Summer In Vancouver

[loopyloo87]

Hi , we've never been to Vancouver but are thinking about going for 2 weeks in the summer.. I'm looking for advice on where to stay we have a 11 year old .. An apartment sounds appealing but I'm trying to price up as to whether or not we would be better off in a hotel
I'm not sure if we would hire a car as we would like to travel around and see various areas .. Any advice or recommendations greatly appreciated thankyou :)

The water taxis are lots of fun

Also Granville island is fun

The place we stayed (linked above) was right next to a water bus stand and just across from Granville island. Another place the kids loved!!

Mamia15 there are no longer whales at the aquarium, the aquarium is a non profit and not like sea world or sea life.

They had beluga whales, one of whom died while we were holidaying there :(

Yes Granville Market is a must and we enjoyed the wide range of food available there.

I would also hire a bike and ride around Stanley Park.

If you do take the ferry to Vancouver Island this new outlet mall is on the way [https://www.tsawwassenmills.com] or there is also another next to the airport.

www.tsawwassenmills.com

My goodness what fantastic informative replies thanks to you all
I'm just wondering what the best way of renting an apartment would be any recommendations please :)

I used booking.com - you could use them or similar sites. Check prices direct with the accomodation in case you can get it cheaper if you book direct.

loopyloo87 feel free to PM me id you have any questions on Victoria or Vancouver and I will try my best to answer them. I live in Victoria, I will pop a link to this on our Mumsnet western Canada FB page to see if any of the others can give any advice.

Lots of great suggestions here re activities so I won't add much to that.
Grouse mountain is well worth a trip for the loggers' show - very entertaining and often overlooked.

The first poster's itinerary is great - I would recommend going with that. Both Whistler and Tofino will be a lot of fun for your DC.

And just wanted to add that Pacific Sands resort in Tofino would be fantastic and the aparthotel 910 Beach in Vancouver recommended by a pp is really good. Great location for walking everywhere, water taxis etc, quiet but close to restaurants etc. Have had many family and friends stay there when visiting.

I have lived in both Vancouver and Whistler so please do feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions!

Oh, and vacation rental by owner ( vrbo.com ) is great for booking rental apartments in the city - much better and cheaper than a hotel. They have some quite reasonable and nice rentals in Yaletown.

You won't need a car to get about Vancouver as it is very walkable, but can easily pick up a rental car downtown when you leave to explore Vancouver Island or Whistler.

My sister lived in Vancouver so I visited loads.

If I had the choice, I'd stay in Kitsilano, near the beach. As others have said, Stanley Park, Capilano Suspension Bridge, Tower,Grouse Mountain are all worth a look.

I didn't think much of Victoria, beyond Butchart Gardens: an afternoon would do me there. Instead we got the ferry from Vancouver to Nanaimo then hired a car to Tofino - stayed in a B&B place called Mears retreat: absolutely stunning - loads to do in Tofino & surrounding area: whale watching, sea kayaking, cycling.

I flew from Vancouver to Banff & hired a car for the Rockies, stages in Jasper & Banff - I'd allow a week for this.

I never made it to the Okenagen wine region but it's meant to be beautiful.

Or you could use it as a base to drive to Seattle, although I think Vancouver is far nicer.

I'm so envious!