Vancouver, Canada

 Spotlight: Vancouver is the biggest city in British Colombia, and has the third largest metropolitan area in Canada, with a population of 2.6 million. It is also one of the most ethnically and linguistically diverse cities in Canada. About 49.3% of the population are not native English speakers and the majority of residents belong to minority ethnic groups. According to the 2021 census, 14.9% of the population speak Cantonese, 11.5% speak Mandarin, 9.4% speak French, 4.7% speak Tagalog, 2.9% speak Punjabi, 2.3% speak Hindi, and 2.3% speak Vietnamese. Other languages spoken by at least 1% of the population include: Persian languages, Japanese, German, Korean, Portuguese, Italian and Russian. This diversity has helped the city develop into a popular site for international events, including: the 1954 Commonwealth Games, UN Habitat 1 (1976), The World's Fair (Expo 86), the World Police and Fire Games (1989 & 2009), APEC Canada (1997), the 2010 Winter Olympics, and several matches of the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup - including the Final. It was also made the permanent home of TED Conferences in 2014.

Vancouver makes industry look interesting

Vancouver is the largest port in Canada

     Vancouver's aboriginal population has inhabited the area for thousands of years. Although a few explorers and trappers of European descent colonized the area in the early 1800's, it was the Fraser Gold Rush of 1858 that opened the floodgates, with more than 25,000 treasure hunters flooding the area with mining camps. The City of Vancouver was officially incorporated in 1886, the year that the transcontinental railroad arrived. In the year 1901, the census calculated the population to be 26,133; 120 years later, that number swelled to 662,248. 

Vancouver suburb utility boxes

Activities: Capilano Suspension Bridge Park features a 450-foot long suspension bridge dangling 230 feet above the Capilano River. The bridge was originally built in 1889, from hemp rope and cedar planks. Over a century later, the bridge is anchored by steel cables, and could theoretically support the weight of 96 full-grown elephants. The crossing, which takes between 5-15 minutes, has been made by citizens of practically every nation on earth, including rock stars, movie stars and royalty. The park also features the Rainforest Canopy Walk - a 20 minute stroll through the treetops reminiscent of the Ewok Village in Star Wars - Return of the Jedi. The canopy walk starts in a reclaimed Tree House and follows seven suspension bridges that guide visitors from one treetop platform (about 110 feet above the forest floor) to the next. Another attraction is the Cliffwalk. The 700-foot walkway (made of wood and metal) hugs the side of Capilano Canyon, offering visitors spectacular vistas of the river and canyon from about 90 meters above the canyon floor. The narrow walkways are definitely not recommended for those who suffer from the fear of heights, but offer a heart-pumping experience for those who make the 15-30 minute stroll. Other highlights include the Living Forest Exhibit, the seasonal Birds of Raptors Ridge exhibit, the Story Centre (focusing on the park's history), the Kia'palano Totem Poles, and the Trading Post.

Capiliano Suspension Bridge

Totem Poles

Rainforest Canopy Walk

Rainforest

Cliffwalk

- Location: 3735 Capilano Road; North Vancouver, BC

- Hours: The Park is open from 8:30 am - 8:00 pm; if you purchase your ticket online, you are asked to arrive within the 30-minute assigned window, but can stay as long as you wish (typically 2-3 hours).

- Cost: Daylight Ticket 8:30 am - 5:00 pm: CA$75/adult, CA$70/senior (65+), CA$64/student (18+), CA$49/youth (13-17), CA$28/child (6-12); Twilight Ticket 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm: 25% less than the Daylight Ticket

- Things You Should Know: General admission tickets are a few dollars cheaper if purchased online.

- Walkways may be slippery when wet; and you should plan on them being wet, so be prepared. We didn't see the sun once during out 4-day sojourn in Vancouver. I've been told that the sun does shine on occasion, but the city averages between 160-170 days of rain each year.

- "Well-behaved" dogs are allowed at the park (on a leash), but all other pets are not permitted.

- The Suspension Bridge, Rainforest Canopy Walk and Cliffwalk are not wheelchair accessible. Other items not permitted are drones, selfie-sticks, strollers or crutches.

- Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Activities: Lynn Canyon Park also features a suspension bridge. This bridge is approximately 40 meters long (130+ feet), hangs 50 meters (160 feet) above the river, and is more narrow (barely enough room for two people to pass) than the more famous Capilano Suspension Bridge. The wooden plank bridge also jangles around a lot more as you walk across, making it a completely different experience. The view from the middle of the bridge is breathtaking! After crossing the bridge, the park offers several different options. If you turn left, you can swim in the 30-foot Pool (providing it is warm enough). If you turn right, you can view the Twin Falls from the short wooden bridge that spans the river. Or you can explore the 617 acre park by hiking one of the many trails that connect the park with other parks in the area: Lynn Headwaters, Rice Lake and Inter River Park. There is also an Ecology Centre that educates visitors regarding the history of the area and environmental concerns through various interactive displays and workshops.

Lynn Canyon Park Suspension Bridge

Lynn Creek

Twin Falls

- Location: 3690 Park Road; North Vancouver, BC

- Hours: The Park is open from "dawn to dusk" - typically from 7:00 am - 6:00 pm in the winter, and 7:00 am - 9:00 pm in the summer. The Ecology Centre is open from 10:00 - 4:00 (Mon. - Fri.); noon - 4:00 (Sat. & Sun.)

- Cost: There is no entrance fee for Lynn Canyon Park. Parking, however costs CA$3/hour (maximum of 4 hours) between 8 am-6 pm from March 1 - October 31 (free from November - February).

- Things You Should Know: - Taking a picture from the bridge can be tricky since is bounces around so much when people walk. Try to find a time when it's clear of traffic.

- Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

- Activities: The VanDusen Botanical Garden is a 55-acre park with over 7,500 species of plants from around the world. As you wander the garden paths, you will see a plethora of vibrant colors (especially in the fall), small waterfalls, a giant chair, small totem polls, a statue of a giant owl, small lakes with fountains, and even a hedge maze. Among the various themed gardens you will find a stone garden, a medicine wheel, a meditation garden, a vegetable garden, a rose garden, and collections from around the world (Japan, Korea, Chile, Australia & New Zealand, South Africa, etc.). 

lake fountain

Photo Op

Totem poles

waterfalls

Fall Colors

- Location: 5151 Oak Street, Vancouver, BC

- Hours: The Garden is open from about 10:00 am to 2:00 pm during the winter, 9:00 am to 7:00 pm during the summer, and approximately 9-5 in the spring and fall (hours vary depending on the month). Plan on spending from 1-2 hours.

- Cost: Adults: CA$14.86, Seniors (65+): CA$11.88, Youth (13-18): CA$10.39, Children (5-12): CA$7.43.

- Things You Should Know: - A Garden Cafe is open during business hours.

- The Garden hosts various workshops and events throughout the year.

- Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Nearby: Whistler is a resort ski community (about 120 kilometers north of Vancouver) with about 14,000 permanent residents and another 3,000 seasonal residents. The town hosted most of the alpine events during the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics. Whistler's pedestrian village has won many design awards. Over 2 million visitors come every year - principally to ski and snowboard, but also for mountain biking at Whistler Blackcomb. Another major event is the Whistler Film Festival, held over five days over the first weekend in December.

Home of the 2010 Olympics

Fun shelter to eat a snack

Fall colors

- Brandywine Falls is a huge waterfall about 116 kilometers north of Vancouver (just south of Whistler).

Brandywine Falls

- Shannon Falls is an even bigger waterfall about 60 kilometers north of Vancouver.

Shannon Falls

- Vancouver Island is less than 60 miles (100 kilometers) offshore from Vancouver. Some of the top attractions include: Butchart Gardens, the Inner Harbour, Beacon Hill Park, the Royal BC Museum, and Craigdarroch Castle.

- Harrison Hot Springs is about 132 kilometers east of Vancouver. It is a scenic lakeside village known for its natural mineral pools. The lake is a popular spot for paddleboarding, kayaks and jet skis. The lake also features a giant, inflatable obstacle course that is family friendly. It is also a popular destination for hikers.