― rrrobyn (rrrobyn), Tuesday, 6 September 2005 17:27 (eighteen years ago) link
If you go to Victoria (and have drivers licences), rent scooters! (or just bikes!) You can ride around on the road next to the beach from downtown and all the way to the university. I went to UVic - I spent a lot of time riding my bike and studying/working and really liked (but not loved) it. The town is slow, quiet and very pretty. As with any town like that, there's gotta be some creepiness under the surface - but as a tourist (and a Londoner), you'll barely see it.
― rrrobyn (rrrobyn), Tuesday, 6 September 2005 17:40 (eighteen years ago) link
― Thea (Thea), Tuesday, 6 September 2005 18:07 (eighteen years ago) link
As with any town like that, there's gotta be some creepiness under the surface - but as a tourist (and a Londoner), you'll barely see it.
So very true. I keep forgetting these folks are coming from London. In that case, may I add VANCOUVER HAS NO PROBLEMS PLEASE STAY FOR THE OLYMPICS, INNIT.
Back to Vancouver:
The Sha Lin Noodle House is very nice.
(Also I second the recommendation of The Railway Club upthread.)
― fields of salmon (fieldsofsalmon), Tuesday, 6 September 2005 18:20 (eighteen years ago) link
― anthony easton (anthony), Tuesday, 6 September 2005 18:29 (eighteen years ago) link
Nobody mentioned the beautiful Bouchart Gardens on Victoria nor the really fun coaster sled thingy on Grouse Mt. Gas town has good eats.
Salt spring Island is wonderful to explore and canoe around and has a quint little town with some pretty good food and local entertainment.
Have a fun and safe trip.
― Wiggy (Wiggy), Tuesday, 6 September 2005 18:41 (eighteen years ago) link
― everything, Tuesday, 6 September 2005 18:56 (eighteen years ago) link
― fields of salmon (fieldsofsalmon), Tuesday, 6 September 2005 19:09 (eighteen years ago) link
― donut Get Behind Me Carbon Dioxide (donut), Tuesday, 6 September 2005 19:36 (eighteen years ago) link
― everything, Tuesday, 6 September 2005 19:42 (eighteen years ago) link
I prefer staying in the Hyatt Regency Burnaby outside the city and taking the train in. Its usually not all that tough to get a room there on Priceline for under $50, parking isn't too expensive, and the station is a 5 minute walk. Plus, if you get there early enough for checkin, they clean top down, so the only rooms available are on the executive levels (which gives you access to the lounge on the top floor, plus the oh so cool keycard only accessable levels on the elevator). There's also an asian market downstairs, where I was able to buy some cool toys and eat cheap breakfasts of pineapple rolls and Goya every morning (and a karaoke bar at night).
Playland Park, the one amusement park in Vancouver, is kinda dumpy, but the wood roller coaster there is top shelf. Unappreciated ride by the general public, but has a huge reputation in coaster enthusiast circles, with some fear that it may not be long for this world (as Playland prepares to move to a larger lot elsewhere in the city).
― Alan Conceicao (Alan Conceicao), Tuesday, 6 September 2005 19:58 (eighteen years ago) link
Any more tips or places to stay, or particularly forthcoming events / clubs / gigs in November please also let us know here.
This thread is so incredible: I can't believe there isn't an I Love Travel board.
― Huey (Huey), Wednesday, 7 September 2005 08:27 (eighteen years ago) link
That's actually $8CAN now for an all day trip... which is still a deal compared to paying $2.25CAN for a 90 minute transfer. (Seattle has weekday $5US all day passes, $2.50US on the weekends.. maybe that was the source of the confusion?)
But true, at least between early morning and midnightish you can go anywhere within concentrated greater Vancouver -- even North Van and West Van... bus, Skytrain, SeaBus, etc.
AFTER that, you'll have to take a cab though... but no big deal there. I imagine a neighborhood-to-neighborhood cab ride costs $10-12CAN?
― donut Get Behind Me Carbon Dioxide (donut), Wednesday, 7 September 2005 21:46 (eighteen years ago) link
http://www.translink.bc.ca/
― donut Get Behind Me Carbon Dioxide (donut), Wednesday, 7 September 2005 21:47 (eighteen years ago) link
VANFAP!!
I wanna hearre LeCoq say that out loud, goddamit!
― donut Get Behind Me Carbon Dioxide (donut), Wednesday, 7 September 2005 21:50 (eighteen years ago) link
― donut Get Behind Me Carbon Dioxide (donut), Wednesday, 7 September 2005 21:52 (eighteen years ago) link
After Vancouver we're driving through the States for a month (or two) down to Mexico and Guatemala, so we'll be coming through Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, LA, Vegas, Tucson etc anyway, so perhaps even a FAT* or FAC** would be on the cards.
(* Fancy A Thanksgiving)(** Fancy A Christmas)
― Huey (Huey), Thursday, 8 September 2005 06:36 (eighteen years ago) link
― everything, Wednesday, 29 March 2006 20:47 (eighteen years ago) link
(You mean the same block as Beat Street?)
― Yoo Doo Nut (donut), Wednesday, 29 March 2006 22:07 (eighteen years ago) link
― everything, Wednesday, 29 March 2006 22:27 (eighteen years ago) link
― Yoo Doo Nut (donut), Thursday, 30 March 2006 07:54 (eighteen years ago) link
― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Tuesday, 4 April 2006 18:37 (eighteen years ago) link
― jergins (jergins), Tuesday, 4 April 2006 19:35 (eighteen years ago) link
― Do-ppler ray-Nut (donut), Wednesday, 5 April 2006 02:22 (eighteen years ago) link
anyone else visiting here email me. I'm pretty busy but I always have tons of weed and a winning attitude.
― LeCoq (LeCoq), Wednesday, 5 April 2006 09:48 (eighteen years ago) link
VANFAP!!!! tomorrow? (weds). night?
― LeCoq (LeCoq), Wednesday, 5 April 2006 09:57 (eighteen years ago) link
― jergins (jergins), Wednesday, 5 April 2006 17:39 (eighteen years ago) link
― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Tuesday, 25 April 2006 14:58 (eighteen years ago) link
― everything, Tuesday, 25 April 2006 16:19 (eighteen years ago) link
I'm guessing getting into a Bard on The Beach perf isn't the HUGE all-day hassle NYC's Central Park Shakespeare is? I might go Tuesday,July 4, wd hafta choose btwn Measure for Measure & The Winter's Tale (outside v in, for one). How long before they open at 7:20 should I arrive?
― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Saturday, 17 June 2006 14:43 (seventeen years ago) link
What's the fastest bus/train from Vanc to Portland for the carless? I've looked at Amtrak and Greyhound, and neither seem to do it in less than 8-1/2 hours! I really don't wanna get on a bus at 5:30 a.m.
― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Wednesday, 21 June 2006 19:27 (seventeen years ago) link
the train is obviously much more aesthetically pleasing. it runs along the water for much of the stretch from vancouver to seattle.
i would consider a flight. but really, it can be done cheaply, i think.
― jergins (jergins), Thursday, 22 June 2006 22:40 (seventeen years ago) link
Taking a train or bus would be much cheaper than flying though, although it would take a lot longer.
― San Diva Gyna (and a Masala DOsaNUT on the side) (donut), Friday, 23 June 2006 01:04 (seventeen years ago) link
― San Diva Gyna (and a Masala DOsaNUT on the side) (donut), Friday, 23 June 2006 01:07 (seventeen years ago) link
― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Tuesday, 27 June 2006 16:14 (seventeen years ago) link
― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Tuesday, 27 June 2006 16:21 (seventeen years ago) link
― San Diva Gyna (and a Masala DOsaNUT on the side) (donut), Tuesday, 27 June 2006 17:00 (seventeen years ago) link
― Huk-L (Huk-L), Tuesday, 27 June 2006 17:03 (seventeen years ago) link
― San Diva Gyna (and a Masala DOsaNUT on the side) (donut), Tuesday, 27 June 2006 17:31 (seventeen years ago) link
Me! I need to sublet or get rid of mine. Email me.
― Sym Sym (sym), Wednesday, 28 June 2006 03:26 (seventeen years ago) link
is staying on Granville a good idea? if you'd rather not drive?
― gabbneb, Thursday, 1 November 2007 23:18 (sixteen years ago) link
I stayed one night on Granville during a three night stay in Vancouver. It wasn't horrible, but luckily for me the weather was nice and I didn't mind a little hike. But yeah, I seem to remember a good 30+ minute walk to anything I wanted to do that day (and night).
― will, Thursday, 1 November 2007 23:28 (sixteen years ago) link
Granville's fine. It's no more central that a bunch of different places though - the action is pretty spread out in the downtown area. With the skytrain though, there are places to stay that are not downtown but are within 10-15 minutes (or less), so look at that also.
― everything, Thursday, 1 November 2007 23:37 (sixteen years ago) link
Granville is the central street in downtown. If that's where you're staying, then you're fine.
I'm guessing the street itself is still under construction, so you need to grab your buses on Howe or Seymour, but that's like what a block away either direction? Also, Georgia/Granville is right by the Granville Skytrain station, so if that's the part of Granville you're staying in, then you're set.
However, if you're staying off Granville and, say, 80th st, then you're in south residential Vancouver and you'll be, to put it mildly, less set.
If you're in Granville Island, that's a whole 'nother discussion.
― Mackro Mackro, Friday, 2 November 2007 00:00 (sixteen years ago) link
I mean the island.
― gabbneb, Friday, 2 November 2007 01:13 (sixteen years ago) link
I don't know much about the city. At first I thought I'd want to be near Stanley Park, but it sounds like the most interesting places to eat are in Kitsilano or Fairview (South Granville?), or Yaletown, so staying near those seems more logical. Is it true that Yaletown's easy on the ferry but a hike otherwise?
― gabbneb, Friday, 2 November 2007 01:46 (sixteen years ago) link
yeah I was referring to the island as well.
― will, Friday, 2 November 2007 02:25 (sixteen years ago) link
Granville Island = good if you like donuts
― Dr. Superman, Friday, 2 November 2007 02:40 (sixteen years ago) link
yeah, the Aquabus will take you right over to y'town, but then you have to hike everywhere. It's a nice walk along the seawall to the sci centre from G'ville Island. West 4th (Kitsilano) is a very short walk from G.I. and there is much fine shopping and food (though don't believe the Indian place that advertises "best butter chicken in town"). Zulu Records is on W4th and a great way to spend 45 minutes. Go to Commercial and 1st for the BEST coffee (short espresso at Cafe Napoli).
― Dr. Superman, Friday, 2 November 2007 02:53 (sixteen years ago) link
i'm imagining a pretty short visit of a day or two in the height of summer. i figure you can drive/taxi/bus/trolley/other to stanley park or other in-town mid-day destinations (not that i really had any in mind other than perhaps vanier and maybe maybe chinatown - i suppose gaslight is recommended?), but it seems more desirable to have food/nice mixed nabes in walking distance.
― gabbneb, Friday, 2 November 2007 03:53 (sixteen years ago) link
re: apartments again. why is everyone horrified when i say i'm moving to richmond? is the canada line ----->>> 99 bline commute to ubc that horrifying? my neighbor was even like, "one day, that thing [canada line] is going to break down, mark my words, i would hate to be stuck over there. i even hate going there," etc.
cons: commute will change from 10 minutes to ~45 minutes, won't be able to see ocean, walk to jericho beach, play in tidal pools.
pros: i kinda hate the whole vibe of 4th avenue, fair trade thai handicraft stores and new age bookshops and ubc fratboys and everyone has a porsche, and it's a fucking terrible, terrible place that sums up everything that sucks about vancouver. when i escape from that weird fourth ave/broadway corridor and get downtown or go to richmond, or even burnaby, i love the city. i mean, fucking love richmond, cheap food and good food (best food in canada is in richmond [and burnaby]), lots of pretty girls, good grocery stores (t&t and yaohan and lots of smaller places), good chinese bookstores (三联 in the aberdeen mall which has lots of hk shit, bought an hk published version of feidu on the weekend, and the one under superstore [the only entrance is from the superstore parking garage and it smells like car exhaust but], you can get pick up caijing magazine there or buy softcore porn), i know tons of people that live in richmond and i don't know anybody that lives on fucking dunbar street, CRUCIAL: MY RENT WILL BE $400 CHEAPER, MY RENT WILL BE $400 CHEAPER, MY RENT WILL BE $400 CHEAPER. right across from parker place mall, right beside a canada line stop.
― dylannn, Sunday, 11 October 2009 20:43 (fourteen years ago) link
dude who cares if they're horrified, that's their problem. you seem to be pretty stoked on the idea of being in Richmond, it's affordable, and you know people there. give it a try and if it turns out it's as awful as everyone else seems to think it is, you can use all the $$ you've saved to move back to some other place that's more Vancouver-based.
they can't let any lines break down until after the Olympics, anyway. right?
― salsa shark, Sunday, 11 October 2009 21:22 (fourteen years ago) link
i know i know, right, i'll let them be horrified. but i was just wondering what was at the root of it all, you know? richmond->van transit links are pretty good, i think. i'd hate to have to drive there everyday.
― dylannn, Sunday, 11 October 2009 21:50 (fourteen years ago) link
Coworker just asked if Vancouver is east or west of us (in Toronto). We were all shocked, so we asked her 'is Calgary east or west of us?' and she said west. And then we explained Vancouver is west of Calgary. Then she asked to clarify 'so does that make Vancouver east or west of us'
I don't know whether to hit her or hug her. She furthered clarified that she 'knows it's north of us' and when we kept laughing, she said she meant British Columbia, not just Vancouver. 0_0
― she started dancing to that (Finefinemusic), Tuesday, 24 January 2012 20:43 (twelve years ago) link
hello! i'm visiting Vancouver (B.C.) for the first time next summer and am interested in seeing some shows.
what are the best venues in the city (or region, if need be)? big to small, punk to classical, mom & pop to Local Bank Group Amphitheater ... all are welcome.
thanks!
― alpine static, Sunday, 1 December 2019 18:44 (four years ago) link
Best venue for 5 local scene bands doing 20 mins sets is Red Gate imo.
Lana Lous for 2 local bands playing for too long. Nice room.
Pats Pub have credible punk and jazz bills but otherwise the bands are hit and miss.
Best mid-sized venue for popular tourung bands is the Biltmore.
― everything, Sunday, 1 December 2019 20:31 (four years ago) link
Pat's seems to have shitty bridge and tunnel metal bands playing half the time,or it did before I stopped going there to watch hockey because they would try and make me pay to see the shitty langley metal band that was going to play.
I like the biltmore ok,the rickshaw is fine (and close to me)
― #FBPIRA (jim in vancouver), Sunday, 1 December 2019 21:04 (four years ago) link
punk: black lab
― flopson, Sunday, 1 December 2019 21:50 (four years ago) link
toast collective my personal fav venue
― flopson, Sunday, 1 December 2019 22:25 (four years ago) link
Toast is great except it has no stage, no sound system, no lights, nowhere to sit down & the worst toilets and bar ever.
― everything, Monday, 2 December 2019 05:20 (four years ago) link
other than that!
― alpine static, Monday, 2 December 2019 06:26 (four years ago) link
it’s an underground venue *shrugs*
― flopson, Monday, 2 December 2019 09:11 (four years ago) link
where are u seeing noise shows that has any of those things
― flopson, Monday, 2 December 2019 09:12 (four years ago) link
the toilet at 333 was the worst in the city (rip)
― #FBPIRA (jim in vancouver), Monday, 2 December 2019 17:25 (four years ago) link
so Red Gate, Lana Lous, Pat's Pub, Biltmore, Rickshaw, Black Lab, Toast
these all sound like indoor venues to me ... any killer outdoor spots that regularly have music (even if summer/good weather only)?
what's the best music festival or two in town?
― alpine static, Monday, 2 December 2019 23:48 (four years ago) link
there are some shows at the malkin bowl in stanley park in the summer. there are also shows in the suburbs in dear lake park in burnaby sometimes. i don't think there's any festival of interest in the greater vancouver area if you mean the big outdoor thing. there's a really awful looking thing called FVDED In The Park which takes place in surrey (another suburb)
― #FBPIRA (jim in vancouver), Tuesday, 3 December 2019 00:07 (four years ago) link
The two outdoor music fests which come to mind are Khatsalano in July, and Victory Square in September. Both free. There are others - mostly local events. Eg. There are decent bands on car free days on main St. Not sure what the schedule is next year.That big fest in Stanley park (sasquatch?) is coming back next year. And the folk fest is a great time but pricey. Kinda worth it though.
― everything, Tuesday, 3 December 2019 03:11 (four years ago) link
Oh yeah folk fest
― #FBPIRA (jim in vancouver), Tuesday, 3 December 2019 03:30 (four years ago) link
Xxxpost I wasnt too serious about the Toast. Very happy it exists but they could hugely improve things for the audience and the performers without much effort.
― everything, Tuesday, 3 December 2019 04:14 (four years ago) link