We spent less than 2 days exploring Vancouver, Canada before and after our Disney Alaskan cruise, but we still managed to have a ton of fun!
I had never been to Canada prior to our trip and this was also S’s first time out of the country.
We spend two nights before our cruise at The Pan Pacific Hotel. This is the perfect location if your cruise ship is docking at Canada Place because the hotel is situated right on top of the cruise terminal.
The Pan Pacific Hotel is a bit pricey, but I booked through Priceline at a discount. The room was very nice, clean and we had a great view of the harbor. We got to watch the seaplanes taking off and landing and there was even a gas station in the water. It was also really cool to watch the cruise ships docked right underneath us!
Each morning we had breakfast at Tim Horton’s (a chain coffee shop with donuts, pastries, and hot sandwiches). The Tim Horton’s we visited was located across from the hotel in an underground mall. You can use the stairs inside the hotel to access the food court via a tunnel. The coffee was good and the cinnamon roll was fabulous! Plus I had to eat at Tim Horton’s after the How I Met Your Mother episode where Barney visited Canada 🙂
Our first morning in Vancouver was rainy, but we still walked along the harbor almost all the way to Stanley Park. We stopped to see the Olympic Cauldron, which is only lit for special events.
We got to see our first sea life of the trip, with a harbor seal that graced us with his presence while we were out on a dock. I loved seeing the house boats in the marina – how cute is that red one?
On our way back to the hotel to change clothes, we took a different path winding through the city. Every set of condos or high-rises had gardens and fountains. It was so beautiful!
For lunch we headed to the Gastown area to eat at Meat and Bread. The restaurant only features a couple sandwiches on their menu and the menu changes daily. The line at lunch can grow extremely long, so get there early! The best thing that our group ate was the Maple Bacon Ice Cream Sandwich. S loved it!
We stopped by the steam clock to see it go off. The steam clock releases steam every 15 minutes.
We then headed to Steamworks Brew Pub to get a drink. My husband got the sampler, which he got to choose which beers he wanted. He loves getting to try local brews.
By this point, S was asking to go swimming. The Pan Pacific Hotel’s pool is a heated, outside pool with a great view! If the pool is not warm enough for you they also have a hot tub. Tip: outside of changing rooms in the hall leading from the pool to the elevators is a spin dryer for your wet swimsuits!
On our day of disembarkment, we had booked an excursion through Disney for a bus tour of the city with a stop in Stanley Park and at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park. I believe there are tour companies that offer similar tours.
The bus ride was nice and well narrated. The bus stopped at the First Nations Totem Poles, which is a huge display of beautiful totem poles. At this stop, we also got to see the Disney Wonder docked at Canada Place from a distance.
We headed out to Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, which I know is just a huge tourist attraction, but it was awesome. I really enjoyed being outside in nature especially on such a beautiful day!
When we arrived at the park, we headed straight for the cliffwalk. I loved the cliffwalk probably more than the suspension bridge because the cliffwalk does not sway, it is a labyrinth with platforms, walkways and stairs.
The suspension bridge was very crowded. It was beautiful views but the bridge was swaying too much!
On the other side of the suspension bridge, we walked along the tree top adventure. I loved being up in the trees with a different view of the rainforest. It was really cool!
Then it was time to head back to the bus to depart for the airport. 🙁
I wish we had had more time in Vancouver to explore all the wonderful offerings this city has to share. ‘Til next time!
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That looks like an awesome trip!! I need to start taking my kiddos more places! Thanks for sharing!
I love taking my daughter on trips, she learns so much!
The suspense bridge looks like so much fun! It looks like a beautiful place!
Vancouver was beautiful!
Those houseboats look awesome! I love their personalities.
Yes, I would love one!
Wow. Vancouver looks gorgeous!! I’ve been to Canada twice but I’ve never been there, hopefully one day…
It was beautiful!
eeeeee! That bridge looks so scary and your daughter was just like enh no big deal LOL Great post! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Thanks MJ! Kids seem to be so brave!
I love Vancouver! And Welcome to Canada! So glad you had a great time. It’s such a beautiful city! Hope you enjoyed your cruise!
http://theaccidentalmama.com
Thank you! We LOVED our cruise!
Stunning photos!! When I was in Niagara Falls, I was introduced to Tim Hortons (BEST COFFEE). I am happy to see you and your little one had so much fun! Plus look at that snazzy hotel 🙂 Thank you for sharing!
http://neatly-packaged.com/
Thank you! Tim Horton’s was yummy!
I would love to visit vancouver one day! Looks like a great time!
Thank you Ashley it was!
You sure did do a lot for just two days! I never been to Canada before and hope to go there someday- such a beautiful place! I love your photos!
Thank you Louida; you are so sweet!
*sigh* I need to go exploring here… badly. You took some amazing shots, btw.
Thank you Chrissy, Vancouver really was beautiful!
I would love to visit Vancouver or any part of Canada really! I’ve pinned my favorite photograph from your trip to my “Safe Travels” board on Pinterest!
Thank you Stephanie!
What a beautiful property!
Thank you Kristin for stopping by!
Wonderful photos of stunning Vancouver, how great to be a tourist and experience some of the great sights. Thanks for linking up and sharing with Country Kids.
Thank you Fiona!
I’ve lived i Canada for the last 4 years and have never been to Vancouver, so thanks for the virtual tour 🙂
I hope you are able to visit Vancouver, we really enjoyed the city!
Wow you did a lot! All of the places that you visited looks amazing! I love your hotel and the view. Well actually I love this place and now I am wishing we can go there too =) #countrykids
Thank you Merlinda! I hope you get to visit Vancouver one day. It was a beautiful city!
looks like great fun except the bridge…that looks a bit scary 🙂 Thanks for sharing with us!
Yes, the bridge was a little scary, but mostly because of the swaying!
I want to visit. Those totem poles look fantastic. Here’s to many more fabulous trips.
Each totem pole is so unique. Thank you Heidi!