Now You're in Town

Written by Robert Browne | Mar 28, 2020 2:02:26 PM

5 things to do in Vancouver: Get off the beaten track

Granville Island

Located just below the Granville Street Bridge on the opposite side of false creek to Downtown Vancouver is Granville Island. Granville Island public island is located here. It is a well renowned craft and artisan market hosting some of the best local produce British Columbia has to offer. Whilst I was in the market, I purchased pearl earrings as a present for my mother for when I returned from my summer abroad. The pearls were white pearls from Vancouver Bay and the earrings were handcrafted by a local designer. There were many jewellery displays and stands displaying similar local crafts. I thoroughly recommend browsing these stands and trying the artisan food that is on offer. Once you have purchased your chosen cuisine there is a large veranda outside overlooking false creek and Downtown beyond. I recommend eating here under the basking Vancouver summer sun. If you too are searching for gifts for loved ones then Granville Island is the ideal place to go on in search of this. I would urge all visitors to Vancouver to visit Granville Island and its markets. It is thoroughly enjoyable experience.

Source: https://www.tourismvancouver.com/activities/attractions/secrets-of-granville-island/

Deep Cove

Deep Cove is a hidden gem located a short drive north of the city. It is an ideal location for walks, hikes, kayaking and paddle boarding. Located on all sides of this picturesque seaside town are tree lined mountains. The cove itself is filled with sailing boats and all form of water transport, from kayaks to seaplanes. The waterfront park plays host to free live music concerts on Friday evenings during the summer. Watching the sun go down over the mountains on the far side of the cove whilst listening to a live band is one of my fondest memories. Located in Deep Cove is the world-famous Honey Doughnuts and Goodies shop and café. The honey glazed doughnuts served here were made famous when Kate Winslet declared them to be the best she had ever tasted. It is publicly known that she is a great fan of doughnuts. However, Honey Doughnuts and Goodies shop serves many other delicious delicacies and healthy treats. To those who visit Deep Cove I would recommend doing so on an empty stomach so as to get full value out of your trip there. There are many quaint restaurants and pubs overlooking the cove that are worth visiting.

Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Deep-Cove-9.jpg

Stanley Park

Stanley Park is Vancouver’s largest urban park and is arguably the epicenter of the city. It is a 400-hectare natural rain forest located north of Downtown Vancouver. The park has many attractions including beaches, trails and historical landmarks. Most notably Stanley Park lies host to Vancouver Aquarium. The aquarium is a center for marine research and marine animal rehabilitation. Although the aquarium is a major tourist spot there are many hidden gems within Stanley Park. For those who wish to try something off the beaten Park I would recommend renting bicycles in English Bay and cycling the seawall. The seawall is a 9-kilometre walkway around the perimeter of the park. Stanley Park is almost completely bordered by the sea, so the seawall is a picturesque coastal cycle. Cycling the seawall allows you to see Vancouver from an entirely different perspective. Each Tuesday evening during the summer months large crowds congregate on Stanley Park’s Third Beach. They do so to watch as dozens of drummers play djembe drums until the sun sets over the Pacific Ocean. It is a semi-informal gathering and fans are encouraged to join in with the drumming and the dancing. This event has been occurring weekly during the summer months for over twelve years and I would encourage all tourists visiting Vancouver not to pass by on this opportunity.

Source: https://www.insidevancouver.ca/2014/07/07/celebrate-the-sunset-at-the-largest-drum-circle-in-vancouver/

 

Grab a hotdog

There are many great places to eat throughout Vancouver from fining dining restaurants to local burger joints. Anyone who travels to visit Vancouver will have a vast array of options to choose from. However, one cannot surpass the opportunity to purchase a hotdog from the hotdog stands on the sidewalks. Located on busy, well-known streets and corners these food-vans are hard to miss. Although this street food is not limited to hotdogs it is by far the most common type of option. Perhaps the most iconic hot dog van is the one situated outside the London Drugs store on Granville Street. I for one can assure you that the cuisine served from the truck is delicious and is worth every dollar spent on it. It would be criminal to travel to Vancouver and not try a hotdog on the sidewalk.

Source: https://www.yelp.ca/biz/hot-dog-stand-vancouver

 

Window Shopping for Sports Cars

Many people have dreamed of owning a sports car at some point or another. They epitomize all things luxurious and cool. Kitsilano plays home to a large number of sports and luxury car garages from Ferrari to Bentley and from Tesla to Lamborghini. Walking down Burrard Street between West Broadway and Cornwall Avenue is any sports car fanatics dream. Better still one could be walking down any street in Vancouver and a high-end sports car would be likely to drive past. They are in abundance and it is not long before one becomes desensitized to the wow factor of seeing a sports car. Window shopping in Kitsilano is most certainly off the beaten track and would not be found on your typical list of things to do in Vancouver however it is an amazing experience.