A Day in Vancouver

[Maritime Q-Scout]

For those that have been reading the Las Vegas thread will know that I'm looking at spending a few days in Vegas over the March break with my wife.

I found a deal online that is very cheap airfare for the time we want to be in Las Vegas, but it requires a layover in Vancouver on the way back.

The flight from Vegas would arrive at 12:41am, but we wouldn't leave Vancouver until 7:05pm flying back to Nova Scotia.

If you had an afternoon in Vancouver, what would you recommend doing?

Also given the requirement for a hotel, just a place to crash, where would you recommend?

[RedMileDJ]

Vancouver? No matter what you do, you'll end up having a riot...


...I'll show myself out...

[squiggs96]

Originally Posted by RedMileDJ

...I'll show myself out...

We could only be so lucky.

[squiggs96]

Originally Posted by Maritime Q-Scout

For those that have been reading the Las Vegas thread will know that I'm looking at spending a few days in Vegas over the March break with my wife.

I found a deal online that is very cheap airfare for the time we want to be in Las Vegas, but it requires a layover in Vancouver on the way back.

The flight from Vegas would arrive at 12:41am, but we wouldn't leave Vancouver until 7:05pm flying back to Nova Scotia.

If you had an afternoon in Vancouver, what would you recommend doing?


Also given the requirement for a hotel, just a place to crash, where would you recommend?

I recommend taking the Canada Line train downtown Vancouver and staying at a hotel there. PM me for a Marriott code if you like. I like the idea of renting a bike and going around the sea wall. You can get Granville Island, Science World, Stanley Park, the Aquarium, Chinatown and the beaches all in one shot. Side note, the aquarium has been completely revamped and is really cool right now. If you aren't into biking walk through downtown and take the sea bus to Granville Island. Yes, it's touristy, but it's still one of my favourite spots to go, whether I'm biking, walking or driving.

Let me know what food you like and I can recommend some restaurants.

[Maritime Q-Scout]

Originally Posted by squiggs96

I recommend taking the Canada Line train downtown Vancouver and staying at a hotel there. PM me for a Marriott code if you like. I like the idea of renting a bike and going around the sea wall. You can get Granville Island, Science World, Stanley Park, the Aquarium, Chinatown and the beaches all in one shot. Side note, the aquarium has been completely revamped and is really cool right now. If you aren't into biking walk through downtown and take the sea bus to Granville Island. Yes, it's touristy, but it's still one of my favourite spots to go, whether I'm biking, walking or driving.

Let me know what food you like and I can recommend some restaurants.

Even though we'd be getting to the hotel a little after 1am and checking out the next morning? There really wouldn't be any hotel time at all, my (uninformed) thought would be to crash at a cheaper hotel by the airport, get them to hold our luggage then frig off down the Canada Line the next day.

[Simon96Taco]

Originally Posted by Maritime Q-Scout

Even though we'd be getting to the hotel a little after 1am and checking out the next morning? There really wouldn't be any hotel time at all, my (uninformed) thought would be to crash at a cheaper hotel by the airport, get them to hold our luggage then frig off down the Canada Line the next day.

I think that's a good plan. Be nice to not bring your luggage into the city, just to have to bring it out to the airport again.

[BuckminsterFuller]

The Aquarium.

[Winsor_Pilates]

Originally Posted by Maritime Q-Scout

Even though we'd be getting to the hotel a little after 1am and checking out the next morning? There really wouldn't be any hotel time at all, my (uninformed) thought would be to crash at a cheaper hotel by the airport, get them to hold our luggage then frig off down the Canada Line the next day.

I think this is a good idea.
Just get something in Richmond that is convenient for catching the Canada line, and save your hotel money.

[troutman]

Vancouver's hottest club is The Shaggy Horse.

[tvp2003]

Last skytrain leaves YVR at 12:56, so I would find a hotel near the airport (ideally one with a 24 hr shuttle) and then store your bags there for the day.

Last time I went I did the tour of Rogers Arena -- check the schedule to see if they are being offered that day. Quite the contrast to the old Saddledome, even though I did have to take a shower afterwards Also got a photo of the "Tortorella" hallway

P.S. There is also baggage storage at the airport, but I'm pretty sure it will be closed by the time you arrive. It's on the arrivals level, just before you get on the escalator/elevator on the way to the Skytrain (its easy to miss so ask if you don't see it). I think it was $7.50/day for a suitcase.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Could always go for a romantic stroll down East Hastings...

[Galakanokis]

Stay at the Fairmont right at the airport? Not much else around that won't cost you money to get to. Grab the train downtown in the morning and just wander about. Lots to see and do. I like to just wander around new places and see the stuff that isn't the usual tourist traps.

Or you could just call me, I'm a great lunch date. I'll throw in a walk about Rogers as well.

[squiggs96]

Originally Posted by Maritime Q-Scout

Even though we'd be getting to the hotel a little after 1am and checking out the next morning? There really wouldn't be any hotel time at all, my (uninformed) thought would be to crash at a cheaper hotel by the airport, get them to hold our luggage then frig off down the Canada Line the next day.

The Fairmont is the only hotel at the airport, but obviously this is not a budget hotel. There are other hotels that say they are airport hotels, but they aren't at the airport, nor are they on the Canada Line route. So you have to get to the hotel (likely by shuttle), find a way to get downtown (cab or find your way back to the Canada Line), and then when you want to go home you have to go back to the hotel instead of going straight to the airport. If you take your bags with you downtown you will have them with you if you want to sleep. They will also hold them for you to check out. When you get on the Canada Line to go back to YVR, you have them with you and can proceed directly to your departure gate, without having to arrange the hotel shuttle or to get off the train, get your bags and then get back on the train. There is the River Rock a couple stops from YVR.

[Codes]

If there is one thing I always do, it's go to Stanley Park. It's beautiful. Easily accessible by transit, and the Aquarium is there if you do the loop relatively quickly.

Just watch out for rain.

[keratosis]

I like taking the water taxi across false harbor.
Just because.

[tvp2003]

Originally Posted by squiggs96

The Fairmont is the only hotel at the airport, but obviously this is not a budget hotel. There are other hotels that say they are airport hotels, but they aren't at the airport, nor are they on the Canada Line route. So you have to get to the hotel (likely by shuttle), find a way to get downtown (cab or find your way back to the Canada Line), and then when you want to go home you have to go back to the hotel instead of going straight to the airport. If you take your bags with you downtown you will have them with you if you want to sleep. They will also hold them for you to check out. When you get on the Canada Line to go back to YVR, you have them with you and can proceed directly to your departure gate, without having to arrange the hotel shuttle or to get off the train, get your bags and then get back on the train. There is the River Rock a couple stops from YVR.

Good point. Stay closer to the airport, and when you check out in the morning, take the shuttle back to the airport, store your bags at the place I mentioned above, and then take the Skytrain (Canada Line) into downtown. When you come back for your flight home, your bags will already be at the airport.

[Winsor_Pilates]

Something like the Holiday Inn at Cambie & Broadway may be a good options as well.
It's just outside of downtown and just off the Cambie line. You could go there and get your rest, and then be downtown quickly the next morning.
Cost is likely a lot less than the downtown hotels yet you're 5 min away and on the same route.

[DeluxeMoustache]

I agree with the recommendation to stay at River Rock. The hotel part is quite nice and it is very convenient for a late arrival.

Also agree with checking out Stanley Park and the aquarium.

And I just saw one post about East Hastings - it is very depressing, may be up there as the worst road in North America for people whose lives have been ruined by drugs. It is amazing how quickly the feel changes from West Hastings and that Gastown area to the armpit that is East Hastings.

[Maritime Q-Scout]

I booked the Accent Inn. For a place we're literally only going to sleep (check-in at what 2am by the time we clear customs and get to the hotel) and checkout by 11am who really cares how nice the hotel is?

Free shuttle to and from the hotel, then either put luggage with the baggage services at YVR or if we could check it with WestJet (what time can we do that?) then explore Vancouver.

So far looking like checking out Stanley Park, maybe exploring the downtown area a bit? Aquarium if we have time?

Any cool place to get something to eat? Preferably something inexpensive as it's at the end of our vacation.

[Galakanokis]

There are some good food trucks/carts around. Japadog would be worth checking out. Maybe find something along the water to have lunch? I think these are on the more expensive side but something like Rodney's, Fortes or Blue Water for seafood if you are into that kind of thing.