a scenic tour of Vancouver on foot, by bicycle or roller skates by following the paved pathway that encircles the downtown. The Seawall stretches 13.7 miles along the waterfront, including 5.5 miles around Stanley Park. The park, located less than a mile from downtown, was inaugurated in 1886 and with more than 150,000 trees and hiking trails stretched across 1,000 acres, it's a popular tourist destination. The Project for Public Spaces, a non-profit urban planning organization based in New York, lists Stanley Park as the 16th best park in the world.
Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation
2099 Beach Avenue
Vancouver, BC V6G 1Z4
604-873-7000
vancouver.ca/parks
For a unique tour of Stanley Park, take a short ride on the miniature train. More than 200,000 passengers ride the train every year. The 20-inch track, goes through a series of tunnels and trestles within a mile-long forested region of the park. Adjacent to the Miniature Train Station is the Children's Farmyard. It features over 100 farm animals on just over one acre of land and allows children to experience rural life right in the city. As of August 2010, the cost to ride the miniature train and get into to the farmyard is between $3 to $7, depending on age.
Stanley Park Children's Farmyard & Miniature Railway
611 Pipeline Road
Vancouver, BC
604-257-8531
Visit Granville Island, a 37-acre island in the middle of the city. Located south of downtown, Granville island is set-up like a town square. It's free to visit, but there are plenty of opportunities to spend money. A fresh food market, restaurants, shops, theatres, galleries, and the famous Granville Island Brewery, are all within reach.
Granville Island Public Market
1689 Johnston Street
Vancouver, BC V6H 3R9
604-666-5784
granvilleisland.com
Take a ride on the Aquabus ferry and tour Vancouver by water. Aquabus operates as a downtown commuter service, but it's also popular with sightseers. As of August 2010, one-way fares range from $3 to $6, depending on the route. The ferry starts and ends at Granville Island, but also makes stops at Arts Club Theatre, David Lam Park, Stamp's Landing, Spyglass Place, Plaza of Nations and Science World.
Catch a glimpse of your favorite movie star by visiting a movie set. The British Columbia Film Commission lists on its website all movies currently being filmed in Vancouver. It also lists casting calls for extras. More movies and TV shows are filmed in the greater Vancouver area than anywhere else in Canada.
BC Film Commission
865 Hornby Street
Vancouver, BC V6Z 2G3
604-660-2732
bcfilmcommission.com
