Today marks the beginning of the The Winter Olympics 2010 in Vancouver, B.C. And what a city it is. In honor of Vancouver, I’ve decided to post some of my favorite images from my own travels there. In the past, I’ve always been lucky to find great affordable places to stay in Vancouver (and I talked about some of them here). Now, with Casa Casa members to host me in Vancouver, Victoria, Nanaimo and elsewhere in B.C., I look forward to staying with them!
First, Gastown.
The Gastown neighborhood of Vancouver is just to the north and east of downtown. It’s a historic neighborhood and it an eclectic mix, with cobblestone streets, upscale boutiques, restaurants and nightclubs, and housing for the homeless. It’s also home to Vancouver’s only steam-powered clock, pictured above.
Across False Creek from downtown is Granville Island, home to the Granville Island Public Market.
It’s much smaller than Pike Place Market in Seattle where I live, and it’s intimacy gives it quite a different feel. I love strolling for fresh produce, baked goods, and fresh-caught wild salmon.
To get to Granville Island from downtown, you can take these adorable foot ferries.
One of my favorite areas of Vancouver is Stanley Park, one of the most dynamic, beautiful urban parks I’ve ever experienced.
Stanley Park has it all – waterfront, a pool, hiking trails, totem poles, lots of birds to watch and little lakes to sit by, and even bikes to rent. It’s like a big backyard for residents of Vancouver, and I think one of the reasons Vancouver’s intense density is so palatable. And Vancouver is dense. Look at these apartments buildings!
The truth is, I’d live in one of those apartment buildings in a heartbeat. Vancouver is truly a livable city. It’s also a terrific place to visit, for a weekend or for a week along with mini excursions to Vancouver Island and the mountains. And at the end of the day, you’ve got this.
For more great travel photos, check out the Photo Friday gallery at Delicious Baby.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Vancouver is a fantastically livable city, and I agree with you about living in one of those apartments in a heartbeat!
Great read over @Grist about Vancouver and what the city can teach us all about urban sustainability. http://bit.ly/aLYcgI
Great post — thanks for sharing good pictures and info on the city. I haven’t been to Vancouver yet, but it’s long been on my travel wish-list! Happy Friday.
Even though you say that market is smaller, I could probably spend hours there! I love a good market!