Loading ...5 night stay in Vancouver BC
I apologize if this is an improper post and please delete if necessary. Anyway I am arriving in Vancouver, late May, with the wife after a Celebrity cruise from Alaska. I have all my reservations and departure plans in place. I am looking for some help in some things for example I will probably visit the Van Dusen garden should I acquire some $C to buy tickets or use my Visa card or $US? This question will be pertinent for restaurants and shopping etc. I am viewing the Youtube videos on what to do. What looks good is the Capilano bridge park, Gastown, Canada place. I am open for suggestions. One of my concerns is weather and it is always unpredictable but is it somewhat warm in late may? Being from Kauai 60 degrees is cold to me and is rarely ever that cold except in early am. Should I bring some silver maple leaf for barter? TIA for any help.
We have a sizable contingent from Vancouver area. I am sure they will respond .
My suggestion is simply go to an exchange kiosk ( should be at least one at the Airport in Vancouver )
And exchange your US Dollars for Canadian Dollars…You’ll get MORE $s and You will need them 🙂
Vancouver is a beautiful City but there are Slums / Tent Cities downtown. The Vancouver guys will tell you where NOT to go
I am not in Vancouver, but I did live there for a brief period many years ago. IMO Vancouver is great if you love crowds and traffic.
Anyway, I suggest you not try to spend USD cash – you won’t get a good exchange rate. I have used my credit card extensively in the USA and again in China. The exchange rate with the card was fair. You should probably exchange some currency to use for small purchases.
For what its worth, my favorite place in Vancouver is Stanley Park, along the sea wall. Second favorite place – anywhere about 400 KM north of Vancouver.
STAY CLEAR OF THE DOWNTOWN EASTSIDE.
Q: Should I bring some silver maple leaf for barter?
A: No. Outside of hard currency aficionados like us, people have no concept of the value of precious metals.
You might consider renting bicycles if you want to tour the city.
Where the heck is Columbia? He knows Vancouver. I think he will be happy to advise. He cycles, too.
Problem with bikes are both the wife and I have a bad knee so it would be an ebike or something like that.
Hi JS, we are part-time in Vancouver and you’re welcome to message me (this post should have my e-mail) and ask anything you’d like and I’ll try to help. If we are in town at that time, would love to meet up although we probably won’t be there end of May. But let me know your dates 🙂
As far as weather, expect some rain in May. The good news is, it’s rarely an all-day rain so you can probably work around it, and it’s less chance of rain for May than, say, November. Overnight temps will be cooler than 60, and if you are on the water expect a breeze to further cool things. Daytime will probably be above 60 but not hot by any means.
Van Dusen is in a very safe area of the city and is lovely, worth a visit. Canada Place….there’s not much there except it’s on the water looking toward the North Shore. That area is not bad as far as homelessness but watch your wallets around the train station and I wouldn’t walk east of Pacific station (train) at all unless you keep your wits about you and don’t look like a tourist. It’s not so much violent crime, more like demented drug addicts panhandling and wanting $$.
Gastown I’d advise you to give it a miss. It was fine at one time. Now, almost the entire downtown and West End are street after street of homeless people, drug addicts, tent cities, that kind of thing. It was once a lovely city, but thanks to Turd-o plus our moronic provincial government it’s now become a shithole just like many US cities.
We never eat out, but I’ve heard from others which restaurants are worth a visit so can certainly tell you what I’ve heard. Pls feel free to e-mail me and I can elaborate 🙂
Thanks GMG, we are staying in the Travel lodge near the airport and I will have a car for the entire trip. I guess I’ll leave my silver at home and hopefully it will above $30 US on its way to $50, when I get back home, LOL. Miners on Thursday had the best price action in quite some time. Here’s hopin’ it’s the big one LOL
Greetings,
Bringing Canadian cash is a good idea as Silver Fox mentioned.
If you are staying at the Airport, you may not need a car if you are willing to take The Skytrain (Cambie Line) from the airport to Downtown or other connections. Transit is quite good as GMG goes everywhere with connections. As with all large cities, parking is the problem. You can buy a daily transit pass for around $10 which will take you all over. Can plan in advance. Van Dusen Gardens is on a major bus route and I believe there is a bus that goes through Stanley Park and you could jump on and off. GMG would know if I’m leading you astray.
The Pacific Spirit Park beside UBC (University of British Columbia) has quiet trails among old growth forests. It’s an old growth rain forest and apparently represents what most of the City of Vancouver looked like prior to the CPR line pushing through to the Port of Vancouver. The City built up around the harbour in 1885. Nothing but a fishing village and Indigenous peoples prior to that. Very safe in the park as many University students and dog walkers are always about. UBC is criss-crossed with bus routes as it is a vast spreadout campus. Well vegetated streets. Safe.
Why is Vancouver safe? All the seedy areas have been gentrified and the former inhabitants are likely those living on the streets. Other than the usual gang on gang violence which the average person never sees, the population mix are very respectful and don’t seem to cause problems. They’re too busy trying to make a living in Vancouver.
As to safety, I’ve never felt unsafe even in my rides through the Downtown Eastside. The homeless are basically wasted on the free Government drugs.
Very sad to see as it is a growing problem.
Thanks for the info, I am searching for a ferry ride to Victoria, and it is telling me 3.5 hour trip? that is 7 hours on a ferryboat sure I am up for that after a 7 day cruise.
3.5? Nah, more like 90 min sailing time. Having said that, depending on when you are going, you typically have to be in line…..maybe 45 min? in advance….(exact arrival time would be communicated to you when you book on-line- if you are bringing a car that is). If you just wanna go for a boat ride, there is the walk-on option which is quite cheap and no need for advance arrival.
Capilano is an awesome hiking area. It was my backyard for many years. So beautiful there. Stay away from Gastown unless you enjoy open air drug shooting galleries, addicts and weirdos. There is nothing interesting there anymore although it was a big destination in the 70,s 80’s and even late 90’s. Nowadays its a homeless camp and hangout for prostitutes and drug addicts.
Van Dusen is awesome. Great for photos and memories. I can recommend it.