Destination Vancouver
As the proud host of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, Vancouver welcomes visitors throughout the year. It is a dynamic, multicultural city set in a spectacular natural environment with plenty of activities for adults, families, couples, and friends.
Local Recommendations
When visiting a city and looking for ideas on what to see, do, or eat, there’s nothing quite like advice from local residents. Check out some top picks from your colleagues in Vancouver.
Top 5 Places To Visit
Submitted by Robert D. Levy, MD, FCCP
In addition to serving as Co-Chair for the CHEST 2010 Scientific Program Committee, Dr. Levy is Professor of Medicine, Respiratory Division, University of British Columbia. He calls Vancouver his adopted home and says, “What a great choice!”
1. Granville Island
A fun market with lots of places to eat—worth visiting for the buskers alone. Add to the fun and arrive by Aquabus!
www.granvilleisland.com
2. Vancouver Art Gallery
A great central location—only a 10-min walk from the convention center. It’s worth the visit to see Emily Carr’s great collection.
www.vanartgallery.bc.ca/index.html
3. Stanley Park
Stanley Park offers a spectacular bike ride, run, or walk and is mere steps from the convention center.
vancouver.ca/parks/parks/stanley/
4. Museum of Anthropology
This isn’t just any old museum. In 1976, architect Arthur Erickson created a classic native post- and-beam-style structure out of poured concrete and glass to house one of the world’s finest collections of West Coast native art. It’s a 15-min taxi ride from the convention center and also a great chance to visit the spectacular University of British Columbia campus.
www.moa.ubc.ca/
5. Grouse Mountain
Take a trip up the tram for a stunning view overlooking the city, English Bay, and the Gulf Islands. There are lots of hiking paths and good spots for a meal or libation.
www.grousemountain.com/Winter/
Top 5 Things To Do
Submitted by Frank Ervin, MD
Dr. Ervin is Clinical Instructor, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia; and Respirologist, Ridge Meadows Hospital, Maple Ridge, British Columbia. What makes him an expert on what to do in Vancouver? He’s lived in Vancouver and nearby Maple Ridge for 23 years.
1. Ride the Skytrain to Surrey on the Expo line, return via the Millennium line.
The Skytrain offers an area tour for a song, and the system isn’t crowded off peak hours. Buy a day pass from Translink for the trip. Stop off at the New Westminster Quai “Rivermarket” and walk along the boardwalk, observing the busy river traffic on the Fraser River. I love the New Westminster waterfront area for its vistas and people watching.
www.translink.ca/en/Fares-and-Passes/DayPass.aspx
www.rivermarket.ca/aboutus
2. Take a sightseeing flight on a float plane from the Vancouver Harbor.
You won’t believe the beauty of the area from the air, and a float plane experience is great fun in itself.
www.harbour-air.com/tours.php?tour=01a_vancouver_panorama
3. Fly on a float plane to Victoria.
Visit beautiful Vistoria, including the Royal British Columbia Museum, or take a side trip to the lovely Butchart Gardens. Return to Vancouver on the BC Ferries system, then catch the Pacific Coach lines bus on the ferry or in Victoria to return to downtown Vancouver.
www.harbour-air.com/HA Map_0207.pdf
www.bcferries.com/schedules/mainland/tssw-current.html
www.pacificcoach.com/Schedules-Fares/Victoria-to-Vancouver
4. Spend an evening with the Arts Club Theatre Company.
Playing during CHEST 2010 is The 39 Steps. Hitchcock meets hilarious in this spoof featuring a seductive mystery woman, an accusation of murder, a missing finger, and a mad dash to foil foreign spies! Four gifted actors play over 150 zany characters in this Monty Python-flavored Hitchcock spoof that just might give you vertigo!
www.artsclub.com/index.html
5. Hear the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.
During CHEST 2010, the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra will present Musically Speaking 1, an evening of English music, including works by Elgar and Vaughn Williams. Buy your tickets online to avoid disappointment!
www.vancouversymphony.ca/co_concert.php?concertcode=10MUS01
Top 5 Restaurants
Submitted by Mark FitzGerald, MB, MD
Dr. FitzGerald is Professor of Medicine, University of British Columbia, and Director, Centre for Lung Health, Vancouver, British Columbia. A Vancouver resident, he says, “I’m lucky and live in the best place in the world.” Check out some of his favorite Vancouver restaurants.
1. Le Crocodile
This is a great French restaurant-never a disappointing meal. $$$$
http://lecrocodilerestaurant.com
2. Bishops
Great Northwestern cuisine is served in a very relaxed and attentive manner. $$$$
www.bishopsonline.com
3. La Regalade
This is a typical French bistro, only much better than in Paris. La Regalade is on the North Shore and a great place to stop on the way back from a North Shore hike. Reservations are essential. $$$
www.laregalade.com
4. Vij’s
Try the best Indian food outside of India! There are no reservations, but the main restaurant is worth the wait-even the Bollywood stars stand in line. Wait in the snug bar area at the back of the restaurant with great Indian beers and free Indian appetizers. $$$
www.vijs.ca
5. Seasons in the Park
Enjoy a great location looking over the city with a very reasonably priced menu. $$$
www.vancouverdine.com/seasons0experience.aspx
More Facts About Vancouver
Currency
Vancouver’s currency is the Canadian dollar. Currency exchange is available at banks and kiosks throughout the city. Canadian money has the same denominations as American money, with the same names: penny, nickel, dime, quarter, etc. There are a couple of notable exceptions.
Loonies and Toonies
There is no paper Canadian one-dollar bill. Instead, there is a one-dollar coin, nicknamed the loonie, because it has a picture of a loon on one side. Besides the loonie, there is the toonie, or two-dollar coin. Both the loonie and toonie work in vending machines, parking meters, etc, making them extremely useful.
Safety
Vancouver’s universal number for police, fire, and medical emergencies is 911.
Time Zone
Vancouver is in the Pacific time zone.
Weather
Warmed by Pacific Ocean currents and protected by a range of mountains, Vancouver enjoys mild temperatures year-round. Average daily high temperatures are:
October 58° F 14° C
November 48° F 9° C