Vancouver, BC - Thoughts or suggestions

valencia · Jun 8th, 2008, 08:00 PM

Am trying to decide on a trip to Vancouver, BC or Portland, OR later this summer - nothing big, just a weekend getaway. Anyone have any insider tips on things to do in Vancouver (besides shopping on Robson and Burrard)? Got that one covered.

BTW both DH and I are urban dwellers to the core.

Also, if you have any thoughts on Yaletown (where we might stay), I'd love to hear that too.

TIA

VPT · Jun 8th, 2008, 09:20 PM

I live close to Portland and my last trip to Vanc, BC was a month ago.
For hard core shopping and dining I prefer Vanc, BC as there's much more variety, stuff comes from all over the world. However one thing to bear in mind is the sales tax. Portland is 0% while Vanc, BC is about 17%, a combination of VAT and sales tax!!! I don't think it's possible to get a refund on tax, not that I've tried.

There's more shopping areas than Robson St in Vanc. Many of which are scattered all over the city you gotta drive to, or take the public transport which is very efficient and reliable. In town center, you must visit Pacific Center Mall. It has all sorts of shops from unknown accessory stores to Hugo Boss, BCBG Max Azria. There's Richmond Center in Richmond, the small city where the Vancouver airport is at. Within Richmond there are other shopping malls like the President Plaza Mall. Where I really LOVE to shop and dine is at the Granville Island Market, which offers fresh produce, cafes, a public market more classy than a flea market, and gourmet fare. You won't find this attraction of this size and popularity in Portland.

Like Vanc, Portland shops are not centered in 1 area. There's Lloyd's Center which is Oregon's largest shopping mall located in the NE part of the city. Nothing much else to shop for immediately outside the mall although there are a number of fine eateries and pubs. Then there's the Washington Square Mall which is located quite far out south of Portland about 30mins drive (traffic dependent, can be crazy at times) but you can get really good deals here. There's more shopping to do off the highway 405 in the west part of Portland around intersections of Lovejoy St and NW 23rd Ave, in the form of small individual terrace shops. You'll find shops like LUSH around there, and parking space is very limited in the daytime. On 405, follow directions to the hospital and park somewhere around there, shops are all over the area.

ms.fashionista · Jun 8th, 2008, 10:05 PM

There are sooo many things you can do in Vancouver!

Go to the Capilano suspension bridge for an afternoon. Also, check out Granville Island. It has a beautiful public market there and it is a very artsy area. A short 2 hour drive will take you to Whistler...spend a couple days there, do some hiking and then hit the spa. You can also take the ferry to Victoria on Vancouver Island...it's a very quaint area with museums to visit.

Hope that helps and enjoy your visit to Vancouver!

silvercloud · Jun 29th, 2008, 03:14 AM

Taxes in Vancouver should be 12% (5% GST, 7% PST). I am not sure if you can claim GST refunds now, they did refunds years ago.

Yaletown has lots of nice hip restaurants and boutiques.

Visit Stanley Park, walk or rollerblade along the seawall and round Coal Harbour. Kitsilano is great for the outdoor cafes and is near the beach. Grouse Mountain gives a good view of Vancouver too. I also love Queen Elizabeth Park where you can see Mount Baker (in WA) on a clear day. Take the skytrain to Metrotown (if you are not driving) from downtown. Metropolis/Metrotown is the biggest shopping center in BC.

Granville Island Market is always nice. Another similar but smaller version is at North Vancouver (Lonsdale Quay), right by the Sea Bus terminal (part of the same BC Transit system).

VPT · Jun 29th, 2008, 05:26 AM

Would just like to add that Whistler (alpine city) is great during mid-late autumn to spring when it's still snowing otherwise might be quite dead unless you're looking for discounts on ski apparel. It's pretty when it's snowy. Whistler is about 2h drive north-ish of Vancouver BC.

girlfrommoscow · Jun 29th, 2008, 02:54 PM

I loved Capilano suspension bridge and Stanley park when i visited Vancouver few years ago - had a lot of fun there!! Also LOOOOVED the white BELUGA at the Aquarium!! Plus you can take a ferry to Victoria and it is lovely there too :)

Roo · Jul 1st, 2008, 12:48 AM

The GST refund program in British Columbia has been discontinued as of April, 2007.

http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/E/pub/gi/no...otice221-e.pdf

BigBagLady · Jul 5th, 2008, 02:59 AM

If you want to experience a very different shopping experience, I would highly recommend checking out the Summer Night Market (http://www.summernightmarket.com/). It's a really neat market where tons of people sell wares primarily from Hong Kong and China. It's sorta like a quick trip to a shopping street in Asia. They also have a lot of very interesting and tasty food for you to sample at reasonable prices. The market is located in Richmond just 20 minutes south of Vancouver. The market only opens Friday-Sunday during the evening hours so you can still do other things in Vancouver during the day. Oh, if you want to experience some of the best Chinese food around, Richmond would be the place to check out as it's turning out to be the "next" Chinatown in Vancouver.

tootsieroll48 · Jul 5th, 2008, 04:35 AM

Definitely enjoy some fresh BC Japanese cuisine! I find it to be comparable to the authentic food in Japan. We just have so much salmon in BC!

For another mall shopping experience, head to Metropolis at Metrotown (Metro, or Metrotown for sure). It's on the skytrain route and has over 400 shops. The second largest mall in Canada (second to West Edmonton mall) and has your favorite boutiques.

Some of my other favorite shopping areas include: Granville Street (both north and south, there is a bridge seperating the street into two, north granville is asseciable by walking. It's perpendicular to robson st.), The Kitsilano Area: Broadway St (between Alma and Macadonald) and West 4th ave along with the above mentioned areas.

Enjoy your trip!

Alidoll · Jul 6th, 2008, 03:59 PM

Great B&B - The West End Guesthouse. It's near Robson Street and about a block from the airport bus stop. THE most comfortable bed I've ever slept in and cookies to die for!!

Jun 8th, 2008, 08:00 PM	#1
valencia I love all rainbows! Joined: Apr 2006 Location: In my daydreams Posts: 432	Vancouver, BC - Thoughts or suggestions Am trying to decide on a trip to Vancouver, BC or Portland, OR later this summer - nothing big, just a weekend getaway. Anyone have any insider tips on things to do in Vancouver (besides shopping on Robson and Burrard)? Got that one covered. BTW both DH and I are urban dwellers to the core. Also, if you have any thoughts on Yaletown (where we might stay), I'd love to hear that too. TIA __________________ Lead me not into temptation; I can find the way myself. ~ Rita Mae Brown The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it. ~Oscar Wilde

Jun 8th, 2008, 09:20 PM	#2
VPT i ♥ blood oranges Joined: May 2008 Location: Vanc, WA Posts: 1,852	I live close to Portland and my last trip to Vanc, BC was a month ago. For hard core shopping and dining I prefer Vanc, BC as there's much more variety, stuff comes from all over the world. However one thing to bear in mind is the sales tax. Portland is 0% while Vanc, BC is about 17%, a combination of VAT and sales tax!!! I don't think it's possible to get a refund on tax, not that I've tried. There's more shopping areas than Robson St in Vanc. Many of which are scattered all over the city you gotta drive to, or take the public transport which is very efficient and reliable. In town center, you must visit Pacific Center Mall. It has all sorts of shops from unknown accessory stores to Hugo Boss, BCBG Max Azria. There's Richmond Center in Richmond, the small city where the Vancouver airport is at. Within Richmond there are other shopping malls like the President Plaza Mall. Where I really LOVE to shop and dine is at the Granville Island Market, which offers fresh produce, cafes, a public market more classy than a flea market, and gourmet fare. You won't find this attraction of this size and popularity in Portland. Like Vanc, Portland shops are not centered in 1 area. There's Lloyd's Center which is Oregon's largest shopping mall located in the NE part of the city. Nothing much else to shop for immediately outside the mall although there are a number of fine eateries and pubs. Then there's the Washington Square Mall which is located quite far out south of Portland about 30mins drive (traffic dependent, can be crazy at times) but you can get really good deals here. There's more shopping to do off the highway 405 in the west part of Portland around intersections of Lovejoy St and NW 23rd Ave, in the form of small individual terrace shops. You'll find shops like LUSH around there, and parking space is very limited in the daytime. On 405, follow directions to the hospital and park somewhere around there, shops are all over the area. __________________

Jun 8th, 2008, 10:05 PM	#3
ms.fashionista H-Happy! Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 1,477	There are sooo many things you can do in Vancouver! Go to the Capilano suspension bridge for an afternoon. Also, check out Granville Island. It has a beautiful public market there and it is a very artsy area. A short 2 hour drive will take you to Whistler...spend a couple days there, do some hiking and then hit the spa. You can also take the ferry to Victoria on Vancouver Island...it's a very quaint area with museums to visit. Hope that helps and enjoy your visit to Vancouver! __________________ A Wish Come True...

Jun 29th, 2008, 05:26 AM	#5
VPT i ♥ blood oranges Joined: May 2008 Location: Vanc, WA Posts: 1,852	Would just like to add that Whistler (alpine city) is great during mid-late autumn to spring when it's still snowing otherwise might be quite dead unless you're looking for discounts on ski apparel. It's pretty when it's snowy. Whistler is about 2h drive north-ish of Vancouver BC. __________________

Jul 1st, 2008, 12:48 AM	#7
Roo Up to the Minute Mod Joined: Apr 2006 Location: Rue Roo Posts: 8,884	The GST refund program in British Columbia has been discontinued as of April, 2007. http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/E/pub/gi/no...otice221-e.pdf __________________ Reality leaves a lot to the imagination.

Jun 29th, 2008, 03:14 AM	#4
silvercloud Member Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 156	Taxes in Vancouver should be 12% (5% GST, 7% PST). I am not sure if you can claim GST refunds now, they did refunds years ago. Yaletown has lots of nice hip restaurants and boutiques. Visit Stanley Park, walk or rollerblade along the seawall and round Coal Harbour. Kitsilano is great for the outdoor cafes and is near the beach. Grouse Mountain gives a good view of Vancouver too. I also love Queen Elizabeth Park where you can see Mount Baker (in WA) on a clear day. Take the skytrain to Metrotown (if you are not driving) from downtown. Metropolis/Metrotown is the biggest shopping center in BC. Granville Island Market is always nice. Another similar but smaller version is at North Vancouver (Lonsdale Quay), right by the Sea Bus terminal (part of the same BC Transit system).

Jun 29th, 2008, 02:54 PM	#6
girlfrommoscow Member Joined: Jun 2008 Posts: 331	I loved Capilano suspension bridge and Stanley park when i visited Vancouver few years ago - had a lot of fun there!! Also LOOOOVED the white BELUGA at the Aquarium!! Plus you can take a ferry to Victoria and it is lovely there too :)

Jul 5th, 2008, 02:59 AM	#8
BigBagLady Member Joined: Jan 2006 Posts: 231	If you want to experience a very different shopping experience, I would highly recommend checking out the Summer Night Market (http://www.summernightmarket.com/). It's a really neat market where tons of people sell wares primarily from Hong Kong and China. It's sorta like a quick trip to a shopping street in Asia. They also have a lot of very interesting and tasty food for you to sample at reasonable prices. The market is located in Richmond just 20 minutes south of Vancouver. The market only opens Friday-Sunday during the evening hours so you can still do other things in Vancouver during the day. Oh, if you want to experience some of the best Chinese food around, Richmond would be the place to check out as it's turning out to be the "next" Chinatown in Vancouver.

Jul 5th, 2008, 04:35 AM	#9
tootsieroll48 Member Joined: Jun 2008 Posts: 6	Definitely enjoy some fresh BC Japanese cuisine! I find it to be comparable to the authentic food in Japan. We just have so much salmon in BC! For another mall shopping experience, head to Metropolis at Metrotown (Metro, or Metrotown for sure). It's on the skytrain route and has over 400 shops. The second largest mall in Canada (second to West Edmonton mall) and has your favorite boutiques. Some of my other favorite shopping areas include: Granville Street (both north and south, there is a bridge seperating the street into two, north granville is asseciable by walking. It's perpendicular to robson st.), The Kitsilano Area: Broadway St (between Alma and Macadonald) and West 4th ave along with the above mentioned areas. Enjoy your trip!

Jul 6th, 2008, 03:59 PM	#10
Alidoll Member Joined: Apr 2007 Location: Bonnie Scotland Posts: 488	Great B&B - The West End Guesthouse. It's near Robson Street and about a block from the airport bus stop. THE most comfortable bed I've ever slept in and cookies to die for!!