December 22, 2006 | Tips from Us >
Gold River, Wildlife Tours
Check out this amazing video of an Orca Whale playing with a cameraman from the Australian Today show!
October 16, 2006 | Tips from Us >
Vancouver, Art Galleries & Artists
Find more information about Vancouver - Art Galleries & Artists
If you're like my wife and I, with a 14-month old toddler perpetually on the go, keeping him entertained is first and foremost. Do you watch re-runs of Elmo on TV, or head out and find something the whole family will enjoy? Considering Elmo makes us want to put our foot through the TV, heading out for entertainment is a must. Last Sunday we discovered
Super Sundays at the Vancouver Art Gallery. Super Sunday transforms the gallery space into a fun-filled place for families with children (12 and under) to learn about art together. Children and adults are invited to draw, paint, sculpt and watch and engage in dance performances. The thing I really liked about Super Sunday was that all the projects are tied in somehow to the current exhibition at the gallery. So it's not just a place to let your kids finger paint and mash modelling clay, they actually learn about the art that surrounds them through hands-on projects. We found the staff to be very helpful and amazingly patient with kids who likely stand just a little too close to the art. To be honest I was surprised how casual the gallery was about the art. You'd think with hundreds of kids tearing through the gallery space everything would be roped off, but the kids get to experience the works just like anyone else. On the Sunday we went, the gallery was packed with parents and kids, the perfect atmosphere for our son who is just starting to socialize with other children, not to mention my wife and I got to take in the exhibition too. Needless to say, the three of us had a great time. So if your family finds itself in Vancouver the third Sunday of any given month, might I suggest heading to Super Sunday at the Vancouver Art Gallery. You won't be disappointed, and it's far and away better than any Elmo re-run you'll find on TV.
February 24, 2006 | Tips from Us >
Vancouver, Festivals & Events
If you're a sports fan like me, you've probably spent the last couple weeks glued to the TV watching the 2006 Winter Olympics. As the games draw to a close eyes are shifting towards the home of the 2010 Winter Games - British Columbia. Here at Tourism BC we can feel it already. Interest in the province, and in Canada is starting to swell, it's only going to grow. The next four years are going to be exciting ones. The spotlight on BC officially begins at the 2006 Closing Ceremonies, when the Olympic flag gets passed on to the Mayor of the next host city - Vancouver. Sam Sullivan, the current Mayor of Vancouver will be there to accept the flag, as well a take part in a ceremony inviting the world to come to BC in 2010; it's shaping up to be a great show. The Closing Ceremonies will take place this Sunday, February 26 at 10:00 AM Pacific Time.
December 12, 2005 | Tips from Us >
Nelson, Skiing & Snowboarding
Find more information about Nelson - Skiing & Snowboarding
December is the skier's secret month. While most people bustle about with their Christmas shopping, attend office parties and other social functions, real snow enthusiasts are making time to hit the slopes too. December means great snow, and in the weeks before school holidays begin, deals abound – free lift tickets, discounted lodging, and even massive savings on snow cat and heli-skiing adventures. Give yourself an early-season Christmas present – beat the crowds, and take advantage of some great winter deals.
Kicking Horse Saves the Snow For Christmas:
Not all resorts in BC rush to open for US Thanksgiving.
Kicking Horse Mountain Resort near Golden has scheduled their opening for December 16. With over a hundred and fifty centimetres blanketing the upper parts of the mountain, opening Day is shaping up to be an epic. There's a variety of new accommodations too, located right at the base of the Golden Eagle Express gondola, ranging from $85 - $147 CDN per person/per night for accommodation and a lift ticket – not just in early season, but through to January and February as well.
Whistler Classic Raises Money for a Good Cause:
It's not too early to get a team together for the 14th annual TELUS Winter Classic, January 27 – 28, 2006 at
Whislter. This two-day package is is not only the ultimate Whistler Getaway, all of the money raised goes to charity! The $1700 (per team) price includes all-day lift tickets, skiing with one of Whistler-Blackcomb's internationally-renowned ski pros, and lift-line priority to eliminate the wait; not to mention a host of special events too. Since 1993, the event has raised over $3.5 million for a variety of charities, including local Search and Rescue teams, schools, food banks, and programs which focus on c
November 14, 2005 | Tips from Us >
Vancouver, Skiing & Snowboarding
Find more information about Vancouver - Skiing & Snowboarding
Have you seen the mountains? "Excuse me?" "Have you seen the mountains?" I usually don't talk to people during my morning commute. It's my chance to Zen-out for a few minutes before I start the day, besides I usually end up talking to the most eccentric person on the train. "Yeah buddy, I live here. I see them everyday." "Well take a look." Holy Moly! They're... covered... with... SNOW! A solid of week of cold, heavy rainfall has paid off in spades!
Vancouver is lucky to have three ski hills all within a one hour drive of downtown. And while the opening of
Whistler/Blackcomb always creates a buzz amongst the snow-obsessed in this city, the buzz doesn't really kick into high gear until the local mountains get dusted. Each mountain has its own personality.
Mount Seymour boasts the most snow of the three mountains, three terrain parks, snowshoeing, snowtubing and is the only mountain with a tobogganing area.
Cypress Mountain is actually two mountains, Black Mountain and Mount Strachan, and offers the greatest variety of downhill terrain, extensive Nordic and snowshoe trails and a snowtube area. It's also the future home for some of the 2010 Olympic events.
Grouse Mountain has unquestionably the best views and offers something for everyone; even a non-skier can find plenty to do atop Grouse during the winter. In addition to the downhill and Nordic trails, there's ice skating, snowshoeing, sleigh rides and award-winning dining. Most locals make a day of it, spending the day on the hills before then hitting the town at night. Or they switch it up, spending the day in the city before heading up for a evening of alpine fu
November 03, 2005 | Tips from Us >
Vancouver, Dining
Find more information about Vancouver - Dining
As proud, albeit sleep deprived, new parents, we recognize the fact our priorities need to shift; but it doesn't mean we're dead! We still have the urge to travel. Now though we have to consider our little guy as well. So while a backpacking trip through Belize would be great, I just don't think it's the right trip for our newborn; we definitely need to visit baby-friendly destinations. Which got me thinking about how baby-friendly Vancouver is. We drag the boy everywhere we go, and rarely has that been a problem. Even some of the swankiest Vancouver establishments are gracious and accommodating. And while you might not get the best table in the house, you can still count on having a great experience. A few favourites haunts are
Wazubee's on Commercial Drive;
Subeez on Homer St;
Solly's Bagels on Yukon St;
Stella's on Commercial;
Locus on Main St. and
The Whip on E 6th Ave. The common thread with all of them? Great food, a casual, hip vibe and lots of room for strollers and car seats. But that's just the tip of the iceberg. I honestly can only think if a handful of spots where a baby would be a challenge. And don't forget there are tons of baby-friendly
attractions and activities here too. So if you're thinking about taking a BC vacation, and you've got a cherub in tow, don't sweat it - you'll find us most accommodating.
October 11, 2005 | Tips from Us >
Vancouver, Breweries, Distilleries & Cideries
Find more information about Vancouver - Breweries, Distilleries & Cideries
It's Autumn! You can always tell - the air is crisper and cooler, leaves start turning colour, and
Steamworks Brewpub serves up their delicious Pumpkin Beer. Located in Vancouver's Gastown area - the most historic
neighbourhood in Vancouver - Steamworks brews this unique beer the beginning of every Autumn. Lightly spiced and ripe with pumpkin flavour, it's a great way to ring in cool season in the city. If you like beer, head down for a pint or two. But don't wait too long, they only serve the brew till Halloween.
August 29, 2005 | Tips from Us >
Hope, Sightseeing Tours
Find more information about Hope - Sightseeing Tours
Three cities along a 200km stretch of highway. Gas stations between cities: non-existent. That's what you're faced with driving the Coquihalla Highway, Hwy 5, between
Hope and
Kamloops. While it's absolutely drivable don't head off without checking your gas tank first. You know your own vehicle the best, so gauge your fuel consumpition accordingly.
Merritt is roughly 100km from both Kamloops and Hope - smack-dab in the middle of the route - if you are travelling during the day you'll need at least enough gas to get there. If you are travelling at night you may need to drive the whole stretch on a single tank of gas. Cell phone service is spotty along this mountainous highway, so if you do run out of gas you may not be able to quickly call for service. And if you get a tow truck to deliver fuel to you, be prepared to pay an outragious price for the gas. Save the hassle and check your fuel first. Contact one the respective
Visitor Info Centres for more information on the locations and hours of operation of local gas stations. Road conditions along the Coquihalla are available from the
Ministry of Transportation.
August 26, 2005 | Tips from Us >
Victoria, Hiking
Find more information about Victoria - Hiking
There are no restaurants awaiting you at the top, no bars or Gondola rides down; in that sense nothing compares with the Grouse Grind, one of the more challenging
hikes in Vancouver. But if you are looking for a similar, steep, high-cardo hike in Victoria, head out to
Goldstream Provincial Park and take on the Mt. Finlayson Trail. This steep, rugged trail challenges hikers with varied terrain before rewarding them at the top with a sense of accomplishment and amazing views of the Juan de Fuca Strait, Finlayson Arm and surrounding areas. And while there is no snack bar at the top, you'll get twice the workout (because you have to hike back down), it's much more scenic and you'll avoid the commuter-like crowds that plague the Grouse Grind. The average hiker should be able to hike up and back in about three hours. Proper footwear is essential.
August 25, 2005 | Tips from Us >
Vancouver, Shopping
Find more information about Vancouver - Shopping
If you're planning to visit
Granville Island while in Vancouver, do what the locals do and leave your car behind. Unless you go early in the morning or late at night, traffic down there is a nightmare. Lots of free parking (a plus) coupled with very few throughways (a minus) means total gridlock most of the day. But there are lots of alternative ways of getting there though, and more scenic too. Hop aboard one of the ubiquitous Aqua Buses that dot the waters of False Creek and take a sea cruise before getting there. One of my favourites methods is to walk to Granville Island along the Seawall; great views of the city, fresh ocean breeze and lots of benches for you sit and take it all in (no one said you had to rush). Bicycles and Rollerblades are also allowed on the Seawall.
Public transit is another option. If you must drive, consider using the metered parking outside the entrance to Granville Island instead of driving in. It means you'll do a little walking, but believe me it's a small price to pay to avoid the congestion. Plenty of metered parking is available on 1st, 2nd, 3rd Avenues between Fir St and Burrard St. If you`re lucky there are a few unmetered spots to be had, but those aren't vacant very often.