PHOTO GALLERY Stanley Park TotemsGastownEnglish Bay FireworksGranville IslandRobson StreetWhale WatchingFalse CreekVancouver at DuskCruise Ship

British Columbia’s largest city is an infusion of natural beauty and urban sophistication. Still a city of new immigrants, visitors to Vancouver benefit from the cultural diversity of its people. Imagine the laid-back culture and lifestyle of ‘Down Under’ without having to travel quite so far away from home!

What other city in the world has a park the size of its downtown area? Where else in the world can you sail in the morning, ski in the afternoon and still make it home in time for an evening stroll among the thousands of restaurants and bars the city has o­n offer? Vancouver truly is o­ne of the worlds’ most spectacular cities.

Vancouver will appeal to many different tastes and certainly has something for everyone. We have suggested a few 'TOP PICKS' that you simply cannot miss during your stay in this metropolitan city.

Gas Town
The historic district of Gastown is Vancouver's oldest neighbourhood and still as colourful as ever.

A daytime stroll down its cobblestone streets reveals artists' studios and designer shops, First Nations galleries and antique stores in refurbished heritage buildings. Gastown is also home to the world's first steam-powered clock, now o­ne of the city's most photographed attractions.

Stanley Park
Stanley Park is the crown jewel of Vancouver's parks. Crowds of international tourists and locals alike can be found enjoying a brisk jog or leisurely stroll all year round.

As o­ne of North America's largest urban parks, Stanley Park offers tourists and locals much in the way of seeing and doing. Stroll the gardens. Visit marine life at the Vancouver Aquarium. Play a game of tennis. Let the kids let loose at the water park or ride the much-loved miniature train. Marvel at the totem pole collection at Brockton Point - it's considered the province's most-visited site.

Or just spend an incredible day walking, cycling or rollerblading the paved 10-km (6.2-mi) Seawall marveling at the magnificent mountain, ocean, forest and city views.

Granville Island Markets
An eclectic mix of shops, boutiques and galleries, Granville Island is perhaps most famous for its large and bustling Public Market, where local food vendors and artisans peddle their wares.

Browse the charming shops of the Net Loft, where retailers offer everything from exotic stationary to beads of every shape and kind, funky hats, First Nations gifts, books and locally-made fashions.

Granville Island is also dotted with an array of arts-and-crafts studios and galleries dedicated to local and regional work.

The public trasnportation system in Vancouver could not be better. A modern and dependable transit system extends throughout the city and beyond.

City Transit
Translink provides city transit for tourists and residents seven days a week via buses, SkyTrain
(a rapid transit system) and SeaBus.

Operating every few minutes throughout the day, SkyTrain travels between downtown Vancouver and the suburbs with links to bus service at almost all stations. o­ne of the easiest (and most scenic) ways to get to Vancouver from North Vancouver is aboard the passenger-only SeaBus, which crosses the Burrard Inlet in about 12 minutes.

In False Creek, water taxis travel between Granville Island and several docks located along the Seawall. Not o­nly is it a convenient service, it's a fun way to explore Vancouver from the water.

Ferry Transportation
There are many ways to get around Vancouver o­n the water, and you have a couple of ferry options to Victoria and Nanaimo o­n Vancouver Island - a day or overnight excursion you won't want to miss!

If you're driving to the ferry terminals during peak hours, be sure to allow additional time.

Storyeum
Take an interactive journey through the province's past. o­ne of Vancouver's newest and intriguing attractions, Storyeum is set in an underground theatre in the city's historic Gastown neighbourhood.

Live performances, music and lighting blend together to chronicle the story of BC's development, seamlessly guiding visitors from o­ne chapter in time to the next. Geography, First Nations' culture and history, the railroad, the Gold Rush, natural resources and multiculturalism are all explored during this incomparable and memorable step back in time.

Vancouver Aquarium
Located in Stanley Park an easy walk from downtown, the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre is dedicated to the conservation of aquatic life through display, interpretation, education, research and direct action. It's a pretty inspiring place.

Grouse Mountain
Just a short drive from downtown Vancouver, Grouse Mountain overlooks the city from an unparalleled vantage point. Visitors are transported up the mountainside in an aerial tram, where the view during the eight-minute ride reveals second-growth forests, mountain peaks and city skyline.

In summer, visitors can explore the mountain o­n foot from a variety of guided trails. In winter, the mountain is a veritable frenzy of activity that includes skiing, snowboarding, skating and snowshoeing.

Capilano Suspension Bridge
Located a short drive from downtown Vancouver, this bridge is spine-tinglingly suspended 70 m (230 ft) above the pulsating Capilano River.

As you make the shaky crossing, stop for a moment to take in the glorious surroundings. The West Coast rainforest will astound you. Capilano Canyon's sheer granite cliffs -carved over 100 centuries ago through glacial movement- stand as a monument to the test of time.

After you have made it across (and back!), reward yourself. Head to the Big House to watch First Nations carvers.

Vancouverites are passionate about their cuisine, and with good reason. The city's restaurants serve up a culinary feast of impressive diversity that has received raves and respect from internationally prominent food critics.

The focus is o­n fresh, local and regional ingredients from indigenous wild seafood to organic fruits and vegetables, meat, game and increasingly, wines and artisan cheeses.

Shopping in Vancouver is a popular and much-loved pastime.

Regardless of the category you fall into - funky trendsetter, fashionista, fleece-wearing adventurer or souvenir hunter - there's a shopping district in Vancouver seemingly designed just for you.

Whatever your preference, try to take a peek at it all: stroll down Robson Street, wander about Pacific Centre Mall, walk through the Kitsilano and South Granville neighbourhoods, explore Granville Island and saunter about Yaletown.

With clusters of shops in pedestrian-friendly concentrations, your Vancouver shopping excursion is sure to be a pleasant o­ne.