Tour Vancouver BC on a Budget

There are lots of attractions to see and enjoy whenConservation Area and Simon Fraser University on
you travel to Vancouver. Many of these charge fortop of Burnaby Mountain. You can enjoy exploring
admission, however there are also many things youthe architecture of the University Campus and then
can enjoy and do for free. By using Vancouver'stake a short hike to the Conservation Area where
public transit system to get around and see theyou can view the city and Burrard Inlet from a
sights and attractions you can keep the cost of yourvantage point 1200 feet above sea level. You will also
family vacation to a minimum.find west coast totem poles, a rose garden and a
For getting around Vancouver you can ride theplayground there.
SkyTrain and Seabus from which you will enjoy someLynn Canyon Park in North Vancouver features a
great views of the city and mountains for the cost'people only' suspension bridge built in 1912 that joins
of a bus ride. For only $9.00 or $7.00 (at time oftrails 50 meters above the Canyon.
writing) for children or seniors you can purchase aCleveland dam in Capilano River Regional Park is a
day pass and ride the system all day long. Thespectacular sight during the wet season when water
SkyTrain, which is the world's longest fully automatedcascades through it's spillway.
light rapid transit system, runs mostly on raisedLighthouse park offers some trails through rugged
tracks above the streets and also over bridgeswest coast terrain culminating at a rocky point with a
offering some great views of Metro Vancouver.lighthouse and expansive views.
Vancouver has many parks which you can spendKitsilano Beach Park features a sandy beach, an
days exploring without cost. The following parks areoutdoor salt water swimming pool which is the
all easily accessed by public transit.longest pool in Canada, volleyball and basketball courts
Stanley Park, one of the largest urban parks in theand a playground.
world, is located on a peninsula extending fromYou may like to explore some of Vancouver's historic
downtown Vancouver. It features a seawall that youneighborhoods. Historic Gastown features a
can walk along for miles enjoying stunning views ofsteam-clock and a statue of 'Gassy" Jack in an very
downtown Vancouver, the surrounding waters andEuropean setting of cobblestone streets. Chinatown
mountains. There are also many trails through thefeatures many colorful stores and restaurants and
park's forest and there is a large outdoor swimmingthe Millennium Gate straddling Pender Street.
pool overlooking English Bay at Second Beach.Two public markets, Lonsdale Quay at the north
Queen Elizabeth Park which features a beautifulterminal of the Seabus and and Granville Island south
quarry garden sits on top of a hill providing someof downtown Vancouver, are interesting places to
great views towards downtown Vancouver and theexplore. The Vancouver Public Library in downtown
mountains beyond.Vancouver is worth a trip just to see its spectacular
Deer Lake Park in Burnaby is a picturesque and quietdesign and architecture.
retreat in the center of Burnaby where you can strollAll of the above activities are free of any admission
around a peaceful lake.charges.
One of my favorites is Burnaby Mountain