Introduction to Vancouver

Ringed by snow-capped, forested mountains dropping down to miles of sandy beaches, Vancouver is a playground for residents and visitors. Against the stunning scenic backdrop, a medley of sophisticated restaurants, leafy parks and lively, earthy brew pubs await. Cosmopolitan Vancouver is "young" -- just over 100 years old -- and its outdoorsy energy complements its easygoing West Coast style.

Things to Do

Walk along the seawall or through forested trails in sprawling Stanley Park, Vancouver's spiritual center. East of downtown, stroll amid the tranquil ponds and stone walkways of the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden. Giant carved totem poles tower above an impressive collection of First Nations masks and sculptures at the Museum of Anthropology. You can see British Columbia depicted in the brilliant canvases of Emily Carr at the Vancouver Art Gallery. After walking the lush tree-lined streets of the West End, ride on a mini-ferry on False Creek.

Shopping

A colorful parade of well-heeled patrons descends on the designer boutiques of Robson Street; heads to the shops lining West 4th Avenue for funky purchases; or wanders through the shops of Ambleside in genteel West Vancouver. In addition to the essential Granville Island Public Market, Vancouver has a number of permanent and weekly summer markets stocked with farm goods, fashions, and knick-knacks.

Nightlife and Entertainment

Pubs and clubs are clustered around two ""entertainment zones."" Rub shoulders with the club crowd on funky Granville Street downtown or do a pub crawl along Water and Pender streets in Gastown. Hip Yaletown has quickly established itself as a third zone, with swanky cocktail bars and clubs. For more laidback surroundings, relax with beachgoers in Kitsilano, and in summer, picnic in Stanley Park and watch Theatre Under the Stars.

Restaurants and Dining

Seafood is king in Vancouver; this is a city where an appetizer of raw oysters often precedes a main course of wild salmon or halibut. Try a six-course seafood medley, paired with a glass of wine from an Okanagan winery, at an award-winning Yaletown restaurant. Diners head to Fourth Avenue for Greek, Commercial Drive for Italian, and Chinatown for Cantonese. For a meal with a view, book a table in a Stanley Park restaurant to watch the sunset over the water.