The Best of the West: Vancouver

Downtown Vancouver's Coal Harbour

I had the pleasure of doing a little travelling along the West Coast last summer, and it didn’t take long for me to fall in love with the relaxing vibe and stunning scenery out there. I thought I’d share some of my favourite places I ventured to, here on the blog, so here we have it: the first installment of my Best of the West series. Here are my top ten favourite stops to make in Vancouver!

Gazing out from Coal Harbour

1. Coal Harbour - Coal Harbour stretches between downtown Vancouver and Stanley Park, and is it ever beautiful. On one side of you sits downtown Vancouver, and on the other, mountains and Pacific ocean. While you’re there, stroll up to the Waterfront Skytrain Station and treat yourself to a Japadog at the little stand gracing the corner of Granville and Cordova Streets. This is not your typical hotdog stand. Japadogs are Japanese-style hotdogs with toppings ranging from seaweed and Arabiki sausage, to miso sauce and tempura shrimp. It’s an unexpected combination that tastes absolutely delicious. Promise.

2. Miku Sushi - While we’re on the topic of Japanese cuisine, I have to mention Miku Sushi. I’m not exaggerating when I say this was some of the best sushi I’ve ever eaten. You won’t want to leave Vancouver without tasting their Salmon Oshi Sushi. I’m salivating just thinking about it.

3. Gastown - This cobblestone corner was Vancouver’s first downtown core, and now houses some of the city’s trendiest restaurants and boutiques. Check out Oak and Fort for chique, minimalist dresses and blouses, Parliament Interiors, for trinkets for your home, and John Fluevog Shoes for some truly unique footwear – a must-see for the serial shoe-shopper. One Of A Few was also one of my favourite places to stop and shop in Gastown.

Strolling through Gastown, mid-afternoon

4. Vancouver Art Gallery - This space is gorgeous, both inside and out. The gallery is also the perfect size for an afternoon visit. Unlike some galleries and museums, which can take days to conquer, this one is just the size to spend an afternoon enjoying. The Gallery Café is the perfect spot for a cup of tea or leisurely lunch, after you’ve toured the gallery space.

5. Stanley Park - Usually, one has to drive for hours to enjoy the peace and quiet nature has to offer, outside of the city. Not so in Vancouver. Stanley Park offers a natural oasis right next to the city’s downtown. Walk, run, bike or rollerblade through the park and you’ll feel as though you're hours – not minutes – away from skyscrapers and condominiums. The park is massive, with lots of cool places to visit, so budget lots of time to explore this landmark.

One of the many gigantic trees in Stanley Park

Spanish Banks Beach - one of Stanley Park's Three Beaches

6. Hawksworth - I had a few hours to myself one evening and decided to treat myself to dinner. I reserved a spot for one at Hawksworth, at the Rosewood Hotel Georgia. I normally go for a glass of wine with dinner, but Hawksworth’s cocktail menu is one of a kind. I tucked into a delicious duck entrée infused with peach and pistachio flavours, with fresh brioche on the side. Beyond delicious. Here’s the proof -

Before:

After:

7. Granville Island - Exploring Granville Island is a great way to spend a day, especially in the summer months. The Granville Public Market has everything from fresh produce to artisan jams and chutneys, to unique furniture. Emily Carr University of Art & Design is fittingly located amongst the numerous artists’ galleries on the island, as is The Granville Island Brewing Company.

Gorgeous fresh fruit at the Granville Island Public Market

8. Forty Ninth Parallel Coffee - Before I ventured west, I read about Forty Ninth Parallel Coffee on a list of “50 Coffees to Try Before You Die”, and I have to agree. Forty Ninth Parallel’s coffee is, well, unparalleled, as are their fresh donuts.

My first sips of Forty Ninth Parallel's delicious brew

...And sneaking back to Forty Ninth Parallel for an afternoon treat

9. The Rose Garden at the University of British Columbia - UBC’s campus is quite expansive, but beautiful nevertheless. The Rose Garden in particular, offers truly remarkable views, and smells sweeter than you can imagine.

UBC's Rose Garden

10. The Oakwood Canadian Bistro - My last night in Vancouver was spent in great company, with spectacular food. The Oakwood Canadian Bistro is where the West Coast meets French bistro. I felt très chique and très Canadian, as I enjoyed bison tartar and gourmet poutine. I’m also a fan of any restaurant that lets you send a growler to the kitchen!

While I’ll certainly be tempted to revisit every place on this list the next time I’m in Vancouver, I can’t wait to go back and discover more.

#Travel #bestofthewest #Vancouver #WestCoast