3 minute read
OUT & ABOUT
PLAY out & about
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Vancouver
BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA
BY EMILY DREZ PHOTO BY DESTINATION VANCOUVER/HUBERT KANG
JUST a short ferry ride from the Pacific Northwest border of the United States, Vancouver is a bustling city with beautiful skylines, blue waters, and mild weather. It is the perfect destination for a balance of sightseeing with tours of the city and its top-tier restaurants. Whether you’re taking in the mountains from the balcony of your hotel room, wandering through the gardens, or spending the day at a public market, Vancouver has a lot to show you during your family’s summer vacation.
WHERE TO STAY
You’ll be staying at one of the most famous hotels in the world when you stay at Rosewood Hotel Georgia. Whether you’re staying for a few days or even for a few months, this luxurious Forbes Five-Star hotel has rooms, suites, and residences that are perfect for your getaway. Each elegant space provides breathtaking views of downtown Vancouver; some even come with access to the pool, private garden, and rooftop terrace. You’ll also have access to a five-star rated spa, a fitness center, and a heated, indoor pool.
WHERE TO EAT Joe Fortes Seafood and Chop House
Joe Fortes Seafood and Chop House offers a fine-dining experience for all your surf and turf cravings. With an oyster bar, a rooftop garden, and a bistro, this restaurant has the perfect ambiance for a casual brunch between destinations or for an elegant dinner after a day of sightseeing. Try the Lobster and Shrimp Roll sandwich or the Battered Baja Fish tacos for lunch, or some steak or British Columbia oysters on the half shell for dinner. Don’t forget to leave room for their crème brûlée.
The Flying Pig
For the freshest, farm-to-table meals, check out The Flying Pig. Start with the Artisan Meat + Cheese Board before you venture to the entrees: the West Coast Seafood Paella, Red Wine Braised Short Rib, and Rocket Pesto Gnocchi might complicate your decision making when it comes to dinner. You can get breakfast and lunch there, too.
Au Comptoir!
Experience authentic French cuisine at Au Comptoir! For starters, you can share a charcuterie board and taste the soup of the day before ordering the pan-roasted salmon or steak for dinner. For lunch, try the Croque-Monsieur with some French onion soup. If you’re stopping by before you hit town, grab a chocolate croissant or a baguette with jam for breakfast.
WHAT TO DO
Flower and foliage lovers will certainly find a home at Queen Elizabeth Park. This is a popular destination in Vancouver that is located at the highest level of the city. Not only will you be able to take in some amazing views of Vancouver, but you can also gaze up at more than 1,500 species of exotic trees at the arboretum, stop and smell the roses in the rose garden, and take a stroll through the Bloedel Conservatory, which is an indoor rainforest that houses hundreds of species of birds, plants, and flowers.
The Vancouver Aquarium is the largest aquarium in Canada, and it is home to 50,000 aquatic species. You can meet some of their rescued species there, too! Say “hello” to their rescued seals and sea lions at the Marine Mammal Rescue Exhibit, which is one of the largest rescue facilities worldwide, and check out their totally rockin’ rescued sea turtle in the vibrant Tropics gallery. Other exhibits include jellyfish, sea otters, penguins, and frogs.
Described as Vancouver’s artistic and cultural hub, Granville Island is the perfect place for you to spend your day in the fresh air. It’s best known for its public market, which has hundreds of independent vendors, shops, restaurants, and galleries. You can get to the island by car, or you can take a ferry and see the city from the water. Either way, you’ll be on your way to an iconic tourist destination full of life and artistry. ■
Coordinates: 49.2827° N, 123.1207° W Distance from Baton Rouge: 2,637 miles Flying Time: 7 hours, 5 minutes Driving Time: 40 hours
