Aloha,

My fiancée and I live in Hawaii and have a spur of the moment trip to Vancouver in about 2 weeks. We will have 3 days to spend there at the most, as we are driving to and from Bellingham, Washington. We will be staying in Downtown Vancouver from March 31 - April 3rd or 4th and we are on a limited budget (arent we all?!), what are some good things to do? We are 23 & 24 if it helps you in your recommendation These are the things we would be interested in:

Great Food - this doesn't need to be fine dining,, im thinking more along the lines of classic hole in the wall favorites and food trucks, etc.
Museums or Exhibits - neither of us are particularly interested in art galleries etc., but if there's something neat at the convention center or a local museum we would like to know
Outdoors Stuff - What is a good park or scenic area to go checkout? We don't mind wandering around after lunch to take photos etc.
Sporting Events
Brewery etc

We would like to keep things in or around the Downtown area unless your recommendation is a MUST do. make a recommendation or two, the worst thing I could do is say thank you!

 

From what I read I should explore gas town. Any spots in particular there?

Also, on the sea to sky highway, are there any decent scenic points and parks without having to drive so far like brandy falls (?) or whistler? Maybe a park withing 20-30 mins of Downtown?

 

Look up Stanley Park, it's in Downtown and, when sunny, absolutely beautiful! You could also rent bikes (or tandem bikes ) and bike the Seawall starting from Stanley Park and take a break when you get to English Bay (one of the beaches on the way). When you're at the beach, you'll be on Denman street where there will be a bunch of nice spots to eat (dessert places included!), nothing too expensive either! I hope you enjoy your stay!

 

Thanks. Will note that if the weather is good

 

Great Food - Robson St, Davie St, Beach Ave & Denman.St...those spots are all walking distance if you are staying in Downtown Vancouver. I'd also recommend walking around Granville Island since it is only a walk over the bridge. Along those areas you'll see a lot of different food, tourist locations and you'll be able to decide from there.

Museums or Exhibits - Vancouver Aquarium is located in the middle of Stanley Park, so you could go there if you are gonna roller skate/bike/walk ride around Stanley Park(common thing to do here)

Outdoors Stuff - Stanley park is some what scenic...Convention Centre is a nice place to chill and grab coffee

 

If you can go, eat at Phnom Penh in Chinatown.

It is a Cambodian food place and if you do go, order the following 3 dishes:
#78 -Deep fried chicken wings <<<What they are famous for
#71 -Butter Beef <<<My favourite dish, and I'm salivating just thinking about it...
#35 -Filet Beef Lu Lac on rice with egg <<<Something tasty that will fill you up

It'd probably come down to about $40 after tax&tip

Warning: Chinatown is pretty old and dirty part of town and there is really no other reason to go there, and you will probably be waiting at least 30 mins to get a table at Phnom Penh, but I think it's well worth it

http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/14/18138...Penh-Vancouver

 

I find foreigners always enjoy trying out Japadog. They usually have a cart situated outside the Sutton Place Hotel.

As for your question about the sea-to-sky - there is nice spot called Porteau Cove where you can stop to take some photos of the scenery.

Kev

 

If your going to be driving alot in your short time in Vancouver (why you would I'll never know, the cost of parking alone would set off most people here already) this local s2000 group would be more than happy to cruise with ya if we are able (time permitting).

Otherwise, besides the usual things, see a Vancouver Canucks hockey game. If your more of a soccer fan, our WhiteCaps is exciting.

Since your going to be downtown, you'll probably walk up and down Granville, yaletown, Gastown. Live music usually happens in Yaletown, but be prepared to spend the dough.

Food wise, you must try our sushi. Unsure how good it is in Hawaii, but our sushi is pretty awesome. You must try the Sushi/Chinese food in Richmond without a doubt.

B33rs and a good time, is a tough one. There's so many on Granville street, however they're better drinking holes outside of downtown IMHO. But thanks to the Skytrain, you can easily hop out to Broadway Station and hit our Little Italy, and St. Augustine's.

Hope some of my suggestions help a bit.

 

Everyone has good suggestions. I did want to checkout that Cambodian /Vietnamese restaurant as I read a few reviews about it that highlighted those foods.

I think I will skip the rental car and just take the Amtrak from Bellingham as its only $15 each way.

I will probably start the Stanley park bike ride at the convention center. I guess how far I go around the sea wall will depend o. Lunch plans and weather, but I definitely want to do it. I think I might try and find used bikes in craigslist LOL. Most bike rental shops I saw have them at 20-30 per day and I figure we could use them for 3-4 days.

Granville Island seems like a most, and there is a brewery restaurant and bar there that we can stop at for a bite and a break.

Going to a hockey game is something I would like but the fiancée may get bored really fast

We are really looking forward to the change in scenery for a bit. I LOVE Hawaii but I haven't seen snow in my entire life and Vancouver looks like an amazing city so we look forward to this trip to Bellingham and Vancouver.

Thanks

 

Craigslist idea would work since Downtown Vancouver and surrounding areas are bike friendly. There's bicycle lanes on the roads and designated parking spots literally EVERYWHERE. Just get a cheap bike for 100bucks and sell it off or something afterwards?

Take a Greyhound from Downtown Vancouver to Whistler, then maybe go on the Gondola up the mountain to have lunch and maybe go for a little hike? There's still plenty of snow up there. I usually use http://www.snowbus.com/fares.html OR http://www.greyhound.ca/en/WinterSpe...ler/Rates.aspx