Guidebook for Vancouver
Food Scene
Jamjar Canteen
2290 Commercial Drfolk Lebanese food, yum! Great lunch specials
JJ Bean Coffee Roasters
3010 Main Stgreat pastries in the heart of Commercial Drive
Uprising Breads Bakery
1697 Venables StA Vancouver tradition
200 plus flavours of gelato, a Vancouver tradition. You can eat your (admittedly pricy) gelato in the garden across the street that is strung with lights and pretend you are in Italy
66 locals recommend
La Casa Gelato
1033 Venables St200 plus flavours of gelato, a Vancouver tradition. You can eat your (admittedly pricy) gelato in the garden across the street that is strung with lights and pretend you are in Italy
Wonderful lunch special every day of the week. Get one each and share . . . .
26 locals recommend
ChongQing on Commercial
2808 Commercial DrWonderful lunch special every day of the week. Get one each and share . . . .
This is my very favourite restaurant. It is yummy and actually quite reasonable considering the quality. It is really hard to get a last-minute reservation, but they have seats at the bar which are unreserved and fairly comfy. (Kids cannot sit there, though). Make this a special dinner for one night if you like French food.
203 locals recommend
Les Faux Bourgeois
663 E 15th AveThis is my very favourite restaurant. It is yummy and actually quite reasonable considering the quality. It is really hard to get a last-minute reservation, but they have seats at the bar which are unreserved and fairly comfy. (Kids cannot sit there, though). Make this a special dinner for one night if you like French food.
This is my daughter's favourite place to go for a really nice cooked breakfast -- any time of the day. They also have great burgers and sandwiches.
166 locals recommend
The Red Wagon
2128 E Hastings StThis is my daughter's favourite place to go for a really nice cooked breakfast -- any time of the day. They also have great burgers and sandwiches.
Very good pizza. Quiet sports bar ambiance. Good for take out or delivery. Across from the library. Behind the library is a BEAUTIFUL little ravine walk.
15 locals recommend
Ragazzi Pizza Co
2996 E 22nd AveVery good pizza. Quiet sports bar ambiance. Good for take out or delivery. Across from the library. Behind the library is a BEAUTIFUL little ravine walk.
Really nice family-friendly pizza restaurant. If you ask nicely they will give you some pizza dough for the kids to play with while you wait. Free parking downstairs. There is an all-night grocery in the same complex if you want to pick up a little something for your fridge for later.
17 locals recommend
Lombardo's Pizzeria & Ristorante
1641 Commercial DrReally nice family-friendly pizza restaurant. If you ask nicely they will give you some pizza dough for the kids to play with while you wait. Free parking downstairs. There is an all-night grocery in the same complex if you want to pick up a little something for your fridge for later.
Essentials
This is the BEST place to shop for wholesome organic groceries. You'd be surprised how they manage to shave their prices -- the same stuff you'd find a fancier stores (*cough* Whole Paycheque) is much cheaper here. They still keep it clean and well stocked. Dairy, meat, fruit and veg, gluten free, organic, pretty much everything you might need for your stay. Take the Sky-Train two stops to Commercial Broadway and walk towards the mountains. You will see Donald's Market on the southwest corner of 7th and Commercial
112 locals recommend
City Avenue Market
2279 Commercial DrThis is the BEST place to shop for wholesome organic groceries. You'd be surprised how they manage to shave their prices -- the same stuff you'd find a fancier stores (*cough* Whole Paycheque) is much cheaper here. They still keep it clean and well stocked. Dairy, meat, fruit and veg, gluten free, organic, pretty much everything you might need for your stay. Take the Sky-Train two stops to Commercial Broadway and walk towards the mountains. You will see Donald's Market on the southwest corner of 7th and Commercial
This store is really close and it has virtually EVERYTHING from groceries to pharmacy to clothing, books, magazines, candy -- if you need it, you can probably find it here. Visit the ethnic foods aisles to find special ingredients to whip up something exotic for dinner.
125 locals recommend
Real Canadian Superstore
3185 Grandview HwyThis store is really close and it has virtually EVERYTHING from groceries to pharmacy to clothing, books, magazines, candy -- if you need it, you can probably find it here. Visit the ethnic foods aisles to find special ingredients to whip up something exotic for dinner.
Dean's No Frills
4508 Fraser StHands down cheapest groceries in Vancouver!
Parks & Nature
Camosun Bog
Imperial DriveOur family favourite. A hidden gem.
A really nice family friendly walk around a lake in the middle of Stanley Park. If you bring some bird seed, there is a place where little birds will alight on your hand, and then look out below for the cute little Douglas ground squirrels, they want some, too!!
6 locals recommend
Beaver Lake
A really nice family friendly walk around a lake in the middle of Stanley Park. If you bring some bird seed, there is a place where little birds will alight on your hand, and then look out below for the cute little Douglas ground squirrels, they want some, too!!
This place is soooo cool. It is the oldest continuously inhabited fishing village in British Columbia. It is in a land dispute between the residents, the City of Richmond, and a company, so the buildings cannot be upgraded. It is really picturesque.
7 locals recommend
Finn Slough
11000 Dyke RdThis place is soooo cool. It is the oldest continuously inhabited fishing village in British Columbia. It is in a land dispute between the residents, the City of Richmond, and a company, so the buildings cannot be upgraded. It is really picturesque.
We are on the migratory bird flight path. This place is beautiful. Even non-birders will enjoy the walk.
22 locals recommend
George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary
5191 Robertson RdWe are on the migratory bird flight path. This place is beautiful. Even non-birders will enjoy the walk.
Great place to go for the day. Kayak rentals, beach, ice cream, food, hiking trails . . . .
337 locals recommend
Deep Cove
4322 Gallant AveGreat place to go for the day. Kayak rentals, beach, ice cream, food, hiking trails . . . .
You can camp here or just go for the day. There is diving and you can either dive or watch the divers come out of the water. If you park and walk far into the park, through the campground, at the other end is this beautiful little cove with soft grass, perfect spot for a picnic.
26 locals recommend
Porteau Cove Provincial Park
You can camp here or just go for the day. There is diving and you can either dive or watch the divers come out of the water. If you park and walk far into the park, through the campground, at the other end is this beautiful little cove with soft grass, perfect spot for a picnic.
Arts & Culture
Museum of Anthropology
6393 NW Marine DrThis is something special that you cannot see elsewhere
Museum of Vancouver
1100 Chestnut Stgreat exhibits
Cool museum, very hands on, there are even costumes that kids can try on and use their imagination . . . .
73 locals recommend
Vancouver Maritime Museum
1905 Ogden AveCool museum, very hands on, there are even costumes that kids can try on and use their imagination . . . .
Burnaby Village Museum
6501 Deer Lake AveFree! Giant Carousel! Wonderful day to explore history.
Drinks & Nightlife
This place has a magnificent view. If you want to sit out on the patio they will provide blankets and there is a fireplace. Also a nice spot for a romantic dinner. A bit more pricy.
112 locals recommend
Seasons in the Park
West 33rd AvenueThis place has a magnificent view. If you want to sit out on the patio they will provide blankets and there is a fireplace. Also a nice spot for a romantic dinner. A bit more pricy.
Friday nights in summer are great for taking the Sea Bus (connect at Waterfront Station Sky Train) across to Londsdale Quay in North Vancouver for the Night Market. Lots of arts and crafts, local food, and live music!!
323 locals recommend
Lonsdale Quay Hotel
123 Carrie Cates CtFriday nights in summer are great for taking the Sea Bus (connect at Waterfront Station Sky Train) across to Londsdale Quay in North Vancouver for the Night Market. Lots of arts and crafts, local food, and live music!!
Shopping
"Cedar Root Gallery." This is the Native-owned gift shop. Profits benefit the aboriginal community. They have ceremonial items, souvenirs, original artwork at very reasonable prices. Go here before you buy anything in Gastown.
Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre Society
1607 E Hastings St"Cedar Root Gallery." This is the Native-owned gift shop. Profits benefit the aboriginal community. They have ceremonial items, souvenirs, original artwork at very reasonable prices. Go here before you buy anything in Gastown.
I would particularly recommend the Dr. Vigari Gallery for original local gifts, artwork, and hand-made jewelry. It is at 1816 Commercial Drive (at East 2nd). Considering the quality, prices are very reasonable. If you are buying several things, you may be able to haggle a little bit on the price.
296 locals recommend
Commercial Drive
Commercial DriveI would particularly recommend the Dr. Vigari Gallery for original local gifts, artwork, and hand-made jewelry. It is at 1816 Commercial Drive (at East 2nd). Considering the quality, prices are very reasonable. If you are buying several things, you may be able to haggle a little bit on the price.
Sightseeing
Walk through the outdoor patios, explore the sunken gardens, take a picture with the iconic statues -- all FREE! Then you can visit Bloedel Conservatory (a great way to warm up on a chilly day!), and finish off your visit with a drink or meal at Seasons on the park. On a lower level there is a duck pond, sledding if it snows, and then at the very bottom there is our world class swimming pool (Hillcrest Centre) where there is also a library, a skating rink, and the big baseball field.
830 locals recommend
Queen Elizabeth Park
4600 Cambie StWalk through the outdoor patios, explore the sunken gardens, take a picture with the iconic statues -- all FREE! Then you can visit Bloedel Conservatory (a great way to warm up on a chilly day!), and finish off your visit with a drink or meal at Seasons on the park. On a lower level there is a duck pond, sledding if it snows, and then at the very bottom there is our world class swimming pool (Hillcrest Centre) where there is also a library, a skating rink, and the big baseball field.
The ferry takes off from here to Vancouver Island and Bowen Island, but the little town itself makes a nice day trip from Vancouver. Beautiful views, lots of little restaurants and shops.
83 locals recommend
Horseshoe Bay
The ferry takes off from here to Vancouver Island and Bowen Island, but the little town itself makes a nice day trip from Vancouver. Beautiful views, lots of little restaurants and shops.