Vancouver, Canada + Add a trip

Ice cream in Vancouver

There may be better ice cream, but I've never been anywhere with as much choice. 218 flavours on any given day, with soya options, fat-free, sugar-free and so on. Lots of sprinkles and cone choices make the shop looks distinctly Wonka-esque.

La Casa Gelato 1033 Venables Street, Vancouver, B.C. V6A 3R9 Tel: 604.251.3211

Airport baggage storage

from the Vancouver Airport Authority website: "CDS Baggage Storage provides short and long term baggage storage at the Vancouver International Airport. They have locations on the arrivals level of both the international and domestic terminals. Their rates range from $3-$6 per item/day dependent on the size of the item stored. They charge a maximum of 10 days and will store items for up to 3 months."

Snowbus

Snowbus is your best bet if you're heading to Whistler. Round-trip on a comfy, clean bus, with a host, is $42, plus they will sell you discounted Whistler-Blackcomb lift tickets for $68 each (regular $83 at the mountain ticket window). They have cheap refreshments on board (think energy drinks, water, etc.) and their website walks you through the entire booking process in a snap. Don't worry, they also take reservations on the phone and the folks that work there are incredibly patient, helpful and customer-oriented.

Jogging in Vancouver

Great place to jog and do a lot more

Capilano Suspension Bridge

One of the most impressive suspension bridges around in my opinion.

Granville Market - the definitive four season urban market

For decades this co-operative effort between mulfiple levels of government and the private sector has been the blueprint for urban revival markets across North America and beyond. A vibrant blend of art, dining, provisioning and general amusement. Must be included in anyone's top ten things to do in the city in any season.

Lynn Valley Suspension bridge, North Vancouver over the Capilano River

Free Beautiful scenery, lovely trails to explore among the Douglas fir trees. A good day out!

During the spring, starting the end of March, if the winter isn't too cold, the cherry blossoms come out and they are fantastic.

The beaches are pretty nice. Kitsilano Beach, English Bay, Jericho Beach, Wreck Beach (clothing optional beach), etc. Very pretty, specially in the summer. In the summer, there are usually lots of people tho.

Hiking Grouse Mountain: http://atlasparasite.com/2009/11/02/hiking-grouse-mountain-in-vancouver/

A great place to go for a walk and see birds.

During the winter (November - February) tens of thousands of snow geese migrate to the Fraser River Delta and can bee seen in their thousands at the Sanctuary.

For up-to-date bird spotting lists, check out their website.

The Public Market is arguably the best place to spend a Saturday afternoon in Vancouver. Get there from downtown via the two private ferry companies (False Creek Ferries/Aquabus).

Great options on Granville Island (not just the Public Market) -If you're looking for a date option, check out the Vancouver Theatresports League on Half-Price Thursdays (vtsl.com). Cheap hilarious comedy. -Check out the Granville Island Brewery Tour/Tasting. They have a great seasonal rotation, so you always get something new.

Honestly, if you're in Gastown, you can't miss the Steam Clock. But is it worth waiting the 15-min interval for it to toot its horn? No.

That being said, while the clock itself is a miss (unless you are a fourth-grade kid or a Japanese tourist), Gastown is great. There are some fantastic boutiques along the whole strip (interspersed with the touristy kitsch) and some really great restaurants.

If you didn't have a sheltered suburban childhood, the nearby Downtown Eastside is worth a looksie.

Unless you are boarding the (underground) Skytrain/Canada Line or Seabus, Waterfront Station is a pretty building with not much else. The Transcontinental restaurant is good enough for a business meeting.

There is a parking lot just to the east of the building that affords great views (pictures!) of the Coast Mountains and Burrard Inlet, but with a very good-looking chain fence between you and the beauty.

Also check out Steamworks (across the parking lot), because it brews its own beer (made onsite) and is very tasty. They have a rotating beer selection. If you snag a window view, there's no chain fence.

If you're in Vancouver in September (esp. with kids), check out their Word-On-The-Street festival. Great fun at the VPL.

There is a sushi restaurant in the VPL complex (forget the name) that is also nice. If you're an idiot, there's a McDonalds too.

Free wi-fi inside.

I took a tour with our guide Melody with a couple of friends and was blown away by the personal connection we had with her. The choices of the food and restaurants were incredible; we wish we could have taken the tour everyday of our trip. I recommend adding Vancouver Food Tour to your itinerary when you visit Vancouver. You won't be disappointed!

Jericho Sailing Center - fantastic views, restaurant 'The Galley' with a massive deck overlooking the bay, great to just hang out and have a beer on the patio, walk along the beach, or rent a sailboat / windsurfer from Mac Sailing or Windsure for the afternoon! http://www.jsca.bc.ca/

If you're visiting on a nice, warm spring or summer day, heading to the Black Frog and getting a window seat is a good way to pass the time at a good local watering hole while awaiting the Steam Clock's toot.