{"id":147,"date":"2018-05-15T13:21:54","date_gmt":"2018-05-15T20:21:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/allardorientation2018\/?page_id=147"},"modified":"2018-05-31T13:50:20","modified_gmt":"2018-05-31T20:50:20","slug":"fun-stuff","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/allardorientation2018\/vancouver-info\/fun-stuff\/","title":{"rendered":"Vancouver Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"

Welcome to your (potentially) new home!<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"Image
https:\/\/www.tourismvancouver.com\/<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Areas to Explore<\/h3>\n

Pacific Spirit Regional Park<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Pacific Spirit Regional Park is made up of 763 hectares between Vancouver and the UBC Campus.\u00a0 The park \u201cprovides the perfect place to actively explore and appreciate the diversity and beauty of the forests and foreshore at the city’s edge”.<\/p>\n

Granville Island<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Granville Island has it all!\u00a0 What once was an industrial manufacturing area has now been transformed into a popular tourist spot (save for the cement factory that still remains). Granville Island is also a main centre for the arts in Vancouver and is home to the Emily Carr University of Art and Design. The island is the perfect place to spend a day exploring its many shops, restaurants, theatres.\u00a0 It\u2019s also easy to get lost in the Granville Island Public Market with its numerous stands selling meats, fruits, vegetables, cheeses, desserts,\u00a0 flowers, crafts and more.\u00a0 You can also visit the Kids Only Market where you can relive your childhood memories, sifting through the many toys and books.\u00a0 Many theatres and seaside restaurants also provide excellent nighttime entertainment.\u00a0 Finally, a local favourite is the Granville Island Brewery.<\/p>\n

Stanley Park<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Stanley Park is Vancouver\u2019s very own backyard.\u00a0 Named after Lord Stanley of Preston (the Governor General of Canada) it is even larger than New York\u2019s Central Park, with over 404 hectares of land! Stanley Park is filled with things to do during a free afternoon.\u00a0 You can visit the whales, dolphins, and seals in the renowned\u00a0 Vancouver Aquarium \u00a0or try your hand at rowing at the Vancouver Rowing Club.\u00a0\u00a0 There are also many restaurants located throughout the park such as the Fish House and the Tea House.\u00a0 Finally, you can explore the 8.8 km of seawall on bike, rollerblades, or foot and stop for a break at one of the park\u2019s many beaches.\u00a0Finally, Lost Lagoon, located right near Stanley Park, is by far one of the best places in Vancouver to enjoy a sunset picnic.<\/p>\n

Kitsilano<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Kitsilano used to be a hotspot for counterculture followers and hippies in Vancouver in the 1960s. Today, Kits (as the locals call it) is mostly occupied by young families and students.\u00a0 It is filled with many popular organic markets, yoga studios, quirky stores and delicious restaurants along West 4th Ave and West Broadway.\u00a0 For a truly unique dining experience, try having breakfast at Sophie\u2019s Cosmic Caf\u00e9 or Mexican food at Los Margaritas.\u00a0 Kits and the nearby Point Grey Neighbourhood are also convenient if you want to hit the beach but don\u2019t have time to get out of the city.\u00a0 Kitsilano Beach as well Jericho Beach and Spanish Banks in Point Grey, are all excellent spots to spend the afternoon taking in the Vancouver skyline, catching some rays, skim boarding, sailing, or joining in a game of volleyball.\u00a0 On a historical note, Kits is also where Greenpeace was founded in 1975 in an office on Cypress street just off West Broadway!<\/p>\n

False Creek<\/strong><\/p>\n

False Creek first took the world stage during Expo \u201986 and then once again during the 2010 Olympics when the Athlete\u2019s Village was constructed on its shores.\u00a0 Science World\u2019s sphere-like building is also located in false creek and is a popular Vancouver attraction. BC Place (home to the BC Lions) and Rogers Arena (home of the Vancouver Canucks) can also be seen from False Creek.\u00a0 False Creek is surrounded by the sea wall and numerous parks making it a great place to have an afternoon picnic or go walking, rollerblading, and biking. You can also take a ride on the False Creek Ferries <\/a>which sail between popular destinations in the surrounding\u00a0 the area such as Yaletown, Science World, and Granville Island.\u00a0 Finally, if you have the time, visit the Athlete\u2019s Village to see where famous Olympians stayed during the 2010 Olympics!<\/p>\n

Downtown<\/strong><\/p>\n

Downtown Vancouver stretches from Burrard to Seymour and West Hastings to Smithe.\u00a0 Some of the highlights to explore in this area are Pacific Centre Mall, the Vancouver Art Gallery, Robson Square and for us lawyers-to-be, the Law Courts.\u00a0 <\/b>Underneath Robson Square is where a skating rink was located during the 2010 Olympics.\u00a0 You may also visit the Law Courts during 1L if you attend the CBA Mentor Meet and Greet or if your criminal law class goes on a tour.<\/p>\n

Just East of the downtown core you can find BC Place, Rogers Arena, and the must-see, coliseum-shaped Vancouver Public Library.<\/p>\n

Gastown<\/strong><\/p>\n

Gastown is located on the North side of downtown, past Hastings and along Water Street.\u00a0 You can easily reach Gastown by taking the Canadaline or Skytrain all the way to the gorgeous, towering, Waterfront Station.\u00a0 \u00a0What true makes Gastown unique is its historical atmosphere.\u00a0 As Vancouver\u2019s first downtown, Gastown still has cobblestone streets, tall arching trees, and of course, the famous steam clock.<\/p>\n

Chinatown<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Chinatown is located in the heritage area around Main Street and Keefer.\u00a0 Here you can find a variety of shops and summer markets where you can purchase\u00a0 food, clothing, and imported goods.\u00a0 Some of the main attractions to see in Chinatown are the beautiful Millenium Gate, West Han Dynasty Bell, Monument of Canadian Chinese, and China Gate.\u00a0 Chinatown is also home to the renowned Dr. Sun Yat Sen Chinese Gardens<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Main Street<\/strong><\/p>\n

Main Street divides the East and West sides of Vancouver.\u00a0 Between West Broadway and 33rd Ave, Main Street is crowded with numerous vintage stores and cafes where artists frequently perform for customers during the afternoon.\u00a0 There are also many small, trendy restaurants along this part of Main Street that offer a wide assortment of cuisines and atmospheres.\u00a0 Main Street is also famous for its assortment of local coffee shops so be sure to stop and enjoy a cup before walking on.<\/p>\n

Commercial Drive<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Commercial Drive is just a 5 minute drive or ride on the SkyTrain from downtown and the furthest East stop on the 99 B-line bus.\u00a0 Known locally as \u201cThe Drive\u201d there are many coffee shops, restaurants, and quirky stores to explore along this street.<\/p>\n

The North Shore<\/strong><\/p>\n

Vancouver is famous for combining city living with easy access to the great outdoors.\u00a0 Some of the best areas to explore the surrounding Vancouver wilderness are from across the Lion\u2019s Gate Bridge on the North Shore.\u00a0 From here you can visit Grouse Mountain<\/a> where you can reach the top either by gondola or the Grouse Grind<\/a> .\u00a0 Please note, the grind is by no means a walk in the park so bring good shoes, lots of water, and be prepared to huff and puff your way to the top (unless you are in great shape)!\u00a0 At\u00a0 the top of Grouse Mountain are numerous tourist attractions such as ziplines, cafes, and a ski hill.\u00a0 North Vancouver is also where you will find the Capilano Suspension Bridge<\/a> as well as Lynn Canyon<\/a> (the suspension bridge here is free).\u00a0 If you are looking for ocean scenery then head to Lighthouse Park, Horseshoe Bay (also where ferries leave to Vancouver Island), or Deep Cove.\u00a0 Cypress Mountain<\/a> is also situated on the North Shore and is where many Olympic events took place last winter.\u00a0 There are also many hiking trails in and around the North Shore area such as the Lions (the twin peaks you can see from Vancouver).\u00a0 Finally, if you are looking for an interesting way to reach the North Shore try taking the Seabus from downtown (it\u2019s free with your U-pass).<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Welcome to your (potentially) new home! Areas to Explore Pacific Spirit Regional Park Pacific Spirit Regional Park is made up…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":58316,"featured_media":0,"parent":62,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-147","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/allardorientation2018\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/147","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/allardorientation2018\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/allardorientation2018\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/allardorientation2018\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/58316"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/allardorientation2018\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=147"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/allardorientation2018\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/147\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":271,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/allardorientation2018\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/147\/revisions\/271"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/allardorientation2018\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/62"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/allardorientation2018\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=147"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}