Canucks tickets are quite pricey, among the most expensive in the league, IIRC. I know how expensive weddings can be, so set aside a good few hundred dollars if you plan to see the Canucks here, fyi.
Wetcoaster is the guy to ask about restaurants and touristy stuff. He's wined and dined his way from one end of town to the other. Just drop him a pm or wait until he sees this thread. He'll send you a wall of text on the subject.
A few points though: Gastown is nice and touristy; the surrounding area is NOT. The downtown eastside is the ass of the city. I understand Detroit can be a pretty rough town (don't know, never been there, just saying) and maybe it'd be nothing to you, but I can't see anyone wanting to hang around meth/crackheads, bums, disgusting hookers and the like on their honeymoon so stick to Water street and resist temptation to roam around down there after dark. Vancouver doesn't really have any "Fear for your life" dangerous ghettos like a lot of US cities and we don't have all the guns floating around, but take care of your valuables and be very careful where you park your car. Vancouver is very safe in terms of violent crime, but it's top 5 in North America for property crime.
If you're around for any length of time, something to consider might also be a day trip to one of the gulf islands. I spent my honeymoon on Galiano Island. Beautiful spot.
Also, if you're not renting a car and will be riding the buses and skytrain to get around, here's a few helpful hints to ensure you blend in as a local:
Display no familiarity with the destination or fares. Under no circumstances should you look up a route on translink's website. Stare vacantly at transit maps, especially when other people are behind you.
Everyone want to hear your conversation all the time. Especially if you're on a cellphone. It's loud on the bus; raise your voice! Don't be shy, we all want to know the status of Aunt Lily's hysterectomy!
Remember, that seat isn't good enough for you. Or anyone else. Upon encountering an empty seat, you must stand in front of it instead of sitting down. Everyone in Vancouver has a desk job that involves no actual physical work, so we all like to stand as much as possible. Your mission is to guard that seat if it's empty, so on no account should you move out of the way and let anyone else sit in it unless you see missing limbs.
The back of the bus is a scary, scary place. No matter how many people are trying to cram on in the front, you must walk to the back door, cast a terrified look at the back, then stand in front of the door so nobody can get past you to the empty seats at the back. Those aren't people sitting back there; they're scary monsters who will eat you the second your body climbs up the two steps to the back. It is your sacred duty to protect your fellow bus riders from their horror; ignore any attempts people might make to brush past you to get to the back. Remember, you're doing them a favour.
The above works especially well with a backpack. On no account should you remove a backpack and put it on the ground. You are exposing people to horrible things if you do. We want to know what your backpack feels like being the outdoorsy folks we are, so keep it on and turn around abruptly as much as possible.
We also want to know what your taste in music is. Crank any iPods up to full volume. If you walk onto a bus or skytrain and hear anyone else's iPod, this means a challenge has been issued. Both of you must turn your music up as high as it will go, and the winner gets the most frowns and exasperated looks.
Read the paper. Preferably the Sun. It's the full-sized daily, so there's no way to read it without assaulting the person next to you. We all love that.
If you ignore my advice and decide to go through the downtown eastside, you'll not only need to look like a local but smell like one too. Mix equal parts goat urine, hydroponic marijuana, and the cheapest rum you can find and roll around in it for a few minutes before boarding.
Vancouver transit functions on Solipism; the philosophical view that your consciousness is the only thing that truly exists and everything else is a product of your imagination. When a skytrain door opens, do not wait for anyone to get off the train before attempting to enter the car yourself. Those people trying to get off the train around you don't really exist. If you're an Asian woman under 5'5" and over 50, you have the civic right to shove onto any train that comes along with your elbows out like you're in the mosh pit at a Ministry concert. It's in the bylaws or something.
Remember, the door it where it's at. It's the best place to stand no matter what. Not the middle of the aisle where people can get by you.
At many skytrain stations, you'll see people waving copies of the Metro and 24 at you. It's Vancouver's official free toilet paper. Don't mind the ink, no one else does.
Yeah, that's about it. A quick google search will reveal Vancouver's many tourist attractions and activities. Granville Island is worth the trip over the bridge from downtown, and during October most of the tourist hordes have packed up and gone home. Hope you enjoy your stay.
*edit* Oh, and stay the hell away from the Patricia. That was a really bad joke.
Hahah, thanks for the laugh. And crap, I already booked a room at the Patricia, they said they had a really great honeymoon package...
Oh, and I'm not actually from Detroit, just cheaper airfare by like $2-300 or more by flying out of there. Detroit really isn't that bad when you only stick around the downtown area near the Joe, Comerica Park and Ford Field, along with Greektown near the Casinos. Go a few miles in the wrong direction and your probably going to get, at least, robbed. But if you stick to the touristy areas of downtown Detroit all you have to do is deal with the Hobo's. Who are, actually, quite famous, like this guy...
He sits outside of most sporting events, mainly Tigers games, chanting "EAT 'EM UP TIGERS (or Red Wings or Lions, depending on the event), EAT 'EM UP!"
However, do you really want to honeymoon in Vancouver?
For about the same cost, you could have any beach in the Carribbean, or head to somewhere like Miami or Montreal with more of a fun/diverse atmosphere.
Don't get me wrong, Vancouver is nice (I have lived here all my life) but I travel a lot too, and IMO you may get better value elsewhere, depending on what you're looking to do.
August/September is the best time to be here though. October may be hit and miss.
However, do you really want to honeymoon in Vancouver?
For about the same cost, you could have any beach in the Carribbean, or head to somewhere like Miami or Montreal with more of a fun/diverse atmosphere.
Don't get me wrong, Vancouver is nice (I have lived here all my life) but I travel a lot too, and IMO you may get better value elsewhere, depending on what you're looking to do.
August/September is the best time to be here though. October may be hit and miss.
However, do you really want to honeymoon in Vancouver?
For about the same cost, you could have any beach in the Carribbean, or head to somewhere like Miami or Montreal with more of a fun/diverse atmosphere.
Don't get me wrong, Vancouver is nice (I have lived here all my life) but I travel a lot too, and IMO you may get better value elsewhere, depending on what you're looking to do.
August/September is the best time to be here though. October may be hit and miss.
As for somewhere warm, my fiance has had some issues with suspicious moles, so going somewhere with a lot of sun really isn't the most ideal trip.
As for Montreal, the only problem is that a flight to Montreal from Detroit is like $130-150 more per person, which is crazy to me considering I'd be flying cross country to get to Vancouver. Plus, French people annoy me (kidding).
If you're staying downtown, you should consider renting a car and driving the Sea-to-Sky Highway up to Whistler (about 1 hr, 1.5 on a busy day) and staying there for a weekend at the Pan Pacific (affordable but nice hotel). You can go up to the peak of the mountain (if you've never been before), go hiking, or (my personal recommendation) ziplining.
A nice, romantic-yet-reasonably-affordable hotel to stay at in the downtown area is the Metropolitan. (Bonus: also within walking distance of best gelato in the city).
I would suggest looking into the Opus Hotel and Pacific Palisades. Opus is a small boutique hotel that's close to Rogers Arena. Pacific Palisades is close to Stanley Park.
Hey, since it is officially the offseason for my team and yours, I figured it was a good time for me to post this here now.
My fiancé and I are getting married on October 6th and are planning on going to Vancouver for our Honeymoon. Looking for suggestions on where to stay, what to do, where to eat, etc. we are by no means rich, but are comfortable financially, so nothing too extravagant. Hopefully, there will be a Canucks home game going on that week, I'd love to be able to go to one (if the Wings were in town, I'd go nuts). Plus the Nucks are my second favorite team.
Funny story, my fiancé and I got engaged before the game where the Red Wings started their home winning streak and, as you all know, that streak ended against Vancouver. Pretty ironic, right?
Anyways, any suggestions are appreciated. Cheers!
My condolences.
Never understood why men get married in today's society. It always ends up bad.
In February I stayed at blue horizon on Robson. Not bad place to stay cost about 110.00 night. You and you're wife will be right will all the stores to shop at.
Young & Trendy: OPUS
Luxury: Rosewood Hotel Georgia, Shangri-La
Smaller, boutique: L'Hermitage
For good bang for your buck, I'd recommend either L'Hermitage or OPUS.
Dining:
Vancouver has a whole host of good restaurants, particularly Asian food, due to the population.
Chinese: Kirin for dim sum lunch, Phnom Penh (technically Chinese-Cambodian, for their fried chicken wings, beef luc lac, and butter beef)
Japanese: Guu, Kingyo, Suika (izakayas - Japanese bar food); Zakkushi (BBQ skewers on a stick); Motomachi Shokudo, Hokkaido Ramen Santouka, Kintaro (ramen noodles); Japadog for Japanese-styled hot-dogs (a Vancouver staple)
Indian: Vij's (no reservations - first seating is at 5:30, line starts at 5, otherwise it's a 1.5 hr wait, but worth it) or Rangoli (sister restaurant to Vij's, casual dining next door, food comes out of the same kitchen)
Mexican: Le Taqueria for tacos
French: Le Parisien, Les Faux Bourgeois, Pied-a-Terre, L'Abattoir
Belgian: Chambar
Drinks & Cocktails: Guilt & Co., Keefer,
If you want to splurge a bit for one dinner, I'd recommend either Hawksworth or Blue Water Cafe.
Attractions: Granville Island for the public market, take the Aquabus or False Creek Ferry from Yaletown over. Grouse and the Capilano suspension bridge are nice, but pricey. The Lynn Canyon suspension bridge is free and is a local's secret.
Depending on how long you're here for, renting a car and driving up to Whistler for a day trip would be a recommendation. Strolling through the village, and ziplining would make a nice day away. There's some good restaurants up there as well (Bearfoot Bistro, Araxi).
Otherwise, there's not much of a need to rent a car if you're staying downtown. Public transit is fairly simple. Parking is expensive at downtown Vancouver hotels ($35+/night).
All reccomendations have been great in the planning so far. Question about OPUS, I am hoping to get a room with a nice view, does OPUS have good views or would I be better looking elsewhere? I know PAN Pacific has a sweet view, but their rooms are crazy expensive.
All reccomendations have been great in the planning so far. Question about OPUS, I am hoping to get a room with a nice view, does OPUS have good views or would I be better looking elsewhere? I know PAN Pacific has a sweet view, but their rooms are crazy expensive.
The OPUS is a 7 storey building in Yaletown, so the views won't be as nice as the Pan Pacific.
If you're looking for a waterview, the Pan Pacific, Fairmont Waterfront and Fairmont Pacific Rim will probably be your best bets.
I personally wouldn't recommend shelling out the extra cash for a view. You'll be able to enjoy the view when you're out and about town, and I'm pretty sure you won't be spending much time staring outside your window when you and your new bride will be in the room.
Plus, while I'm sure we all hope that you'll be blessed with good weather during your trip, the realists in us will tell you that there's a good chance of cloud and rain in Vancouver in October.
The Sutton Place is a great hotel and you'll often see celebrities there - they have a residence side to the hotel that the Canucks seem to use for new players, players at training camp, etc. It's right in the heart of downtown, right off Robson.
To be honest, if you are thinking accomodation, most any of the big name 4 star type places are good. If you are on a budget, the Holiday Inn, the Ramada, the Hampton are all good choices (Hampton being the best option, IMO,).
Places to see? Stanley Park, Granville Island, Yaletown, Gastown, Grouse Mountain, Kits Beach, Ambleside Beach........lots of choices. Pick up one of those tourist books.
To the Mod that scolded me for suggesting the downtown Eastside, I thought that was a little overboard for a response, though I suppose I was mocking it. That said, for a true glimpse of the culture that exists in Vancouver, that's an interesting place. I don't think that's up for debate. I think a drive down East Hastings will give you enough of a taste.......for me, wherever I go, I am interested in seeing the "real" sides of locales.
My wife and I are planning to come up in July she is looking into staying in the Riley Park or Yaletown areas. Would you recommend those areas and how close are they to downtown?
My wife and I are planning to come up in July she is looking into staying in the Riley Park or Yaletown areas. Would you recommend those areas and how close are they to downtown?
, I figured it was a good time for me to post this here now.
