Vancouver, Canada - photo of Vancouver, attractions, map, reviews of tourists. Vancouver is a prosperous Canadian city

This city is the best city in the world. And all of the following is the imagination of the author.

Before I first came to Vancouver, I knew only two things about the city - first: it is surrounded by fabulous beauty - mountains with snow caps, forests with Indian totems and an ocean with whales; second: it is one of the 5 cities with the highest standard of living in the world, until recently ranked first. But he had to drive into the city and walk through it in such a way that he destroyed all its advantages for himself.

No, of course, the nature of British Columbia is not a hot frying pan of southern Ontario with a lightning rod - CN Tower - on the shore. Take, at least, the lake, which can be reached by city bus.

This lake may seem familiar if you watched The X-Files or 4400. In addition, 40% of Vancouver's drinking and industrial water comes from it. The environment in British Columbia comes first and drinking water from the tap here is no worse than bottled.

Here you can find a suspension bridge across the river and a glass bridge along the rocks and smaller bridges on the trees.

The downtown here is not commercial, but almost entirely residential, so it lights up in the evening, and then goes out as people go to bed. In Toronto, it burns all night.

But a ticket to the tower is not only half the price of the CN Tower - $ 15, but also valid all day: you can go up during the day, and then again in the evening, at sunset. Correct pricing policy, in a word.

Here life boils around the port and not skyscrapers. Although what am I talking about - it does not boil at all - it just exists. Quiet life, in general.

The atmosphere of a resort like Sevastopol.

Or even Yalta. The city is quite relaxed.

So I was on my way to Vancouver to find myself a new home and was a bit disappointed by what I saw in a city with one of the highest standards of living in the world, literally a little bit happened.

One of my friends, who cannot tolerate tobacco smoke, really wanted to go to British Columbia, so, Kostya, think three times about Vancouver. Although for the photographer here, of course, is a paradise - from social to landscapes, from industrial reporting to the animal world, but they smoke here just like at home in Kharkov.

Housing was harder to find than in Toronto - the prices here are either the same or slightly higher, but the houses are older and somehow less pleasant.
Today we rented an apartment in Burnaby on the 20th floor - with such foggy mornings as here, you definitely need to settle higher:

You can’t fit everything about this controversial city in one post, but you can collect it under one tag: . But one thing can be said - to leave here, nevertheless, I do not want to. Except on vacation.

Vancouver was last modified: March 5th, 2019 by Anton Belousov

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When choosing a place to live, smart people first of all think about practical things - is it easy to find a job in their specialty there and affordable housing. I chose the climate. Indeed, this resort town is famous for its mild maritime climate with relatively warm winters and cool summers. However, as it turned out, this is far from its most important advantage (albeit an important one). Once I arrived in Vancouver, I fell in love with this city forever! But first things first.

Vancouver is the third most populous city in Canada and a large agglomeration that includes several satellite towns such as Burnaby, Surrey, Richmond, New Westminster, Coquitlam and others. Canada has two state languages, English and French, while in Vancouver English and Chinese (mostly Mandarin) will be more useful. This is because, like the rest of the world, Vancouver is more than three-quarters populated by immigrants. According to official statistics, more than half of the city's population does not consider English their first language. About 30% of the total population here are from China. But this is according to official statistics. Visually, it always seems to visitors that they are somewhere in Asia: along with Filipinos, Japanese, Koreans and Vietnamese, Asians make up the visible majority.

The spirit and character of the city is one hundred percent determined by its "motley" population. Here you will never be judged for weak English and you will never be mocked by an accent. Your interlocutor will wait patiently and with a benevolent smile on his face until you give birth to the desired phrase in English and will happily help you finish the thought if he still manages to understand it.

According to the versions of all kinds of special magazines that assess the quality of life in various cities of the world (for example, the British The Economist), Vancouver has been repeatedly recognized as "the best city in the world." Factors taken into account, such as stability, the level of ecology, education and health care, as well as security, in 2016 once again put the city in an honorable third place in the world.

This cannot but attract people with money who willingly buy real estate, yachts and beautiful cars here. Vancouver is an expensive resort for successful businessmen, and it is also a place where wealthy retirees move to spend the rest of their lives in comfort.

The popularity of the city is largely due to its convenient geographical location - it is located on the very coast of the Pacific Ocean, at the mouth of the Fraser River. Countless bays and straits enliven the metropolis, transforming it from "the realm of glass and concrete" into a beautiful modern city with a lot of light and air. Well-groomed clean embankments in many places are equipped with benches and picnic tables; the townspeople love to relax there.

North Hollywood

Another curious fact about Vancouver that surprised me at one time is that various Hollywood films are often shot here. This is such a common practice that Vancouver is even called the Hollywood of the North. This happens mainly for purely financial reasons, but often the texture of the city and the nature around it, carefully protected in its original form, play an important role. I will name just a few films that I know for certain that the shooting took place in Vancouver or its environs (believe me, there are hundreds of them!):

For this reason, on the streets and in the cafes of Vancouver, you can often meet peacefully strolling Hollywood stars of the first magnitude. I won’t reveal a big secret if I say that many celebrities own real estate and yachts here - why are they worse than the oligarchs from Russia! Well, what city can do without its “honor board”. Actress Pamela Andersen, singer Bryan Adams, supermodel Coco Rocha, actor Ryan Reynolds, environmental scientist David Suzuki and many other famous personalities were born or raised in Vancouver at different times.

English schools

If you are aiming to improve your English or even learn it from scratch, I recommend enrolling in a language course in Vancouver. The constant influx of new immigrants led to the emergence of a huge number of both public and private language schools. (Of course, not all of them are equally good - when choosing educational institution it is worth taking the time to carefully collect information). Subject to complete immersion in the English-speaking environment and temporary refusal mother tongue The results may exceed all your expectations. In addition, you will make friends from literally all over the planet.

How to get there

Unfortunately, getting to Vancouver is not so easy (which, of course, will not stop a real traveler). First, you will need a visa. You will find detailed information on the procedure for obtaining a visa. Once you have your visa, you can start buying tickets.

By plane

There is no direct flight from Russia to Vancouver. You will either have to make a transfer in one of the European cities (depending on the airline you choose, it can be, or), or fly through Toronto. Get ready for long flights.

In addition to your skill level in navigating online services, the price of the issue will depend on the season, airline, number and duration of transfers. Taking into account all the above factors, the cost of a round-trip ticket will vary from 30 to 90 thousand rubles (1200 USD - 2200 USD). Flight options and details can be viewed, for example,.

How to get from the airport to the city center

Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is located in Richmond, just 15-20 minutes from downtown Vancouver. It is also convenient to book a hotel directly in Richmond, since it is easy to get to anywhere in the metropolis from here, both by car and by metro. But you can stay in the center, and get there from the airport by metro or taxi. The airport is easy to navigate: there are signs everywhere, and very friendly, always ready to help people are on duty.

By train

Rail passenger transport in Canada is not developed. Canada doesn't even have a rail link to - the only country it shares a land border with. And even within the country by train, you can get to just a couple of cities.

Clue:

Vancouver - the time is now

Hour difference:

Moscow 10

Kazan 10

Samara 11

Yekaterinburg 12

Novosibirsk 14

Vladivostok 17

When is the season. When is the best time to go

As I said at the very beginning, Vancouver attracted me to its mild temperate climate. The average temperature in the winter months is +3 °С, in summer it is about +19-20 °С. Once every few years there are cold winters, when the thermometer drops to -5 ° C, or even to -10 ° C (Oh, horror!). However, most often the most necessary thing for a Vancouver from October to May is an umbrella. Due to the huge amount of precipitation falling on the city, he got a second, playful name Raincouver (from rain - “rain”). If it's raining in Vancouver, it can go on for weeks without stopping. It is characteristic that somehow the city always remains clean, and practically no puddles form. If the rain still stops, in an hour and a half the roads will be completely dry.

Vancouver is beautiful at any time of the year! Well, except, perhaps, late autumn: the end of October and November are most often especially gloomy and rainy. However, already in end of November ski season starts in December. Vancouver, host of the 2010 Winter Olympics, has great choice areas for winter sports - from snowshoeing through scenic forest paths for "dummies" to snowboarding and downhill skiing for amateurs and super-professionals.

Vancouver in summer

The average summer temperature is +19-20 °C. In June, it is most often cool, about +17 ° С. Sudden temperature changes are not uncommon: yesterday it was sunny and warm (up to +22 ° C), and during the night the clouds clouded the sky, and the whole next day (or even a week) it rained a little nasty, while the air barely warmed up to +12 ° C. The hottest summer months are July and August. It goes without saying that Vancouver is very touristy during the summer.

Where is the best place to relax in summer? Of course, on the beach, especially since Vancouver clearly does not lack them! If you count only the largest city beaches located along the bay, you will not have enough fingers on both hands. But there are also rivers and numerous lakes. Read more about Vancouver beaches in the "Beaches" section.

In the summer you can still fly over the city in a sightseeing plane, hold the steering wheel of a small two-seat plane yourself. You can rent a boat, sail on a sightseeing boat or take rowing lessons. All the joys of summer available in this beautiful city cannot be listed!

Thanks to the proximity of the ocean and to some extent the mountains, the nights in Vancouver are quite cool. My advice to travelers is to always have a light windbreaker or blouse with you to put on if necessary. Vancouverers are used to dressing in “layers”, that is, wearing clothes that are easy to take off if suddenly the sun shone brightly in February and the air warmed up to +15 ° C or put on quickly if they lingered on a walk on a summer night. At the same +15 ° C in July, you will be very cool if all you are wearing is a light dress or T-shirt.

Vancouver in the fall

You should come to Vancouver in early autumn in September-October. The summer heat is already subsiding at this time, the average temperature is around + 15-18 ° С. City parks during this period are simply magnificent!

In the fall, you will still have all the summer activities available, but at the same time, the main tourist flow will subside, and you will be able to experience the usually unhurried pace of life in the city.

Vancouverers love their mountains and take every opportunity to hike them. This is an activity for any time of the year, because even when it is rainy and cloudy in the city, high in the mountains it is likely to snow or the sun shines brightly.

In autumn, be prepared for chilly mornings and evenings. At night, the thermometer can drop below +10 °С, and during the day the air still warms up to +18-20 °С in summer.

Vancouver in spring

Spring is the time for flowering. From March to May, the city is literally immersed in bloom! Flowerbeds with daffodils and tulips, huge bushes of rhododendrons, Japanese cherry, magnolia - all this splendor pleases the eye and attracts huge crowds of tourists who love to take pictures.

In April, Vancouver is painted in a soft pink color, thanks to the Japanese cherry trees blooming throughout the city, which were once given by these people as a sign of friendship. The Cherry Blossom Festival is a fantastic spectacle that not only visitors come to see, but also Vancouverers themselves.

If you are going to Vancouver in the spring, be prepared for a lot of rain. The temperature fluctuates from +8 to +15 °С. IN sunny days very warm and pleasant, in rainy, dank and cold, waterproof clothing and shoes will help you.

Vancouver in winter

Despite all the beauty of the modern metropolis, Vancouver looks rather dreary during the winter months. Most winters are snowless with an average temperature of +3 °C. Due to the high humidity at this temperature, the cold is felt more acutely.

Gloomy low skies do not contribute to a positive mood, so the best pastime for winter is a trip to the mountains. If the sun comes out, then the soul immediately becomes happier. All the townspeople crawl out into the parks and beaches and try to absorb the rare rays of the sun.

Once every three or four years, a real winter comes to Vancouver. Real winter is when the thermometer drops below zero and the snow does not melt for more than a day. Most often, precipitation is sleet that turns into rain before it touches the ground. Don't be surprised to see Vancouverers in December with an umbrella in their hands - this is the norm.

December 2016-January 2017 will go down in history as a record amount of snow fell on the city, and sub-zero temperatures lasted for almost five weeks. Such weather for Vancouver is a disaster, because the city's utilities are ill-adapted to it. They can not be blamed for this, because to contain big park snow plow equipment to operate it once every three years simply does not make practical sense.

But in the mountains in winter beauty! It's no coincidence that Vancouver hosted the 2010 Olympic Games, a climate that's best suited for winter sports. If you're into skiing, snowboarding, or anything else that needs snow, be sure to come to Vancouver between late November and March. Satisfaction guaranteed!

Vancouver - monthly weather

Clue:

Vancouver - monthly weather

Districts. Where is the best place to live

It depends solely on the size of your wallet. The spread in prices is such that I will not even try to systematize them somehow. In this picture - downtown, that is, the center of Vancouver. Judge for yourself:

Prices depend mainly on the level of service at the hotel, and not on the location. However, the number of storeys and picturesque views of the water or mountains will add an extra couple of hundred to the cost. When choosing a hotel, pay attention to the number of stars, see photos and read reviews. Don't let the word "hotel" deceive you - under it you can hide both a giant luxury like Marriott with a price per room under a thousand dollars, and a room with bedbugs in a cheap area.

Don't sit on the street Hastings Str(marked as number 5 on the map above). This is an area in which low-income citizens are provided with cheap social housing. Many here live on welfare, are heavily addicted to drugs and are often mentally ill. Due to the large number of homeless people, the street stank through and through with human excrement. During the day, however, it looks more or less decent and does not pose any danger to tourists - it's just very unpleasant.

If you come to Vancouver for a short time, then you most likely will not notice the difference between different areas - everywhere is beautiful, clean, well maintained and expensive. However, getting to know the city closer, you begin to feel its special spirit and understand that each district of Vancouver has its own unique character, which I will now talk about.

Downtown

Downtown is the business and tourist center of the city. As you can see on the map above, it is a conditional peninsula. Noisy, lively, energetic, multilingual, crowded with people and traffic, constantly celebrating something. It has narrow streets and tall buildings, beautiful facades, but, in some places, spit-stained sidewalks. Here you will find entertainment, adventure, and you can immerse yourself in the nightlife (although sophisticated youth find Vancouver boring and claim that there is no real nightlife here). Not being an expert in this area, I nevertheless willingly believe this statement. Vancouver is more of a city of middle-aged, fabulously rich snobs, and the "golden youth" prefers to hang out somewhere in Las Vegas, Barcelona, ​​Tel Aviv or New York. All nightlife is concentrated in the place indicated on the map by a circle under the number 2.

Vancouver is one of the most desirable relocation destinations for gay people. If you want to get to the heart of the LGBT community, go to Davie Street(marked on the map by number 3). Here you will find a huge number of clubs, restaurants, spa and tattoo parlors, cafes, boutiques, hairdressers, as well as people who do not experience any complexes about their appearance or sexual orientation.

A good hotel or apartment can be found in any part of the city. If the view from the window is important to you, settle closer to the coast (indicated by the number 1 on the map). If you are satisfied with the forest of skyscrapers around, then the center is also suitable. The downtown is not that big in area; in a day you can walk around it all around the perimeter. In a week of walking you will learn it like the back of your hand.

Point Gray and Mt. Pleasant

If you are not looking for Downtown (number 4 on the map below), but prefer quiet areas with beautiful private houses with well-kept gardens, look for accommodation in the areas Point Gray (1), Kitsilano (2) or Mt. Pleasant (3) .

These are the most beautiful elite areas with expensive real estate. Getting from here to any place in the city and to the same downtown will not be difficult, but you can find a hotel room cheaper. In addition, you will live very close to the beaches. You can compare prices for hotel rooms from different sites, and the easiest way to book accommodation is at.

Keep in mind that free parking is virtually non-existent in Vancouver. Moreover, the price of parking lots varies significantly in different areas cities. In Downtown it is really cheaper to travel on foot or by public transport, because in just one hour of parking you will have to pay up to 7.55 USD (10 CAD). For comparison, on West Broadway, which is a 5-minute drive from Downtown, parking will cost you 0.75 USD (1 CAD).

What are the prices for holidays

Prices for everything from coffee to hotel rooms in Vancouver depend on a dozen different factors, from the season and area you live to your habits. In this section, I will give you very rough cost limits that will help you determine the minimum amount needed for a vacation in Vancouver.

Food (for one serving):

• budget option - 8-12 USD (10-15 CAD)
• medium option -15-20 USD (18-25 CAD)
• expensive option - 25-50 USD (30-60 CAD)

Supermarket groceries in Vancouver are expensive. If you stay in the city for a short time, it makes sense to eat out. Eating at a budget or mid-range restaurant will be easier, faster and cheaper.

Accommodation (double room):

• budget option -45-120 USD (60-150 CAD)
• medium option - 120-230 USD (150-300 CAD)
• expensive option - from 230 USD (from 300 CAD)

Cultural program:

• visiting the museum - from 8 USD (from 10 CAD)
• discounts for pensioners, students and children;
• almost everywhere a family subscription is offered for a family of two adults with two or more children;
• in a number of museums, on one of the days there is a system by donation, when you pay the amount that you can afford.

Clue:

The cost of food, lodging, transportation, etc.

Currency: Rubles, rub. Dollars, $ Euro, €

Main attractions. What to see

I will say right away that connoisseurs of historical monuments and museums in Vancouver have practically nothing to do. Again, due to its infantile (by European standards) age, Vancouver has little to offer to amateurs. historical tourism. There is no art galleries type, iconic architectural monuments such as, or such famous theaters as our Bolshoi.

The value of Vancouver is in its youth, freshness, otherness, cultural and ethnic diversity, its openness to the world. The few places associated with the so far short history of the city are carefully guarded and protected, and over time, perhaps, will gain significance and weight.

I like to walk along the small streets of the city away from the center. There you can find curious old houses, shops, meet talkative and not very old-timers. In such places, it is easy to mentally travel back to the beginning of the last century, when immigrants from Europe settled their life here, slowly crowding out the natives.

A few places in the city remind of how the first capitalist enterprises were created there - fishing artels, fish processing plants, canning factories, logging companies. The history of the city keeps evidence of the ruthless exploitation of the first immigrants from China and Japan, the cruel policy of the white colonizers towards the local tribes.

You will not know all this at once, but only upon closer examination. Most likely, when you first visit the city, nothing from the historical past of Vancouver will catch your eye. Probably, this is not necessary. Let this wonderful city remain in your memory as young, beautiful and not fully known.

Vancouver is the perfect destination for both solo travelers and families. Be prepared to walk a lot and bring practical and comfortable clothes and shoes.

Helpful advice: Few people know about this, but in Vancouver you can go on a walking tour of the city for free! Volunteers from local residents, distinguished by liveliness, sharpness of thought and a great sense of humor, conduct one of four thematic excursions almost every day. Check the time and place on and join. At the end, don't forget to thank your guide with a small tip. Please note that for such an excursion you need excellent command of spoken English.

Top 5

In a short review article, it is simply impossible to list all the sights of Vancouver, but, as you probably noticed, most of them are somehow connected with nature, conservation activities and just a competent approach to modern urbanism. The city is well suited for hiking and outdoor recreation.

Beaches. Which is better

"How to get to the beach?" - this question will put any Vancouverer to a standstill, because no matter which way you go, sooner or later you will certainly come ashore. Vancouver has dozens of beaches! Yes, you can’t swim everywhere - the water in the ocean is too cold for most vacationers - but everywhere you can sit on the sand or lean against logs specially designed for this, eat ice cream and enjoy the wonderful view.

• Wreck Beach. If you are a person without complexes, go to the beach Wreck Beach (7), stretching for seven kilometers along the coast in the western part of the city. This largest nude beach in Canada is just 15 minutes from Downtown, on the way to the campus of the University of British Columbia (University of British Columbia, UBC). Take any bus to UBC (No. 4, No. 44, No. 99, etc), get off at final stop and walk about 10 minutes towards Northwest Marine Drive and University Blvd. There you will see a descent with steps leading down to the beach.

Features of Vancouver beaches

In summary, I want to give a little more useful information:

1. Entrance to all Vancouver beaches is completely free.
2. All beaches have a free toilet with a changing room.
3. All beaches have a small stall (Concession) where you can buy a sandwich, hot dog, french fries, ice cream and soft drinks.
4. Parking is paid and it is not always easy to find a free place.
5. Please note that the beaches are not equipped with trestle beds or umbrellas - here they prefer to lean on huge logs specially laid out along the shore or bring their own beach blankets, umbrellas and awnings.
6. Alcohol is strictly prohibited in parks, beaches and other public places! (Beer is also alcohol). Special rangers, park employees, can issue you a significant fine for drinking in the wrong place.
7. But, while relaxing on the beach, you can often catch the sweetish aroma of marijuana: according to the law it is impossible, but the remark is unlikely to follow.

Museums. Which are worth a visit

From interesting museums it is worth noting the Museum of Anthropology, the Vancouver Police Museum. The city has plenty of private galleries of contemporary art, where you can see the creations of local artists and those who would like to be considered as such.

parks

Vancouver is a very green city. There are many large and small parks, squares, lawns where you can go for a morning jog, walk along the picturesque paths, lie on the grass, organize a picnic or play outdoor games. So let's go:

There are dozens of different parks in Vancouver and its suburbs: large and small, with and without picnic tables, with and without playgrounds for children, with and without special lawns for dogs. Finding a park in this city will not be difficult for you. Entrance to ordinary walking parks is free, almost everywhere there is something to eat and there is always (!) a free public toilet.

tourist streets

• Vancouver started with the district Gestown. It was there, according to legend, that the first tavern arose, and, accordingly, some kind of social life. Here, under a sprawling maple tree, the "fathers of the city" gathered to meet with the population and discuss pressing problems. These important historical milestones have been immortalized in the form of a monument to the owner of the inn, Jack Dayton, (better known as Gassi Jack), installed on the site of the same maple tree in Maple Tree Square, at the intersection of Alexander, Water, Powell and Carrall streets (Number 1 on the map below).

Area Gestown(Gastown), in particular, the street water str.(2 on the map) - one of the few surviving historical districts downtown. Walking around the city, be sure to walk from the Waterfront station to Maple Tree Square. Pay attention to the architecture of the buildings on both sides of the street, read the signs that tell their story. Visit restaurants, drink coffee in local cafes. Go to souvenir shops and galleries of applied art of local Aboriginal people. To any museum shop in gastown entrance is absolutely free. They allow you to touch everything and take pictures, and you can even leave without buying anything, and no one will look askance at you. Gestown is the right place to buy souvenirs. Just do not rush to buy in the first store, go further - you will see more. Prices are the same everywhere, but the assortment here and there is somewhat different.

• Granville Str.- one of the oldest streets in the city (number 3 on the map). Once upon a time, where Downtown is today in all its glory, there were impenetrable forests. In these forests, a road was cut through, along which carts loaded with wood walked. Thus began Granville Street, which later became one of the central business and shopping streets of the city. Today it is quite a modern street with shops, coffee houses, restaurants, bars, clubs and other realities of a big city. The historical buildings of the Orpheum Theatre, Commodore Ballroom, Vogue Theatre, are still preserved there. During the summer, this street is often blocked off for vibrant street festivals.

• Best for shopping Robson Street(number 4), and the most fashionable and expensive boutiques can be found at the intersection of Burrard and Alberni streets (Burrardstr.&Alberni Str.) (5).
• You can see the whole city from a bird's eye view from the tower Harbor Center by the address: 555 W Hastings Str. (number 6) Ticket prices and other information.

What to see in 1 day

If you only have one day for everything in Vancouver, take it to visit Stanley Park. This park is a symbolic place for the city, it has its own curious history, quite worthy of a separate article. It will take you all day to walk around the park with a tour of all the interesting points, and you will certainly want to come back here again. Another big plus is that admission to the park is free.

How to get there: Stanley Park occupies an entire peninsula, separated from Downtown by a small isthmus. You can get to the park by bus number 19 or just walk along the coast, admiring the beautiful yachts and beautiful people.

So, having arrived in Vancouver for one day, for convenience and saving time, stay at one of the hotels in the western part of Downtown closer to Stanley Park. After having breakfast at the hotel or having a coffee in one of the many coffee shops, head straight to the bike rental and take a bike for the day.

As you can see on this map, only one Denman Str. rolling stations are located literally one on top of the other.

Prices in them will not scatter much: competition forces you to adapt. They can differ in the choice of bicycles and the quality of service. The whole procedure of choosing a bike and making a rental transaction will take you 15-20 minutes. The rental price will depend on the bike you choose, and there are plenty to choose from. Count on an average of 12 USD (15 CAD) per hour and you can't go wrong. This price necessarily includes the rental of a protective helmet (do not even try to refuse!) And a lock. You pay the first hour, pay the rest of the amount upon your return, depending on how many hours you drive. Time is usually rounded up to a quarter of an hour, so you won't have to overpay.

Once you have your own vehicle, head straight for West Georgia St. On the map, a crooked red arrow shows the direction of movement. Look for the sign to Stanley Park and drive there.

Important note: not all people like to ride a bike, not everyone is healthy. All the same, which I will talk about below, can be done on foot.

Things to do in Stanley Park:

If you came to the park by car, be prepared to pay for parking:

• from April 1 to September 30 - 2.60 USD (3.50 CAD) per hour or 8.00 USD (13 CAD) for the whole day
• from October 1 to March 31 -1.80 USD (2.50 CAD) per hour or 5.50 USD (7 CAD) for the whole day

A map will help you navigate the park:

It's usually easy to find a suitable parking spot, but during peak season and holidays you may need to drive first.

What to see in the surroundings

Waterfalls (20-25 km)

I will highlight just a few of them:

Suspension bridges (8 km)

Picturesque suspension bridges in Capillano Park ( Capilano Suspension Bridge Park) hang between trees and over natural crevices in the mountains, creating a magnificent attraction. Bridges are quite safe for both adults and children, but be wise if you don't feel comfortable at the height.

In summer, the park is open for visits from 08:00 to 20:00, on winter days it closes earlier. It is worth going here at any time of the year, but in the winter months, with the help of all the same lighting and illumination, the park acquires additional attractiveness.

This is not a cheap pleasure, but the impressions and memories will remain with you for a lifetime.

Capilano Suspension Bridge Park is located at a distance of some 15-20 minutes from Downtown (3735 Capilano Rd, North Vancouver). From the four points of the downtown, a free shuttle bus runs to the park, you can also use ordinary public transport. Detailed information on how to get there, how much the ticket costs and what are the opening hours can be found on the website. On the territory of the park you can have a snack and buy souvenirs in a special shop.

Food. What to try

Vancouverians are very fond of food, and they are also extraordinary gourmets. And this is no coincidence, because in addition to a wide selection of the freshest seafood, immigrants from all over the world offer the townspeople delicious dishes of their national cuisine.

As I have repeatedly said, Vancouver is such a Noah's Ark, in which people from all over the world have gathered. Sometimes here you meet people who have come from a country that you have heard about before, maybe once or twice in your life. Indeed, the choice of restaurants with various ethnic cuisines in Vancouver is simply huge! Arranging a meeting with friends, you first discuss what your soul desires today - Mexican cuisine, Chinese, Japanese or Mediterranean. Or maybe Taiwan? What about Afghan or Ethiopian? Just poke a place on the map, select a country, and then Google ( for example, ethiopian restaurant near me / "Ethiopian restaurant nearby"). And you will receive a whole list of establishments that more or less meet your request.

When choosing a restaurant, be guided by online reviews and ratings - this always gives a good picture.

Another important note: the restaurant in North America almost any catering establishment is called. If you want to drink coffee with a bun, then ask a coffee shop (coffee shop), everything else - a cafe, a canteen, a diner, and even an ordinary dirty eatery - can be proudly called a "restaurant". Google to help you!

What is a must try

If you are not against experiments, be sure to try sashimi. This is a Japanese dish of raw fish, usually salmon, tuna, mackerel, cuttlefish, and other seafood. Thanks to the proximity of the ocean, excellent fish is available in Vancouver and restaurants will spoil you with fresh lobster, shrimp, squid and other healthy and tasty sea creatures. Good sashimi should not cost less than 11 USD (15 CAD) per serving, other fish dishes - from 15 USD (20 CAD) and more.

Be sure to go to a Vietnamese restaurant and order their national pho soup (Pho). He will especially please on a cold day or after outdoor activities, when the stomach asks for something liquid and easily digestible. Pho soup is prepared on the basis of meat broth with the addition of noodles and different types of meat. Moreover, the more ingredients, the richer and tastier the broth. Look on the menu for the one with the most listings. For example, I am not a big fan of tripe - as a rule, she gets all of her husband, but she adds her own taste and aroma to the broth. Portions are always huge, and this pleasure costs only 5-7 USD (7-9 CAD).

A traditional Canadian dish is Putin(emphasis on I). We wrote about him.

If you still want something traditionally American, then be sure to try local sandwich or burger(no big difference). A good burger costs from 9 USD (12 CAD) and is a whole set meal. A burger includes at least three ingredients, among which there will be a huge piece of meat, fish or chicken (unless, of course, you prefer vegetarian), a lot of greens, sauce. In fact, this is a full-fledged second course, placed between two pieces of bread. In good restaurants, bread is baked right on the spot, and vegetables are supplied by local farmers.

Walking along the coast, be sure to go to a restaurant offering fish and chips. This is fresh fish, deep fried. You usually get a choice of cod, salmon and halibut from 7 USD (10 CAD) per serving. You won't find this kind of deliciousness anywhere else.

All the inhabitants of the North American continent are crazy about coffee. They absorb it by the liter! The most popular coffee shop is the well-known Starbucks - a large American chain store, whose outlets are located literally at every intersection, it will not be difficult to find them. However, I would advise you to look for small private coffee shops. They are cozier and the pastries differ in some variety.

You can sit in Vancouver coffee shops for hours! This is a favorite place for students: they take a table next to the outlet, take out a laptop and study, and no one drives them away.

Helpful Hints:

1. Feel free to tell the waiter if you suffer from allergies or avoid certain foods for other reasons - these things are treated with respect here and they try to offer alternatives.
2. Don't forget the tip! The standard tip in Vancouver restaurants is 15-20%. If you pay in cash and give an amount slightly higher than the amount of the order (for example, 20 USD on a bill of 15 USD), you may be politely asked if you want change. It's such a subtle hint. If the bill is much larger, then you will be clearly counted the change, but it is understood that, as a good grateful visitor, leaving, you will leave the tip peacefully lying on the table. In the case when you pay by card, the machine will give you the choice of % - the amount in dollars or skip the option.
3. If you smoke and absolutely cannot do without cigarettes, it is better to bring them with you. Firstly, they are expensive here - there is nothing cheaper than 8 USD (11 CAD) per pack. Secondly, you will not find any tobacco or alcohol on the shelves of Vancouver stores. Cigarettes should be asked at the Customer Service departments or at the cashier, but the problem is that you must clearly know the brand name, because no one will show you the full range. Oh yes! You will also be asked for a document confirming that you are already 19 years old.
4. Alcohol is bought in special Liquor Store stores. State shops are closed after 18-19:00 and on weekends. Private ones are almost always open, but the choice is poorer and prices are higher. Again, minors should not go there.

Buying products

If you are tired of public catering or prefer to cook for yourself, you can buy all the necessary products in any supermarket in the city. Prices in different stores differ slightly, so it makes no sense to advise something specific. Vancouverers are obsessed with so-called "natural products" (organic). Therefore, there are entire supermarkets in the city that sell only natural products (or at least they claim so). No one really believes in the organic origin of all these joys, but many, nevertheless, are ready to pay big money for them.

You can buy excellent fresh fish and other seafood at local markets. The best place to do this is in the suburbs of Vancouver, Richmond, in the so-called Steveston Village. Fishermen moor to the shore and sell their catch right from the boat. In Downtown, go to the market at Granville Island.

Wherever a person moves, everywhere he wants to eat his own, dear. Therefore, in almost any supermarket in Vancouver you will find an Imported Foods section. And there are a lot of specialized shops with products from different countries: Filipino, Chinese, Iranian, European (often unite all of Europe, including eastern, and hence Ukraine and Russia). It is interesting to go on an excursion there, because without knowing the language, you are unlikely to understand these overseas products. In Europe, our people go for buckwheat, herring, sprats, sauerkraut and cucumbers, for cottage cheese, dumplings, marshmallows and sweets.

Top food recommendation in Vancouver - don't be afraid to experiment! Vancouver gives you a completely unique opportunity to taste the cuisine of almost all the nations of the world in one place. Go to small private restaurants, look for House Special on the menu. It is always something special, made according to the original recipe from the chef.

Budget

Intermediate level

Expensive

Holidays

Whatever time of year you come to Vancouver, you will always have the opportunity to watch or participate in some festive action:

All summer in Vancouver is bright and fun national days organized by numerous diasporas of the city.

Afro-Brazilian Festival is distinguished by an abundance of half-naked girls with colorful plumage, Greek festival attracted by delicious food. Italians, Indians, Koreans have their days. A number of countries are united in a large European festival. No political agenda - only songs, dances, a lot of tasty food. Well, how can you not be friends?!

In the midst of autumn, when the peasants finish harvesting, in many countries, including Canada, it is widely celebrated Thanksgiving Day(Thanksgiving). This is a very kind, family holiday, when children try to gather under the roof of their parents' house, and a traditional turkey is in the center of a plentiful table. A feature of the holiday in Vancouver is the tradition of family visits to farms and a walk through the bright pumpkin patches. Huge pumpkins cost a penny, and sometimes they are given away for free. Trying to attract visitors with kids, farmers attract entertainers (or most often dress up themselves) and organize fun rides.

Families stock up on pumpkins and take them home to carve scary heads for Halloween. If you happen to visit Vancouver in October, be sure to try some of the traditional pastries (Pumpkin pie or pumpkin muffins). Just do not buy them in chain stores, it is better to try in small bakeries or home-made ones visiting the local population.

If you are in Vancouver in the days halloween, in the last week of October, train or walk around the private sector. The neighbors there seem to be competing with each other, whose installation is more creative and scarier. Clubs prepare special programs, and many even come to offices in scary costumes.

Another important day in terms of history is Remembrance Day which is celebrated on November 11th. The symbol of the holiday is the scarlet poppy flower. On this day, they remember those who died in the First World War, in which, as part of the army of the United Kingdom, Canadian troops also took part. Their veterans are honored in Canada, on the signs with the names of the streets where the veteran once lived, you will see an image of a poppy flower.

Safety. What to watch out for

Vancouver is a very safe place. This is an ideal city for traveling alone, with family, with a group - whatever! You will not be deceived on the street, they will not pester you in a cafe, they will not pull your wallet out of your bag. Be sure to return for the forgotten thing, most likely it will be given to the administrator on duty at the reception or lost and found office, wherever you are. I could give dozens of examples when everything was returned to people, from umbrellas to bank cards.

I would advise you to be careful at night in Downtown, especially in the East Hastings area. This place is widely known for the fact that a huge number of homeless people live there. Most of these comrades prefer drugs to bread, and yet, most often they are not aggressive. They will willingly talk to you “for life”, sell you something unnecessary, complain about your fate, but I have not heard of a single case when these people attacked or robbed someone. Hastings Street is very dirty, and there is an incredible stench that can only come from downcast people.

Otherwise, Vancouver is very clean, well maintained and safe. On the beach or in the park, people freely leave backpacks and bags unattended, it is understood that no one will take them in the absence of the owner. (Better not to do that, of course.)

Things to do

In addition to visiting popular attractions, you can find more exotic entertainment in Vancouver:

Shopping and shops

I do not think that tourists from Russia will find something new for themselves in the shops of Vancouver. For the most part, these are boutiques of world-famous brands such as Gucci, Armani, Brioni, or budget Forever 21 and Guess.

Of the typical Canadian ones, I would name the Roots clothing and quality leather goods store, the purely sporty Lululemon Athletica and Aritrizia (women's clothing). In general, Vancouverians are extremely dismissive of their appearance. A favorite wardrobe item for women is yoga pants (see: Lululemon), for men, simple jeans or shorts and a T-shirt. For warmth - a hoodie. Both in winter and summer, you can meet Vancouver in slates on bare feet, shorts and a warm thick hoodie. In North America in general, and in Vancouver in particular, ironing clothes is completely unacceptable.

If you are an incorrigible shopaholic and just can’t help but go shopping, take a look at one of central streets Downtown Georgia Street, where you will find fashionable expensive boutiques.

Of the large good shopping centers in Downtown, it is worth visiting the recently opened American Nordstrom and Pacific Center in Vancouver. Both are located close to each other, at the Vancouver City Center metro station.

Vancouverers themselves, as a rule, do not buy clothes of famous brands, only if they are at a bargain price on a sale. Mostly they dress in budget Old Navy, H&M, Forever 21, and even in supermarkets like WalMart.

Canadians love discounts and sales, and almost all year round you can grab something at a discount. If there is no major holiday like Christmas, then some kind of “Black Friday” is invented, a day of crazy packing of unnecessary things, Boxing Day, etc. All stores sell customers subscriptions to their email newsletters and spam you with them every day. And, believe me, not a day without a discount.

Bars. Where to go

Bars in Vancouver usually close by 2am.

Clubs and nightlife

Looking for nightlife travel to the heart of downtown Granville Street, which is called little Vegas (well, very small). Brightly lit with neon lights, it seethes with energy well into the night. Drinking pubs, clubs with dancing and live music - all this you will find on one of the oldest streets in the city, famous for its entertainment industry.

If students hang out on Granville, then Yaletown attracts thirty year olds. In the bars and pubs of Yaletown, you will often find couples having a romantic evening there or groups of young people who want not only to drink and jump, but also to chat slowly.

If you want something completely unusual, then go to one of the bars in the Kitsilano beach area. There you can taste some exclusive cocktail, eat exotic shellfish and watch the sunset.

Gambling people will be able to get rid of extra dollars in a chic casino (750 South Pacific Blvd) right on the shore of False Creek.

In Vancouver, you can hardly find a bar or club where you can sit until the morning. If you intend to walk all day long, then this can only be done in casinos that are open 24 hours.

Souvenirs. What to bring as a gift

If it is important for you to show that you have been to Vancouver, but you do not want to spend a lot of money and especially bother, buy keychains/lighters/magnets/caps and t-shirts with Canadian and Vancouver symbols, such as maple leaf, beaver, elk and all sorts of humorous phrases and images. Make sure you understand everything that is written there so that there are no unpleasant incidents. If you need a status gift that has some historical and cultural significance, then it’s better to take your time and walk around the souvenir shops of museums and the same Gestown.

An important symbol of Canada as a whole and its West coast in particular is a figurine inukshuk. Such figurines of different sizes are handmade by local craftsmen from wood, stone, ebonite, and other materials.

Another iconic souvenir typical of Vancouver is, of course, totem pole. Miniature totem poles with all the symbols inherent in them are quite affordable for any tourist, and with the life-size one, you are unlikely to be allowed on the plane.

Maple syrup in a beautiful bottle in the shape of a maple leaf - symbolic and useful. You can put it on a shelf and blow off the dust, or you can use it at home with pancakes.

If you want something completely exclusive, take a closer look at the silver decorations made by native craftsmen. The designs they create are based on traditional symbols, such as images of birds and animals. Such a unique souvenir will keep your trip across the ocean in your memory for a long time.

How to move around the city

Vancouver loves cyclists and creates all conditions for them. Buses are equipped with special stands for bicycles, and entire areas are reserved for them in subway cars. The city boasts over 300 kilometers of dedicated paths, signs, traffic lights, parking lots and other infrastructure.

Nevertheless, accidents involving cyclists are not uncommon, and therefore one of the main rules is the mandatory wearing of a crash helmet. The police may give you a reprimand if you move around the city on a bicycle without taking the necessary security measures. By the way, it's better not to leave bicycles unattended - they steal. Of course, cycling is not the only mode of transport. In addition, it is unlikely that a walk on it will give you pleasure on a rainy day.

Public transport

Transport infrastructure of Vancouver Translink consists of an extensive network of ground metro skytrain (SkyTrain), buses, trolleybuses and river trams.

This is a single provincial system, and, accordingly, as in any state-owned company, it has its pluses and minuses. The first and biggest minus is that there is no competition at all, and, accordingly, the system is inactive, not inclined to make quick decisions, any changes require lengthy discussions, and their financing is difficult. As a result: urban transport does not satisfy the needs of a huge metropolis at all.

Suburban train The West Coast Express connects Vancouver with suburbs such as Port Moody, Port Coquitlam, Mapple Ridge, and more.

river ferry SeaBus is useful to get to the northern part of the city of North Vancouver. SeaBus departs every 15 minutes from the Waterfront Station (601 W Cordova St.).

Payment system

A huge advantage of a single transport system is a single payment system. To use public transport in Vancouver in any direction, you will need a single Compass card.

There are two types of cards - regular and student. You can buy a one-time card for a day or a permanent automatically replenished one. They are sold almost everywhere: at metro stations, in a number of shops (for example, Seven Eleven, Save On Foods, Safeway), online at.

The city is conditionally divided into three transport zones. The fare depends on how many zones you cross.

Taxi. What features exist

There is nothing special about the taxi service in Vancouver, well, maybe, except that there are special bigger cars for people with disabilities traveling with a wheelchair.

The standard rates for taxi services are as follows:

• calling a taxi to the address - 2.65 USD (3.50 CAD);
• each kilometer - 1.20 USD (1.50 CAD);
• for an hour of waiting, you will be charged a standard rate of 25 USD (33 CAD).

Taxi drivers charge you by the meter and expect to receive some kind of tip on top. The tip amount is up to you. You can pay for the fare in cash or by card.

To figure out how much it will cost you to get from the airport to some area of ​​the city, this map will help:

Please note that prices on the map are in Canadian dollars.

Never try to catch a private trader - that doesn't work in Vancouver.

Metro

Skytrain- it's completely automated system rapid transit service operated by Translink. Fully automated means that it does not need drivers: all trains and branches are coordinated from a single center and controlled by computers.

lines exposure And Millennium are responsible for passenger traffic from the city center (Downtown) to the suburbs of Burnaby, New Westminster, Surrey and Coquitlam. Before the 2010 Olympics, a new branch was put into operation Canada Line, leading to the suburbs of Richmond, as well as to the airport (YVR).

Train timetables and more information at

Buses

Buses although they run on schedule, there are serious “holes” in it, and sometimes it’s easier to get somewhere by car than to wait for the bus, which, clearly on schedule, will arrive in 20 minutes. In downtown it's the other way around. It is better to leave the car and rely entirely on public transport.

By the way, each bus stop is assigned a number. By sending an SMS from your phone with the stop number to the free number 33333 (five triples), within a few seconds you will receive a response with the schedule of the next buses. It is very comfortable! Knowing the schedule, you can always either choose an alternative route or just walk.

All necessary information with maps, routes, timetables, also available on the Translink website. Translink will give you a ready route with transfers and alternative routes.

At empty stops, drivers are not required to stop, so you must let them know if you intend to get off. To do this, you do not need to yell the name of the stop at the top of your voice, you just need to pull a special cord stretched along the windows, or press the "Stop" button on the handrails. The driver does not open the cabin doors, you need to push the handle yourself. If this is not done, the driver will decide that you have changed your mind about getting out and will drive on.

Interestingly, in Vancouver it is customary to thank the driver. Often you will hear “Thank you” from passengers getting off the bus, and often drivers will respond not just “You are welcome” (Please), but also “Have a nice day” (Have a nice day).

Transport rental

Bike

In the summer of 2016, Vancouver launched a special municipal program, and in different places of the city, neat parking lots of blue bicycles with an inscription . In order to use one of them, you need to download a special mobile app, buy a subscription and go.

The program is designed specifically for short journeys from point A to point B, that is, it is kind of like an alternative to a car or public transport. If you need a bike for the whole day, it is better to contact bike rental companies.

Automobile

There are also a number of car rental companies. This can be done right at the airport and later in the city. Hotel reception staff, information services or Google will always help you find the best option. However, if you do not plan to travel out of town, I would not advise you to spend extra money (parking will cost you especially!.

In addition to the usual rental, for short trips within the city, you can use the car sharing service - that is, short-term rental with a per-minute or hourly payment. Just download the mobile app, find the parking lot closest to you, pick up your car and drive. Payment usually includes the cost of gasoline, and insurance, and even parking.

As far as I understand, these companies are not very different from each other, and which one to choose will depend on your personal preferences and requirements for the car brand.

Be careful with parking! Read carefully what days, what hours and who exactly can park in certain places. If parking in this place is prohibited or you need to pay for it - do not rely on chance and either find another place or pay. Otherwise, you will be charged a considerable fine or drive the car to the impound lot.

Vancouver - holidays with children

You can and should go to Vancouver with children, starting with the smallest ones. Public transport is equipped in such a way that there is always a place for a stroller. In any, even the smallest restaurant, you will be offered a high chair to seat the child. In public toilets in shopping malls, in parks and even on beaches, there are changing tables where you can easily change your baby's diaper.

As for entertainment, I tried to mention programs for children when describing all the important places to visit.

With good planning, the time spent in Vancouver will be remembered by all members of your family for a long time.

Three times Vancouver won the title of " best city Earth" according to the British edition of "The Economist". Solid, multicultural, multinational, law-abiding, it gives the impression of a calm and quiet haven where you want to spend your whole life.

Vancouver is an incredibly green and clean city. Trees brought from different parts of the world grow in parks and alleys. Exotic for these places, Japanese sakura and Chilean araucaria have perfectly taken root and delight the townspeople during the flowering period. The historical heritage of Vancouver is not too extensive, but this fact is compensated by the beauty of the city, the abundance of parks, recreational areas and excellent beaches. The city has a fairly mild climate with short winters without prolonged frosts. Therefore, the trip here is comfortable at any time of the year.

What to see in Vancouver?

The most beautiful places and main attractions

City park on the shore of the bay, located next to downtown Vancouver. Indigenous peoples lived in this territory long before colonization by the British, and the first British ships arrived here. The park is a unique synthesis of nature and human creation. The total length of walking trails is more than 250 km. On the territory there are artificial reservoirs, monuments, sculptures and sports grounds.

Picturesque landscape park, one of the most popular places in the city. It is visited with pleasure by both locals and tourists. All representatives of the flora that grow in Canada are collected on the territory of the park: numerous conifers, birch, ash, maple, rhododendrons. The park is very popular with newlyweds; wedding photo shoots are often held here.

The garden was founded in 1972 at the expense of industrialist-philanthropist W.D. Van Dusen. Most of the area is occupied by ornamental plants collected from all over the world (there are more than 250 thousand specimens in total). The garden is divided into thematic areas and is decorated with various sculptures, pavilions, Indian totems, plant labyrinths and lakes. The park covers an area of ​​22 hectares.

Museum and architectural monument, a repository of priceless works of art. This museum is the largest in Western Canada. The gallery was founded in the 30s. XX century, the collection was based on the work of the Canadian artist E. Carr, the work of M. Chagall and D. Wall. In addition to the permanent exhibition, the museum organizes temporary exhibitions, which bring works of art from the best European galleries.

The history of the museum began with a small collection of the University of British Columbia. Gradually, the exhibition grew, replenished with new exhibits. In 1976, a new building was erected for the museum, designed by architect A. Erikson. The exhibition halls showcase collections of traditional totems of Indian tribes, jewelry, paintings, Chinese ceramics, textiles, prints and much more.

City Museum, the collection of which has been collected for over 100 years. The main focus is on the history of Vancouver and the surrounding area, but also on the territory of the museum you can see the achievements of world culture. The museum conducts extensive educational and research activities, organizes lectures, educational programs and other educational events. The Vancouver Museum houses the McMillan Space Center with a planetarium and astronomical display.

The exposition of the museum is dedicated to the marine development of Vancouver, the Arctic and British Columbia. The main exhibit is a 1928 ship that was able to circumnavigate North America by sailing through Panama Canal. Museum exposition consists of models of ships, navigation charts, documents and books. The collection is housed in a triangular building of modern architecture.

A science museum located in a modern building in the shape of a ball. The diameter of the structure is 47 meters, the top is crowned with a figure of a dinosaur. The exposition is a creative space where you can immerse yourself in the essence natural phenomena- walk through the “innards” of the camera, look inside the human body, try to pick up a piece of a heavy meteorite. The museum will be of particular interest to families with children.

The aquarium is located in the center of Vancouver on the territory of Stanley Park. It is inhabited by about 50 thousand marine inhabitants. In addition to shows and entertainment programs, the aquarium hosts educational events where you can learn more about the history of the world's oceans and its inhabitants. The Vancouver Aquarium is home to sharks, dolphins, otters, corals, sea ​​stars, dolphins and other inhabitants of the underwater depths. But the main pride of the oceanarium is polar dolphins Beluga whales are beautiful and intelligent animals.

10 Harbor Center

A skyscraper in downtown Vancouver, built in 1977. The place is remarkable in that it has a rotating observation deck, from where you can view the city from all angles, as well as admire the harbor and surroundings. The building reaches a height of 177 meters and consists of 28 floors. The opening of the tower took place in the presence of astronaut Neil Armstrong. Offices of commercial organizations are located on the territory.

11 Vancouver Public Library

Nine-story library complex, which includes a book depository, reading rooms, shops, cafes, social service center, offices and underground parking. The library building resembles a modern interpretation of the Roman Colosseum. The funds contain more than 2.6 million copies of books, magazines, newspapers, maps, reference books, government publications and other printed sources.

12. Granville Island

Granville is a former commercial and industrial area of ​​Vancouver, located on Falls Creek. Today, it has been transformed into a popular family holiday destination, fashion gallery space and a shopping mecca. On Granville Island, life literally boils: atmospheric restaurants are packed with visitors, museums are always full of tourists, markets offer a varied and original assortment.

13. Gastown

Vancouver's historic district, the heart of the city and the center of its identity. Modern buildings in Gastown mix with Victorian buildings, old houses and pavements contrast with trendy clubs and restaurants. Gastown is home to Canada's largest Chinatown. The first settlers appeared here in the second half 19th century, Gastown has changed its appearance several times since then.

14. Canada Place

Pier and architectural complex in the form giant sailboat, one of Vancouver's top attractions. On its territory there is a hotel, conference halls, a cinema, restaurants and trading floors. The complex was erected for the opening of the Expo 86 exhibition. At the pier "Canada Place" constantly moored cruise ships, from the observation deck you can observe the activities of the port.

15. BBC Place Stadium

One of the largest sports arenas in Canada, which hosts various world-class competitions. The stadium was built in 1983 and renovated in 2011. During the 2010 Winter Olympics, it hosted the opening and closing ceremonies. BBC Place is the main venue for Canadian Football League matches. In addition to sporting events, concerts of world stars are held here.

16. Kitsilano Beach

A popular city beach located in the area of ​​the same name. The place is provided with a comfortable tourist infrastructure: cafes, swimming pools, footpaths, sports grounds and much more for the convenience of visitors. In the 60s. In the 20th century, the Kitsilano area was chosen by representatives of the hippie subculture, then they were replaced by creative bohemians and office workers.

17. English Bay Beach

Beach in a cozy bay in a residential area in the western part of central Vancouver. This place is famous for its unusually picturesque sunsets that attract tourists from all over the world. English Bay is a venue for social events, celebrations and festivals. The beach is also popular with locals; they are happy to spend time by the ocean in any weather.

18. Lions Gate Bridge

Suspension bridge about 500 meters long, connecting the city center with the northwestern regions. It is considered one of the symbols of Vancouver. The building was erected in 1928. The bridge has a fairly large capacity - from 60 to 70 thousand vehicles cross it daily. In 2005, Lions Gate received National Historic Landmark status.

19. Capilano Suspension Bridge

A bridge located 70 meters above the Capilano River. The structure is not supported by pillars, but it is so strong that it can support the weight of almost 100 elephants. At the entrance to the bridge, Indian totem poles depicting mythical creatures are installed. Capilano was built at the end of the 19th century, the first construction was made of wood and ropes. At the beginning of the 20th century, it was replaced with a metal one.

20. Grouse Mountain

Mountain in the vicinity of Vancouver, which offers a magnificent view of the city. Grouse Mountain can be reached by cable car. In winter, the mountain turns into a first-class ski resort with developed infrastructure. Dozens of equipped slopes and trails, panoramic cafes with breathtaking views of Vancouver are at the service of ski and snowboard lovers.

Vancouverians are very fond of food, and they are also extraordinary gourmets. And this is no coincidence, because in addition to a wide selection of the freshest seafood, immigrants from all over the world offer the townspeople delicious dishes of their national cuisine.

As I have repeatedly said, Vancouver is such a Noah's Ark, in which people from all over the world have gathered. Sometimes here you meet people who have come from a country that you have heard about before, maybe once or twice in your life. Indeed, the choice of restaurants with various ethnic cuisines in Vancouver is simply huge! Arranging a meeting with friends, you first discuss what your soul desires today - Mexican cuisine, Chinese, Japanese or Mediterranean. Maybe Taiwan or Vietnam? What about Afghan or Ethiopian? Just poke a place on the map, select a country, and then Google ( for example, ethiopian restaurant near me / "Ethiopian restaurant nearby"). And you will receive a whole list of establishments that more or less meet your request.

When choosing a restaurant, be guided by online reviews and ratings - this always gives a good picture.

Another important note: almost any catering establishment is called a restaurant in North America. If you want to drink coffee with a bun, then ask a coffee shop (coffee shop), everything else - a cafe, a canteen, a diner, and even an ordinary dirty eatery - can be proudly called a "restaurant". Google to help you!

What is a must try

If you are not against experiments, be sure to try sashimi. This is a Japanese dish of raw fish, usually salmon, tuna, mackerel, cuttlefish, and other seafood. Thanks to the proximity of the ocean, excellent fish is available in Vancouver and restaurants will spoil you with fresh lobster, shrimp, squid and other healthy and tasty sea creatures. Good sashimi should not cost less than 11 USD (15 CAD) per serving, other fish dishes - from 15 USD (20 CAD) and more.

Be sure to go to a Vietnamese restaurant and order their national pho soup (Pho). He will especially please on a cold day or after outdoor activities, when the stomach asks for something liquid and easily digestible. Pho soup is prepared on the basis of meat broth with the addition of noodles and different types of meat. Moreover, the more ingredients, the richer and tastier the broth. Look on the menu for the one with the most listings. For example, I am not a big fan of offal - as a rule, she gets all of her husband, but she adds her own taste and aroma to the broth. Portions are always huge, and this pleasure costs only 5-7 USD (7-9 CAD).

A traditional Canadian dish is Putin(emphasis on I). We wrote about it here.

If you still want something traditionally American, then be sure to try local sandwich or burger(no big difference). A good burger costs from 9 USD (12 CAD) and is a whole set meal. A burger includes at least three ingredients, among which there will be a huge piece of meat, fish or chicken (unless, of course, you prefer vegetarian), a lot of greens, sauce. In fact, this is a full-fledged second course, placed between two pieces of bread. In good restaurants, bread is baked right on the spot, and vegetables are supplied by local farmers.

Walking along the coast, be sure to go to a restaurant offering fish and chips. This is fresh fish, deep fried. You usually get a choice of cod, salmon and halibut from 7 USD (10 CAD) per serving. You won't find this kind of deliciousness anywhere else.

All the inhabitants of the North American continent are crazy about coffee. They absorb it by the liter! The most popular coffee shop is the well-known Starbucks - a large American chain store, whose outlets are located literally at every intersection, it will not be difficult to find them. However, I would advise you to look for small private coffee shops. They are cozier and the pastries differ in some variety.

You can sit in Vancouver coffee shops for hours! This is a favorite place for students: they take a table next to the outlet, take out a laptop and study, and no one drives them away.

Helpful Hints:

1. Feel free to tell the waiter if you suffer from allergies or avoid certain foods for other reasons - these things are treated with respect here and they try to offer alternatives.
2. Don't forget the tip! The standard tip in Vancouver restaurants is 15-20%. If you pay in cash and give an amount slightly higher than the amount of the order (for example, 20 USD on a bill of 15 USD), you may be politely asked if you want change. It's such a subtle hint. If the bill is much larger, then you will be clearly counted the change, but it is understood that, as a good grateful visitor, leaving, you will leave the tip peacefully lying on the table. In the case when you pay by card, the machine will give you the choice of % - the amount in dollars or skip the option.
3. If you smoke and absolutely cannot do without cigarettes, it is better to bring them with you. Firstly, they are expensive here - there is nothing cheaper than 8 USD (11 CAD) per pack. Secondly, you will not find any tobacco or alcohol on the shelves of Vancouver stores. Cigarettes should be asked at the Customer Service departments or at the cashier, but the problem is that you must clearly know the brand name, because no one will show you the full range. Oh yes! You will also be asked for a document confirming that you are already 19 years old.
4. Alcohol is bought in special Liquor Store stores. State shops are closed after 18-19:00 and on weekends. Private ones are almost always open, but the choice is poorer and prices are higher. Again, minors should not go there.

Buying products

If you are tired of public catering or prefer to cook for yourself, you can buy all the necessary products in any supermarket in the city. Prices in different stores differ slightly, so it makes no sense to advise something specific. Vancouverers are obsessed with so-called "natural products" (organic). Therefore, there are entire supermarkets in the city that sell only natural products (or at least they claim so). No one really believes in the organic origin of all these joys, but many, nevertheless, are ready to pay big money for them.

You can buy excellent fresh fish and other seafood at local markets. The best place to do this is in the suburbs of Vancouver, Richmond, in the so-called Steveston Village. Fishermen moor to the shore and sell their catch right from the boat. In Downtown, go to the market at Granville Island.

Wherever a person moves, everywhere he wants to eat his own, dear. Therefore, in almost any supermarket in Vancouver you will find an Imported Foods section. And there are also a lot of specialized shops with products from different countries: Filipino, Chinese, Iranian, European (often they unite all of Europe, including the east, which means Ukraine and Russia). It is interesting to go on an excursion there, because without knowing the language, you are unlikely to understand these overseas products. In Europe, our people go for buckwheat, herring, sprats, sauerkraut and cucumbers, for cottage cheese, dumplings, marshmallows and sweets.

November 8th, 2016 09:09 am

I'll tell you a little about Vancouver, a city in British Columbia, Canada, where I was lucky enough to live for more than two years.

Initially, my contract involved moving to Seattle, USA, but it turned out that only a limited number of work visas in the United States are issued per year, playing them randomly between applicants. This time fortune turned its back on me and I flew past Seattle.

In return, I received an offer to work in Vancouver for the time being, and if you wished, apply for an American work visa next year. I must say that I had a very skeptical attitude both towards Vancouver and Canada as a whole.

I knew about Canada that it is in the north, which means it must be cold there, especially in winter. Canadians love to play hockey and they do it well, and between hockey matches these bearded men cut wood with axes, talking to each other at once in English and French alternately. With such baggage of stereotypes, I flew here.

I didn’t know anything about Vancouver except that the Olympics were held here not very long ago.

The first impression was also somehow not very inspiring - at the crossroads next to the building where I temporarily settled, a not very clean bum was sitting and begging for change. After, where in the three years of his life he had to deal with such a contingent only a couple of times, and even then somewhere at the train stations, the contrast was not in favor of Canada - you meet beggars here regularly.

But after a couple of months, this city won my heart. Moving to Seattle, especially after a trip to it for the weekend, disappeared any desire.

In the choice between the US and Canada, my choice was Canada. I still do not regret this decision, although doubts crept in a couple of times, but only when the Canadian dollar began to sag quite noticeably in relation to its southern namesake. But it was rather a rational approach that spoke in me, emotionally I am still on the side of Canada.

Vancouver is a wonderful city. I walked its streets up and down and, although I have something to tell about him, for the most part this will be a photo essay.

I settled in downtown, which is surrounded by water on three sides. Almost like in a song about Vladivostok, widely known in narrow circles.

All these boats scurrying back and forth do not stop pleasing the eye, which in two years should have, in theory, got used to such a spectacle.

I cannot call this city extremely interesting from a tourist point of view.

However, you can definitely spend a few days here without getting bored.

Often by chance you can stumble upon something interesting.

Or something downright ugly.

Here, contrary to my stereotype, no one speaks French, except tourists from France or the province of Quebec.

Chinese is much more popular than French.

Somewhere it was even written that Vancouver is the most "Asian" city in North America. I can't vouch for the authenticity, but it looks like the truth. So for lovers of exotic cuisine here is a paradise.

In general, this is a very international place. Walking down the street, you can hear dozens of different languages. This city resembles New York in miniature.

Tolerance to everything here is elevated to the rank of a cult. On the street, you can sometimes meet such colorful characters, which in other places would be constantly stared at by passers-by, turning their necks, and here this maximum causes a slight smile. People are accustomed, it seems, to any possible way of self-expression.

This is not surprising, there is always something going on here. Some kind of cosplay...

...that "polar bear swim" on the first of January.

People love the holiday feeling. Preparations for Halloween start months in advance. Almost immediately after Halloween, they decorate shop windows for Christmas, then for Valentine's Day, and so on - all year round.

The most unexpected thing in Vancouver for me was the climate. It's hot here in summer. You can even swim in the sea, albeit not for long - the water in the bay is still quite cold.

It's strange that it's warm here in winter.

The temperature very rarely drops to zero. In my two years in downtown, I only saw snow twice, one for each winter, but even that melted immediately, barely touching the ground.

True, in autumn and winter there is one very big minus - it constantly rains. And this is perhaps the main drawback of this city. When outside the window it is disgustingly drizzling for 25 days out of 30 - it is very depressing, you want to climb the wall.

Everyone struggles with this winter depressive time in different ways. Someone is looking for some kind of entertainment under the roof, such as museums, cinemas, libraries, exhibitions, restaurants, shopping centers. And someone goes outside the city. For example, skiing. Fortunately, having driven only 150-200 km, you can get into a completely different winter climate, where there will be plenty of snow.

They say that living in Vancouver, you can ski in the morning and sunbathe on the beach in the evening. And this is really possible in the spring, when the mountains are still full of snow, and the summer heat is already in the city.

From the point of view of ecology, there is also a complete order. A huge part of the city is occupied by Stanley Park.

Basically, it's just a piece. rain forest, through which a web of trails was laid.

Very pleasant and popular place for walking. In places here you forget that quite a large metropolis is buzzing very close by.

In the park you can meet a huge number of different representatives of the animal world: geese, ducks, squirrels, beavers, skunks, even, oddly enough, turtles. But most of all, raccoons touch me, I can never pass by without taking a few photos.

You can often see seals on the coast, and whales even swam into the bay a couple of times. I think that few cities can boast such a variety of wildlife within the city.

In British Columbia, they are generally obsessed with ecology. Bicycles, vegetarian restaurants and electric cars are all around.

Stanley Park is far from the only place where you can touch nature. For example, in North Vancouver, you can walk on a suspension bridge over the canyon. The ticket costs about $40, which, of course, is a robbery. But this tourist attraction where a lot of people come.

At the same time, every local who loves forest walks knows that there is a suspension bridge that is no worse, almost without people and completely free. You just need to take the bus to Lynn Valley.

Another popular place on the outskirts of the city is Grouse Mountain. Here you have two options. Or you pay $45 for a gondola ride.

Or you pay with your feet and stomp almost a kilometer high on foot along the very popular Grouse Grind trail. If you are not used to hiking in the mountains or are not confident in yourself, then it is better not to even start. You need to go constantly up with a decent slope. When I climbed for the first time, I was completely unprepared for such an attraction and cursed everything in the world. Now, after I have become interested in hiking in the local mountains, it seems ridiculous. Now we climb up there from time to time as an exercise.

There is a warning sign on the trail that you can meet a bear in the forest. To be honest, there are so many people passing through here every day that I highly doubt the relevance of this warning. Although, anything can happen - there are really a lot of bears in the vicinity.

So on Grouse, in a fenced area, two grizzlies live. They were once rescued as babies and are now a very popular place to take a safe photo of a bear.

On the mountain there is entertainment for any time of the year. In summer, you can see various performances here or dine on the restaurant's terrace. From here, several trails begin, or as they are called trails here, in a more wild places. In the end, from the top you have a beautiful view of Vancouver.

In winter, you can go ice skating or skiing. Despite the fact that it rains in the city in winter, at this altitude it is replaced by snow.

Not everything, of course, in Vancouver is as beautiful and rosy as we would like. There are also disadvantages here. This is a very expensive city. Especially in the real estate market, prices have long exceeded a reasonable limit. The government is trying to somehow deal with this, for example, by introducing an additional tax on the purchase of real estate for non-residents, but so far no measures have really worked, and prices are only rising.

Compulsory car insurance also costs some crazy money. I pay two and a half thousand a year, which is about the most basic minimum possible.

There are also many homeless people who often sleep right on the streets of downtown. Their concentration is especially large on the infamous East Hastings Street in Vancouver, where prosperous people try not to meddle. Here, in general, some kind of separate world with very muddy and sometimes abnormal characters. In principle, if you go through it, nothing terrible will happen to you, but you will see many not very pleasant scenes from the life of drug addicts and half-crazy people.

By the way, marijuana is treated very calmly in Vancouver. Officially, it has not yet been legalized, but everything is moving towards this, and in reality no one will be fined for smoking it. From time to time, supporters of legalization even arrange a sale right in the center of the city, and the police are on duty nearby, and there are ambulances. But I will write about it separately sometime.

On the whole, despite its minor flaws, Vancouver is a surprisingly pleasant city to live in. People here for the most part try to lead a healthy and active image life, which sets the tone for other less active residents, forcing them to get out of the house more often.

In general, come - you will like it. Just not in winter, otherwise get wet.