Places to Visit

Just imagine … the sky is clear and cloudless, the sun is shining and the air is cool and sweet with the scent of cherry blossom and cottonwoods. Spring is here and summer is fast approaching. On such a perfect day, how would our front desk clerks recommend that our guests spend their day? Here are their suggestions:

English Bay & Denman Street

You can enjoy the best Vancouver has to offer by walking along the seawall from the hotel to English Bay. It can take as little as 40 minutes for the determined, or a LOT longer – especially for you camera carriers. The photo opportunities of Granville Island, False Creek and the city scapes and beaches of English Bay are bound to hold you up.

And, at almost any point along the way, you can leave the seawall – walk a few blocks into town and find a place to stop for coffee or lunch.

A-maze-ing LaughterOnce you get to English Bay, introduce yourself to the circle of 14 tall, bronze statues. Called A-maze-ing Laughter and created by the Chinese artist Yue Minjun, this piece is part of the Vancouver Biennale – a bi-annual public art exhibition that transforms Vancouver into an open air gallery and museum. A-maze-ing Laughter depicts the artist’s own image in a state of hysterical laughter. For more on the exhibit, visit www.vancouverbiennale.com, and to learn more about English Bay, visit www.englishbay.com.

Queen Elizabeth Park & Bloedel Conservatory

Queen Elizabeth Park Definitely a hidden gem. Not only do tourists often miss this little beauty, but many locals have also never visited here. Queen Elizabeth Park, with its sunken Quarry Gardens is spectacular at most times of the year, especially when the sun begins to shine. Beautifully planted, these gardens are astonishing when seen from the bottom of the quarry or from the view above.

Bloedel ConservatoryAnd, if you happen to have hit a rainy day in Vancouver (never!) this is the perfect place to enjoy a tropical time out. The park’s Bloedel Floral Conservatory is full of tropical trees, plants and flowers – a photographer’s delight. It's also home to several species of exotic birds. Just keep your eyes peeled and you’re sure to see a Peking robin or a princess parrot! Visit the Vancouver Park website for more information.