victoria vs. vancouver
Jul 12th, 2007, 12:43 PM
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victoria vs. vancouver
My husband & I are planning a trip to Seattle over labor day then flying via sea plane to Victoria for 2 nights and 2 nights at Brentwood Bay Lodge. Is it worth going to Vancouver for a couple more days before flying back to Seattle?
Jul 12th, 2007, 01:13 PM
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Oh, I see, you are flying to Victoria. Ignore my question in your other post.
You can also take a float plane to Vancouver... although it leaves from the harbour in downtown Victoria. There are regular flights from the airport too. Or you can get to the ferry terminal, board a ferry and book onto a bus that goes to Vancouver.
Is it worth going to Vancouver? Hard to say. Have you been to the area before? Plan to again? Some people prefer Vancouver, some prefer Victoria. Sometimes I like Vancouver, sometimes I don't. In both cities druggies and panhandlers are making things less pleasant. There's no denying that Vancouver has a pretty spectacular location though. If you go there, try to include a drive along Howe Sound if road conditions are okay.
You can also take a float plane to Vancouver... although it leaves from the harbour in downtown Victoria. There are regular flights from the airport too. Or you can get to the ferry terminal, board a ferry and book onto a bus that goes to Vancouver.
Is it worth going to Vancouver? Hard to say. Have you been to the area before? Plan to again? Some people prefer Vancouver, some prefer Victoria. Sometimes I like Vancouver, sometimes I don't. In both cities druggies and panhandlers are making things less pleasant. There's no denying that Vancouver has a pretty spectacular location though. If you go there, try to include a drive along Howe Sound if road conditions are okay.
Jul 12th, 2007, 01:17 PM
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Jul 12th, 2007, 04:18 PM
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Vancouver is very different from Victoria. People who prefer Victoria to Vancouver prefer it for different reasons, or perhaps never ventured far from the cruise ship terminal, or only saw the tacky/seedy side to Vancouver (which is ironically right next to the cruise ship terminal). For beaches, outdoor activities, rainforests, mountains, lots of shopping/restaurants, Vancouver would certainly be worth a visit, especially since the Labour Day weekend is one of the nicest times to be in this region. Just know ahead of time where in Vancouver to go, and where not to go - it'll play a huge part in how you'll experience the city.
Jul 12th, 2007, 04:37 PM
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Also, I always feel that comparing Victoria and Vancouver is like comparing Monterray and San Francisco in California. Two touristy-friendly places, but very different from one another, despite being near to each other. Some people will prefer the big city, others will prefer the small city.
For what it's worth, you can read up two websites I have on Vancouver and Victoria, complete with photos and tips. It might give you some ideas as to how the cities differ:
Victoria:
http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/1b080/dc7d4/
Vancouver:
http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/1b080/dc80f/
For what it's worth, you can read up two websites I have on Vancouver and Victoria, complete with photos and tips. It might give you some ideas as to how the cities differ:
Victoria:
http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/1b080/dc7d4/
Vancouver:
http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/1b080/dc80f/
Jul 17th, 2007, 10:31 AM
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A couple of years ago a popular list of "the most livable cities in the world" was published...
and just a single North American city was included:
"Vancouver"
I've lived less than 100 miles from Victoria for decades and have been there just twice ~ only once in the past 35 years ~ not at all in the past 20 years.
Yet I go to Vancouver (150 mile drive) 10-25 times a year.
I'd only recommend Victoria to those who have had, or will have their fill of Vancouver. That goes double for people who live far away and might not get to the northwest again soon.
and just a single North American city was included:
"Vancouver"
I've lived less than 100 miles from Victoria for decades and have been there just twice ~ only once in the past 35 years ~ not at all in the past 20 years.
Yet I go to Vancouver (150 mile drive) 10-25 times a year.
I'd only recommend Victoria to those who have had, or will have their fill of Vancouver. That goes double for people who live far away and might not get to the northwest again soon.
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Jul 17th, 2007, 12:58 PM
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My impressions were like Charleston v Savannah.
In Victoria's city centre we saw a local family with one of the children dressed in Pyjamas at lunchtime - we asked what the story was - the mother said - "oh he never gets dressed before 4pm"
In Vancouver you just see lots of Mercedes and Volvo four wheel drives. I will leave the comparison to your imaginations!
In Victoria's city centre we saw a local family with one of the children dressed in Pyjamas at lunchtime - we asked what the story was - the mother said - "oh he never gets dressed before 4pm"
In Vancouver you just see lots of Mercedes and Volvo four wheel drives. I will leave the comparison to your imaginations!
Jul 18th, 2007, 03:12 PM
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Absolutely.
We are East-coasters who are traveling to the Pacific Northwest in August for the third time in 5 years. Both Vancouver and Victoria are on our itinerary.
You can take a ferry from Victoria at Swartz Bay to Tsawassen, just south of Vancouver, or if you have money, another plane.
Yes, Vancouver has panhandling and street people with drug problems. Most large cities do, but Canada's lenient public assistance profile has made Vancouver a magnet. Avoid the "Downtown Eastside" (between Gastown and Chinatown,) any time, day or night. The rest of the time, just do your best to smile back politely, and say, "Not today, but maybe next time" while you keep on walking. If you have a rental car, be sure to empty it of every single item, including things that you would think are of no value. Be sure to garage your rental car with your hotel or a respectable establishment when not in use.
In Vancouver I wouldn't miss:
*Stanley Park
*The BC Museum of Anthropology
*The BC Rose Garden
*Van Dusen Gardens
[all 3 are located near each other]
*Grouse Mountain (plan to spend an entire glorious day here...)
*The Capilano Suspension Bridge or (if you are a bit more adventurous and can follow a road map, join the locals at nearby - and free!)*Lynn Valley Canyon Suspension Bridge
*Granville Island
In Victoria you can't go wrong at:
*The Royal British Columbia Museum, which has a fabulous re-creation of life in early Victoria including life-size re-creations of sailing ships, city streets (including Chinatown), and a Native Indian (First Nations) village. Their collection of "talking masks" is wonderful. In September, the "Titanic" exhibition will still be there as well.
*Butchart Gardens, especially on a Saturday night when they have fireworks. (*Butterfly World is nearby, too!)
*A free tour of the Parliament buildings (they are especially lovely at night, outlined with little white lights...)
*Afternoon Tea at the Empress Hotel
*Craigdarroch Castle
*Ft. Rodd Hill Lighthouse and nearby *Hatley Castle
*A 4-hour whale-watching trip with any number of providers.
Go to www.entertainment.com
You can buy a "Vancouver" Entertainment book right now for $7.98 plus $1 shipping and handling.(it's then end of the season and they want to unload them before they all expire on November 1.)
There are coupons for Buy one/ Get One free for every single museum and Garden in Vancouver (except the Aquarium - which is not valid during July and August) plus carriage rides in Stanley Park, Capilano Suspension Bridge, Lafflines Comedy Club, and many, many, very good restaurants, including the Cannery, Le Gavroche, Hermitage, Water Street Cafe, McQueens & Monk MQueens, Wild Rice, Borgo Antico, Amarcord, Stone Grill, The Stanley Park Fish House [Great for lunch after the Carriage Ride], and Death By Chocolate, plus many different coffee and ice cream shops. There are more restaurant coupons than you could use in a month of eating out everyday. You'll get back your 8.98 after the first coupon you use dining out...
An added bonus is that there are ALSO coupons for Victoria (and Whistler, too!), including Victoria's Butterfly World, Centre of the Universe Astrophysical Observatory [Great for their Star-watching parties on Saturday nights...]among others.
And remember, if you don't see everything this time, you can always go back!
We are East-coasters who are traveling to the Pacific Northwest in August for the third time in 5 years. Both Vancouver and Victoria are on our itinerary.
You can take a ferry from Victoria at Swartz Bay to Tsawassen, just south of Vancouver, or if you have money, another plane.
Yes, Vancouver has panhandling and street people with drug problems. Most large cities do, but Canada's lenient public assistance profile has made Vancouver a magnet. Avoid the "Downtown Eastside" (between Gastown and Chinatown,) any time, day or night. The rest of the time, just do your best to smile back politely, and say, "Not today, but maybe next time" while you keep on walking. If you have a rental car, be sure to empty it of every single item, including things that you would think are of no value. Be sure to garage your rental car with your hotel or a respectable establishment when not in use.
In Vancouver I wouldn't miss:
*Stanley Park
*The BC Museum of Anthropology
*The BC Rose Garden
*Van Dusen Gardens
[all 3 are located near each other]
*Grouse Mountain (plan to spend an entire glorious day here...)
*The Capilano Suspension Bridge or (if you are a bit more adventurous and can follow a road map, join the locals at nearby - and free!)*Lynn Valley Canyon Suspension Bridge
*Granville Island
In Victoria you can't go wrong at:
*The Royal British Columbia Museum, which has a fabulous re-creation of life in early Victoria including life-size re-creations of sailing ships, city streets (including Chinatown), and a Native Indian (First Nations) village. Their collection of "talking masks" is wonderful. In September, the "Titanic" exhibition will still be there as well.
*Butchart Gardens, especially on a Saturday night when they have fireworks. (*Butterfly World is nearby, too!)
*A free tour of the Parliament buildings (they are especially lovely at night, outlined with little white lights...)
*Afternoon Tea at the Empress Hotel
*Craigdarroch Castle
*Ft. Rodd Hill Lighthouse and nearby *Hatley Castle
*A 4-hour whale-watching trip with any number of providers.
Go to www.entertainment.com
You can buy a "Vancouver" Entertainment book right now for $7.98 plus $1 shipping and handling.(it's then end of the season and they want to unload them before they all expire on November 1.)
There are coupons for Buy one/ Get One free for every single museum and Garden in Vancouver (except the Aquarium - which is not valid during July and August) plus carriage rides in Stanley Park, Capilano Suspension Bridge, Lafflines Comedy Club, and many, many, very good restaurants, including the Cannery, Le Gavroche, Hermitage, Water Street Cafe, McQueens & Monk MQueens, Wild Rice, Borgo Antico, Amarcord, Stone Grill, The Stanley Park Fish House [Great for lunch after the Carriage Ride], and Death By Chocolate, plus many different coffee and ice cream shops. There are more restaurant coupons than you could use in a month of eating out everyday. You'll get back your 8.98 after the first coupon you use dining out...
An added bonus is that there are ALSO coupons for Victoria (and Whistler, too!), including Victoria's Butterfly World, Centre of the Universe Astrophysical Observatory [Great for their Star-watching parties on Saturday nights...]among others.
And remember, if you don't see everything this time, you can always go back!
Jul 24th, 2007, 09:41 PM
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Just returned from a night in Vancouver, we stayed on Robson St. and loved the hustle and bustle. We live an hour north of San Francisco and usually can't wait to leave after a visit. I loved the feel of the city, it's full of young people!
