Canada Travel Guide: Seven Must-go Places in Vancouver

Travel to Vancouver, Canada, where to go for a exciting sight? Whether you’re in Vancouver for the Olympic Games, a movie tour or just to enjoy the beautiful scenery, here are seven attractions you shouldn’t miss:

1 Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Park
Should you find yourself craving a few minutes of quiet during your Vancouver visit, find your way to the sublime Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Park. Orange and green lily pads decorate the glass-like surface of the wide koi pond, and the leaves of a weeping willow tree sway with the breeze. People frequently meditate in this park, but even a simple stroll will probably help you feel more at peace.

2 Stanley Park
Spanning 1,000 acres near the downtown corridor, Stanley Park is one of Vancouver’s true gems. Featured frequently in films, TV shows and commercials, this sprawling park offers activities for all ages. Hike the shaded paths, ride the miniature train or grab a bite at one of several on-site restaurants. And make sure you keep an eye out for the Girl in Wetsuit, an Elek Imredy sculpture said to have been inspired by Copenhagen’s TheLittle Mermaid.

3 Granville Island Public Market
Offering everything from pâté to pierogies to oven-fresh pastries, Granville Island Public Market is a haven for food lovers. Sample the goods at dozens of stalls and shops while musicians pluck out songs such as When the Saints Go Marching In. For lunch, grab a hot cocoa and grilled cheese at the market’s Blue Parrot Organic Coffee House and watch the tiny Aquabus ferries shuttle people back and forth across False Creek. Two-hour guided tours of the market are also available.

4The Inukshuk
If you’ve seen the emblem for the 2010 Winter Games, then you’ve seen an inukshuk — a large stone sculpture with outstretched arms that has become a symbol of hospitality in the region. Originally used by the Inuit people as navigational landmarks, these sculptures can still be found across Canada. One of the most impressive, created by Alvin Kanak for the 1986 World’s Fair, now sits in the heart of Vancouver on the shore of English Bay. For a real treat, go at sunset.

5 Vancouver Aquarium
If you’re so lucky as to receive a private show from one of the sea otters during a trip to the Vancouver Aquarium, I can assure you that it alone will be worth the cost of admission. If not, the aquarium has a host of other creatures, such as beluga whales, sea turtles, starfish, dolphins and birds, that are sure to catch your fancy. With its educational programs, feedings and animal encounters, count on spending a couple of hours here.

6 Gastown
It may be Vancouver’s oldest neighborhood, but today the trendy Gastown district is brimming with boutiques, galleries, furniture shops, restaurants, bars and camera crews. Order the truffle jus poutine at Chill Winston, a celeb favorite with Indie rock on the stereo and windows for people-watching, then browse intricate works by Northwest Coast, Inuit and Maori artists at Spirit Wrestler Gallery. End your walk along the neighborhood’s cobbled streets at the famed steam clock, which whistles every 15 minutes.

7 Vancouver Art Gallery
Located in a magnificent building that was formerly a courthouse, the Vancouver Art Gallery has a permanent collection of nearly 10,000 works, with an emphasis on art that was produced in the region. During my visit, the Scott McFarland exhibition was a highlight.