CAPILANO SUSPENSION BRIDGE, Vancouver

THINGS TO DO IN VANCOUVER-
CAPILANO SUSPENSION BRIDGE
The Capilano Suspension Bridge is a simple suspension bridge in North Vancouver crossing the Capilano River. The current bridge is 140 meters long and 70 meters above the Capilano river. The Capilano bridge is the world's longest pedestrian suspension bridge and has a capacity of 1333 people. The Capilano Suspension Bridge and Park has over 800,000 visitors a year and attracts 450 tour operators a year. Some famous people that have made the Capilano crossing include Marilyn Monroe, Katherine Hepburn, Margaret Thatcher, and the Rolling Stones.

The bridge's creator was George Grant Mackay who was a Scottish civil engineer and land developer who arrived in Vancouver in 1888. He became the City Park Commissioner and was one of the people to set aside Stanley Park as a recreational area. He also bought and sold farm land in the Okanagan, founding the city of Vernon. George Mackay then purchased six thousand acres of dense forest on either side of Capilano River and built a cabin on the very edge of the canyon wall. He then proceeded to make the Capilano Bridge, with the help of horses and local men he suspended some hemp rope and cedar planks over the river and the first Capilano Suspension Bridge was made. The natives would call it the 'laughing bridge' due to the noise it would make as the wind blew through the canyon. Even then the Capilano bridge and Mackay's cabin were a popular attraction. After Mackay's death in 1903, the hemp rope bridge was replaced by a wire cable bridge.

The Capilano Suspension Bridge was sold in 1910 to Edward Mahon. In 1911 he built a tea house from cedar timbers an in 1914 he reinforced the bridge with additional cables. Mahon sold the Capilano bridge in 1935 to MacEachran who encouraged the local natives to put their totem poles in the park. He then sold the Capilano Suspension Bridge in 1945 to Henri Aubeneau, who proceeded to sell the bridge in 1953 to Rae Mitchell.

Rae Mitchell was unsure of the strength of the cables so over five days in 1956 he completely rebuilt the Capilano Suspension Bridge. He also encased the cables in thirteen tons of concrete at either end of the bridge. He then continued to improve the area so that it would become a world wide attraction. He converted the Tea House into the Trading Post Gift Store and developed the trails on the west side of the bridge. When Mitchell retired, business declined and the Capilano Suspension Bridge and Park faced an uncertain future.

Nancy Stibbard purchased the Capilano bridge and park in 1983 and the amount of visitors to the Capilano Suspension Bridge quadrupled. Her goal to change the park from being a stop off point to a destination attraction, was realized in less than ten years. There are now more things to see when visiting the Capilano Suspension Bridge. There is the very popular Treetops Adventure which is seven foot bridges suspended between Douglas Fir trees on the west side of the canyon, forming a walkway up to a hundred feet above the forest. The park also has award winning gardens, nature trails, North America's largest private collection of First Nations story poles, a gift shop, a cafe and burger grill, a multimedia display about the park's history, and an educational exhibit about the temperate Rainforest.

YALETOWN, Vancouver

THINGS TO DO IN VANCOUVER-
YALETOWN
Yaletown is an area which makes up part of downtown Vancouver with the north looking out over False Creek. Formerly a heavy industrial area dominated by warehouses and rail yards. Since the 1986 World's Fair it has been transformed into one of the most densely populated neighbourhoods of the city. The marinas, parks, high rise apartment blocks, and converted heritage buildings constitute one of the most successful and significant urban regeneration projects in North America.

As with much of Vancouver, the Canadian Pacific Railway had a huge influence on the shaping of Yaletown. By the 1880's the line had reached Yale, a small gold rush town 150 or so miles to the east which served as the location of the company repair shops, and housed a sizeable rail worker population. As the line was extended to Vancouver, these Yale residents followed it to the city, and settled in modest housing close to the yards which was soon named Yaletown. At the time it had more saloons per acre than anywhere in the world, and was considered one of North America's most lawless enclaves.

As the years progressed, the proximity of False Creek and the railway meant that Yaletown became heavily industrial. Many factories, rail buildings and warehouses were built, many of which survive to this day. Then after the real estate boom and bust cycles of the 20th century, the area became shoddy and contaminated, and was bought up by the city. After the 1986 World's Fair (Expo 86), held on neighbouring former industrial land, the whole area became ripe for development.

The site was sold to a Hong Kong based developer and began the dramatic redevelopment process which continues to this day. This Hong Kong billionaire property developer called Li Ka Shing is ensuring that many luxury and modern high rise condominiums are being built and are going up at a rate of two to three a year. Many of which are running along the now very popular waterfront at False Creek. To get a taste of Yaletown take a walk along the waterfront and through the town which seems to be full of funky media and interior offices, trendy loft apartments, modern cafes and plenty of popular Yaletown restaurants.

VANCOUVER ISLAND

THINGS TO DO IN VANCOUVER-
VANCOUVER ISLAND
Vancouver Island is located off Canada's Pacific coast and is part of the Canadian province of British Columbia. At 12,407 square miles, it is the largest island on the western side of America. As of 2002 Vancouver Island had an estimated population of 750,000. Slightly less than half of these (326,000) live in the city of Victoria. Other major cities on Vancouver Island include Nanaimo, Port Alberni, Parksville, Courtenay and Campbell River.

Vancouver Island has been inhabited by humans for some eight thousand years. By the late 1700's, the primary First Nations on the island were the Nuu-Chah-nulth (Nootka) on the west coast, the Salish on the south and east coasts, and the Kwakiuti in the center and the north of the island. Europeans began to encroach on the island in 1774, when rumours of Russian fur trades caused the Spanish to send ships, but they never actually landed.

Vancouver Island came to the attention of the wider world after the third voyage of Captain James Cook, who landed at Nootka on March 31 1778 and claimed it for the United Kingdom. The island's rich fur trading potential led the British East India Company to set up a single building trading post in the small native village of Yuguot on Nootka Island.

Vancouver Island was further explored by Spain in 1789 by Esteban Jose Martinez, who built Fort San Miguel on one of Vancouver Island's small offshore islets in the South near Yuquot. This was to be the only Spanish settlement in what would later be Canada. The Spanish began seizing British ships and the two nations came close to war, but the issues were resolved peacefully in favour of the British with the Nootka Convention in 1792. Coordinating the handover was Captain George Vancouver from Kings Lynn in England, who had sailed as a midshipman with Cook, and from whom the island gained its name.

Today, Vancouver Island gets most of it's visitors in Victoria which is the city's capital. The Island has more British born residents than anywhere in Canada. A leading US travel magazine has voted it one of the world's top ten cities to visit. The Victoria waterfront area has an unmistakable quaint English feel to it, as Rudyard Kipling remarked "Brighton Pavilion with the Himalayas for a backdrop".

There are many shops and restaurants here along with an inspirational museum and the Butchart Gardens with twenty hectares of elaborate, manicured foliage. The main attraction here though has to be the boats that take tourists out whale watching in the waters around the city.

STANLEY PARK

THINGS TO DO IN VANCOUVER-
STANLEY PARK
Stanley Park Vancouver is one of North American's largest urban park's covering 1,000 acres (404 hectares), which is twenty per cent larger than New York's Central Park. Stanley Park sits at the edge of downtown and was originally home to the Squamish. Stanley Park History states this was Vancouver's first park thanks to the City Council who petitioned the Federal Government in 1886 requesting the land for recreational use. Stanley Park was officially opened in 1888 by the Governor General of Canada, who's name was Lord Stanley and the park was thus named after him.

We go to Stanley Park quite often, it does not matter if it is summer or winter, Stanley Park is a beautiful place to visit and it offers some great views of the ocean and the mountains beyond. We always enjoy taking a walk around the harbour wall stopping of at the beaches along the way. We have also enjoyed hiring a bike and cycling around and through Stanley Park. We always seem to manage to end up at our favourite beach at English Bay, which offers great views and is near some good restaurants and cafes.

Stanley Park is a beautiful oasis away from all the hustle and bustle of the city. It is host to an array of flora and fauna. The most impressive Fir, Cedar and Hemlock trees run though out the park. It is the home for squirrels, raccoons, coyotes and over 200 species of resident and migrating seabirds, waterfowl and songbirds. The center of the park is a nearly impenetrable forest and scrub, with just a few trails and fewer visitors. The rest of the park is home to beautiful lawns and flower beds, three of Vancouver's eleven beautiful beaches, English Bay Beach, Second Beach and Third Beach, the latter having some amazing views of the West of Vancouver. There is also an outdoor swimming pool at the edge of the ocean at Second Beach. There are also tennis courts, children's playground's and miniature railway for the Stanley park train, which becomes Stanley Park Christmas train in the month of December.

Vancouver Stanley Park is also home to Canada's largest aquarium, the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre. The aquarium Vancouver houses west coast marine life, special exhibits and displays. Some of the animals you can visit are Sea Otters, Seals, Sea Lions, Dolphins, Sharks and Beluga Whales. They also have shows throughout the day featuring the Beluga Whales, the Sea Lions, the Sea Otters and Birds of Prey. The Vancouver aquarium in itself is worth a whole days visit and is exciting and interesting for the young and old alike.

Stanley Park seawall is a must if you want to take a stroll, cycle or skate. Stanley Park is cradled by the Pacific Ocean and has some superb views which makes for a lovely walk or there is a separate path for cycling and skating with lots of places to stop off and admire the view. You can of course also take a break and relax on one of the beautiful beaches whilst looking out at the ocean and the magnificent mountains beyond. There are several places on the edge of Stanley Park for you to hire a cycle and are all reasonably priced. There are also other ways to get around the park, you can either get a free shuttle bus which takes you to different parts of the park or you can have a horse drawn carriage and view the park in style.

Stanley Park in Vancouver Canada is truly an idyllic oasis, as the eight million visitors a year seem to agree. So if you are coming to Vancouver Stanley Park should be on the top of your list for places to visit.

For more information about Stanley Park and the different attractions available throughout the year, please visit the Stanley Park website here.

KITSILANO, Vancouver

THINGS TO DO IN VANCOUVER-
KITSILANO
Kitsilano was named after chief Khahtsahlanough of the aboriginal village Sun'ahk by the Canadian Pacific Railway. The village stood on the land that is today Vanier Park until 1901 when the local government moved them on to the Capilano Indian Reserve on the north shore and others to Squamish. The first houses were built some four years later, prompted by the first street car service. There was not any huge change to the housing until the 1960's when many buildings were converted into rooming houses which were popular with students throughout the 1960's and 1970's. The Kitsilano apartments may not be full of students any more as the house prices here rocked along side its popularity but the vibe in Kisilano has stayed very relaxed and laid back.

Today the area is home to an array of art centres, galleries, little cafes, good restaurants, bars, nightclubs and a vast selection of shops. The shops range from hemp and crystal shops still retained from years past to the branded clothing boutiques for the modern day shopper. The town also has three museums the first being the HR Macmillan Space Centre on Chestnut Street. This Space Museum has a Virtual Voyages Simulator, which takes about thirty people at a time on a mission to Mars or tries to divert a comet from collision with Earth. There is also a laser show in the Planetarium Star Theatre and an observatory with a 0.5 meter telescope. Another museum is the Vancouver Maritime Museum which is home to the 1928 RCMP Arctic patrol sailing ship the St Roch. There are also many other vessels to see from rowboats, kayaks, pirate and shipwrecks. Lastly is the Vancouver History Museum, also based on Chestnut Street it houses information on the city's history, recent and years past.

Kitsilano is not just known for its laid back atmosphere but also for its beautiful beach. Kitsilano beach looks out onto English Bay and the Coastal Mountains, it is the place to be seen if you are a sun worshipper. For anyone wanting more than a dip in the sea there is also Kitsilano Pool which is the world's largest heated outdoor salt water pool.

GRANVILLE ISLAND, Vancouver

THINGS TO DO IN VANCOUVER-
GRANVILLE ISLAND
Granville Island Vancouver was originally home to the Squamish, then in the late 1800's white settlers built a bridge connecting the north and south shores. However it was not until the early 1900's that the Harbour Commission brought the land and spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to change the site from swampland to an industrial island but by the 1960's this too had fallen into disrepair. It was not until the 1970's that the federal government invested millions of dollars to start to create the Granville Island that you see today.

Granville Island sits on False Creek at the southern edge of downtown and attracts thousands of visitors each month. Many of these visitors travel to the island in one of the small private ferries available, they run frequently and are a fun experience. Granville Island is home to a marina, an array of shops, the Granville Island hotel, restaurants, art galleries, craft and book shops. The well known Granville Island Market can also be found here, which has a vast selection of foods available including cheeses, meats, fish, jams, fruits and gourmet foods. There is plenty of choice of food that you can take away and have a picnic at the waters edge.

You could also pay a visit to Granville Island Brewery housed just under the girders of Granville Street Bridge and take guided tours around the brewery tasting the different beers. You can purchase the beers and wines brewed here to take home. There is not a pub at the brewery so to try more of the beers brewed there pop to the local pub The Keg.

Granville Island also has two museums housed in a building opposite the market and brewery. There is the Granville Island Model Trains Museum which has the world's largest collection of toy trains on display. There is also the Model Ship Museum which has a collection of model ships, sailing ships, warships and submarines.

East of the island and easily accessible by one of the little ferries is Science World which is recognised by its huge dome structure. Another museum but of a much larger scale housing five galleries over two levels covering different science and natural history topics. There is also Omnimax cinema on level three.

GASTOWN, Vancouver

THINGS TO DO IN VANCOUVER-
GASTOWN
Gastown Vancouver was the first downtown core and is named after "Gassy" Jack Deighton, a British settler who arrived in 1867 to open the area's first saloon. The town soon prospered as the site became home to a sawmill, a seaport, and general trade and commerce.

In 1886 Gastown was incorporated as the City of Vancouver. It fell victim to the "Great Vancouver Fire" that same year, losing all but two of its buildings. Vancouver was completely rebuilt and continued to thrive until the Great Depression in the 1920's after which Gastown, now just a neighbourhood of the larger city, fell into decline and disrepair until the 1960's. Citizens concerned with preserving Gastown's distinctive and historic architecture convinced the provincial government to declare the area a historical site in 1971, protecting its heritage buildings to this day.

Gastown is a mix of tourist oriented business which are generally restricted to Water Street, restaurants, nightclubs, and Gastown shopping. The Waterhouse Studio is today located in the renovated brick building that once housed Vancouver's City Hall on Powell Street. It's "Home Base" to Vancouver's most favourite son, Bryan Adams. He's not the only famous musician who has recorded there. Avril Lavigne, R.E.M, Sarah McLachlan and David Foster are just to name a few.

Gastown's most famous landmark is its steam powered clock, located on the corner of Cambie Street and Water Street. Long powered by electricity after its previous breakdown the steam mechanism has been completely restored with the financial support of local businesses. The steam used is low pressure district heating steam that powers a miniature steam engine in its base, in turn driving a chain lift. The chain lift moves steel balls upward, where they are unloaded and roll to a descending chain. The weight of the balls on the descending chain drives a conventional pendulum clock escapement, geared to the hands on the four faces. The steam also powers the clock's sound production as whistles are used instead of bells to produce the Westminster 'Chime' and to signal the time.

Gastown retains some of the vestiges of its 1970s role as 'Haight-Ashbury North'. Coffee houses, head shops, thrift stores, and cafes such as The Amsterdam and the Cannabis Cafe can be found here, along with the upscale boutiques and trendy restaurants.

Popular annual events that take place on the cobblestone streets of Gastown include the Vancouver International Jazz festival and the Tour de Gastown international bicycle race.

DOWNTOWN VANCOUVER

THINGS TO DO IN VANCOUVER-
DOWNTOWN VANCOUVER
Downtown Vancouver is the name given to the heart of Vancouver's city. This is a fantastic buzzing city that has hundreds of skyscrapers many of which glitter in the reflecting sunlight. It is a city full of modern buildings and architecture, yet you can take a turn down one of the streets and be staring at the wonderful Pacific Ocean nestling in front of the Coastal Mountains.

The streets of downtown are full of locals and visitors alike as there are many apartment buildings and offices here that offer a great lifestyle for the locals. Many of the streets are filled with great shops, designer stores, lovely little cafes, downtown Vancouver hotels and an array of restaurants. One of the main streets running through downtown Vancouver has to be Robson Street. This is without doubt the main shopping street in downtown and the number of shoppers reflect this. If you like the shops, this is the place to be.

A great area to go in downtown is to take a stroll away from the hustle and bustle of the shops and make your way down Burrand Street, which is another great street with lovely shops, but you are heading for the water you can see at the end of the street. Let the sparkling waters of the Pacific Ocean draw you to the waterfront where you will instantly see Canada Place.

Canada Place is instantly recognisable by it's five huge twenty seven meter white sails and mast as it's design is meant to suggest a ship sat at the edge of the ocean. Canada Place houses the World Trade Centre, a convention centre, restaurants, a luxury hotel and a Imax cinema. However the best part of the building is walking the 'deck' which juts out into the ocean and is the size of nearly four city blocks. The views from here are wonderful, you can see the lush green trees of Stanley Park to your west, looking across the glistening water to the north you can admire the staggering mountains, one of which has twin peaks and is named 'The Lions' thus named apparently after the lions at the foot of Nelson's Column in London. You can then cast your eye at the port itself where cruise ships dock throughout the year. Many other boats can be seen coming in and out of port, there are also seaplanes coming and going and with the occasional helicopter above you could sit admiring the view and watching the boats for hours.

Harbour Centre -If you love the views another must visit is the Harbour Centre Tower. Opened by none other than Neil Armstrong in 1977, it was at the time the city's tallest building. The Harbour Centre is known locally as the Hamburger building due to the shape of the top of the building, which is the observation deck. Once you have purchased your ticket you ride to the top of the tower in a glass lift on the outside of the building, which is when you begin to get a glance at the views. When you arrive at the observation deck you are greeted with views across the city and these views go a whole 360 degrees around the building. It is definately the best place in the city to get views like this. The ticket you purchase entitles you to go to the observation deck as many times as you like that day. This is a great idea as it means you can go during the day and see the wonderful views and then again in the evening and see all the city lit up, it looks magical.

CHINATOWN, Vancouver

THINGS TO DO IN VANCOUVER-
CHINATOWN
Chinatown Vancouver BC is the second largest Chinatown in North America (after Chinatown, San Francisco, which is arguably the largest). North of Chinatown is the infamous Downtown Eastside while the Downtown Central Business District is to the west. Chinatown remains a popular tourist attraction as well as one of the prominent symbols of institutionalized multiculturalism in Canada since the 1960s.

Chinatown in the past had been overshadowed by the more gleaming Asian immigrant business district along No.3 Road in the Vancouver suburb of Richmond. Scores of affluent Hong Kong and Taiwanese immigrants have moved there since the late 1980's. Known as the Golden Village, No.3 Road contains numerous large Asian malls, hotels, and shops. It has also become reknowned for its Cantonese seafood restaurants, Karaoke bars, and upscale nightlife.

Today, Chinatown Vancouver is in the midst of a renaissance as the downtown boom in condominium construction is encroaching on its limits. New enclaves of high rise apartment towers are being constructed around the old EXPO yards, and heavy investment has poured into the development of International Village, downtown's ambitious answer to the Asian malls found in suburban Richmond. The construction of the Millennium Gate has also helped to raise the profile of Chinatown. The upscale T&T Supermarket (T&T is a Taiwanese chain) operates a store in Chinatown, right at the foot of the steps to the bustling Chinatown bus Stadium Skytrain station and the Yaletown district.

Chinatown still has many traditional restaurants, banks, open air markets, and other shops catering to the local community and tourists alike. There are many interesting shops to see with an array of sights and smells. You can see and of course purchase live eels, flattened ducks and hundred year old eggs. For something a little more pleasant head to Keefer Street, which is known locally as 'Bakery Row' with lots of lovely things to buy from Moon cakes and steamed buns. As with many other Chinatowns, it is still heavily populated by older immigrants, but younger residents lured by its convenient location at the heart of the city, have settled in Chinatown in the past decade.

WHISTLER

THINGS TO DO IN VANCOUVER-
WHISTLER
A fantastic place to visit whilst in Vancouver is the famous, world class ski resort of Whistler.

Whistler first opened in 1980 and has enjoyed huge success ever since. Whistler plays host to world class events, in December it is the Snowboard FIS World Cup and April sees the World Ski and Snowboard Festival. These are just some of the reasons why it is going to be home to the 2010 Winter Olympics and once you have visited this area you can see why.

Winter is obviously the most popular time for people to visit Whistler Canada. As the winter months approach, people flock here staying in Whistler hotels to enjoy one of the world's top ski resorts. Skiing and snowboarding are primary here at this time of year, as the sales for the ski lifts show. Over two million ski lift passes are sold each year in winter and this figure is rising. However as Whistler ski resort is one of the largest on the continent with over two hundred trails and twelve Alpine bowls there is enough room for all visitors without it feeling too overcrowded.

Whistler has two mountains for excellent skiing, which are Whistler Mountain at 2182 meters, with the longest run being eleven kilometers and Whistler Blackcomb Mountain at 2284 meters. Ticket passes purchased provide lift and chair systems to both mountains from five bases located at the center of Whistler Village. The village was purpose built and is mainly pedestrianized and provides an array of Whistler lodgings, Whistler hotels and Whistler chalets. There are also plenty of restaurants, shops and apres ski activities to keep you entertained when not enjoying the skiing and snowboarding on the mountains.

The skiing and snowboarding season on Whistler mountain and Whistler Blackcomb mountain starts in late November. Whistler mountain stays open until the end of June, where as Whistler Blackcomb mountain closes in April and re opens in June for the Horstman glacier skiing, which is one of the reasons Whistler is still popular throughout the summer months.

Whistler village also has two neighbours, Upper Village Whistler Blackcomb which is about a kilometer to the northeast of Whistler and Whistler Creekside which is about six kilometers to the south of Whistler village. The latter has just had a $50 million redevelopment which hopes to give it's neighbour a little competition.

For more information on Whistler and for upcoming events and activities, please see the Whistler Blackcomb site here.

MOUNT SEYMOUR

THINGS TO DO IN VANCOUVER-
MOUNT SEYMOUR
Mount Seymour seems to be our favourite winter wonderland oasis. It is not far from where we live and throughout the winter months it looks like a scene from a Christmas card. There is the usual skiing and snowboarding activities available here in winter, but something we would recommend is snowshoeing. Whether you want a change from skiing and snowboarding or it is your first experience here in the snow, snowshoeing is a must.

We went on a guided snowshoe adventure, they provide a trail pass and the snowshoes and the guide takes you along the trails. It had just snowed when we went and the guide was pointing out the different animal tracks and explaining the different types of trees. The guide then took us off the trail into the trees, which was great as there was just the five of us and lots of trees and tons of snow. When we went there was about four meters of snow and you could just see the very top of some huge fir trees sticking out of the snow. The adventure lasts for about two hours and costs $29, which is about £15. You do not need to be fit to do this trail but you will definitely shed a few pounds doing it. When you get back to the beginning you are greeted with a hot chocolate and a rest. Its a great time and remember your camera!

Mount Seymour, BC is a ski area located in North Vancouver. The ski hill is located in Mount Seymour Provincial Park. To the south, the mountain rises from the north shore of the Indian Arm above the village of Deep Cove. The ski area has four lifts, the Mystery Peak, Brockton, Lodge double chairlifts, and the Goldie Lake Ropetow. A fifth double chairlift, the Ridge Chair was destroyed in a windstorm in 1998, and is currently still standing, albeit gradually rotting away. Another beginner lift, the Enquist Ropetow was removed in the early 1990s.

Mount Seymour opened for skiing in 1937 under the ownership of Harold Enquist, with a cafeteria and ski rental. A few years later, in 1949, the Government of British Columbia bought the ski area. The Government did not have the experience to run it, so they issued Mr Enquist the first Park Use Permit to operate the area. When the permit expired in 1951, the government found a concessionaire, who was put in charge of running the lifts, ski school and cafeteria. The government retained overall ownership until 1984, when it privatized its operation as part of a cost cutting measure.

Mount Seymour not only has the magnificent snowcapped mountains but also breathtaking views of Vancouver, the Gulf Islands and the Fraser Valley. Mount Seymour offers 330 meters of vertical drop and approximately 1700 centimeters of annual snowfall. Mount Seymour skiing and snowboarding are available on twenty one marked trails and many unmarked routes. The longest trial is 1.6 km long and over half the trails have night lighting. A map of Mount Seymour Park is available to help you navigate your way around the trails.

Additional terrain parks exist for freestyle and halfpipe activities. Terrain has also been developed for tobogganing and snowtubbing. Guided and unguided snowshoeing takes place on a separate 10 km network of maintained trails. Mount Seymour snowboarding lessons and skiing lessons are available whatever your ability from confident and friendly instructors.

Mount Seymour has three weather stations, one at the bottom of the Mystery Peak Chairlift, one near tower nine of the Mystery Peak Chairlift, and one just below Brockton Point which is the top lift station of the Brockton Chairlift. Except for the unusually warm winter of 2004-2005, there is usually a snow depth of 500 cm or more at the Brockton weather station.

BCRFC historical records from 1960 to 1989 report that Mount Seymour's average snow base has been 160 cm on 1st January, increasing through winter and spring to 345 cm on 1st May.

Map courtesy of MountSeymour.com



For more information on Mount Seymour and for upcoming events and upto date snow reports, please visit the Mount Seymour site here.

GROUSE MOUNTAIN

THINGS TO DO IN VANCOUVER-
GROUSE MOUNTAIN
Grouse Mountain was named after a bird called a blue grouse by hikers in 1894 and is open for 365 days a year. Grouse Mountain Vancouver is just fifteen minutes from downtown and once you arrive at the base of the mountain there is a Swiss built cable car to take you up the mountain, which run every fifteen minutes. This is North American's largest cable car carrying one hundred people at a time and will take you to the peak of the mountain. The Sky ride is a mile long and only takes about eight minutes and you get to see some great views of the city of Vancouver and the Pacific Ocean on your ascent.

You can also make your way up the mountain by hiking, however bear in mind it is a steep climb, it will take approximately two hours if you are fit. You do miss out on the views on the ascent as you are surrounded by Douglas Firs but if you fancy the challenge it is very satisfying when you reach the summit. The most breathtaking views are definitely saved for once you are at the peak of Grouse Mountain where you can see as far as San Juan in Washington State.

Grouse Mountain is a popular destination all year round. In the summer you can take some beautiful walks with great views, some of which are guided if you wish. You can also go on a bike tour from the summit, see the world famous lumberjack show and the birds in motion demonstration. You can visit the refuge for endangered wildlife or take a helicopter tour flying high above the peaks of Vancouver's North Shore Mountains. In winter Grouse Mountain offers even more, you can enjoy skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, Vancouver's only mountain top ice skating and even sleigh rides.

There are twenty five great runs to choose from and skiing and snowboarding lessons are available for all abilities. Whether you are an novice or expert there is something for everyone. Thirteen of the ski slopes are also open at night, the brightly lit slopes have become North Vancouver landmark on winter evenings.

For more information on Grouse Mountain and for upcoming events and upto date snow reports, please visit the Grouse Mountain site here.

CYPRESS MOUNTAIN

THINGS TO DO IN VANCOUVER-
CYPRESS MOUNTAIN
Cypress Mountain Vancouver is in a Provincial Park on the North Shore of Vancouver. The park has two sections, a 21 km² southern section which is accessible by road, and a 9 km² northern section which is only accessible by hiking trails.

The southern section of Cypress Provincial Park contains the ski area, Cypress Mountain BC, which is operated under a Park Use Permit by a private company called Cypress Bowl Recreations Ltd, a subsidiary of Boyne USA. During the winter, this is a Cypress Mountain ski area for both cross country and alpine skiers, snowtubing and snowshoeing tours. The mountain has three quad and two double chairlifts, as well as a tube tow and a magic carpet for their ski school participants. Cypress Mountain has thirty eight downhill runs, many of which run day and night and over nineteen kilometers of cross country trails. Cypress Mountain is one of the largest ski areas on Vancouver's North Shore and is only thirty minutes from downtown.

In the summer of 2005, Cypress Mountain created a lift assisted mountain bike park, as set out in the 1997 Cypress Provincial Park Master Plan. Cypress Mountain also has a new rental fleet to allow you to rent the latest equipment. Cypress Mountain ski lessons are also available with a professional instructor from one of Western Canada's most respected ski and snowboard schools. Enjoy the Cypress Mountain snow in the Tubing Park where you can slide down chutes in a snow tube and let the tube get you back to the top again. The Tube Park is near the Nordic base and is great fun for all the family.

Part of Vancouver's 2010 Winter Olympics will be hosted at Cypress Mountain, including the snowboard (Half-pipe Snowboard Cross and Parallel Giant Slalom) and freestyle skiing (Moguls and Aerials) events. Construction will be taking place in the next few years as the free style skiing venues are being built in conjunction with a new high speed quad chair. Riders of the chair will be able to enjoy the panoramic views of Vancouver and the Coastal Mountains. A new daylodge, a snowmaking system, upgraded parking areas and an athletes center in the Cross Country area are all also part of the drive to prepare for 2010.


For more information about Cypress Mountain and for details on upcoming events and for upto date snow reports, please visit the Cypress Mountain site here.

VANCOUVER TRAVEL INSURANCE

VANCOUVER TRAVEL INSURANCE
Travel insurance is a very important part of arranging your holiday. We have therefore searched for the most competitive and comprehensive Vancouver travel insurance available from reputable companies. Both of the companies rated well with Columbus Direct offering the best service and cover at a good price.


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Both these companies offer very good rates for a wide range of cover including cancellation of your holiday, travel delays, loss of baggage, money, personal accident, personal liability, legal expenses and most importantly medical cover.

Vancouver Travel Insurance Essential Tips:
If you need to seek the advice of a doctor or be admitted to hospital whilst on holiday here, then you will need to take along your passport and health insurance documentation, which you must always arrange prior to your holiday. You may be expected to pay the doctors fee, which they will give you a receipt for so you can claim it back from your insurance company once home. As long as you have taken out insurance the hospitals will usually bill the insurance company direct.

Remember to inform the hospital staff on arrival of any medical condition you may have and of any medication you are currently taking. It is always advisable to have this written down and kept with your passport and insurance documents.

If you take any type of prescription medication, ensure that you have an adequate amount to cover you whilst on holiday. Check with your doctor that the medication you take is allowed through customs, as it may be that you need a letter from your doctor to accompany your medication.

VANCOUVER WEATHER

VANCOUVER WEATHER
The Vancouver weather makes the city a year round holiday destination as it has a generally benign climate. Without a doubt Vancouver has the mildest weather in all of Canada. Vancouver is lucky to be surrounded by both mountains and the ocean but this does mean that it has several micro climates. The nearer you are to the mountains the more chance you will have of rain, when you are not enjoying the summer months. The Vancouver weather in the summer months of June, July and August means the city is mainly bathed in beautiful sunshine, with temperatures throughout these months averaging at 20c.

The peak season in Vancouver is from the end of May to the beginning of September due to the weather and this does mean it is the busiest time of the year. The city however is large enough so that it rarely feels overcrowded, even with all the street festivals they have throughout the summer months. Indian summers are also common in Vancouver and people can often be found strolling around Stanley Park in a t-shirt during September and October. Spring and Autumn can be a mix of really beautiful sunny days or wet rainy days.

The weather in Vancouver in Winter is usually milder than that of England, however Vancouver does get a lot of rain fall in the winter months of January, February and March at ground level. This does often mean though that you get snow in the mountains, which opens up a whole new activity time. Skiing is very popular in Vancouver over the winter months, as is snowboarding, sledging and sleigh riding.

These activities are available year round in the world renowned ski resort of Whistler which is playing host to the 2010 Winter Olympics. As Whistler is just under two hours away from downtown, you can easily enjoy a morning of skiing and then go back down the mountain in the afternoon to soak up some rays on one of Vancouver's eleven beaches, three of which are right in the heart of downtown.

Whatever the time of year you decide to visit Vancouver there is always plenty to see and do, whatever the weather.

VANCOUVER HOTELS - TOP 3

VANCOUVERS TOP 3 HOTELS
We have searched through the many hotels available here in Vancouver and have listed three Vancouver hotels that we have either stayed in or visited and believe that all three will be a beautiful retreat whilst visiting Vancouver, which ever one you chose.

Le Soleil Hotel Vancouver
The Le Soleil Hotel is also situated in the heart of Vancouver's downtown financial, shopping and business districts, just a five minute walk to Canada Place at the waterfront.

It is a luxury boutique hotel, with opulent bedrooms that are lavishly appointed with silk brocade coverlets, feather pillows, down duvets and plush combed cotton bed sheets. Bathrooms are extensively tiled in the finest marble and come with an impressive complement of Aveda Body Care products.

Named by Resorts & Great Hotels Magazine as "One of the Top 100 Hotels in the World", Le Soleil has also received the American Automobile Association's (AAA) 4 Diamond rating.

When we first arrived in Vancouver this is where we stayed and found the accommodation and service excellent, this truly is a beautiful boutique hotel. Highly Recommended.

To find out more about the Le Soleil Hotel Vancouver Click Here

Fairmont Hotel Vancouver
The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver is situated in the heart of downtown with the business, cultural and entertainment districts at it's doorstep.

The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver offers luxurious accommodation including an indoor pool, a state of the art health club and a spa. It is also home to designer shops and award winning restaurants. We have not been fortunate to stay in this hotel ourselves yet, but it has excellent ratings and reputation.

To find out more about the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver and to view prices Click Here

Fairmont Waterfront Hotel Vancouver
The Fairmont also has another hotel which is located close to the Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Center and cruise ship terminal. It is called the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel.

Again this hotel has the same luxurious accommodation as it's sister hotel and is a superb Vancouver Waterfront Hotel.

Most rooms overlook the harbour and offer spectacular views of the majestic mountain peaks.

To find out more about the Vancouver Waterfront Hotel and to view prices Click Here


We have chosen these particular hotels because we feel that they are of a good standard, whilst offering competitive rates and good service.

If you cannot see a hotel you like on this page then please have a look on our Vancouver Hotels page where you can do a wide search for any accommodation in Vancouver.

INTRODUCTION TO VANCOUVER

INTRODUCTION TO VANCOUVER
The city of Vancouver seems to have everything, it is a cosmopolitan city with great shopping and a trendy coffee culture, renowned restaurants, bars, clubs, theatres, museums and eye catching skyscrapers. At the north edge of the city lies the Pacific Ocean which is home to numerous water sports and activities and you can stroll along west of the city and discover the woodland oasis of Stanley Park. The ocean cradles the park and is home to three beautiful beaches where you can sunbath and relax away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

The city of Vancouver has all this and the amazing backdrop of the mountains. The scenery in and around Vancouver puts anything you have seen in books and television in the shadows as nothing can prepare you for this kind of scenery, it is truly breathtaking. This coupled with the relaxed, friendly atmosphere, will be part of the reason Vancouver Canada is repeatedly voted the best place in the world to live.

There are so many things to do and see in and around Vancouver. If you are energetic and like to keep active there are plenty of things to keep you busy from hiking, skating, kayaking, sailing, fishing, mountain biking, skiing, snowboarding and much more. If you prefer to take it easy there are eleven beaches, three of which are actually downtown. You can visit Vancouver Aquarium and take a leisurely stroll around Stanley Park whilst taking in some magnificent views and stopping off at the beaches along the way.

You could also take a boat trip to see the whales or go on fishing trips from the harbour. There is also a skyplane which takes you to see some fantastic views. Vancouver BC seems to have everything from the mountains down to the beaches so what ever type of holiday you prefer there seems to be something to suit everyone. There are not many places where you can go skiing in the morning and then chill out on a beach in the afternoon.

Come and experience Vancouver, we know you will love it.

VANCOUVER HOTELS

VANCOUVER HOTELS
You can save money if you book your Vancouver Hotel and flights separately. The reason you can do this is because you are cutting out the middleman, by booking direct with the airlines or hotel, you do not have to pay the extra that holiday companies put on top of the basic flight and hotel price.




Alpharooms – Vancouver Hotels
Alpharooms is the premier independent hotel booking service on the internet with thousands of hotels bookable online. Our family and ourselves have used them many times and found their selection of hotels excellent. Because it is an independent company it is able to pass on large savings. Their web site is also easy to use, you can check availability and price quickly and easily book your hotel in a matter of minutes. Highly Recommended.
[Check Prices Here!]

Expedia – Hotels in Vancouver
Expedia also have a large selection of Vancouver hotels which you can book online. They have a huge choice and there are some good bargains to be had.
[Check Prices Here!]

The following reasons are the main benefits of booking your Vancouver flights and Vancouver hotels direct:

You can save money on the price of your holiday to Vancouver. Our parents managed to save nearly 30% a few months ago. First they did some research and looked at a number of holiday packages and found one that had good flight times and also really nice accommodation at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. The only trouble was it was going to cost them a lot of money and would eat into there holiday spending money. They therefore had a look on the Alpharooms web site, where they found the same hotel. Because Alpharooms deal directly with Vancouver hotels, they managed to book a room for a lot less money giving them more spending money, better in their pocket than the holiday companies. They then booked their flight through Expedia as they had a flight that suited them perfectly and again they made a huge saving.

It is easier and more flexible. Because you are booking your flight and hotel separately it is easier to arrange a holiday for the dates and times of your choice because you have a larger selection to choose from. Also you can arrange your own transfers from the airport, so that you aren't sat on a coach while everyone is being dropped off at their hotel.

Booking your Vancouver hotel online is very simple and only takes a couple of minutes. Remember in most cases it is actually cheaper to book online than to phone up. This is because the company does not have to pay for someone to answer the phone and passes these savings onto you. We have done a large search for the best companies offering Vancouver hotels and have found two which we highly recommended. Both of these companies we have found to be reliable, offer a good choice of hotels and most importantly save you money!.

VANCOUVER VACATIONS

VANCOUVER VACATIONS
We have chosen the following companies, as not only do they offer many online discounts, but they are both reputable companies with secure online booking and offer very competitive prices.

Expedia - Vancouver Holidays
Expedia offers the widest range of holidays, with a wide selection of flights and a huge selection of Vancouver hotels. Thousands of satisfied holiday maker's go back to Expedia each year to book their holiday. Highly Recommended.
Check Prices Here

Lastminute – Vancouver Holidays
Lastminute Holidays was created with a goal in mind to create a unique holiday experience at great prices at the last minute. Their success has meant that they can not only offer those great deals last minute but also by booking in advance. They want to ensure that your favourite time of the year will be better than ever before at a great price.
Check Prices Here

There are advantages to booking your flights and hotel in Vancouver through the same company as you can often receive even better discounts. When booking your Vancouver vacation you can first of all decide on the most convenient airport for you to travel from. You can then chose which dates and times you prefer. The holiday company will then give you the option of different airlines traveling from that airport at the dates and times you requested. You then simply click on which airline suits you best.

To book your accommodation you go to the hotel section and enter the dates on which you wish to stay in Vancouver and a list of hotels will become available for you. Again you just simply select which hotel you like best at the best price. The holiday company will then make all the arrangements for you and send you a confirmation of your booking, it is that simple. You can often receive extra discounts and better deals on insurance and car hire from the holiday company by booking the whole holiday package with them.

Holiday companies have now made it easy for you to book your Vancouver holidays with most offering special discounts for booking online. They are able to do this by not having a high street shop which they have to pay high rental on and fill with staff so they can therefore pass these savings onto you.

VANCOUVER HISTORY

A BRIEF HISTORY OF VANCOUVER
Vancouver was named after an explorer called George Vancouver, a British navigator who had previously sailed with Cook. It was indeed Sir James Cook that sparked the first interest in Vancouver but never truly explored the area as he mistook it for the North American mainland.

In 1792 Captain George Vancouver was exploring the area and came across Frasier River which he claimed for Britain. He then sailed north and to what would be in future known as Vancouver. He entered a natural port which he named Burrard after one of his crew and traded with the Squamish in a forested village, which would later be known as Stanley Park. After spending little more than a day here a century later the place would be named after Vancouver.

The fur trade soon took off and in 1827 the Hudson Bay Company established a trading post at Fort Langley on the Fraser River, which saw the areas first European settlement. In 1858 the Fraser River was home to the Gold Rush but all this still brought little development.

In 1867 an English man named 'Gassy' Jack Deighton rowed into Burrard inlet and built a pub which he called the Globe Saloon in an area known today as Gastown. From that five more saloons, three hotels and a hardware store were built and in 1869 the area was incorporated as the town of Granville. It was another eighteen years in 1886 that the Canadian Pacific Railway's vice president incorporated Granville as the City of Vancouver. The Canadian Pacific Railway continued to develop and shape Vancouver building residential areas, known today as the West End, Kitsilano and Granville Street which is a main thoroughfare of the city.

It could be that old 'Gassy's' pub was a basis of the city but whatever the reason the people hear are so laid back, sometimes scarily so, until you let the Canadian way take hold of you and immerse yourself in their friendly relaxed spirit. This is probably one of the reasons why year after year Vancouver is voted the best place to live in the world.

To find out more on the history of Vancouver and the History of Vancouver Island, Click Here!

CHEAP FLIGHTS TO VANCOUVER

VANCOUVER FLIGHTS
Finding cheap flights to Vancouver has never been easier, or has it? There are now so many options to choose from on the internet it can become a bit overwhelming. This is why we have done the hard work for you and narrowed the choice down to what we believe are the two best companies offering Vancouver flights.

Expedia Flights - Maximum Comfort On Your Vancouver Flight
We have booked flights to Vancouver Canada with Expedia ourselves and found the service to be excellent. Expedia searches for all the available flights to Vancouver for the time you wish to fly. You can then choose from several airlines and prices available. We chose the British Airways flight which had decent leg room, individual TV screens (which give you a choice of 18 movies), a nice meal and friendly customer service. The journey to Vancouver is quite a long one, so if comfort is a consideration, then booking through Expedia should be your first choice as you can choose the best airline for you. Check Vancouver Flight Prices Here

Lastminute Flights - Cheap Vancouver Flights
Lastminute specializes in selling Vancouver Charter flights online. They have an excellent choice of flight times as they specialize in flights to Vancouver. Their prices are also very good. Depending on when you book, you can pick up a cheap flight to Vancouver. Our family have booked through them and found their customer service excellent.
Check Vancouver Flight Prices Here

Both of these companies have been chosen because of the following reasons:-
They offer good prices, so you don't have to waste time shopping around.

They fly from a number of UK airports, so you don't have a long journey to the airport.

They specialize in flights to Vancouver meaning more choice of flight times and dates, giving you more chance of finding a flight for when you want to go.

Their web sites are easy to use, making it easier for you to book online.

They have been used by us, our family or friends and we have had an enjoyable flight.

They are both trusted and reputable companies offering secure and safe to book online.

Good deals on airport parking can be found Here!

VANCOUVER CAR HIRE

VANCOUVER CAR HIRE
Whilst visiting Vancouver you may wish to hire a car so that you can travel from the airport direct to your hotel at your own time and leisure. Ensuring you do not have to spend hours on a coach whilst dropping off other holiday makers at their hotels. Arranging your Vancouver car hire has never been simpler.

Holiday Autos – Car Hire Vancouver
A hire car company our family have used and recommend is Holiday Autos. They are the world's largest online car rental broker and offer low, fully inclusive prices with a best price guarantee. They also offer a wide choice of cars with the most popular being the compact or economy model. They are the most visited car rental site in the UK and provide an award-winning service. Highly Recommended.
Check Prices Here

The car hire company we have listed provide maps from the airport to your hotel, meaning you can plan your route before leaving the UK.

We would advise you to book your car hire Vancouver vehicle before leaving the UK to ensure that you have a car waiting for you once arriving at the airport. You can often benefit from many pre booking discounts this way too.

Having a hire car also gives you the freedom to see the many places and attractions in Vancouver without any of the restrictions and expense of coach tours. See the hidden Vancouver, visit all those mountains and waterfalls usually inaccessible to coaches and buses. Enjoy the whole of Vancouver at your own time and leisure, visiting any place you wish day and night.

Vancouver Car Hire - Essential Information:
When collecting your hire car you will need your passport, driving licence and booking reference.

Always ensure that the price you are paying for your hire vehicle includes full insurance.

In the event of a breakdown call the car hire company.

When driving around Vancouver always have your driving licence and hire company paperwork with you, because if you are stopped by the police for any reason these must be produced.

Please remember that in Vancouver that you drive on the right hand side of the road.

VANCOUVER EVENTS CALENDAR JULY-DECEMBER

VANCOUVER CALENDAR OF EVENTS JULY - DECEMBER

Here are just some of the best events that take place in Vancouver throughout the the months of July to December.

July – Canada Day – The first of July is a national holiday in Canada to celebrate its confederation. The main focus for the festivities is Canada Place in Vancouver. It usually starts at about 10am with food and music with a fantastic fireworks display around 10pm.

July – Dancing on the Edge – Early in July Vancouver plays host to North America's leading dance companies for ten days of performances, mainly staged at the Firehall Arts Centre.

July – Vancouver Folk Festival – On the third weekend of July Jericho Beach attracts around thirty thousand people to watch about one hundred performances throughout the day on seven stages along the beach.

July – Celebration of Light – Held in late July or early August for four nights. English Bay in Vancouver hosts the world's largest fireworks display competition. Each year three different countries put on a spectacular fireworks display over three nights. On the fourth night it attracts around five hundred thousand people as all three countries come together to put on an astounding fireworks display.

August – Festival Vancouver – Early in August for two weeks Vancouver is host to national and international artists who perform Jazz, Opera, Choral, Orchestral and Chamber music in venues throughout the city.

August – Abbotsford Air Show – On the second weekend of August Abbotsford, which is southeast of Vancouver holds what has been voted the worlds best air show.

September – Vancouver Fringe Festival – Beginning to mid month of September a ten day event takes place throughout different venues around the city of Vancouver. There are about five hundred shows with over one hundred theatre, comedy and dance groups from around the world.

September – Vancouver International Film Festival – At the middle of September for seventeen days Vancouver plays host to North America's third largest film festival. With five hundred screenings of three hundred new films from fifty countries.

October – International Writers & Readers Festival – In the third week of October readings and workshops are held around Vancouver, mainly on Granville Island with national and international literary stars and new writers.

October – Parade of the Lost Souls – On the last Saturday of October the streets around Grandview Park, near Commercial Drive sees a spectral Day of the Dead procession of torch lit spooky dressed performers. Have your Halloween pumpkins ready.

November – Remembrance Day – On 11th November Canada, as many other countries, remember soldiers who died in World War One. Vancouver honours this day with a twenty one gun salute from Deadman's island in Stanley Park at noon. Vintage aircraft also take to the skies above Stanley Park and Canada Place.

November – New Music West Festival – Around the second weekend of November for five days clubs throughout Vancouver play host to a mass of new pop and rock bands. You can buy a pass that allows you to go from club to club watching the new stars.

December – VanDusen Market and Festival of Light – Starting late in November going through to early December the VanDusen Botanical Gardens holds a very popular craft and gift market. Through December the Festival of Light illuminates the gardens with over twenty thousand lights and is an amazing sight for the young and old alike.

December – Christmas Carol Ship Parade – In the three weeks leading up to Christmas the waters around Vancouver are a spectacular sight for the festivities. An array of boats take part in a flotilla that sees the boats decorated and lit up like floating Christmas trees with carollers signing on board or taped Christmas music being played. It certainly gets you in the festive spirit.

VANCOUVER EVENTS CALENDAR JANUARY-JUNE

VANCOUVER CALENDAR OF EVENTS JANUARY - JUNE

Here are just some of the best events that take place in Vancouver throughout the months of January to June.

January – Polar Bear Swim – New Years day, approx 2.30pm- For centuries crazy people have been running into the Ocean at English bay in Vancouver for a ninety metre swim. There can be around a thousand swimmers that defy the 3-8c temperatures. With another ten thousand spectators, wrapped up warmly!

January – Bald Eagle Count – On the first Sunday in January people go to watch to bald eagles feast on the salmon at Brackendale en route to Whistler.

January - Chinese New Year Festival– In late January/early February Chinatown in Vancouver enjoys fireworks and festivities for about fifteen days.

February – Vancouver International Boat Show – At the beginning of February for five days the BC Place Stadium in Vancouver is host to Canada's largest and oldest boat show.

March – Vancouver International Dance Festival – A three week long event in which local, national and international dance artists perform.

April – Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival – At the beginning of April the Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre holds one of North America's largest wine festivals where you can sample over six hundred wines from around the world. This event started in 1979 to provide funds for the Vancouver Playhouse Theatre Company.

April – Vancouver Sun Run – On the third weekend of April thousands of people take part in one of the world's largest ten kilometre runs. The run, or walk, starts and finishes at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver taking you through a scenic route of Downtown.

May – Vancouver International Marathon – On the first Sunday in May Canada holds it's largest marathon which attracts thousands of runners from around the world. The run starts at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver and finishes in Kitsilano.

May – The New Play Festival – In the first week of May, Granville Island is home to a week of celebration of the best of new Canadian theatre with some of Vancouver's best actresses, actors and directors.

May – New Music West Festival – On the second weekend of May Vancouver holds a music festival of new pop and rock music at various clubs throughout the city.

May – Hyack Festival – On the third weekend of May, New Westminster is home to a festival that includes May Day celebrations, a parade, antique fair and fireworks.

May – International Children's Festival – At the end of May Vanier Park is host to all types of entertainment for Children and the young at heart. The event is on for about a week and attracts approximately seventy thousand visitors.

June – VanDusen Flower and Garden Show – In the first week of June the Botanic Garden hosts the garden festival where you can take a leisurely stroll around the two hundred stalls.

June – Dragon Boat Festival – On the third weekend of June about two thousand competitors from around the world take part in boat races around False Creek in Vancouver. You can also be entertained by stage shows and music.

June – Du Maurier International Jazz Festival – From the third Friday of June for ten days, Vancouver plays host to a Jazz Festival that boasts some of the world's biggest names in Jazz. There are performances around the city, which draw around eight hundred musicians. There is also a two day street festival in Gastown.