Vancouver, BC

Know Before You Go

• It can and will rain on you. Be prepared.
• Downtown is extremely walkable, but make sure you check out some of the cool neighborhoods out of the downtown area.

Pack

• Rain boots and jacket
• Umbrella
• Light layers of clothing
• Good walking shoes to hit the streets

Driving to Vancouver

• Get a map. The city can be confusing if you don’t get yourself oriented or want to wander outside of downtown.
• From Seattle, you can take I-5 north to the Canadian border. I-5 will become BC-99 and dumps you into downtown Vancouver.

Crossing the U.S. border into Canada

• Don’t forget your passports, even for kids.
  • Nexus cards are also accepted at the border crossing and can make your wait time much shorter.
• Bathrooms- Your best restroom stop is right after you go through customs if you can’t wait to get to your hotel

Lodging

• Pan Pacific Vancouver- review
  • Spa Utopia and Salon- Review

Food

• Our Favorite Family Food Finds
  • De Dutch (locations on Oak Street and Robson Street) – try the Pear and Maple pannekoeken, basically a thin pancake bigger than your face.
  • Meat & Bread (370 Cambie Street, Gastown)- Open 11am-5pm. Get there early before the crowds line up. The Porchetta sandwich and grilled cheese should not be missed!
  • Nook (781 Denman Street Vancouver at Robson St.)- a small italian spot, but still very kid friendly. Food comes out quick and hot and will leave you full for hours. Pasta, pizzas and salads are the main item menus with a nice little wine list to go with it.
  • Kamei Royale (1030 W.Georgia St., 2nd fl., enter on Burrard St. next to Tiffany’s) – loads of great sushi and cooked options for the whole family. Semi-private booths let kids wander a little bit without disturbing other dinners.
  • Bella Gelateria (1001 West Cordova Street, corner of Burrard and Cordova)- do not miss the salted caramel and old fashion chocolate gelato. If you go on a weekday you will be able to sample a multitude of flavors a little more easily since the lines aren’t as long.

• Other blogger recommendations:
  • 10 Family-Friendly Vancouver Restaurants by Cascadia Kids
  • Restaurants in Vancouver by Delicious Baby
  • TripStyler recommendations in her hometown
    • Breakfast
      • Cafe Regalade in Kitsilano-French Bistro
      • Cafe Medina-have the waffle starter with lavender chocolate sauce. Go at 8.45 to line-up for the 9am open or you’ll be waiting forever.
    • Snack
      • Thomas Haas (closed sun + mon)- Best Salted Caramel Chocolate and pastries.
      • Matchstick Coffee Roasters- just opened coffee shop EVERYONE is talking about.
    • Lunch
      • Meat & Bread – only open for lunch. Not open Sunday. Delicious sandwiches that you won’t find in any deli.
      • Granville Island – Eat at one of the vendors or at Edible Canada.
    • Dinner
      • Meanam - fresh Thai fusion food in Kitsilano
      • Cactus Club – Vancouver-based small chain restaurant with Canada’s past Iron Chef leading the menu imagination
      • Nicli restaurant - flash cook pizza in 90-seconds in Gastown
      • Tavola or Nook - both excellent italian restaurants at the top of Robson
      • Oakwood bistro – in Kitsilano with local fare

Activities for Kids

• Vancouver Aquarium
• Granville Island
• Walk through Gastown and check out the steam clock

• Other blogger recommendations:
  • 10 Things to Do with in Vancouver in the Rain by Cascadia Kids
  • 35 Free and Cheap Things to Do in Vancouver BC with Kids by Cascadia Kids
  • Must-Do Vancouver with Kids by Ciao Bambino/Cascadia Kids

Posts to Inspire You

• Loads of Fun with a Dash of Fear at the Vancouver Aquarium
• Taste Bud and Toy Overload for the Whole Family on Granville Island
• Great Family Eats in Vancouver
• 72 Hours in Vancouver

The Drop, an installation piece outside of the Convention Center