Photos courtesy Tourism Vancouver
The Capilano Suspension Bridge in North Vancouver stretches high across a river gorge at 25-acre Capilano Park. Adventurous hikers enjoy the foot bridge's swaying motion.

International flavor

Vancouver, B.C., is Canadian at heart but global in spirit

THE OLYMPIAN

Sleek and modern, Vancouver is nestled between ocean and mountains. This is truly an international city, with European, Asian and Indian influences.

If you travel there by train or air, getting around is a breeze. The city boasts a modern transit system, and there are road and ferry links between Vancouver and North Vancouver.

With an abundance of parks, museums, recreation areas and cultural centers, it would be difficult to run out of things to do. But you can try.

Attractions

The crown jewel of Vancouver is Stanley Park, at the edge of the city's downtown core. The 1,000-acre park features woodlands, gardens, trails, lakes, beaches and wildlife, not to mention a children's farmyard, tennis courts, a walkable seawall, refreshment stands, restaurants and the well-respected Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre. The Nine O'Clock Gun, an old English sea cannon, is fired at the park at 9 p.m. daily. Narrated, one-hour park tours are available through Stanley Park Horse-Drawn Tours March 15-Oct. 31. For tour information, call (604) 681-5115 or go online to www.stanleyparktours.com.

Check out these other things to see and do in Vancouver:

-Gastown: Filled with shops and eateries, the colorful Gastown area with its torch lights is a Vancouver favorite. Listen for the Gastown Steam Clock whistle, the only one of its kind in the world. It blows on the hour.

-Granville Island: This colorful attraction is part farmers market, part art gallery and part magnet for the creative and flamboyant. The area also is home to several museums, including the Granville Island Model Trains Museum, the Granville Island Sport Fishing Museum and the Granville Island Model Ships Museum. All are housed at 1502 Duranleau St.

-Science World: Complete with an Omnimax theater, the science center has cyclone chambers, shadow walls, hands-on exhibits and other activities. Situated at 1455 Quebec St., the museum will feature an exhibit called "China! 7000 Years of Innovation" through Sept. 9. Call (604) 443-7440, or explore the museum at www.scienceworld.bc.ca.

-An oddity: The world's thinnest office building is at the corner of Pender and Carrall streets in Chinatown. Built in 1913, the Sam Kee Building is only 6 feet wide.

-Whistler ski resort: Whistler Resort, a 2.5-hour drive from Vancouver, is a year-round attraction. In summer, hiking, mountain biking and other activities are available. In winter, the skiing at Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains can't be beat. The resort village offers year-round shopping, dining, live entertainment and other diversions. For more information, write to Whistler Resort, P.O. Box 610, Whistler, BC V0N 1B0, Canada, call (800) 766-0449 or go online to www.whistler-blackcomb.com.

-Queen Elizabeth Park: Open year-round, Queen Elizabeth Park at 33rd and Cambie streets is a botanical garden devoted to trees. Within the park, visit the Bloedel Floral Conservatory with its lush plant displays, tropical birds and colorful koi fish. For more information, call (604) 257-8596.

-Unparalleled views: The glass skylift at Harbour Centre Tower rises more than 500 feet for 360-degree views of the city, mountains and ocean. While you're there, catch the multi-image show on Vancouver and historical displays.

-Suspension bridge: The Capilano Suspension Bridge in North Vancouver is not for the faint of heart. The footbridge across a deep, yawning canyon is part of 25-acre Capilano Park. Other attractions include an Indian carving center, exhibits, gift store and restaurant. The park is open daily except Christmas. Summer hours are 8 a.m. to dusk. For more information, call (604) 985-7474 or go online to www.capbridge.com.

-Vancouver Museum: This institution is Vancouver's premier venue for national and international exhibitions. The museum is at 1100 Chestnut St. Call (604) 736-4431 or go online to www. vanmuseum.bc.ca.

-Rail museum: The West Coast Railway Heritage Park at 39645 Government Road, Squamish, has a railway museum and rail tours. For information, call (604) 898-9336 or go online to www.wcra.org.

-Aquarium: The award-winning Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre in Stanley Park features aquatic life from around the world. The aquarium is open daily. For information, call (604) 659-3474 or go online to www.vanaqua.org.

-Cannery museum: The Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site is a fishing museum offering site tours, boiler house theater and children's activities. The museum, situated at 12138 Fourth Avenue in nearby Richmond, is open April through October. For details, call (604) 664-9134 or go online to www.harbour.com/parkscan/ggc.

-Burnaby Village: Costumed interpreters guide visitors through the open-air Burnaby Village Museum in nearby Burnaby. The historical village boasts more than 30 full-scale buildings, including an ice cream parlor. For details, call (604) 293-6500 or go online to www. burnabyparksrec.org/villagemuseum.

-Anthropology museum: One of the world's finest collections of Northwest Coast Indian art is housed at the University of British Columbia Museum of Anthropology, 6393 N.W. Marine Drive, Vancouver. Guided group tours are available. Call (604) 822-5087 or go online to www.moa.ubc.ca.

-Canadian Craft Museum: The museum at 639 Hornby St. offers rotating exhibits of contemporary and historical craft, craftsmanship and design by Canadian and international artists. Tours are available. Call (604) 687-8266.

-Underground fun: The BC Museum of Mining at Britannia Beach (about 32 miles north of Vancouver) has an underground train, mining displays, gold panning and a gift shop. For details, call (604) 896-2233 or go online to www. bcmuseumofmining.org.

-Chinese Cultural Centre: Take an educational walking tour of Vancouver's Chinatown area and visit the eclectic displays at the new Chinese Cultural Centre Museum & Archives, 50 E. Pender St. Call (604) 658-8865 or go online to cccvan.com.

-Vancouver Art Gallery: You'll find historical and contemporary art by regional, national and international artists at this major public gallery. The museum is at 750 Hornby St. Call (604) 662-4700 or go online to www.vanartgallery.bc.ca.

Accommodations

Many of the city's hotels offer summer package deals. They range from the Ramada Vancouver Centre's Bed & Breakfast Package costing about $64 (U.S. currency) a night to the Wedgewood Hotel's China Exhibit Package deal at $213-$239 U.S.

The Wedgewood's China Exhibit Package includes buffet breakfast, welcoming gift and morning newspaper with executive rooms, and tickets for two for the Science World exhibit "China! 7000 Years of Innovation," and the Omnimax Theatre.

The Ramada package includes two full Canadian breakfasts, free parking and a complimentary newspaper.

Vancouver has a central reservations line that will book you into either hotel, as well as a host of other accommodations. Call (800) 435-5622.

The Olympian Copyright 2001

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