‘In Vancouver, I did something I’d never done before. Here’s how it went’

When it comes to Vancouver, the best way to experience the city doesn’t come down to one activity. 

It could be from a mountain. From Chinatown. From a restaurant. From the air. Or even from a bridge that can hold 75 fully-grown elephants. 

That’s the beauty of the Canadian city, and why it’s for everyone. 

Now the 75 full-grown elephants probably piqued your interest the most there, but let’s start from the air. 

In Vancouver, a Seaplane is a must, and is something I’d never done before. 

The Seair Seaplanes offer a panoramic view of the city, its surroundings and the tranquil waters of the Deep Cove. 

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No need to bring a passport either or rush to check in, half an hour is more than enough time. 

Depending on how many of you there are, one could sit in the cockpit with the pilot. 

On my occasion, the pilot’s name was Craig who cracked jokes beforehand, in case any nervous fliers needed to relax. 

For the flight, he lets you take it all in. The take off is smooth, as is the landing. 

Overall, the flight goes for around 30 minutes but since you’re looking around the whole time, taking in the scenery, it seems shorter. 

You take flight at Vancouver Harbour and you see the whole city, including BC Place, the North Shore mountains, and Deep Cove. 

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Okay, I’ll get to the elephants now. 

The Capilano Suspension Bridge Park was one of my favourite spots in Vancouver.

The bridge is 70 metres above and 137 metres across Capilano River and has so many interesting facts. 

Like I’ve said already, it can hold 75 fully-grown elephants or two fully boarded Boeing 747s. 

It’s also the safest place to be in the event of an earthquake. The wooden planks of the bridge are checked twice a day while the rope is made of hemp. 

Then there’s the park that it takes you to featuring a temperate rainforest with plenty to see. 

That includes mini suspension bridges high in the treetops and Raptor Ridge (only in summer) where you can see birds like an owl, right up close. 

The park is on the West Vancouver side, so you might as well make the most of your journey there and see what else is about. 

A visit to Grouse Mountain

That brings me to Grouse Mountain. It’s a short drive away from the park, and it’s best to pack your activewear. A visit here is great for those interested in a hike, but nothing too outrageous. 

There are two options to walk up there, either the 2.9-kilometre journey that’s less steep or the 2.2-kilometre option that’s more steep. 

I went with the latter, and it was highly rewarding. Throughout the walk, there’s always steps and a sign showing how far away you are from the top. I will offer a warning: it is very steep. 

The view throughout the walk doesn’t offer much, it’s all dense bushland but once you’re up the top, there’s a sense of accomplishment and even more to see. 

You can zipline up there, get on the gravity coaster, watch a lumberjack show, or even see a grizzly bear. 

When I was there, Grinder and Coola were the two inhabitants, but sadly Grinder has since died. 

Both bears were rescued over two decades ago and orphaned with the whole process explained at the sanctuary. 

Then getting back down to the ground can be done with a gondola or if you feel like it, walking back the way you came down. 

Where to eat in Vancouver

If you get through all that you’ll have likely worked up quote the appetite. Luckily, the city has excellent Italian, Japanese, Chinese and Canadian options. 

Firstly, if you want the Chinese experience, organise a meet-up with Bob from A Wok Around Chinatown. 

There you’ll get a full history lesson on the culture and its origins in Vancouver. Throw in a walk through the Chinese Gardens, a Bao bun for morning tea and a look at the herbal medicine stores. 

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For the Italian, there’s Italian Kitchen, of course. It’s located in the heart of Vancouver and near plenty of accommodation options. 

Eat the prosciutto, the burrata, the fish, clams, all of it. Go crazy. 

As for the Canadian dishes, the MICHELIN Guide recommended Hawksworth Restaurant is in the heart of downtown too. 

The wine list is extensive, and its menu is dependent on the season. 

Round off your trip with Miku Waterfront for Japanese cuisine. The restaurant has Aburi-style sushi and the different types of food just never end. 

I stayed in two different accommodation options in Vancouver. One was The Georgian Court Hotel, which is right across from BC Place, perfect if you’re there for a sporting trip. 

The Westin Bayshore is another option too. It’s slightly further away from downtown Vancouver, but it’s right next to the beautiful Stanley Park. 

You can start your morning with a run around there or even do a Talaysay Tours guide. 

With that tour, you’ll be given an informative cultural experience and learn the history of the park along with understanding the historical Indigenous practices. 

You can even pick out an edible berry too from the trees, just ask your guide first.

Cycle City Tours is another way to get around Stanley Park too. 

The tour starts in the city before moving out to the park where you can see all its wonder. 

This writer travelled as a guest of Destination Vancouver and Destination British Columbia.