Surrounded by water on three sides and nestled alongside the Coast Mountain Range, Vancouver is the largest city in the province of British Columbia with over half a million residents and one of the mildest climates in Canada. Home to spectacular natural scenery and a bustling metropolitan core, Vancouver will be home to the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in 2010. Whether just relaxing in a park or bike riding around the seawall, there is always something to do in Vancouver.
Vancouver is one of the few places in the world where you can ski in the morning and sail in the afternoon. While Vancouver can be damp during autumn and winter, it won't be excessively cold or snowy. However, nearby Cypress, Grouse and Seymour mountains receive enormous snowfalls during the winter, creating superb conditions for winter sports.
Renowned for its scenic beauty and endless opportunities for outdoor activities, Vancouver is also a cosmopolitan city with all the urban amenities – fine dining, shopping, museums, galleries, music and theatre. Hit the nightclub scene or wander through ethnic enclaves. Visit the aquarium, take a city tour or stroll through Stanley Park, the city's urban wilderness. Don't miss the year-round markets or fail to take in a hockey game. Festivals? There is always something to celebrate in Vancouver.
If you only do one thing in the city, cycle or stroll along the Stanley Park seawall, a paved 10km loop with every moment of it privy to magnificent mountain, ocean, forest and city views. While you're in the park, pay a visit to the internationally-acclaimed Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre, one of North America's five largest aquariums.
Source: Tourism British Columbia, City of Vancouver