Start your day walking through Stanley Park, a 1,000 acre lush green park at the edge of downtown Vancouver. You can rent a bike at multiple places in the park and ride through the seawall path, where you can see the water. You can also walk onto the beaches in Stanley Park and see the forests of cedar, hemlock and fir. If you have some time, you can stop in the park’s rose garden and lay down a blanket for a nice, serene picnic in one of Vancouver’s nicest and most natural spots. Afterward, you can stop at Brockton Point to see a collection of totem poles in Stanley Park and read the signs and posters to learn more about the First Nation’s culture, and pick up a souvenir at the gift shop.
Check Out Vancouver Views
Next, you can head to the top of Vancouver to the North Shore to climb up Grouse Mountain. In the winter, the mountain is a great place for skiing, but in the summer and spring it’s excellent for hiking and sightseeing. You will get some of the best views of Vancouver from the top of Grouse Mountain. You can also take the Skyride Gondola up to the top of the peak if you’re feeling tired, to the “Peak of Vancouver”. Here, you must grab a Beaver Tail, a very famous Canadian pastry with your choice of toppings. You will also find many great restaurants at the top of the mountain.
Another great vista point is Prospect Point, from which you can see spectacular views of Lions Gate Bridge, North and West Vancouver, North Shore, and Cypress mountain. The last thing to do in Stanley Park is English Bay, which extends to Beach Avenue. Here, check out the Beach Avenue beach, and then stop at Denman Avenue which is a very hipster and eclectic neighborhood with shopping, cafes and people watching. From here, you can drive to the Lions Gate Bridge for even better views of North Shore, and views of downtown as you head over the bridge.
Island Hopping
Another major tourist attraction is Granville Island, which attracts over 10 million tourists annually. The island is connected to mainland Vancouver by a bridge and is home to crafts, artwork, brewing, craft sake, picnic spots, activities, and relaxing. This is a great spot for families and kids and locals come here every weekend to relax and unwind.
Once back in downtown, you can stop at Capilano Suspension Bridge and make your way across it as it sways in the wind. You will then see the park’s Treetops Adventure, which is a series of connected platforms and bridges that link together giant trees. Next is the adrenaline junkie’s favorite attraction: the Cliffwalk. This is a cantilevered walkway that juts out over the Vancouver canyon, where you can see the river flowing by down below the walkway.
For dinner, you can go to Yaletown, which is a district that houses over 65 restaurants of different cuisines. This is a great place to grab a quick dinner and walk through for a relaxing evening.
No matter what kind of cruise you’re on or where it may take you, if you have the chance to dock at Vancouver’s Canada Place Cruise Ship Terminal, you’ll find yourself in the city’s center. You’re within distance of so many great attractions that no matter how much time you have, you will really get some great site seeing in.
These are just a few of the many sights, sounds and attractions you can enjoy:
FlyOver Canada
Right outside of your ship, you’ll find FlyOver Canada, the country’s only 4D flight simulation. Let their state of the art technology take you away on this ultimate flying experience.
Vancouver Aquarium / Stanley Park
Experience the exhibits, galleries and shows of the Vancouver Aquarium, one of the many attractions around the Stanley Park. If you prefer to stay outside, you can enjoy the beaches and gardens of Stanley Park. You may even want to take a horse drawn carriage ride or just enjoy the five mile Seawall around the park.
Gastown
This historic neighborhood was once was Canada’s third largest city. Take the short walk from the ship to enjoy the architecture and cobbled streets and enjoy lunch at one of the restaurants or trendy cafes.
https://www.flyovercanada.com/
https://www.10best.com/destinations/canada/vancouver/attractions/attractions-near-cruise-port/
