MAIN Travel Destinations Top Travel Picks Vancouver

Vancouver, known as the city where the mountains meet the ocean, is located in the southwest corner of British Columbia where the Coast Mountains provide a backdrop to this bustling center of art and commerce on the edge of the Canadian Pacific.

Vancouver may be up North, but its weather is the mildest in Canada.

A strong, warm, Pacific Ocean current flows from Japan and balmy breezes from Hawaii join in to warm the area.

Spring comes early, with flowers generally in full bloom by early March. Late summer and autumn days-through October-tend to be warm and sunny.

From November through early March you'll run into the rainy season, but sprinkles and showers are more typical than downpours even then.

International Honors

Everyone seems to agree that Vancouver is something special. That was one of the reasons the city was chosen to host the 2010 Winter Olympics Games. Condé Nast Traveler consistently awards Vancouver the "Best City in the Americas" title, and Travel Weekly Magazine has named Vancouver as the top Canadian destination three times,

Even People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) acknowledged Vancouver as one of Canada's most vegetarian-friendly cities.

No Smoking Please!

A Variety Of Things To Do

Since Vancouver sits between the mountains and the ocean, you'll find a surprising mix of places to see and activities to please just about anyone.

If your family travel plans include your dog, you can find out why Vancouver was rated one of the ten top pet friendly cities in North America. Four legged visitors enjoy walks on the Capilano Suspension Bridge and park, touring Historic Gastown or hopping on the ferry for a visit to nearby Victoria and beautiful Butchart Gardens... all pet friendly destinations.

Vancouver insiders, who know the city well, have selected a few top places and activities you'll enjoy on your visit:

1. Jog the Stanley Park Seawall

2. Brag about skiing, golfing, and sailing — all in the same day!

3. Stroll among the city's most fashionable shops on Robson Street.

4. All summer long, see Shakespeare performances at Bard on the Beach set against a magnificent backdrop of city, sea and mountains.

5. Wander through a coastal virgin rainforest in West Vancouver's Lighthouse Park.

6. Bargain for bargains in Vancouver's Chinatown, the third largest in North America.

7. Take a walking tour along the cobblestone streets of Gastown and watch its famous Steam Clock hiss and toot.

8. Be a trendsetter in Yaletown, Vancouver's hip, renovated warehouse district and fastest-growing neighborhood.

9. Taste British Columbia ice wine and contribute to the region's standing as the highest per-capita consumer of wine in North America.

10. Feast on alder-grilled salmon, smoked oolicans (members of the smelt family), and bannock in Vancouver's only First Nations restaurant.

You'll find an amazing ethnic mixture in the people of Vancouver. Join a tour to discover First Nations Coast Salish culture by kayak or canoe or enjoy a traditional meal at the Liliget Feast House in Vancouver's West End, near Stanley Park and English Bay.

Whether you are going in the summer to feast on the local foods and walk through gardens of lush greenery and flowers, in September to enjoy the harvest, fall scenery and wineries or in the winter to ski the mountain slopes...Vancouver offers enough variety to satisfy any visitor.

More about Vancouver travel & tourism around the Web:

Tourism Vancouver - If you're looking for hotel specials, events, things to do or guides to the different areas of this coastal city, this site covers it. They also run a sweepstakes that may even pay for a couple of nights in a nice hotel.

Find Family Fun In Vancouver - Listings of the top kid friendly places to visit in Vancouver should make planning a fun trip for the whole family a walk in the park. You'll find museums that the kids will actually enjoy visiting, fish hatcheries, light houses and more. Plenty of parks and activities - more than you'll be able to fit into one vacation.

Super Natural British Columbia - The British Columbia tourism site provides solid information on what to do, where to stay and good places to eat on your next Vancouver vacation.