Vancouver Travel Guide

Well, I am finally back from my second round of international travel this summer and wanted to share some tips should you ever find yourself in Vancouver, BC! Vancouver, like New York City, is a city of neighborhoods.  Here are my top three favorite things to do in my favorite three neighborhoods:
Downtown: We stayed in the downtown area that borders the lovely Stanley Park. There is so much to do and see in this area.
The Vancouver Aquarium: I have been to a lot of aquariums and have even been so lucky as to tour the behind-the-scenes stuff at the Monterey, CA Aquarium once when I was there. This aquarium is hands down the best one I have ever been to.  While friends who live in Vancouver laughed at us for going, and while, yes, it is a preposterously touristy thing to do, I still wholeheartedly recommend going.  The 4D movie theater is awesome and involves bubbles, chairs that move, snakes that reach out and literally grab you...all in all a fun (and slightly scary!) experience.

Biking the Seawall: A great workout with amazing views and fun places to stop along the way...this is a must-do!

Lift Restaurant: We were fortunate to have a very late flight on our last day in Vancouver and so we had the entire day to relish in before we departed. With amazing views of rainforest, mountain, and water, this establishment was perfect even before the amazing food (and cocktails!) arrived in front of us...

Gastown: Another area that I really enjoyed was the older part of Vancouver: Gastown. Filled with narrow, cobblestone streets and amazing bars and restaurants, this part of town reminded me of the West Village, a NYC favorite.
Chill Winston: Famed for its patio, this is a place that all of the guidebooks said is where one goes to "see and be seen." Coming from NYC, I am not sure that the people watching is quite as thrilling as the guidebooks claim; however, with the pleasant Vancouver patio weather, a chilled white wine, and good company, I quite enjoyed it.
Twisted Fork Bistro: I mentioned this place in an earlier post, but it was so delicious that it deserves multiple mentions.  First of all, both of our breakfasts were seriously some of the best we have ever had. The coffee was also incredible and inspired us to purchase a French press--one that we are very excited to use as soon as it arrives!

Tie for Third Favorite: The Steam Clock and Salt Tasting Room, located in Blood Alley: Both are reminders of the history of Vancouver; The Steam Clock is a marvel of mechanics and can be heard loudly reminding people all over Vancouver of twelve noons' passing, and Blood Alley is hauntingly cool with Salt Tasting Room (a marvel of the delightful mingling of wine, meat, cheese, and condiment flavors) tucked inside.

Other can't-help-but-notes...Finches Tea and Coffee House, Macleod's Books, and The Irish Heather (where the original jail cells of Gastown once were--now they are the pub washrooms!)

Lastly, a neighborhood that I am going to call "Across the Bridge," as I do not know the proper name for it...
"Across the Bridge," Vancouver reminds me very much of Manhattan's hipper neighbor, Brooklyn. Great views abound as do adorable stationary and vintage stores, along with fabulous restaurants and bars. Since I have already talked up Vij's to death (GO!!), I will mention my three other favorites for this neighborhood:
Queen Elizabeth Park and the delightful place housed within it Seasons in the Park:
Between the view, the scrumptious cheese platter, and the perfect wine list, I was in love with this place. The walk around the park afterwards wasn't bad either!

The Neighborhood Feel: A lack of gentrification, kitschy stores mixed with art galleries, autobody shops and cafes, the rise of new intermingled with old in regards to both buildings and people. Love...

A Baker's Dozen: A shop that was also a representation of the neighborhood vibe. Amazingly curated selection of antiques mixed with an awesome selection of stationery and other eclectic paper goods, this store was so fun to browse!

So there you have it...here's hoping you all get to Vancouver at some point in the near future...
Happy Travel!