{"id":3941,"date":"2016-01-04T14:00:11","date_gmt":"2016-01-04T14:00:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/expedia.blog.ca.sandwave.dev\/stories\/36-hours-in-vancouver\/"},"modified":"2023-06-21T19:43:06","modified_gmt":"2023-06-21T19:43:06","slug":"36-hours-in-vancouver","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.expedia.ca\/stories\/36-hours-in-vancouver\/","title":{"rendered":"36 Hours in Vancouver"},"content":{"rendered":"

Vancouver is part metropolis, part nature reserve, and entirely one of North America\u2019s best cities. Actually, it\u2019s THE best city, depending on who you talk to. With ocean to the west, mountains to the north, and friendly people all around, it\u2019s definitely worth a visit\u2014even if you only have a weekend to explore.<\/p>\n

Friday<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Did someone say spiked nog? Nothing warms up the winter season like alpaca sweaters, kettle corn, and of course, spiked eggnog. From late November to December, the Vancouver Christmas Market lights up downtown with a carousel, drinks, giant tree, and\u2026pickles? Just look up \u201cGerman Christmas pickle,\u201d then search for the decorative pickles around downtown.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re not visiting over the holidays, try to plan your trip around one of the coolest nights in Vancouver: FUSE. Regular Vancouver Art Gallery hours get thrown out the window on these Friday nights, when the space transforms into a club with live DJs and a distinctly SoHo feel. Didn\u2019t time it right? There might not be a Top 40 soundtrack playing at the gallery in the a.m., but the iconic Ansel Adams photographs speak for themselves.<\/p>\n

Saturday<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"Photo<\/a>
Photo attribution: Flickr\/Creative Commons\/Kenny Louie\/Via\/https:\/\/flic.kr\/p\/7UBnar<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Grab an organic, fair trade brew and bagel with lox (local of course) on Robson Street to start the day Vancouver-style. Use that energy to do some shopping, then come full circle to Robson Square. December to February, you\u2019ll find the Robson Square ice skating rink, and in the summer, salsa lessons and the occasional break-dancing competition (so work on those mad skills).<\/p>\n

Is your chopsticks expertise still at the elementary level? Cue in the shame bell and get to practicing. Canada\u2019s largest Chinatown has plenty to offer\u2014especially food. Find your chosen bun during dim sum at a Chinatown Vancouver restaurant, where you can load up on steamed dumplings, rolls and more. Walk off lunch with a visit to the Jimi Hendrix Shrine (surprised? It\u2019s his grandmother\u2019s house!), then head 900 m west and channel your inner math whiz with a new profile pic at the giant abacus in downtown Vancouver.<\/p>\n

Find your fellow party people on Saturday night. Classy, historic Gastown is a stylish place to sip, see, and be seen, while Yaletown nightclubs are the spots for the well-heeled and well-dressed. Whether you want bass in your face or laid-back vibes, Vancouver delivers.<\/p>\n

Sunday<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\"Body<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Work off those Saturday night cocktails on \u201cMother Nature\u2019s Stairmaster,\u201d aka Grouse Mountain, and the 2.9 km trail known as the \u201cGrouse Grind.\u201d If you need even more action, there\u2019s always paragliding and helicopter tours, you animal, you. And if you\u2019re visiting in snowy season, try cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, or kicking back in the lodge with a cup of hot cocoa and a good book. Not a fan of exercise? Get breathtaking views without all the effort on the Grouse Mountain Vancouver gondola.<\/p>\n

Ready for a visit to the Best Coast (ahem, sorry, West Coast), Canada-style? Van-City awaits with snow-white slopes and fresh sea breezes, plus culture and nightlife galore. Check it out and get in on the magic, year-round.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n