<p>As D is living in WA this year, there are wonderful opportunities to visit some great places. It struck me today, than when out there, we could spend 24 hours in Vancouver. But aside from being blown away by Chinatown and the similarity to HK about 3 decades back, I remember little about the town after all this time. </p>
<p>I realize we could find a nicer place to stay on Hotwire, and there are some deals. What part of town should I stay in? What should we see? Our priorities are: good, but not over the top expensive place to eat, natural world exploration, good views, and art galleries.</p>
<p>I like to stay at the Sylvia ( note It is not modern in the least although it does have indoor plumbing & Internet), and go for walks along English Bay & Stanley park.</p>
<p>( I also like the sheraton Wall centre, but that is a little more spendy)</p>
<p>I highly recommend staying closer to the waterfront and Canada Place, if you can swing it. I was able to get a great last minute deal at one of the Fairmonts - we loved the experience. Stanley Park is about a mile from there - it is a gorgeous park!</p>
<p>If you decide to do Vancouver Island, you could do a walk on ferry from Seattle or a car ferry from Anacortes (north of Seattle), Vancouver (way north of Seattle) or Port Angeles (west). I have had friends visit and do VI in one day including the ferry, that seems crazy to me as the ferries are expensive and there is lots to see. I would want to give VI two days & one night minimum.</p>
<p>The Museum of Anthropology at the University of British Columbia is remarkable. Stanley Park and Granville Island were also favorites. We were lucky enough to last be there on the night of one of the fireworks displays in the bay, and that was amazing.</p>
<p>I love Victoria and Vancouver. In the summer, both are cruise ship ports and if I could I would avoid visiting Victoria when there was a cruise ship in town. (ive been there as a passenger and know how different it is compared to a “normal” day)
In Vancouver, Canada Place is where they dock. You can get info from Port Metro Vancouver. 191 cruises will originate there this season, plus some others stopping by.<br>
Canada Day is July 1 this year and BC Day is early August sometime. Avoid both if you can because all the locals will be enjoying the parks, sights and beaches.</p>
<p>Thanks for the various posts! As this is just a quick 24 hour tag on to a graduation trip for other D, those other interesting places will need to wait. I appreciate the guidance to that area near Canada Place, Bunsen. EK, the Sophia Hotel looks like a great find. I’m looking at some places on Hotwire in the area. </p>
<p>Wish I’d seen the Whidtby Island article before going to Desolation Pass this last winter. I had no other info about what to do in the area, and D lives without a car. We tooled around, had coffee, went to a thrift shop, walked the bridge. </p>
<p>Having lived in places where cruise ships dock, agree that destinations become a little crazy when inundated with passengers.</p>
<p>One of my favorite places is Lynn Canyon Park (North Vancouver). On our last visit, it was misty, and absolutely beautiful. There’s a suspension rope bridge similar to the Capilano, but the Lynn Canyon area is free (unlike the expensive and touristy Capilano bridge).</p>
<p>If you are diving from WA, take the detour route along Chuckanut drive (south of Bellingham). We drove it in the late afternoon / early evening, and it was gorgeous. I’m guessing it will be a lot more crowded on a weekend, however.</p>
<p>With only one day you won’t have time, but with a second (clear) day in Vancouver, I would recommend the gondola ride to the top of Grouse Mountain. The views out over the city and the straits are incredible. Definitely worth the time.</p>
<p>^^I second that. If you make reservations for the restaurant located at the top of the mountain, the gondola ride is free for your entire party. The restaurant is called The Observatory, and the view is fantastic (check the pictures on their website).The food is surprisingly wonderful. Every dish is priced at $39, which is not bad for a fancy place.</p>