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I just stumbled across this old photo of Granville Street in 1951 on Flickr. It’s cool to see some of the same signs still around and the building with the clock. I think it’d be fun to take a good look at this photo and go see what’s still there. I know I’m going to check back on this before my next trip to downtown Granville. 
If you feel like you’ve done everything you want to do in the city you might want to think about getting off land and on to the water. There are loads of boat rental places and tours you can do. I personally would skip the tours and just rent a boat and sail or paddle your self around. You’ll get great views of the city and you might even run into some wild life.
If you think you might enjoy kayaking a good starting point is at English Bay. They rent them right off the beach and you get get doubles or singles. If you’d rather sail or get a normal boat you can start from a number of places around the city. A quick google search will give you loads of rental options.
Get out there and have fun!
Out of all the Skytrain stations in Vancouver I believe downtown’s Waterfront Station to be the best. It is by far the nicest architecturally speaking and there is no denying all the great location just steps away. Gastown to your left and Canada place to your right when you walk out the front. There is also a great view of the North Shore from a look out right beside (exit the west door) the station by the Vancouver Sun building.
In the station you can find a Starbucks, Subway Restaurant, some other random cafe, a news stand, RBC ATM’s and a higher end restaurant. From here you can enter a sort of underground mall via some tunnels to the west, Skytrain into and out of the city, the Sea Bus to the North Shore or just walk out and head uptown. If you gotta meet a friend downtown from out of the city, this would be a great starting point.
Feel like getting your yoga on outside with a great view of the North Shore mountains? Then you should check out Hastings Mill Park in West kits by Jericho Beach. Even if it’s not yoga your after this park is a nice place to hang out to avoid big crowds. The park usually has people around, but it’s not packed like the green space at Kits beach or anything. There are people relaxing with a picnic, having a little drink, playing with dogs, and there is even a small playground if you have kids that need to be entertained. All this a mear 2 blocks from Jericho beach! Definitely worth a look if your on the West side.
Hello loyal reader. I am very sorry I haven’t posted anything in over a week. I forgot to mention I was going on a little vacation and wouldn’t be posting. Anyhow, I am back home now and the Real Vancouver action will be right back in the swing of things.
This photos is low on quality, but I love any photo with me and my son This is downtown at Robson Square while the Olympics where going on. Everyone was watching some bobsledding action. Although Robson Square is no where near as lively as it was during the Olympics, it is still a great place to hang out and enjoy a seat on any given day downtown in Vancouver.
Want to see a passenger jet up close? Head out to BCIT Richmond by YVR and you can get a really close look at this jet pictured. This is where they teach jet mechanics and that type of thing. There is plenty of parking and right where you will be parked large jets fly right over you! It’s very cool. A bit loud, but definitely cool.
Like a good light house? Like a good walk in the woods? A good skyline perhaps? Then you need to check out Light House Park in West Vancouver. Great nature, seclusion, and amazing views by the ocean.
I love this kind of thing on buildings. Gargoyles are definitely my favourite though. Unfortunately most of Vancouver’s nice old buildings have all been torn down. This wicked lady is on the corner of a building at Georgia and Hornby. The building in the back ground is the Hotel Vancouver.
If you really look for this type of thing and would like to see more go to Cambie & W. Pender for some topless ladys on the side of the old Vancouver Sun Building. Then if your feeling brave you can find more old buildings on East Hastings. I personally do not recommend going to East Hastings. It is riddled with junkies, crime and general mayhem.
Take a little walk down on the north end of Hornby street past Georgia and you will be delighted to find some good restaurants and a good mix of shops. At the end there is a nice little open common area you can sit and enjoy a coffee (or whatever) and enjoy a wonderful place to people watch. Canada place is just across the street from there, so a nice little walk around there will complete a nice bit of your day.
A great place to go see when in Vancouver is The Bloedel Conservatory at Queen Elizabeth Park. It is a nice little walk around a fully enclosed bird sanctuary with tropical birds, plants, rainforest and fish. The whole thing is on the small side so if you go don’t expect to be spending a lot of of time there. Unless you don’t mind doing a few laps to take pictures or something of that nature.
If your not intersted in birds, the park it self is worth the trip. There is also a great restaurant to have lunch or dinner at with amazing skyline views of the city.
