Thanks To The Olympics, Vancouver Increases Its Appeal As A Vacation Spot
Four Things To Do In Vancouver
Vancouver is a cosmopolitan city well-known for its vibrant culture, fresh culinary scene and beautiful surroundings. With its prominent role as host of the 2010 Winter Olympics next month, the city has moved to the forefront of touristy spots to visit.
So if you go, what is there to do? Here are four can’t-miss attractions.
- Spend the afternoon in the park – but not just any park. Natives and visitors love the thousand-acre Stanley Park. Previous visitors, who may have converted their vacation photo to digital for preservation, know this spot as a lush and green retreat, encircled by a six-mile walkway along the water. Just walking along the seawall, as shown in this picture, you can observe the changing of the seasons. At the park, plan on participating in activities such as swimming, tennis and even tea time (as in sipping afternoon tea). There’s an aquarium and petting zoo to keep kids occupied, too.
- Experience Vancouver’s street life. On Commercial Drive, you’ll come across vintage clothes and cafes (not to mention protests and petitions). Peruse art galleries in South Granville, or spend all day shopping on Robson Street.
- Take in the view. Vancouver Lookout, at the top of Harbour Center, boasts a 360-degree view of the city, which combines downtown buildings, expansive greenery and blue waters. The spot is open every day of the year and offers a view 430 feet above the ground.
- Visit an island. Granville Island, that is. Its Public Market is a foodie mecca for all things fresh and delicious, and the revitalized neighborhood features street music, craft stores and microbreweries. There’s a free Water Park for kids as well. 10 ½ million people flock to this island each year, though it hasn’t always been such a popular draw. Transferring a photo to digital can highlight the area’s dramatic transformation. Old images reflect its worn, industrial past, one that’s a stark contrast to today’s tourist-friendly appeal.
Tags: Olympics, photo to digital, Vacation, Vancouver