Discovering Vancouver

In May and June 2023, we travelled from east to west across Canada. From Halifax in Nova Scotia to Montreal in Quebec, to Toronto in Ontario, to Vancouver and Whistler in British Columbia. Along the way some night trains and commuter trains, the Niagara Falls and – imagine this – a bus journey. A true Trans-Canada Train Trek.

As we arrived at Vancouver Pacific Central Station early, we would have almost a full day in Vancouver. We stayed one day, to then go to Whistler and then return to Vancouver for one night. Why make things complicate? Firstly, Danny and I feared not being able to entertain the others four days in Vancouver. Secondly, and actually principally crazy hotel prices. Several cruise departures and a conference pushed the prices to painful heights.

After four days on a train, Sam needed time for himself and Danny so the group separated. I would take Danny’s parents sightseeing in Vancouver.

Gastown and Steam Clock

We started our little tour in Gastown. The neighbourhood is considered the birthplace of the city and is known for its charming Victorian architecture, cobblestone streets, and historic landmarks. Gastown was named after ‘Gassy’ Jack Deighton, a steamboat captain who opened the area’s first saloon in 1867.

Today, Gastown is a popular tourist destination and a thriving district filled with restaurants, boutiques, art galleries, and independent shops. It has a vibrant atmosphere, blending the old with the new. One of the neighborhood’s most famous landmarks is the Steam Clock, which attracts visitors with its whistles and chimes.

It was built in 1977 by a clockmaker named Raymond Saunders. The clock stands at the corner of Water Street and Cambie Street and is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city. It features a Victorian-style design with brass and copper accents and is surrounded by a small plaza.

The unique aspect of the Gastown Steam Clock is that it operates using steam power. Every quarter-hour, the clock releases a burst of steam from its top vents accompanied by whistles and chimes. The steam is created by a small steam engine located inside the clock, which is powered by electric heating elements.

While the Gastown Steam Clock is a popular attraction, it is not an original artifact from Vancouver’s early history. Instead, it was built relatively recently as a tourist attraction and has become a symbol of Gastown’s charm and heritage.

Gastown is also home to a number of cultural attractions, including the Vancouver Police Museum, which showcases the city’s law enforcement history, and the Vancouver Lookout, an observation deck that offers panoramic views of the city skyline.

Additionally, the neighborhood hosts various events and festivals throughout the year, such as the Gastown Grand Prix, a professional cycling race, and the Gastown Steam Clock Carolling, where local choirs gather to sing holiday tunes.

Overall, Gastown is a vibrant and historically rich neighborhood that showcases the character and heritage of Vancouver.

Canada Place and the FlyOver Canada

After Gastown and the Vancouver Lookout, we proceeded to Canada Place and FlyOver Canada.

Canada Place is a multi-purpose facility situated along the waterfront in the city’s downtown area, adjacent to the Vancouver Convention Centre and the city’s central business district.

Canada Place serves as both a tourist attraction and an important hub for various activities and events.

Cruise Ship Terminal: One of the notable functions of Canada Place is as a cruise ship terminal. It serves as the main embarkation and disembarkation point for numerous cruise ships visiting Vancouver. The facility welcomes thousands of cruise passengers each year, offering amenities such as baggage handling, customs services, and transportation connections.
Convention centre: Canada Place is also home to the Vancouver Convention Centre, a state-of-the-art facility that hosts conferences, trade shows, exhibitions, and other large-scale events. The convention center features modern architecture, expansive event spaces, and beautiful waterfront views.
The building itself is an architectural landmark. Its design is inspired by Canada’s landscape and features distinctive elements such as its sail-shaped roof, resembling a ship’s sails or a snow-capped mountain. The white fabric roof is visible from various points in the city, making it a recognizable symbol of Vancouver.
Canada Place includes a tourism and visitor center that provides information and services for tourists.
The Canadian Trail: Surrounding Canada Place is an outdoor promenade called The Canadian Trail, featuring an extensive display of provincial and territorial coats of arms embedded into the pavement. This trail represents the diversity and unity of Canada.
Within Canada Place, there is an immersive flight simulation attraction called FlyOver Canada. It offers visitors a unique virtual journey across Canada, providing stunning visuals and a sense of flying over various landscapes and iconic landmarks.

I didn’t bore Maddie and Jozef with the coats of arms, but we did the FlyOver. With moving seats, a windmachine and watersprays, it does immerse you in a flight over Canada experience. But it’s also not cheap for just twenty minutes in total, plus waiting time).

Along the harbour

Next up was a stroll along the harbour. We stopped at Vancouver Harbour Flight Centre, Vancouver Harbour Water Aerodrome or Vancouver Coal Harbour Seaplane Base (CXH) to some seaplanes land and take off.

Then walked all the way passed Coal Harbour and onwards to Stanley Park.

Stanley Park

Stanley Park is a large urban park and covers an area of approximately 405 hectares (1,000 acres) and is situated on a peninsula that extends into the waters of the Burrard Inlet and English Bay.

Stanley Park is one of Vancouver’s most beloved and iconic attractions, drawing millions of visitors each year.

Stanley Park offers pretty views on the city skyline.

Stanley Park is renowned for its natural beauty and lush landscapes. It offers an extensive network of trails, gardens, and forests that allow visitors to immerse themselves in nature. The park is home to a wide variety of trees, plants, and wildlife, including raccoons, squirrels, and a great blue heron colony.

The Seawall is a popular feature of Stanley Park. It is a paved pathway that encircles the park, extending for approximately 9 kilometers (5.5 miles) along the park’s waterfront. The Seawall is ideal for walking, jogging, cycling, and rollerblading, offering breathtaking views of the ocean, mountains, and city skyline.

The First Nations Totem Poles are a collection of totem poles representing a number of indigineous nations. All but three of the totem poles ,along with three Welcome Gateways, are located in a beautiful meadow setting at Brockton Point in Stanley Park. These totem poles are significant cultural and artistic symbols.

We learned totem poles are not religious, but something of an equivalent to heraldry, representing family and ancestry.

Stanly park is popular with walkers, runners and cyclists. Signs urge people to be courteous with each other and respect each others space and speed.

After seeing the totem poles, we decided to walk back to the hotel. It was a pretty fierce city walk in total.