My Great Escape: Vancouver adventure

Seals bobbing in the water; hiking trails against the backdrop of modern skyscrapers; stunning art, incredible sunsets and hundreds of restaurants serving every type of cuisine imaginable—this is why my family and
I enjoyed Vancouver.

We started in the downtown area, where there’s so much to explore. There’s the British Columbia Halls of Fame with its memorial to Terry Fox (a young, local man who achieved his goal of raising millions of dollars for Cancer Research), the Vancouver Art Gallery, the bustling shops of Robson Street, and the glorious beaches that stretch for miles.

On our first night, we watched an outdoor cinema screening at English Bay. With a picnic, an enthusiastic crowd and the beautiful sunsets behind us, it was the perfect ending to our first day in the city. 

We spent several more days exploring the many distinct neighbourhoods on foot: the historic Gastown area, which is a former mill town; Chinatown, with its huge offering of food and souvenirs; the waterfront area including Canada Place, where we admired the harbour views. 

According to our three children, the highlight of our trip was cycling along the seawall in Stanley Park and spending the afternoon by the Capilano River. Not only did we test the incredible suspension bridge over the gorge (apparently strong enough to hold the weight of a full Boeing 747) but the treetops adventure boardwalk led us straight through the lush West Coast rainforest, providing views that will always be etched in our memory.

The end of a week’s memorable holiday arrived too soon. There was still so much to do in Vancouver, such as kayaking with orcas, whitewater rafting on the Fraser River and exploring the Gulf Islands in the Strait of Georgia, but all this will have to wait for our next visit. We look forward to returning!