In One Day

This tour is meant to show off the city as a whole, giving you an overview of what makes it so appealing. Some places you'll explore on foot, and for others you'll drive to reach the destination. Nature, art, culture, and coffee are all part of today's itinerary. Start: Tourism Vancouver Touristinfo Centre, Burrard and Cordova streets.

1. Canada Place

Start your day outside, on the upper (deck) level of the city's giant convention center and cruise-ship terminal, which juts out into Burrard Inlet across from the Touristinfo Centre. From here you'll get a good sense of Vancouver's natural and urban topography, with the North Coast Mountains rising up before you; low-rise, historic Gastown to the east; Stanley Park to the west; and a forest of glass residential towers in between. Canada Place is busiest in summer, when up to four giant cruise ships may dock in 1 day.

2. Stanley Park

You can't really appreciate Stanley Park by driving through it in a car, so park your vehicle and head in on foot via Lagoon Drive. Surrounded by a famed pedestrian seawall, this giant peninsular park invites hours of exploration. A 1-hour carriage ride is the perfect way to see the highlights.

3. Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre

One of the best aquariums in North America is located right in Stanley Park. Don't miss the Arctic Canada exhibit with its beluga whales, and the Marine Mammal Deck, where you can see Pacific white-sided dolphins, sea otters, and other denizens of Pacific Northwest waters.

4. English Bay Beach

If the weather is warm, head to English Bay Beach, an all-seasons gathering spot on the south side of Stanley Park. You can pick up picnic eats or find takeout food on nearby Denman Street.

5. Robson Street & the West End

How you explore the West End is up to you. You can walk from English Bay Beach down Denman Street, and then turn south on Robson, taking in as much of the throbbing shopping and cafe scene as you want. It's also fun to explore the West End as a living neighborhood -- the most densely populated in North America.

6. Caffè Artigiano

For the best latte in town, as well as grilled Italian sandwiches and snacks, stop in at this busy cafe right across from the Vancouver Art Gallery. The patio in front is perfect for people-watching. 763 Hornby St. tel. 604/685-5333.

7. UBC Anthropology Museum

Hop in your car or on the bus for the 20-minute drive to the outstanding Museum of Anthropology at the University of British Columbia. Here, in one of North America's preeminent collections of First Nations art, you'll encounter powerful totem poles, spirit masks, and totemic objects.

8. Dinner

In the last decade, Vancouver has become one of the top dining cities in the world. For a romantic dinner that will introduce you to the best of Vancouver's "eat local" food philosophy, reserve a table at Raincity Grill, 1193 Denman St. (tel. 604/685-7337), where the windows overlook English Bay, and the regional cuisine provides the perfect excuse to linger.