Looking out toward the waters of the straits of Johnstone and Georgia, Vancouver occupies one of the most beautiful settings of any world city. The coastal mountains form a majestic backdrop for the glass towers and copper-topped skyscrapers of the city. It was Captain James Cook who claimed the area for the British when he stepped ashore at Nootka Sound, Vancouver Island, in 1778. Until then the area had been inhabited for more than 10,000 years by the Coast Salish peoples, whose cultural heritage is celebrated in two of Canada's best museums: the UBC Museum of Anthropology in Vancouver and Victoria's Royal BC Museum. Established as a city after a fire destroyed the fledgling town of Granville in 1886, Vancouver offers historic districts, lush gardens, and wilderness parks within its environs. A short ferry ride away, Vancouver Island's world famous Pacific Rim National Park is the whale-watching center of Canada.
Exploring Vancouver
The heart of Vancouver is its downtown area, a finger of land bounded by the waters of English Bay. The city center radiates from Robson Square. The 404.7-ha (1,000-acre) Stanley Park occupies the tip of the peninsula, next to the West End. The historic Chinatown and Gastown districts are close to Main Street, the city's south to north axis.
Sights At A Glance
Historic Streets and Buildings
- Chinatown
- Old Hastings Mill Store
Parks and Gardens
- Capillano Suspension Bridge
- Dr. Sun Yat-sen Chinese Garden
- Grouse Mountain
- Lighthouse Park
- Lynn Canyon Park and Ecology Centre
- Queen Elizabeth Park and Bloedel Conservatory
- Stanley Park
- Van Dusen Botanical Garden
Modern Architecture
- BC Place Stadium
Museums and Galleries
- Maritime Museum
- Science World
- University of British Columbia Museum of Anthropology
- Vancouver Art Gallery
- Vancouver Museum and Pacific Space Centre
Shopping Areas
- Granville Island
- Lonsdale Quay Market
- Gardens and Areas of Natural Beauty
- Butchart Gardens
- Cowichan District
- Port Renfrew
- Telegraph Cove
Historic Towns and Cities
- Campbell River
- Chemainus
- Gold River
- Nainamo
- Port Alberni
- Victoria
National Parks
- Pacific Rim National Park Reserve
Getting Around
As most of downtown is surrounded by water, Vancouver's comprehensive transportation system includes the SeaBus, bus, and the light-rail line, the SkyTrain, a driverless system that runs above and below ground. The SeaBus runs between Lonsdale Quay in North Vancouver and Waterfront Station downtown, where it is possible to connect with the bus and SkyTrain system. Many Vancouverites commute by car, and rush hour traffic is to be avoided because access to downtown is limited to a few bridges, including the hectic Lion's Gate Bridge.
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