Vancouver: Final Secrets for a Great Visit

Well, ladies, I’ve enjoyed sharing my wonderful trip to Vancouver with all of you. But now, like all great vacations, this blog series must come to an end. There were a handful of gems I wanted to share but which simply didn’t fit into past posts, so as we bid this North Pacific city adieu, let me leave you with a few final secrets to make your own visit fantastic: 

To Eat
Café Crepe, 874 Granville Street, 604-806-0834
After having a couple rather expensive breakfasts at our hotel and other nearby sit-down breakfast joints, we stumbled upon this place one morning and decided to go “street food” for a change. My simple ham and cheese crepe was perfectly yummy, and the (comparatively) small price tag, along with the fact that we could eat as we walked, were added plusses.  

While there’s no website for Café Crepe, if you google it, you’ll see some pretty mixed reviews. I agree that the service is slow, and that it’s best to order at the window versus sitting inside. But if you want to grab something other than another McDonalds or Starbucks breakfast sandwich to go, we think you’ll be really happy with Café Crepe. 

To See
Stanley Park vancouver.ca/parks/parks/stanley/index.htm
It’s no surprise for me to recommend Stanley Park, what with its 8 Million annual visitors and all. The reason I’m writing about it is to clarify what to expect there. We were thinking more along the lines of New York’s Central Park- rolling wooded hills and fields of green with walking trails throughout, leading to the occasional special spot like a fountain or lake. But at 1,000 acres versus Central Park’s 843, the scale of the place is overwhelming.  

There are easy walking areas and gardens around the Aquarium and Second Beach, but overall, it’s a heavily wooded forest best viewed by either bike (for the athletic), or free park shuttle (for mere mortals like me and my husband). In other words, this is not a place you’re going to see all of in one day. It’s best to either go for an overview, or pick one area to truly explore.  

If you opt for the overview, grab the park shuttle at any of its well-marked stops. It will take you around the outskirts of the Park, stopping at major spots along the way. Be sure to get off at Prospect Point for a great photo opp over the Burrard Inlet with the North Shore in the background.  

Next, if you’d like a lovely place to have a drink or nice meal, get off at the stop for the Teahouse. If you can, take a seat on the open patio overlooking the water. You may experience the eerie yet also strangely beautiful sight of oil tankers floating on the water.

To Do
Taking a real Ferry Ride
My husband and I took the 1.5 hour ferry ride from Vancouver to Victoria, where we stayed for several days. The passage was one of our favorite memories of the trip. The water was beautiful, and the journey had us winding around numerous green or rocky islands, some inhabited, others completely wild. We had a voyeur’s view of it all as the ship passed slowly but confidently, close enough to see all the details on land.  

The boat itself was also a pleasure, offering plenty of seating inside and above board, with gift shops, restaurants and coffee bar. Note, all boats are equipped differently, as we’d later learn on the comparatively tatty ship from Victoria to Seattle, so check out the vessel specifications before you book your fare (which is recommended, especially in summer).  

You don’t have to go to Victoria to enjoy a pleasure ride, as there are many other routes to choose from, some shorter, some all-day. For a truly relaxing and enjoyable experience, whichever route you choose, give the ferry a try. The main operator is BC Ferries, www.bcferries.com

Thanks for sharing this Vancouver adventure with me. I hope you enjoy a wonderful time there when you go, and that you’ll share your own stories with us when you return. 

Wishing you happy travels always,
Shetravelsnearandfar