Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists

VOLUME 6(4), JULY/AUGUST 2004

What to see and do in Vancouver
Vancouver is a dynamic, international city surrounded by mountains, ocean, beaches and forests, offering endless activities and experiences.

Scenic sights
Popular attractions include the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre where you can experience the BC Coast in wonderful detail. Walk across the famed Capilano Suspension Bridge or take the Skyride to the top of Grouse Mountain. Top off the excitement with a visit to Science World and its interactive exhibits or ride the glass-walled elevator to see the spectacular 360-degree view from the Lookout!

Cultural activities
Vancouver is home to some wonderful galleries and museums. Highlights include the Vancouver Art Gallery that showcases modern and historical artists, the University of British Columbia Museum of Anthropology which offers incredible First Nations art, the Vancouver Museum and the Vancouver Maritime Museum, just minutes away from downtown.

Performing arts
There is everything from innovative comedy theatre and Broadway extravaganzas to Shakespeare on the beach, as well as brilliant performances by the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, the Vancouver Opera and the Vancouver Cantata Singers.

City of neighbourhoods
Stroll the cobbled streets of historic Gastown or join a sightseeing tour of colourful Chinatown. Discover Vancouver’s many distinctive enclaves, from the Punjabi Market to trendy Yaletown with its designer shops, galleries and popular bistros.

Beautiful beaches and gardens
With miles of protected coastline, Vancouver offers an incredible variety of beaches, from right downtown at English Bay to Crescent Beach in White Rock. The city boasts an equally diverse selection of botanical gardens and parks, including Vancouver’s treasured 1,000-acre Stanley Park.

Outdoor adventure
Vancouver’s year-round mild climate makes it easy to discover the great outdoors. You can ski the local mountains, dine on a glacier, cycle the seawall or stroll through a rainforest. Discover ancient natural forests or explore the beauty of the region by sea kayak. Vancouver also offers some of the most spectacular and challenging golf courses in Canada.

Sports
With the National Hockey League’s Vancouver Canucks, the heart stopping action of the Molson Indy car race, the Canadian Football League’s BC Lions, the Whitecaps soccer team, the Vancouver Canadian Single A Baseball Team, the Vancouver Ravens lacrosse team and the Vancouver Giants - the newest team in the Western Hockey League, the sports action in Vancouver is nonstop. Vancouver is also a stop on the PGA Tour.

Shopping
If designer brands are your thing, you’ll love the endless rows of fashion boutiques found on Robson Street. The sidewalk cafés, specialty stores and coffee shops attract visitors and locals alike. Yaletown has converted its old industrial warehouses into trendy places to shop. Besides the fabulously fresh food at the public market on Granville Island, this heritage area is home to many artisans who blow glass, weave intricate tapestries and throw clay. Gastown is a great place for those looking for First Nations craft works. Thanks to Vancouver’s ethnic diversity, you can find authentic goods from just about anywhere in the world as well as the traditional shopping delights of designer shops and malls.

Dining
Vancouver’s multicultural population is reflected in its incredible variety and quality of cuisine, from West Coast traditional to dim sum. If you crave it — Vancouver’s got it. Home to exquisite dining experiences, especially if you’re into fresh seafood, fine French, Italian, Asian or Pacific Northwest. A super chic eatery or a sunny patio — Vancouver has it all!

— Tourism Vancouver

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