February 11, 2010 | Tips from Us >
Vancouver, Attractions
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If you spend any amount of time in Vancouver it won’t be long before you are on a bridge. Vancouverites love their bridges and if you ask five people which one is their favourite, you might get five different answers. Here is my quick guide to Vancouver’s bridges:
Granville St. Bridge: Connects Vancouver’s west side to downtown. When the current Granville St. Bridge opened in 1954 it was the widest bridge in the world (by 1 cm). This is a great place to watch fireworks or Olympic Vectorial Elevation lights.
Burrard Bridge: As a cyclist, this bridge became a dream come true for me last July when the City of Vancouver temporarily eliminated a car lane and turned it into a protected bike-only lane.
Cambie Bridge: Connects the east side to downtown. This bridge has my favourite view of the city. Heading north into the city you have a great view of downtown against the backdrop of the North Shore mountains.
Lions Gate Bridge: An iconic landmark and the bridge most people have seen even before they arrive in Vancouver. Lanes have been widened for traffic and they have made it easier / safer for pedestrians and cyclists.
Second Narrows Bridge: The second bridge that connects Vancouver and the North Shore. I almost always use this bridge when I drive to the North Shore, even if I am on the west side. Even though the drive is longer, you save time because you rarely get stuck in the traffic you would have to face by going through downtown and across the Lions Gate.
Lions Gate bridge photo above by Jonathan Sparks.
July 17, 2009 | Tips from Us >
Vancouver, Attractions
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I checked out the new 4D Theatre at the
Vancouver Aquarium last week and was very impressed, not only with the technology but with the film content. I really didn't know what 4D was until I was seated in 122 seat theatre - its like a 3D film with the added benefit of a wide variety of special effects including bubbles, wind, water and some others (I wouldn't want to give it all away!). Everyone in the theatre seemed to be enjoying it - lots of laughter by young and old alike. The film itself, called
Planet Earth: Shallow Seas was excellent and lends itself nicely to what the Vancouver Aquarium does so well - help to connect visitors with our natural world. You will be glad to know that the 4D experience is part of the general admission rates to the Aquarium - no extra charge required for 4D fun!
April 16, 2009 | Tips from Us >
Vancouver, Attractions
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Last Sunday I visited Vancouver's Anglican Christ Church Cathedral for the first time, to attend an evening Compline service, a Gregorian Chant. It was a calming and relaxing conclusion to the weekend and the beautiful music in a beautiful setting was appreciated.
An interesting note: For runners participating in this weekend's 10-km Sun Run who are looking for some spiritual preparation at the start line, The Cathedral is offering a special 8am service on Sunday. No promises on a faster finish time but angel wings might help carry you the distance!
September 28, 2008 | Tips from Us >
Vancouver, Attractions
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The UBC Botanical Garden is one of Vancouver's best kept secrets as a tourist attraction....and it just got even better with the addition of the new Greenheart Canopy Walkway, an eco-adventure for all ages.
The walkway is like a series of hanging suspension bridges or "aerial trails" high above the ground - about 60 feet above the ground in some places. It is a bit of a wobbly workout making your way around the circuit - there are 8 different bridges that form the loop. Its really quite spectacular to be so high up and you get a really great view of the upper layers of the forest canopy. While I just got a kick out of the views, anyone remotely interested in west coast forest ecosystems, the environment, animals and plants will see this new attraction for it scientific merits. The guides that take groups around the walkway are knowledgeable and informative. The makers of the Canopy Walkway is a Vancouver-based company that has created various aerial trails throughout the world. Lucky us that they finally got to build one locally.
Admission is $20 for adults, less for kids and seniors and you get to wander all around the Botanical Gardens for the same price.
May 11, 2007 | Tips from Us >
Vancouver, Attractions
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Last night I had the opportunity to have dinner with the beluga whales at the Vancouver Aquarium. I have been fascinated with belugas ever since I grabbed my pillow, put on my pj's, and joined an aquarium sleepover a few years ago (yes, I brought my young son with me). Despite the late night, it was magical to follow the belugas around the tank and then into my dreams.
So dinner last night was followed by a nice slice of pool-side pie and a splash of "artic" sea water. Those blubbery beluga tails look small, but they can pack a punch! Fortunately I stood up fast enough to evade most of the over-the-fence wave.
And I didn't know this, but you can get into the pool with a trainer to feed, touch, and train one of the belugas. When you are that close to them, there is no way to move when they splash you - full soaking is included in the encounter. Fortunately, so is a wet suit.
Check out the live Beluga cam on the Aquarium website.