There is a reason British Columbia’s moniker is 'Beautiful British Columbia'. With spectacular city centres like Vancouver and natural wonders only minutes outside of these cities British Columbia truly offers something for everyone!
The ‘Must Sees’ in Vancouver:
Vancouver itself has a number of 'must see' tourist attractions. Whether you love the out-of-doors, or prefer to explore the cultural and historical background of the area, there are sure to be attractions that fit your style!
Grouse Mountain: A mountain resort, minutes away from the city centre. This rugged getaway is a year round source of breathtaking views and a wide range of activities including Vancouver’s most famous hike, the Grouse Grind. For those who are feeling less adventurous, a gondola ride up the face of Grouse Mountains provides the same results with less of the burn.
Capilano Suspension Bridge: Suspended since 1889, the Capilano Suspension Bridge presents visitors with a breathtaking view of the Capilano River from a vantage point of 70 metres above!
Stanley Park: Stanley Park is recognized around the globe as one of the great parks of the world! Vancouver's first park and one of the city's main tourist attractions, Stanley Park is an evergreen oasis of 400 hectares right next to the downtown core.
Vancouver Aquarium: The aquarium invites its guests to view and interact with over 70,000 different aquatic species.
Granville Island: A former industrial site, Granville Island is now a hotspot for locals and visitors alike. Featuring outdoor entertainers, a public market filled with local goods and a number of artesian workshops with handcrafted goods the Island is a prime place to see what Vancouver has to offer.
Vancouver Art Gallery: Located in the heart of downtown Vancouver, the Vancouver Art Gallery features an impressive display of dynamic exhibits.
Jericho Beach and the Spanish Banks: These beaches, both close to campus, offer a place to swim, play volleyball or Frisbee or just relax on the sand with a beach. The western side of Jericho Beach also features the Ecomarine kayak club and the Jericho Beach Sailing club where small boats can be rented. (www.ecomarine.com)
Events Occurring:
ASV 2009 happens to coincide with a number of popular summer events here in Vancouver; why not try to take advantage of them?
Bard on the Beach: A local tradition, Bard on the Beach takes Shakespeare’s classic works and transports them into huge open ended tents on Vancouver’s gorgeous waterfront, providing an all natural backdrop of mountains, sea and sky. This year’s plays include the Comedy of Errors, Othello, All's Well that Ends Well and Richard II. This event is sold out every year so tickets should be purchased early if delegates are interested!
Theater Under the Stars: Another outdoor theater event, these shows take place in the Malkin Bowl in Stanley park and include Annie and Thoroughly Modern Millie.
Tours Available:
Granville Island Brewery: The Granville Island Brewery allows visitors to see, and sample, the fabulous locally handcraft premium beers available here in Vancouver as well as providing everyone with a chance to relax and have some fun.
Times: Noon, 2 pm and 4 pm daily
Number: 12 ppl at a time
Cost: $9.75 per person inc four taster beers
For more ideas on what to do in Vancouver, check out Tourism Vancouver's 'Things to Do' list, or alternatively, check out Tourism Vancouver TV!
The province of British Columbia offers a wealth of tourism opportunities for visitors. Why not extend your stay and take advantage of BC's natural beauty? To get you started, check out Tourism BC's 'Things to Do' List. Or take a tour of the 2009 ASV LOC's Top 5 List: 1. Play a round of golf in Whistler (site of the 2010 Olympics!)
Vancouver and the surrounding area offer some wonderful attractions but we realize some of you may not have a lot of time to travel around. If that’s the case check out this list of things available visit right here on campus! Museum of Anthropology: A world-renowned museum, right here on campus, MOA houses an impressive collection of ethnographic and archaeological objects, many of which originate from the Northwest Coast of British Columbia. Nitobe Memorial Garden: A traditional Japanese Tea and Stroll garden, Nitobe Memorial Garden is considered to be one of the most authentic gardens of this type in North America, if not outside of Japan. Beautiful and tranquil, it provides a perfect place to stroll, reflect and relax. UBC Botanical Garden: Located only a short walk away from conference activities, the UBC Botanical Gardens is a ‘hidden gem’ with beautiful gardens and lots of information on both native and non native plants. Pacific Spirit Regional Park: Accessible from campus, Pacific Spirit Regional Park boasts 54kms of walking trails, 38kms of trailways dedicated to cycling and plenty of room for picnicking, relaxing on the beach or even swimming should the mood strike! UBC Aquatic Centre: The UBC aquatic centre features both an indoor and outdoor pool, diving boards, a weight room, whirlpool, saunas and steam rooms. Green space: If there’s one thing UBC has plenty of its open space with room to start up an impromptu game of Frisbee or soccer.
Beautiful British Columbia:
2. Tour of the Parliament Buildings in historical Victoria
3. Whale watching in Tofino
4. Wine tour in the sunny Okanagan Valley
5. Take a cruise up the BC Coast
Right Here on Campus:
