Heading to Vancouver - Help!

[LowLevelRebel]

Hi SC'ers!

I'm going to BC for the first time at the end of this month and am looking to do something with The Boy (funny, he doesn't seem to be too jazzed about a week of just shopping )

I'm trying to find things we'd both enjoy but Yowza- they be expensive. The Vancouver aquarium is $27 admission!! Getting into the PNE (exhibition) is another $16 even with the online discount!

So, gentle readers- do any of you have coupons or discount codes for attractions in Vancouver? Alternately, do any of you have ideas of how to do Vancouver on the cheap? The flights alone out there were pretty breathtaking so we're looking to save a few bucks anyway we can.

Much appreciated, lovelies.

[mulock]

Vancouver is very expensive.....I've gone there for a week for the past 3 years. Although my sister lives there so it's free to stay, and I just drive her car then. Unfortunately I don't have any deals, but my sister tells me they use the Entertainment Book all the time although I don't know if you can still buy the 2011 one.

[LowLevelRebel]

Yeah, a friend just offered me her house for the time we're there which is so so sweet of her- may just take her up on it.

Would you believe it? I was a day late to order the 2011 entertainment book for Vancouver! Sigh.

[eyelessluz]

why not moving to Quebec instead so all ur costs will be much cheaper

[LowLevelRebel]

Ha! I would love to move to Montreal- it's a fabulous city. And after a year of language training I could maybe even navigate that part of it

But my job has me in Ottawa between postings and I'm heading to a wedding in BC so that's where I'm vacationing! Although I'll be in Quebec for New Years- can't wait to go back!

[sweetproserpina]

I used to work in the tourist industry in Vancouver, and it definitely can be spendy! But there are lots of fun free (or almost free) things you can do in Van-city, especially in the summer

Granville island - not just a great market, but there are fantastic buskers, yummy food, fun boat watching, seagull-feeding etc. Lots of neat shops as well that are fun to poke around in (not to mention the kid's market!) If I remember correctly, there is also a kids play area too.
Stanley Park- ocean, people-watching, giant trees, seawall- a great place to spend the afternoon!
Any of the beaches- Kitsilano Beach, the Spanish Banks, or the beach that leads into Stanley Park (I can't think of the name!) Some beaches are sandier than others, some have slides, swimming pools etc.
Stroll through China Town- a sensory overload! Restaurants, groceries, shops, weird-looking vegetables/fish/you name it -pouring onto sidewalks, ducks hanging in windows...
Some of the museums and the Vancouver art gallery have nights where admission is free, just check out their websites to check it out.

That's all I can think of off the top of my head- when you are in Van, there is a great Tourist info centre downtown, you might be able to find some great deals through them

Have a great time the the city, Vancouver is expensive, but beautiful! Hopefully I'll get out there next summer

[AimeeJane]

You can get some 2 for 1 type coupons from Chevron gas station for local attractions. Also the Burnaby Village museum is free to enter and look around this summer. Has a farmers market there every sat. Chevron has a coupon for a free carousel rides. Dolphin Theatre on Hastings in Burnaby near Vancouver has movies for 2 bucks all Tues. Get there early as there are lnes. They are about half price the rest of the week.

[lorressa]

Kitsilano Beach is so nice i love going there!
i was watching food tv there is a show called eat st they did a thing on a food cart called Tokyo dog i suggest u find one there located downtown
i will be leaving for bc tue , i wish it was van thought its so nice there

[LowLevelRebel]

@sweetproserpina & AimeeJane: thanks so much for all the suggestions- will def. be checking out Granville Market and Stanley Park! Wanted to go to the Aquarium and the PNE but.. we'll see how far our dollars stretch.

@Lorressa: A friend mentioned that place!! It was on eat street? I'm quite fond of that show I'll for sure try to track down some of the Eat St. places in vancouver (there was an asian-inspired truck i'm dying to try). Loves me some street food!

[itchy54]

go to China town...and UBC..museum of Anthropology is fascinating, and then you can hike down to wreck beach...

[dealbreakers]

Forget the sight-seeing, just stack all your coupons in Vancouver

[MangoFruit]

When will you be at Vancouver? I have 2$ off coupons to the Vancouver Aquarium if you want. Also, the Burnaby museum is free. PNE will be free admission next week Monday. There's a lot of things to do for free. Stanley Park, Kits Beach, English Bay, ChinaTown...

[mcminsen]

Here's a link to a similar thread with various answers (see below). For something cheap and fun, I would have one day to "cover the map" and get a one day transit pass and just go. It will cover the Skytrain, buses, the Seabus to Lonsdale Quay in North Vancouver.

Consider taking the transit bus to Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver. Don't take the "Horseshoe Bay Express", though. Take the Horseshoe Bay bus that goes there on Marine Drive through West Vancouver. Very scenic! I'm not sure but I think you can get to Bowen Island on transit. It's just a 10-15 minute ferry ride.

Then have another day of just resting and vegging out on one of the beaches. Wreck Beach is fun. Long climb down and up the hill, though. Any of the beaches between UBC and downtown are great. Ack... gotta stop there. You'll have fun.

http://forum.smartcanucks.ca/224999-...-there-canada/

[LowLevelRebel]

Ohmygosh, you guys. Thanks so much for the suggestions. We'll be there for four days (three days in vernon beforehand for a wedding) and I'm starting to think we should have aimed for four weeks!

I think we're going to try and do the PNE (KENNY ROGERS!!!!!!!!), Stanley Park, Aquarium (is it worth the hype?) , Granville Island and.. I guess maybe just hang out at the beach or go shopping or something? So much to choose from! I can't thank you guys enough for the info in this thread and the other one linked by mcminsen!

Additionally, we're trying to eat on the cheap as much as we can but also get the best of Vancouver. We're not cheapskates, and plan to do at least one nice dinner out but for day-to-day eating we're looking for generally well-priced meals. I've been copying down info from the aforementioned other thread but does anyone have any "hidden gems" or places we *must* visit. We're very into seafood, not picky eaters At. All. and we're staying on Davie, just to give you an idea of the area. Would love to hear suggestions from the gastronoms in the audience :D

(also, this is an embarrassing question, but is there anywhere to see/get Quatchi-related merch? The Boy and I are kind of obsessed with the Vancouver 2010 mascot..)

[Hunni]

I actually just received a book of coupon things for Vancouver attractions, all kinds of different things, I won't be using since I live on the island. if you want them they are yours