Sample Vancouver’s World-Class Attractions

I have always been a fan of the easy, unpretentious charm of Canada. One of its loveliest and most livable towns, in my book, is Vancouver, the West Coast jewel that is British Columbia’s largest city and a popular jumping-off point for Alaska cruises.

Vancouver’s climate is temperate much of the year (think Seattle), and the city is an exciting mix of Victorian and futuristic, outdoorsy and cultured (the latter in an increasingly international--especially Asian--manner). And did I mention the prices? They’re moderate to begin with, and when you add the fact that $1 U.S. will yield nearly $1.60 Canadian, it makes for an outstanding city break this spring or summer.

Vancouver boasts an abundance of the attractions you would expect from a world-class city. Among its compelling museums are an anthropology museum with a superb collection of Pacific Northwest Native American art, a dramatic and interesting maritime museum, the popular and fun aquarium and the Pacific Space Centre.

But this is a city whose quintessence really lies in its outdoors, whether one is enjoying the green expanse of Stanley Park; exploring one of North America’s most vibrant Chinatowns; enjoying a drink on the waterfront; shopping the trendy West End; wandering the Granville Island Public Market (a bustling shopping, dining and entertainment complex); treading the cobblestones of Gastown, Vancouver’s oldest section; or hiking the scenic North Shore.

There’s also an edgier, counterculturish side to this once-staid city, from the former hippie enclave of Kitsilano to cafes like Blunt Brothers on West Hastings Street. A lively gay and lesbian scene is centered in the West End and Commercial Drive.

For budget lodgings, sharing top honors is downtown’s 104-year-old Victorian Hotel, 514 Homer St.; (877) 681-6369, fax (604) 681-8776, www.victorian-hotel.com, nicely restored to its period elegance. Nine of the 27 rooms have private baths and go for $50 to $69 double (these and other prices are in U.S. dollars); shared-bath rooms are just $37.

Some might prefer the atmosphere of the landmark 115-room Sylvia Hotel, 1154 Gilford St.; (604) 681-9321, fax (604) 682-3551, www.sylviahotel.com, an ivy-covered 1912 grande dame in the West End, where doubles go for $47 to $91. The view of English Bay Beach out front is breathtaking, and the restaurants and nightspots of trendy Denman Street are around the corner.

Other decent picks: the coed YWCA Hotel/Residence, 733 Beatty St.; (800) 663-1424, fax (604) 681-2550, www.ywcahotel.com, doubles $70 with private bath, $54 with shared bath, or the Buchan Hotel, 1906 Haro St.; (800) 668-6654, fax (604) 685-5367, www.buchanhotel.com, doubles $47 to $60 with private bath, $28 to $47 without; check the Web site for even lower-priced specials.

In a multicultural city like this, ethnicity is thick, and much of it is wallet-friendly. When in Chinatown, don’t miss Hon’s Wun Tun House at 108-268 Keefer St., (604) 688-0871. There’s another location at 1339 Robson St., (604) 685-0871. At either spot, a half-dozen of the renowned potstickers will set you back $1.90. A few blocks west of Chinatown, in the West End, go Greek at Stepho’s, 1124 Davie St., (604) 683-2555, where you can gorge on roast lamb with five side dishes for $5.65. Or check out the inexpensive pasta dishes at Rossini’s, with two locations: 162 Water St. in Gastown, (604) 408-1300, and 1525 Yew St. in Kits Beach, north of the city, (604) 737-8080.

There are often special promotions and discounts, some of which are listed on the city tourist board’s Web site, www.tourismvancouver.com (which allows online hotel bookings); the tourist board can also be reached at (604) 683-2000. In a program that started recently, paying with a Visa card can get you a slew of “Vancouver Rewards”--special discounts and deals in a variety of lodgings, restaurants, shops and more. Find details at www.vancouverrewards.com.

The surrounding province of British Columbia--with sites like the famed year-round Whistler resort--is a paradise for lovers of sports and the outdoors. Get information about many of its offerings, including special packages, at (800) 435-5622 or www.hellobc.com.