The City to Go

Your guide for where to go, what to see and where to be in Vancouver.

Find a Vancouver attraction by category:

Arts and Culture
Parks and Gardens
Outdoor Recreation
Architecture
Public Markets
Shopping Malls

ARTS AND CULTURE

Arts Club Theatre
Now in its 42nd season, the Arts Club operates both the Stanley Theatre and the Granville Island Stage, with productions that have included the musical Funny Girl and a moving adaptation of Carol Shields’ Unless. Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage, 2750 Granville St.; Granville Island Stage, 1585 Johnston St., 604-687-1644.

Ballet British Columbia
Innovative and uncompromising productions of such works as A Streetcar Named Desire and The Faerie Queen have wowed critics from Tokyo to New York City and garnered acclaim for artistic director John Alleyne’s collaborative approach to choreography. 604-732-5003.

Bard on the Beach
Two giant tents are erected on the Vanier Park waterfront from June through September for staging old Will’s classics as well as more unusual fare. The mainstage tent is open-ended, so actors perform (on clear days, at least) against a backdrop of mountains and ocean. Vanier Park, Kitsilano, 604-739-0559.

B.C. Sports Hall of Fame and Museum
The only place in town where you can find out how many goals Frank Patrick scored in 1910 to set a defenceman’s record. Find 20,000 square feet of monuments to B.C. athletes like Terry Fox and Ross Rebagliati making sports history. 777 Pacific Blvd., Downtown, 604-687-5520.

Chan Centre for the Performing Arts
Designed as a kind of gigantic cello and outfitted with a 37-tonne chandelier-like acoustic canopy system, the Chan is one of the choicest venues in town for theatre, opera and classical music performances. 6265 Crescent Rd., UBC Campus, 604-822-2697.

Chinese Cultural Centre Museum and Archives
Adjacent to the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen gardens, the Centre hosts a permanent collection of artifacts tracing Chinese-Canadians in British Columbia, along with temporary art exhibitions with Chinese-Canadian themes. 555 Columbia St., Chinatown, 604-658-8880.

Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden
Named for the revolutionary who overthrew the Qing dynasty, the garden was built in the mid-’80s by 52 master artisans from Suzhou using 15th-century methods. 578 Carrall St., Chinatown, 604-662-3207.

Firehall Arts Centre
Located in Vancouver’s first firehall, the Firehall Arts Centre produces between four and six theatre productions and three to five dance productions each season. It’s known for its edgy and boundary-pushing works. 280 E. Cordova St., Downtown Eastside, 604-689-0926.

Gulf of Georgia Cannery
Discover the history of west coast fishing, including a canning line exhibit, in the heart of the historic fishing village of Steveston. End the day with a tour of the working fish boats for fresh-off-the-boat seafood. 12138 Fourth Ave., Steveston, 604-664-9009.

H.R. MacMillan Space Centre
Thankfully planetariums and laser light shows didn’t disappear along with roller-skating rinks, because listening to Pink Floyd while staring at galaxies and pattern effects is as good now as it was when you were 16. Next door is an observatory with a half-metre Cassegrain telescope for some glimpses beyond the Vancouver metro region. 1100 Chestnut St., Kitsilano, 604-738-7827.

Kokoro Dance
Performing the beautiful, scary and amazing dance known as Butoh, rooted in post-Second World War Japanese forms, the company appears in various venues throughout the year, including an annual performance at Wreck Beach. 604-662-7441.

The Lookout
Save this for a clear day: from the 50-storey Harbour Centre Tower, visitors can walk around the circular room and get their bearings on the city below with views ranging as far as Mt. Baker in Washington State, 140 kilometres away. 555 W. Hastings St., Downtown, 604-689-0421.

Playhouse Theatre Company
The Play-house stages at least six groundbreaking plays each season, with the 2007 season featuring works by Morris Panych and Robert Lepage, among others. Hamilton St. and Dunsmuir St., 604-873-3311.

Playland at the Pacific National Exhibition
Open from mid-April until October 1, Playland offers midway rides for thrill seekers of all ages. 2901 E. Hastings St., Hastings Sunrise, 604-252-3583.

Storyeum
Theatre under the cars: at Storyeum, descend into the depths below Gastown to see western Canadian history come alive in a huge underground theatrical venue (seven stages in an area the size of six hockey rinks). 142 Water St., Gastown, 604-687-8142.

Science World
Find hundreds of “teachable moment” interactive displays that are actually fun, including optical illusions, live science demonstrations, virtual musical instruments and Omnimax films on a five-storey dome screen. 1455 Quebec St., Downtown, 604-443-7443.

TheatreSports
Started in 1980, Theatre-Sports has managed to keep its shtick fresh for more than 200,000 audience members a year (Ryan Stiles of TV’s Whose Line Is It Anyway? is just one of TheatreSports’ famous alumni). In addition to competitive improv, there’s usually a funny riff on some current TV phenomenon (CSI and The Apprentice are recent victims). Granville Island, 604-738-7013.

UBC Museum of Anthropology
The Museum of Anthropology’s present collection includes 570,000 ethnological and archaeological pieces from around the world, with special focus on B.C.’s First Nations. 6393 N.W. Marine Dr., UBC Campus, 604-822-3825.

Vancouver Art Gallery
Even if the featured exhibits at one of the continent’s leading contemporary-art venues don’t ring your bell, the ongoing display of significant works by Emily Carr justifies the $15 admission alone. 750 Hornby St., Downtown, 604-662-4719.

Vancouver Aquarium
Open seven days a week year-round, its 166 displays feature over 70,000 animals, from West Coast mammals (sea lions, sea otters and harbour seals, among others) to exotic species like Amazonian caimans and electric eels. Stanley Park, 604-659-3474.

Vancouver Maritime Museum
The best part of the museum is the St. Roch, an RCMP schooner that patrolled the Canadian Arctic in the ’30s and ’40s, but there’s plenty more in the way of pirates, warships and shipwrecks. Kids can get hands-on at the Alcan Children’s Maritime Discovery Centre. 1905 Ogden Ave., Kitsilano, 604-257-8300.

Vancouver Museum
Museum holdings include everything from an Egyptian mummy to First Nations’ artifacts, while feature exhibits have explored less traditional territory like local hippie culture (with original footage of the Stanley Park Be-In) and skateboard design. 1100 Chestnut St., Kitsilano, 604-736-4431.

PARKS AND GARDENS

Bloedel Floral Conservatory
The Conservatory’s triodetic dome looks like a prop from a 1960s sci-fi flick but is really habitat for hundreds of tropical, subtropical and desert plant and bird species. If lousy weather’s got you down, head here and talk to the parrots. Queen Elizabeth Park, South Cambie, 604-257-8584.

Capilano Suspension Bridge
They call it bungee walking and swear it’s strong enough to support a loaded 747, but you’ll still be scared. 3735 Capilano Rd., North Van, 604-985-7474.

Cypress Provincial Park
In winter, Cypress Mountain features terrific skiing and snowboarding, including night skiing. Once the snow melts, head to Cypress Bowl for easy to challenging hikes; for an easy one, start the base of the Black Lift for a 45-minute loop known as Yew Trail. Cypress Mtn., West Van, 604-926-5612.

English Bay
Bring a blanket and lounge on the grass with your book, or walk the seawall path and see how many dog varieties you can name. Denman St. at Davie St.

George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary
If you can’t remember the last time you saw a red-necked phalarope or Hudsonian godwit, you may be in luck here. The 850-acre wetland provides habitat for over 250 bird species and now attracts 60,000 annual visitors as one of Canada’s top bird-watching sites. 5191 Robertson Rd., Westham Island, Delta, 604-946-6980.

Grouse Grind/The Skyride
The Grouse Grind is the summer hike of choice for resident masochists, but the view-heavy Skyride is the year-round preference for those who want to do more than gasp once they reach the top. 6400 Nancy Greene Way, North Van, 604-984-0661.

Kitsilano Beach and Pool
The beach is densely populated in summer with distractingly attractive volleyball players, Frisbee flingers and sunbathers. 2305 Cornwall Ave., Kitsilano, 604-731-0011.

Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve/Rice Lake Loop
The birthplace of North Shore-style mountain biking (steep, fast and tricked out with jumps), the Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve is renowned as some of the “sickest” mountain biking terrain on the planet—so if you’re looking to test your mettle on some classic trails, this is the place to be (check out Darrin Polischuk’s Mountain Biking British Columbia [Gordon Soules] for the inside scoop). There are tamer pleasures to be had, including 25 kilometres of hiking trails that vary in length and strenuousness. There’s even a paved, 10-kilometre wilderness path around Rice Lake that’s ideal for strollers and in-line skaters. North end of Lillooet Rd., North Van, 604-990-0483.

Lynn Canyon
This North Vancouver park is 250 hectares of temperate rainforest surrounding Lynn Creek. A local favourite for easy hikes, summer river dips and a lesser known but still no less nerve-wracking suspension bridge. 3663 Park Rd., North Van, 604-981-3103, www.dnv.org/ecology.

Nitobe Memorial Garden
One of the most authentic Japanese tea and stroll gardens in North America, the Nitobe Memorial Gardens offer a place for quiet reflection. University of British Columbia, 604-822-9666.

Stanley Park
Over 400 hectares of mixed evergreen forest and open green spaces are bounded by the 8.8-km seawall, an essential experience beloved by local runners, in-line skaters and first-date couples. Save time for a stop at the ice cream stand. Downtown Vancouver, 604-257-8400.

UBC Botanical Garden
Vancouver’s maritime climate means that visitors will find something of interest in this 70-acre garden year-round. Should your visit be in April or May, you’ll find the garden flush with magnolias and rhododendrons. University of British Columbia, 604-822-9666.

VanDusen Botanical Gardens
Seventy-five hundred plant varieties equals garden paradise—and an Elizabethan hedge maze, too! 5251 Oak St., Shaughnessy, 604-878-9274.

Vanier Park
On-shore breezes and long stretches of lawn make Vanier Park a kite’s best friend. Pick up a single-line delta (the beginner’s model) at Kites & Puppets on nearby Granville Island (in the Kids Market, 604-685-9877) and put your Charlie Brown phobias to rest. 1000 Chestnut St., Kitsilano, 604-257-8400.

Wreck Beach
One of Canada’s two officially sanctioned nude beaches, Wreck Beach is located below UBC’s hallowed halls of academe. It’s named not for the physiques of the beachgoers but for several sunken barges in the vicinity. Off Trail 6 along N.W. Marine Dr., www.wreckbeach.org.



OUTDOOR RECREATION

Gear
For equipment and advice, your best bet is West Broadway between Alberta and Ontario streets: Mountain Equipment Co-op (130 W. Broadway, 604-876-6221), and a dozen other outdoor gear specialty stores and outfitters including Taiga, which sells locally made products (301 W. Broadway, 604-875-6647) and Eco Outdoor Sports (202 W. Broadway, 604-875-6767).

Hiking
Try Best Hikes and Walks of Southwestern British Columbia by Dawn Hanna (Lone Pine Publishing). Two other local favourites: Golden Ears Provincial Park; and Grouse Mountain, 604-980-9311.

Mountain Biking
The folks at Cove Bikes (604-929-1918) in North Vancouver can set you up with gear and a trail map for North Shore (read: challenging) riding. Or try one of the hundreds of city paths that wend their way along the seawall or on city streets: no visit here is complete without a ride around the 8.8-kilometre, oceanside loop of Stanley Park (Denman Bike Shop, 604-685-9755).

Skiing/Snowboarding
Whistler Blackcomb is home to more than 7,000 skiable acres including 12 alpine bowls, three glaciers, 200 trails, 33 lifts and the highest vertical drop of any ski hill on the continent (604-932-3434). Locally, find Grouse (604-980-9311), Cypress (604-986-2261) and Seymour 604-926-5612).

Snowshoeing
Find dozens of designated, groomed snowshoe trails on Cypress, Seymour and Grouse mountains. Check out A Vancouver Guide to Snowshoeing by Devon Girard for maps and route descriptions or call the snowshoe centre at Mount Seymour (604-986-2261).

Sailing
Yacht cruise charters, boat rentals and daylong or multiday sailing classes can be booked at Granville Island through Cooper Boating (604-687-4110).

Windsurfing
Jericho Beach is good for beginners, and the school there has lessons for all levels (Windsure Windsurfing School, 604-224-0615). Squamish is more challenging and offers some of the best windsurfing in the country.

Paddling
Rent a canoe from Mountain Equipment Co-op (604-709-6241) and head an hour north of the city toward Squamish to paddle the Squamish River Estuary; sea kayak at Deep Cove (604-929-2268) or Jericho Beach (604-689-7575).

Fishing
Painter’s Lodge (800-663-7090), home of the original Tyee Club (wherein members must reel in a 30-pound fish from a rowboat) and King Pacific Lodge (888-592-5464), is one of the most luxurious wilderness resort on the continent. Locally, call Sewell’s Marina in West Vancouver (604-921-3474).



ARCHITECTURE

AIBC Walking Tours
Look up, eh. For $5 and a couple hours of your time, the Architectural Institute of B.C. will walk you through the city’s beginnings in Gastown, the industrial lands of Yaletown or the unique storefronts of Chinatown. 100-440 Cambie St., Gastown, 604-683-8588.

Canada Place
Built as the Canada Pavilion for Expo86, Canada Place—known for its distinct 27-metre-high fibreglass sails—is primarily used as a convention centre and cruise-ship docking point, but views of the harbour are impressive from its perimeter. 999 Canada Pl., Downtown, 604-775-7200.

Lions Gate Bridge
Nearing 70, the grand dame of Vancouver bridges still looks like a million bucks, especially since she was decked out with lights (a gift from the Guinness family in 1986) and a $125 million reconstruction effort. From Stanley Park you can walk across to the North Shore for the full experience.

The Marine Building
Architect George Nairne intended the 27-metre lobby of the 1930s building to resemble a treasure-filled Mayan temple, featuring etched brass renditions of turtles, crabs and sea horses, elevators inlaid with 12 British Columbia hardwoods, and lavish murals celebrating historic voyages of ships like the Golden Hind. A $20-million renovation in the ’80s restored its glory, with the Marine retaining its status as one of the world’s great art déco monuments. 355 Burrard St., Downtown.

Provincial Law Courts
Transparency in the legal system was architect Arthur Erickson’s metaphor; the reality is a glass roof that covers more than an acre. Gardens and a waterfall make the complex even more inviting. 800 Smithe St., Downtown, 604-660-8989.

Sam Kee Building
When the city of Vancouver appropriated all but two metres of owner Chang Toy’s property, he built the Sam Kee Building. At just 1.5 metres (six feet) deep, it’s the world’s shallowest commercial building, according to the Guinness Book of World Records. 8 W. Pender St., Chinatown.

Simon Fraser University
Concrete has its limitations, but as Arthur Erickson’s first major project (designed with the Acropolis and Italian terraces in mind), SFU’s campus is renowned as a benchmark of integrative architecture. 8888 University Dr., Burnaby, 604-291-3111.

Vancouver Public Library
One hundred million dollars buys a lot of critical commentary. Designed by architect Moshe Safdie and completed in 1995, the Vancouver Public Library building was the most expensive public project ever approved by the city. Its Colosseum-like appearance sparked an ongoing local and international scuffle, with many critics sniffing that its striking design was too derivative and, well, too striking, but Vancouverites—mostly—loved it. The nine-storey spiral structure of taupe-hued concrete incorporates 315 arches, as well as an atrium plaza and outdoor amphitheatre-style courtyard. 350 W. Georgia St., Downtown, 604-331-3603.



PUBLIC MARKETS

Granville Island
The Public Market is an excellent place to spend a couple of hours seeking out local gourmet items before treating yourself to the best food-court meal around. Under the Granville Bridge, 604-666-5784.

Lonsdale Quay
North Vancouver’s answer to Granville Island. Take the SeaBus in Gastown to the market shops and get great views of the Vancouver skyline on the way. Foot of Lonsdale, North Van, 604-985-6261.

Punjabi Market
The authentic epicentre of Punjabi shopping. Find saris, spices, jewellery, trinkets galore and buffets serving up saag paneer and traditional desserts like laddoos and gulab jamun. Main St. and 49th Ave.



SHOPPING MALLS

GETTING THERE: In the summer of 2006, TransLink, the organization responsible for Vancouver’s transit system, introduced The Fashion Line—essentially acknowledging that five major malls exist along the SkyTrain route: Pacific Centre (Granville Station), Brentwood Town Centre, Lougheed Town Centre, Metropolis at Metrotown and Central City. Trains run every few minutes; for travel times, visit TransLink’s website. 604-953-3333.

VANCOUVER

Oakridge Shopping Centre
Oakridge offers over 150 stores and services, including Coach, Aritzia, Hugo Boss and Harry Rosen. Also features an 800-square-foot kids’ play area. 650 W. 41st Ave., Oakridge, 604-261-2511.

Pacific Centre
Running adjacent to Robson Street in the centre of downtown, Pacific Centre has over 100 shops and services, including MaxMara, Ermenegildo Zegna, Club Monaco and Banana Republic—and a newly expanded Holt Renfrew in spring 2007. 910-609 Granville St., Pacific Centre, 604-688-7235.

Robson Street
Technically the shopping district is only three blocks long, featuring big-name stores such as HMV (788 Burrard St.), Banana Republic (1098 Robson St.) and BCBG (1080 Robson St.) alongside boutiques like cosmetics store Shifeon (1156 Robson St.) and Plenty (1107 Robson St.), but there’s lots of interesting overspill. 604-669-8132.

GREATER VANCOUVER

Asian Malls
East-meets-West capitalism has been at the heart of Vancouver’s growth for the past 20 years. To see what it looks like up close, check out the staggering display of goods at Asian malls like Parker Place (4380 No. 3 Rd., 604-273-0276) and Aberdeen Centre (4151 Hazelbridge Way, 604-270-1234) in Richmond.

Brentwood Town Centre
Family-oriented with a large play area for children, Brentwood features anchor stores Sears and Zellers, and a range of adult and kids’ stores—from Please Mum to American Eagle Outfitters and Aldo Shoes. Also home to an IHOP restaurant. 260-4567 Lougheed Hwy., Burnaby, 604-298-7314.

Central City
Home to SFU’s Surrey campus as well as Fairweather, Le Chateau, Zellers and Sport Mart, Central City has expanded its food court and provides three full-service restaurants, along with a Kin’s Farm Market. 102 Ave. & King George Hwy., Surrey, 604-588-6431.

Lougheed Town Centre
Major department stores include Wal-Mart and the Bay; find fashions from over 150 stores and services, including American Eagle Outfitters and Urban Behaviour. Corner of North Rd. & Austin Ave., Burnaby, 604-421-2882.

Metropolis at Metrotown
With over 470 stores and a food court that seats more than 1,000 people, Metropolis at Metrotown is one of the largest shopping malls in B.C. 4700 Kingsway, Burnaby, 604-438-4700.

Park Royal Shopping Centre
Visitors to West Vancouver or en route to Whistler will find over 260 stores here, in Canada’s first shopping mall. 2002 Park Royal South, West Van, 604-925-9547.

Richmond Centre
Find over 240 stores, including top names like Banana Republic, Guess, Old Navy and Nine West. 6551 No. 3 Rd., Richmond, 604-713-7467.

Village at Park Royal
Find an old-fashioned “main street” approach to shopping in this open-air village, with over 30 stores to choose from including Whole Foods and Home Sense. 2002 Park Royal South, West Van, 604-925-9547.

For this month's event listings, see our Out and About section.