Traveling to Vancouver from Atlanta Ga mid June and looking for restaurants and things to do that travel sites won’t tell us about. We have quite a few excursions booked (suspension bridge, whale watching trip, and like 5 other things) but would love suggestions from you guys! We are open to anything within reasonable driving distance!
Thanks
**staying at Pan Pacific

Vancouver and Richmond are known for our Chinese food. We were voted to have the best dim sum. Try Kirin seafood restaurant

Go over the Lions Gate Bridge and do some active stuff: Kayaking at Deep Cove (reserve). Climb Grouse Grind if you are fit and have brought running shoes (dinner and drinks at top and tram down). Walk through Lighthouse Park. If you are staying at the Pan P then if it is still there start a nice evening at Salt in Blood Alley. Bowen Island for a day trip is lovely. Many great restaurants there. If you go to granville island after you've cruised the market, check out any current shows at Emily Carr University. Have lunch at Go Fish.

yes, yes, yes

Bowen island, for hiking or to enjoy time at the beach, there is a short ferry trip to get to it. may get there by car or transit.

Few days on Galiano Island or Saltspring Island is also recommended.

Kids would like Granville Island and Science World.

Barnet Marine Park in Burnaby is bautiful https://www.burnaby.ca/.../Shorel.../Barnet-Marine-Park.html

Buntzen lake in Port Moody for hiking and canoeinghttps://www.vancouvertrails.com/trails/buntzen-lake/

Canada day celebration at Deer Lake Park in Burnaby

Keefer Bar, Bard on the Beach

Rodneys Oysters.. in Yaletown ... and don’t forget to do Fly Over Canada at Canada Place

Drive to Steveton

The cannery museum in steveston is nice

Go to Honeys Donuts ( google them for the address) you can rent kayaks afterwards to make room for another donut .

The Okanagan for guaranteed hot weather and a terrific bike ride through wilderness and wineries. http://bcrailtrails.com/

Agreed, or Vancouver Island, IMO the best parts of BC

Vancouver Urban winery

Yes! So good for brunch or dinner!!!

Tacofino!

Definitely rent a cruiser bike and spend a few hours biking the sea wall! Also for Spanish tapas for dinner (and a more intimate setting) try espana restaurant on denman!

Check out the following restaurants: Las Margaritas (great mexican food), Wings (great wings over 30 flavours), Silvestre Deli & Bistro (peruvian food), Jolly's indian bistro. Go to Lynn Canyon suspension bridge. Go to Whistler and stop along the way at the following points: Shannon falls, Sea to sky gondola, Brandywine falls, Nairn falls, Peak to Peak gondola in whistler, Joffre Lakes. Trust me on this stuff.

Red wagon,Burgoo, Belgian fries! Restaurants in Burnaby you won't wanna miss that are reasonably priced and delicious.

Which days are you here for? And what types of activities interest you? What foods do you like?

So, it looks like you have about a month's worth of activities and restaurants! Make sure to pack some layers and a light rain jacket. June can be infamously grey and damp in June. I live here, so if you have any specific questions, feel free to send me a private message. Have a great trip!

Harbour Air have a Fly/Dine package.... a flightseeing tour of Vancouver, the North Shore ending at Snug Cove on Bowen Island. (www.tourismbowenisland.com) for dinner then a scenic ferry ride to Horseshoe Bay and limo back to the Pan Pacific. Doesn't get any better than this!

JamJar on commercial drive

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Belguard and jam restaurant

Black and Blue steak house. Has a great patio and the food is amazing! It is a little pricey, but worth it! On Alberni St.

I blogged my favourite suggestions as a local here:
http://wanderingsincedawn.com/vancouver-bc-canada/
Also check groupon for ideas and discounts:
https://www.groupon.com/.../a98f0040-a305-462c-ba3e...

Also, a great rainy day activity is the spa at the pan pacific!

For an asian influence: jinya for ramen, japadogs, miku for the ultimate Japanese (it’s a few steps away from you), Nero for dessert waffles, zakkushi for Japanese bbq, Cafe artigiano for coffe, O5 for a cool hipster tea experience, Tropika for Malaysian. Aquarium and science world

Take a walking tour of Gastown, take gondola ride up Grouse Mountain...nice views and restaurant up there

Commercial drive for the eclectic shops and experience! Too many fun places to say just one. Robson street as well which is walking distance from the pan. I would also recommend Granville island to experience and maybe check out the play house!

Yes. Lots of great ethnic restaurants to try too

There is a free suspension bridge- Lynn canyon, you can take public transit across the harbour(inlet) and grab a bus straight there. I’d rent a car for one day and drive up the sea to sky highway, up into the mountains-loads of waterfalls(free). Ramen is super popular and at Robson and Denmain are some amazing ramen places. Tacos are also popular, try Pinché. It’s at Hasting and Hamilton. Fish n chips by Granville island next to the fisherman’s wharf. Authentic. Munch while looking at Canada’s pacific fishing fleet. Enjoy. It’s the jewel of our beautiful planet.

Medina Cafe for brunch....Chambar for dinner.

I love this little restaurant for breakfast, just off of Hastings on Howe.http://www.scoozis.ca/

Go to the Lynn Valley suspension bridge instead of the Capilano Bridge. It is no cost and the hiking in the area is outstanding.

So hard what to suggest considering the city is so stunning !!

Stanley Park, Kits Beach, A walk on the Seawall, Commercial Drive.

Jericho Sailing Club for a burger and beer overlooking the water and stunning city/mountain views

Small Victory Bakery in Yaletown.

For something on no tourist guide, The Sandwich Nazi in Surrey.

Going through and reading each comment! Can’t thank y’all enough for all the suggestions and kind gestures!!! We’re super excited for our first visit to Canada!!

Enjoy your visit! Vancouver born and raised, I live in the West End not far from the Pan Pacific. Feel free to message me with any Q's and maybe we can meet up one day

Donna that’s so so sweet!!! Thank you so much!! Yes maybe coffee one morning when we first arrive so you can give us all the great details of B.C.!

Jordan would love to give you the lay of the land! I'll pm you.

Donna what a wonderful welcome ....good for you !

Check out the free walking tours by the Tour Guys. Great way to see interesting parts of the city, including Chinatown and Granville Island.

As others have mentioned, I'd go to Lynn Valley over Capilano Suspension Bridge. If you like water, go to Deep Cover and kayak/paddle boarding. Hike up Grouse Mountain (or take the Sea to Sky Gondola). If you're into Chinese food, go into Richmond and there's tons of options for you.

Pm'ed with some of my favorites.

Check out Lynne Valley suspension bridge, its free and less tourists

Hit commercial drive, kits beach,ambleside beach and anywhere on the Northshore!

Trip to Vancouver island.. hit Coombs, Qualicum Beach, tofino. Travel south to Victoria on your way back.

On Saturday Morning, take the 20 min ferry from Tsawassen to Salt Spring Island. The whole island turns into a market!

Should we do that versus hiking up to the secret swing? I really wanted to hike for that swing but Saturday is the only day we don’t have morning plans

You can do both in one day

Jordan...FYI ..I think you said reasonable driving. Much as I love Saltspring here is some info. You would have to make sure you have booked a space on the ferry if going on a Saturday. Then you drive to the ferry terminal (much more than 20 minutes), the wait, then the ferry ride time on the island, make sure you get your ferry back, the drive back. You will not be going on the hike afterwards I would imagine.
You have plenty to do in the city and if you want a taste of an island. You are right at Coal Harbour. Bowen Island Taxi has a foot ferry/water taxi that will actually get you there in 20 minutes. The village is right at the marina and although their weekend Market is nowhere near the size of the one on Saltspring you will find lovely stuff, there are easy trails very close good food to be had. Then an easy trip home, either taking the same foot ferry or be a walkon to BCFerries which take you to Horseshoe Bay, another little village and you can take a city bus back from there stopping in West Vancouver at Ambleside along the way if you get the urge. Or even going right to Lonsdale Quay where you can use your transfer to get on the Seabus which takes you back close to your hotel.

Spanish Banks, Locarno, Jericho Beach, Fireworks at English Bay, P.N.E., Catch some LIVE Music, lot's of it!! Drive to Whistler, day trip to the Island, or Sunshine Coast (Langdale), lot's festival

The Jazz Festival, Bard on the Beach.

Jordan
Couple of car free days mid June that may not be listed on typical tourist sites. Info here:
https://www.carfreevancouver.org

I will be in Altanta Ga in October. Could you recommend any restaurants or sightseeing opportunities? Thanks

Yes!!!! Absolutely! Let me send you a PM!

That would be great! I know you are going to love all these recommendations. There is so much to do. If you are going to rent a car, I suggest the Sea to sky gondola in Squamish. The drive is gorgeous and the view are fantastic.

Great places to eat on Main Street between 22nd and 28th avenues. Easy to get there on public transit.

Granville Island, White Rock, Steveston Pier, Richmond Night Market & get a map about Fraser Valley self-drive wine tour.

Whiterock, Fort Langley are a nice drive from Vancouver.
St. Lawrence restaurant - if you are feeling rich.
Railtown Restaurants.

Fort Langley is a great recommendation. Lots of great restaurants there. I recommend Beatnik's. Blackwell's Bakery makes awesome coffee and croissants (I like the bacon and cheese one). Will take about an hour to drive there, but it is a nice break from the city.

Hi
Jordan...again...
You have a lot of wonderful suggestions.
I will just add some notes if you want them.
Lynn Valley over Capilano unless you like all the added extras of people in period costumes, tree top walks, and different shows. Lynn Valley is also on the way to or back from Deep Cove. I would suggest if you do these do them on a weekday. Kids will still be in school the middle of the month so a bit quieter and there will be nowhere to park on the weekend in Deep Cove.
If you do Capilano it is on the way up the mountain to Grouse Mtn.
I know people suggest "do the Grouse Grind", but here is a note of caution. I have been to Atlanta...it in no way prepares you for the Grind. People do this as a workout now and if it is more than you (i.e. kids) you will be a long time going up. This is a vertical ascent with "stairs" June can bring any kind of weather an the higher you go the bigger the change can be in temp. If you go, jacket (no matter how warm below), water, snack, change of shirt at least, bug spray maybe.
Do yourself a favour and enjoy it instead. Take the Gondola, go see the grizzlies, the raptors, and all the lodge offers up. There are trails from there that you can do if you find the weather good.
UBC (University of BC) - Museum of Anthropology is fantastic, Nitobe Gardens, Botanical Garden are forested and have a canopy walk, there is the UBC farm and Pacific Spirit PArk if you want a bit of a hike, trails down to various beaches, just know that if you follow a sign to Wreck beach it is a nude beach.
Granville Island (here I admit bias) is where I have my Yoga Studio, but that means I know th Island well. It is right in the city. Youcan bus here or walk part way and take a little water taxi the rest of the way (p.s 2 companies and they each do a tour of False Creek as well).
If your kids are younger there is a Kids Market here (bring ear plugs
), there is also a water park but it will only be open on weekends until after summer solstice. Public Market is good for all sorts of Food choices but GI is so much more, artisans of every kind, handmade clothing, theaters, live music, amazing buskers (musical variety I like the best), the Global Soundscapes Festival will be on, there are Raptors (osprey) out back of the market to chase the seagulls away, but usually they are just sitting on someone's arm and you can get up close. Jazz Festival starts on the 22nd of June if you are still here and there are free shows every day outside. You can rent a little boat and drive it around yourself to see the waterfront, but just please ask them to explain boat traffic wisdom to you. Theater Sports League is here as well and they are fantastic if you find yourself still on the island towards evening. Go down the alleyways it looks like you shouldn't go down and you will find all sorts of surprises.
Commercial Drive has still got one of the most down to earth eclectic energy in the city. I won't suggest a restaurant as there are so many and for every taste. Just pick. If you are there in the evening and like spoken word and other amazing artists check out Cafe Deux Soleil.
Others suggested Car Free Days, there is one each day of the weekend 16th and 17th. If you are on Main further up towards 28th....here's my favourite little hideaway. turn down 28th to the East...go about 6 blocks and you will find yourself at Le Marche St. George. You won't know you are in Vancouver anymore.
You'll never have enough time for everything so have fun no matter what you do.

museum of Vancouver is a great place on a rainy day. Main St has a lot of good restaurants as well

Hiking Golden Ears. There are many hikes in the place, some of which take you through old growth forest

We use yelp here for restaurant ideas in a specific area.

Use OpenTable if you want to see the best restaurants and make reservations.

Save your money and do Lynn canyon suspension bridge which is free vs Capilano suspension bridge. What kind of food do you like

Okay so so far I haven’t seen anyone mention the whale watching which i was most excited for! Is it not worth it? We have already booked the trip but now I’m not sure

As a local I never would have done this (moved over to Victoria a few years ago and don't do those tours here either). Whales can be seen from ferries or from kayaks etc--especially outside of the Vancouver harbour areas.

I have to tell you Jordan,we are very spoiled here,every time I take a ferry ,I see the whales !Even a short 20 minute ride over to Bowen ,those beauties put on a show for us !!

Never thought to do that as a local, it’s true you can see them from ferries. That being said I wouldn’t like to do the tour!

I would recommend this as there is a chance of seeing whales and dolphins but fun even if you don't http://www.sewellsmarina.com/sea-safari/...

Do it Jordan! I haven't done it yet..and I live here. I really want to tho.

I have never seen a whale while on the ferry!!!

I think the whale watching will be awesome. I suggest doing it early in your trip. Most companies have a policy where they will take you out again on a different day if you don't see anything during your original trip.

Just a thought: FIFA world cup is on during your stay so keep your eyes open for a cafe or restaurant that is showing the games. Great way to meet the locals and good fun.

As a frequent ferry traveller, I would suggest the tour operator route. They would know where the whale and porpoise pods are rather than taking a chance to spot them from a ferry. It's not that often we see them from the ferry. And if you do spot them, it's a way better experience from a boat closer to the water line rather than the larger ferry that has to keep going to attempt to adhere to a schedule.

Definitely would recommend kayaking in deep cove

and if in Deep Cove, Honey's Donuts!!

I love eating at the twisted fork!!

As far as food goes,our west coast wild pacific salmon....it the best bar none !