Hi all - if anyone has seen my other post, we are taking a cruise to Alaska in late August with a 16 and 13 year old. Cruise starts and ends on Vancouver and we will have 1 full day at the start, then a morning before going to the ship, then about 7 hours when we get back in port on the other end. Don't want museums or aquariums. The suspension bridge and Grouse mountain look great and we'd have to take a tour (no car) so if anyone can recommend a good tour outfit that's great. Other must see activities? Thanks in advance. Tamara
Posted by
Medford, OR, USA
5835 posts
Rent bikes and self guide a tour around Stanley Park then continue to Granville Island for lunch then back to the cruise terminal.
https://www.tourismvancouver.com/activities/cycling-mountain-biking/biking-in-stanley-park/
Posted by
Washington DC Region, USA
7049 posts
My absolute favorite memory as a kid was going on a seaplane over Vancouver. Gorgeous scenery and a truly unique experience.
https://www.harbourair.com/tours/
There are free shuttles to Capilano Bridge included in the place of admission (individual tickets are quite expensive; perhaps the Family Pass would work best for you):
https://www.capbridge.com/visit/shuttle-service/
Stanley Park is amazing and free, it's a definite highlight in Vancouver. Maybe you can rent bikes and tool around. Also, I would consider going to Granville Island/ Granville Market; you can go on foot or ferry across False Creek.
Posted by
Portland, OR
356 posts
Another vote for Granville Island - lots to see, and lots to eat. And you can take the little ferries across False Creek. And Stanley Park.
I wouldn't totally discount museums. Check out the Anthropology Museum at UBC. Huge amount of First Nation displays, totems, masks, Northwest basketry, etc., and it might also be a good introduction to Alaska. And it's easy with public transportation from downtown which I'm assuming is where you are staying.
And the Tourism Vancouver website is a wealth of information and well organized for research.
And what do the 13 and 16 year olds want to do?
Posted by
martinez, ca, usa
2299 posts
hey tamara
i did the flyovercanada.com at canada place nar the waterfront centre. it was great.
aloha
Posted by
Alsenborn, Germany
864 posts
Also, you need to consider you'll have sunlight from 0500-2200. The days are long in August. I'd take them over to the University of BC and look thru the Museum of anthropology, and then over to Granville Island. (I know, you don't want museums, but this one is the best collection of First Nation stuff in the world.) And it's built on the remains of an old artillery emplacement. They always have special stuff for kids going on. In the evening I'd take a walk through Gastown along the water.