Frommer's Vancouver & Victoria 2005. Frommer's Complete Series, Book 78

322 Pages·2004·6.465 MB·English

by  Donald Olson

01_574590 ffirs.qxd 11/15/04 10:51 PM Page i
Vancouver &
Victoria
2005
by Donald Olson
Here’s what the critics say about Frommer’s:
“Amazingly easy to use.Very portable,very complete.”
—Booklist
“Detailed,accurate,and easy-to-read information for all price ranges.”
—Glamour Magazine
“Hotel information is close to encyclopedic.”
—Des Moines Sunday Register
“Frommer’s Guides have a way of giving you a real feel for a place.”
—Knight Ridder Newspapers
01_574590 ffirs.qxd 11/15/04 10:51 PM Page i
01_574590 ffirs.qxd 11/15/04 10:51 PM Page i
Vancouver &
Victoria
2005
by Donald Olson
Here’s what the critics say about Frommer’s:
“Amazingly easy to use.Very portable,very complete.”
—Booklist
“Detailed,accurate,and easy-to-read information for all price ranges.”
—Glamour Magazine
“Hotel information is close to encyclopedic.”
—Des Moines Sunday Register
“Frommer’s Guides have a way of giving you a real feel for a place.”
—Knight Ridder Newspapers
01_574590 ffirs.qxd 11/15/04 10:51 PM Page ii
About the Author
Donald Olsonis a novelist, playwright, and travel writer.He has published several
novels, most recently The Confessions of Aubrey Beardsleyand, under the pen name
Swan Adamson, My Three Husbandsand Confessions of a Pregnant Princess.His
plays have been staged in the U.S. and Europe. Donald Olson’s travel stories have
appeared in The New York Times, Travel + Leisure, Sunset, National Geographicbooks,
and many other publications. He is the author of England For Dummies(winner
of the 2002 Lowell Thomas Travel Writing Award for Best Guidebook), London
For Dummies, Germany For Dummies, Frommer’s London from $90 a Day, Frommer’s
Portable London from $90 a Day, and Frommer’s Irreverent Guide to London.
Published by:
Wiley Publishing,Inc.
111 River St.
Hoboken, NJ 07030-5774
Copyright © 2005 Wiley Publishing, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey. All rights reserved.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or trans-
mitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording,
scanning or otherwise, except as permitted under Sections 107 or 108 of the 1976
United States Copyright Act, without either the prior written permission of the Pub-
lisher, or authorization through payment of the appropriate per-copy fee to the Copy-
right Clearance Center, 222 Rosewood Drive, Danvers, MA 01923, 978/750-8400,
fax [phone]. Requests to the Publisher for permission should be addressed to the
Legal Department, Wiley Publishing, Inc., 10475 Crosspoint Blvd., Indianapolis, IN
46256, 317/572-3447, fax [phone], E-Mail: [email protected].
Wiley and the Wiley Publishing logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of
John Wiley & Sons, Inc. and/or its affiliates. Frommer’s is a trademark or registered
trademark of Arthur Frommer. Used under license. All other trademarks are the
property of their respective owners. Wiley Publishing, Inc. is not associated with
any product or vendor mentioned in this book.
ISBN 0-7645-7459-0
Editor: William Fox
Production Editor: M. Faunette Johnston
Cartographer: Roberta Stockwell
Photo Editor: Richard Fox
Production by Wiley Indianapolis Composition Services
For information on our other products and services or to obtain technical support,
please contact our Customer Care Department within the U.S. at 800/762-2974,
outside the U.S. at 317/572-3993 or fax [phone].
Wiley also publishes its books in a variety of electronic formats. Some content that
appears in print may not be available in electronic formats.
Manufactured in the United States of America
5 4 3 2 1
02_574590 ftoc.qxd 11/15/04 11:27 PM Page iii
Contents
List of Maps vi
What’s New in Vancouver & Victoria 1
1 The Best of Vancouver & Victoria 4
1 Frommer’s Favorite Vancouver 3 Frommer’s Favorite Experiences
Experiences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Beyond Vancouver & Victoria . . .12
The Best Websites for 4 Two Trips of a Lifetime . . . . . . . .13
Vancouver & Victoria . . . . . . . . . .7 5 Best Vancouver Hotel Bets . . . . .13
A Short History of
6 Best Victoria Hotel Bets . . . . . . .15
First Nations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
7 Best Vancouver Dining Bets . . . .17
2 Frommer’s Favorite Victoria
8 Best Victoria Dining Bets . . . . . .19
Experiences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
2 Planning Your Trip to Vancouver & Victoria 21
1 Visitor Information & 5 Specialized Travel Resources . . . .35
Entry Requirements . . . . . . . . . .21 6 Getting to Vancouver . . . . . . . . .37
2 Money . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 7 Getting to Victoria . . . . . . . . . . .41
The Canadian Dollar & 8 Planning Your Trip Online . . . . . .43
the U.S. Dollar . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
Frommers.com: The Complete
3 When to Go . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 Travel Resource . . . . . . . . . . . . .44
Vancouver & Victoria Calendar 9 Tips on Accommodations . . . . . .45
of Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
4 Insurance,Health & Safety . . . . .33
3 Getting to Know Vancouver 47
1 Orientation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47 Fast Facts: Vancouver . . . . . . . .57
2 Getting Around . . . . . . . . . . . . .53
4 Where to Stay in Vancouver 61
Bed & Breakfast Registries . . . . .62 3 The West Side . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77
1 Downtown & Yaletown . . . . . . .62 4 The North Shore
2 The West End . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72 (North Vancouver &
West Vancouver) . . . . . . . . . . . .80
02_574590 ftoc.qxd 11/15/04 11:27 PM Page iv
iv CONTENTS
5 Where to Dine in Vancouver 81
1 Restaurants by Cuisine . . . . . . . .82 6 The East Side . . . . . . . . . . . . .103
2 Downtown & Yaletown . . . . . . .84 7 The North Shore . . . . . . . . . . .104
3 Gastown & Chinatown . . . . . . .91 8 Coffee,Sweets & Ice Cream . . .106
4 The West End . . . . . . . . . . . . . .93 Caffeine Nation . . . . . . . . . . . .107
5 The West Side . . . . . . . . . . . . . .97
6 Exploring Vancouver 108
Sightseeing Suggestions . . . . . .108 3 Vancouver’s Plazas & Parks . . .125
1 Neighborhoods to Explore . . . .109 4 Especially for Kids . . . . . . . . . .128
2 The Top Attractions . . . . . . . . .114 5 Organized Tours . . . . . . . . . . .131
Granville’s Greatest Hits . . . . . .121 6 Outdoor Activities . . . . . . . . . .134
The Other Suspension Bridge . . .124 7 Spectator Sports . . . . . . . . . . .143
7 Vancouver Strolls 145
Walking Tour 1: Downtown & Walking Tour 3: Yaletown,
the West End . . . . . . . . . . . . .145 Granville Island & Kitsilano . . .154
Walking Tour 2: Gastown &
Chinatown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .150
8 Vancouver Shopping 160
1 The Shopping Scene . . . . . . . .160 2 Shopping A to Z . . . . . . . . . . .161
9 Vancouver After Dark 172
1 The Performing Arts . . . . . . . . .172 4 Dance Clubs . . . . . . . . . . . . . .180
2 Laughter & Music . . . . . . . . . .175 5 Gay & Lesbian Bars . . . . . . . . .182
3 Bars,Pubs & Other 6 Other Diversions . . . . . . . . . . .183
Watering Holes . . . . . . . . . . . .177
10 Getting to Know Victoria 185
1 Orientation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .186 2 Getting Around . . . . . . . . . . . .189
Neighborhoods in Brief . . . . . .189 Fast Facts: Victoria . . . . . . . . .191
11 Where to Stay in Victoria 194
1 The Inner Harbour & Nearby . . .194 2 Downtown & Old Town . . . . . .202
The Best Bed & Breakfast 3 Outside the Central Area . . . . .206
Registries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .197
02_574590 ftoc.qxd 11/15/04 11:27 PM Page v
CONTENTS v
12 Where to Dine in Victoria 210
1 Restaurants by Cuisine . . . . . . .210 Taking Afternoon Tea . . . . . . .216
2 The Inner Harbour . . . . . . . . . .211 Finding High-Octane Coffee . . .218
3 Downtown & Old Town . . . . . .214 4 Outside the Central Area . . . . .220
13 Exploring Victoria 222
Sightseeing Suggestions . . . . . .222 2 Especially for Kids . . . . . . . . . .233
1 Seeing the Sights . . . . . . . . . . .223 3 Organized Tours . . . . . . . . . . .234
On the Lookout: Victoria’s 4 Outdoor Activities . . . . . . . . . .236
Best Views . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .227
Heading North to a Provincial
Park, a Native Village &
Some Wineries . . . . . . . . . . . .230
14 Victoria Strolls & a Biking Tour 242
Walking Tour 1: The Inner Biking Tour: Dallas Road . . . . .251
Harbour . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .242
Walking Tour 2: The Old Town
& Chinatown . . . . . . . . . . . . .246
15 Victoria Shopping 253
1 The Shopping Scene . . . . . . . .253 2 Shopping A to Z . . . . . . . . . . .253
16 Victoria After Dark 259
1 The Performing Arts . . . . . . . . .259 3 Lounges,Bars & Pubs . . . . . . .262
2 Music & Dance Clubs . . . . . . . .261 4 Gay & Lesbian Bars . . . . . . . . .264
17 Side Trips:The Best of British Columbia 265
1 Whistler:One of North America’s 2 Ucluelet,Tofino &
Premier Ski Resorts . . . . . . . . .265 Pacific Rim National Park
Zipping with Ziptrek . . . . . . . .284 (Long Beach Section) . . . . . . . .286
Two Trips of a Lifetime . . . . . .296
Index 297
General Index . . . . . . . . . . . . .297 Restaurant Index:Vancouver . . .307
Accommodations Index: Restaurant Index:Victoria . . . . .308
Vancouver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .306
Restaurant Index:
Accommodations Index: Other Areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . .308
Victoria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .307
Accommodations Index:
Other Areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . .307
02_574590 ftoc.qxd 11/15/04 11:27 PM Page vi
List of Maps
Southern British Columbia 8 Walking Tour 3: Yaletown,
Greater Vancouver 50 Granville Island & Kitsilano 155
Where to Stay in Downtown Where to Stay in Victoria 195
Vancouver 64 Where to Dine in Victoria 213
Where to Dine in Downtown Victoria Attractions 225
Vancouver 86
Walking Tour 1:
Where to Dine in Kitsilano & The Inner Harbour 243
the West Side 98
Walking Tour 2: The Old Town &
Downtown Vancouver Chinatown 247
Attractions 110
Southwestern British
Stanley Park 115 Columbia 267
Granville Island 119 Whistler Valley 269
Walking Tour 1: Downtown & Whistler Village 272
the West End 149
Pacific Rim National Park 287
Walking Tour 2: Gastown &
Chinatown 151
03_574590 flast.qxd 11/15/04 10:50 PM Page vii
An Invitation to the Reader
In researching this book, we discovered many wonderful places—hotels, restaurants,
shops, and more. We’re sure you’ll find others. Please tell us about them, so we can share
the information with your fellow travelers in upcoming editions. If you were disappointed
with a recommendation, we’d love to know that, too. Please write to:
Frommer’s Vancouver & Victoria 2005
Wiley Publishing, Inc. • 111 River St. • Hoboken, NJ 07030-5774
An Additional Note
Please be advised that travel information is subject to change at any time—and this is
especially true of prices. We therefore suggest that you write or call ahead for confirma-
tion when making your travel plans. The authors, editors, and publisher cannot be held
responsible for the experiences of readers while traveling. Your safety is important to us,
however, so we encourage you to stay alert and be aware of your surroundings. Keep a
close eye on cameras, purses, and wallets, all favorite targets of thieves and pickpockets.
Other Great Guides for Your Trip:
Frommer’s Irreverent Guide to Vancouver
Frommer’s Vancouver with Kids
Frommer’s British Columbia & the Canadian Rockies
Frommer’s Canada
Vancouver & Victoria For Dummies
The Unofficial Guide to Bed & Breakfasts and Country Inns
in the Northwest
03_574590 flast.qxd 11/15/04 10:50 PM Page viii
Frommer’s Star Ratings,Icons & Abbreviations
Every hotel, restaurant, and attraction listing in this guide has been ranked for quality,
value, service, amenities, and special features using a star-rating system.In country, state,
and regional guides, we also rate towns and regions to help you narrow down your choices
and budget your time accordingly. Hotels and restaurants are rated on a scale of zero (rec-
ommended) to three stars (exceptional). Attractions, shopping, nightlife, towns, and
regions are rated according to the following scale: zero stars (recommended), one star
(highly recommended), two stars (very highly recommended), and three stars (must-see).
In addition to the star-rating system, we also use seven feature iconsthat point you
to the great deals, in-the-know advice, and unique experiences that separate travelers from
tourists. Throughout the book, look for:
Finds Special finds—those places only insiders know about
Fun Fact Fun facts—details that make travelers more informed and their trips
more fun
Kids Best bets for kids, and advice for the whole family
Moments Special moments—those experiences that memories are made of
Overrated Places or experiences not worth your time or money
Tips Insider tips—great ways to save time and money
Value Great values—where to get the best deals
The following abbreviationsare used forcredit cards:
AE American Express DISC Discover V Visa
DC Diners Club MC MasterCard
Frommers.com
Now that you have the guidebook to a great trip, visit our website at www.frommers.com
for travel information on more than 3,000 destinations. With features updated regularly,
we give you instant access to the most current trip-planning information available. At
Frommers.com, you’ll also find the best prices on airfares, accommodations, and car
rentals—and you can even book travel online through our travel booking partners. At
Frommers.com, you’ll also find the following:
• Online updates to our most popular guidebooks
• Vacation sweepstakes and contest giveaways
• Newsletter highlighting the hottest travel trends
• Online travel message boards with featured travel discussions