Attractions In Vancouver

Granville Street south of our B&B terminates at the YVR Airport 8 kilometers (@5 miles) away. Granville Street north of our B&B terminates 6 kilometers (3.75 miles) away at the Sea Bus Terminal connecting the downtown to North Vancouver. Granville Street north of our B&B (near 35th Avenue) to 16th Avenue is the main road of Shaughnessy, “Vancouver’s wealthiest neighbourhood” and site of many historical homes. Granville Street from 16th Avenue to 4th Avenue is called the South Granville Rise with hundreds of upscale shops and many restaurants (including 4 time Restaurant of the Year “West”). The Granville Street Bridge spans over Granville Island and connects to downtown Vancouver and a pedestrian friendly area known as the Granville Mall , or more formally, as the Granville Entertainment District where numerous shops, restaurants, and the city’s top dance clubs, bars and entertainment venues such as the Orpheum and the Commodore Ballroom are located for live music, live theater, first-run movies. Vancouver’s best shopping malls can be found on or near Granville Street at the Pacific Centre (below ground), Robson Street and Sinclair Centre and Oakridge Centre

VanDusen Botanical Garden is half a block east of our B&B. This spectacular 22-hectare (55-acre) garden in the heart of Vancouver has matured into a botanical garden of international stature since opening to the public in 1975. The mild Vancouver climate allows the cultivation of an outstanding plant collection, which is a delight any time of year. VanDusen boasts over 255,000 plants representing more than 7,300 taxa from around the world. Their plant collections represent ecosystems that range from tropical South African, to Himalayas, to the Canadian Arctic, as well as plant native to our own Northwest. Walk to 37th Avenue turn left for 3 blocks to enter the gardens.

The South Granville Rise begins at West 16th Avenue and ends before 4th Avenue. One could easily spend the entire day strolling along it, as the shops are fabulous in this very popular area. Restoration Hardware, Pottery Barn and Williams-Sonoma have all made South Granville their home, as well as the number one restaurant in Vancouver ”West”. We love the Chapters store, and you will find most major coffee shop chain in this area. Below is an excellent map of South Granville businesses (Please note; it is not unusual for retail locations to alter business hours, move or go out of business; we suggest you verify when important).
South Granville Brochure

Granville Island is so easy to get to and a lovely way to spend an afternoon. Vancouver’s number one tourist destination is also our favorite location for fresh food shopping, casual restaurants, romantic walks or family activities. Rent a boat or kayak, or take a water taxi to False Creek or Bowen Island. Free 3 hour parking available, or about a $10 taxi ride. By car, drive north on Granville Street, turn right on 16th Avenue, and turn left immediately on Hemlock Street. Stay in the left hand lane and follow the signs under the Granville Street Bridge.

Sea Wall is a 25-kilometer (15 mile) paved boardwalk that is unofficially the second most popular tourist destination in Vancouver (as this has no official entry/exit point) and is free to all. Most of our active guests rent bikes after breakfast (@$25/day) and spend at least one day exploring Kits Beach, Granville Island, False Creek, 1st & 2nd Beach and Stanley Park. A VISA card is all you need to break for lunch, coffee or water between photo opportunities. Reckless Bike Rentals is at 1810 Fir Street @2nd Avenue near Granville Island (www.reckless.ca or 604-731-2420).

Stanley Park is recognized around the globe as one of the greatest parks of the world! Vancouver’s first park and one of the city’s main tourist attractions, Stanley Park is an evergreen oasis of 400 hectares (1,000 acres) close to the downtown core. Stanley Park was named after Lord Stanley of the Stanley Cup fame. Click here for a great map of Stanley Park.

Events / Concerts / Theater

Restaurants

Some of Vancouver’s top restaurants are located on or near Granville Street;

West (www.westrestaurant.com) 2881 Granville Street (& 13th Ave) 604-738-8938
With four consecutive wins of Restaurant of the Year by the Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards, a prestigious four star rating by Mobil Travel Guide, and recognized as one of the “ten of the best, worldwide” by UK’s Sunday Independent, this is The restaurant for that special dinner. Randy’s restaurant of choice for Pam’s special occasions. Reservations recommended for lunch and dinner.

Vij’s (www.vijs.ca) 1480 West 11th Avenue (& Granville St) 604-736-6664
This is Pam’s favorite restaurant and very most popular among all our guests. NY Times reviewed “Easily among the finest Indian restaurants in the world.” Dinner served from 5:30pm with no reservations, so we recommend you go early to avoid the typical lineups (sometimes 2.5 hours long), or enjoy the complimentary chai and snacks while you wait. Rangoli is next door and is also owned by Vikram Vij.

Restaurant Connor Butler (www.connorbutler.com) 2145 Granville Street (&6th Ave) 604-734-2145
Focusing on seasonal, organic ingredients married with the arts of the table and the kitchen. Connor is a talented chef that owns, managers, cooks and serves his guests fine dining without pretensions. The $45 Pre-Theater 3 Course dinner is recommended before that play at the Stanley...

C’s (http://www.crestaurant.com/) 1600 Howe Street (on Sea Wall, under Granville Bridge)
Facing west to Granville Island & sunset. Globe & Mail reviewed “...the most original & exciting fish & seafood restaurant this country has ever seen.” Amazing awards;
10 consecutive years as Vancouver Magazine Critics Choice “Best seafood”
6 consecutive Distinguished Restaurant of North America Award (DiRoNA)
6 consecutive Wine Spectator “Best of Award of Excellence”

Tojo’s (http://www.tojos.com) 1133 West Broadway 604-872-8051
Mr. Tojo is a master sushi chef that critic’s say is reason enough to visit Vancouver. Let Tojo prepare your dinner in small portions on artful plates, as he is typically the one who spent the morning selecting fish and crustaceans for your pleasure.

Best Chinese: Sun Sui Wah (www.sunsuiwah.com) 3888 Main Street 604-872-8822 Voted Best Chinese & Seafood by Vancouver Magazine Readers Choice and is renowned for its squab and live tanks of fish, Alaskan king crab, Atlantic lobsters and geoduck clams. The weekend dim sum is just as sophisticated as its dinner fare. This restaurant is excellent for large group celebrations and we trust the staff suggestions implicitly.

Best Steaks:
Gotham’s Steakhouse & Cocktail Bar (www.gothamsteakhouse.com) 615 Seymour Street 604-605-8282
Hy’s Steakhouse & Cocktail Bar (www.hyssteakhouse.com) 637 Hornby Street 604-683-7671
Morton’s, The Steakhouse (www.mortons.com) 750 West Cordova Street 604-915-5105

Best Restaurant Chain for our clientele:
The Sequoia Company of (4) Restaurants (www.vancouverdine.com);
1) Seasons in the Park (close to our B&B, just east of 33rd & Cambie) 604-874-8008
2) The Sandbar 1535 Johnston Street, Granville Island 604-669-9030
3) Cardero’s 1583 Coal Harbour Quay, Coal Harbour 604-669-7666
4) Tea House/Sequoia Grill Ferguson Point, Stanley Park Drive 604-669-3281

Our picks for Casual South Granville Restaurants for food &/or drinks;
Red Door (www.reddoor.ca) 2996 Granville Street (& 14th Ave) 604-733-5699 Readers Choice 2008
Rangoli (www.vijsrangoli.ca) 1488 West 11th Avenue (& Granville) 604-736-5711 Pam’s lunch favorite
Joey’s (www.joeysmedgrill.com) 1424 West Broadway (& Granville) 604-732-5639 Best SG deck
Cactus Club (www.cactusclubcafe.com) 1530 West Broadway (& Granville) 604-733-0434 for The game
Moxie’s (www.moxies.ca) 1759 West Broadway (& Burrard St) 604-678-9973 for singles

Great local Cheap &/or Quick Eats;
E-Bei Sushi 5701 Granville Street (& 41st) 604-263-2326 Best AYCE in or take out
Go Fish (www.vancouver.com/restaurants/reviews/go-fish ) 1505 West 1st Ave (& Seawall) 604-730-5040 Best fish & chips
Granville Island Public Market (www.granvilleisland.com/en/taxonomy/term/50) Veeery Vancouver
Max’s Deli (http://www.maxsdeli.ca/) 3105 Oak Street (&15th Ave) 604-733-4838 Vancouver’s best deli
Meinhardt Fine Foods/Picnic (http://www.feedyourcuriosity.com/code/navigate.php?Id=1) 3002 Granville Street (&14th Ave) 604-732-4405 Randy’s lunch favorite
Memphis Blues BBQ (www.memphisbluesbbq.com) 1465 W Broadway (& Granville) 604-738-6806 Meat lovers dine in/take out

Links


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