Rocky Mountain Rail - Vancouver 10th - 13th August

Vancouver, British Columbia

Vancouver is a coastal city located in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is named for British Captain George Vancouver, who explored the area in the 1790s.

The largest metropolitan area in Western Canada, Vancouver ranks third largest in the country and the city proper ranks eighth. Vancouver has a population of 578,041 and its Metropolitan Area exceeds 2.1 million people. Its residents are ethnically and linguistically diverse; 52% do not speak English as their first language.

Logging sawmills established in 1867 in the area known as Gastown became the nucleus around which the town-site grew, and Vancouver was incorporated as a city in 1886. By 1887, the transcontinental railway was extended to the city to take advantage of its large natural seaport, which soon became a vital link in a trade route between the Orient, Eastern Canada, and London.The Port Metro Vancouver is now the busiest and largest in Canada, as well as the fourth largest port (by tonnage) in North America. While forestry remains its largest industry, Vancouver is well known as an urban centre surrounded by nature, making tourism its second largest industry. It also is the third largest film production centre in North America after Los Angeles and New York City, earning it the nickname Hollywood North.

stanley park is a 404.9 hectare (1,001 acre) urban park bordering down town vancouver. it was opened in 1888 by david oppenheimer in the name of lord stanley of preston, the governor-general of canada.

it is more than 10% larger than new york city's central park and almost half the size of london's richmond park. the park attracts an estimated eight million visitors every year,including locals and tourists, who come for its recreational facilities and its natural attributes. an 8.8 kilometres (5.5 mi) seawall path circles the park, which is used by 2.5 million pedestrians, cyclists, and inline skaters every year. much of the park remains forested with an estimated half million trees that can be as tall as 76 metres (249 ft) and hundreds of years old. there are approximately 200 kilometres (120 mi) of trails and roads in the park, which are patrolled by the vancouver police department's equine mounted squad. the project for public spaces has ranked stanley park as the sixteenth best park in the world and sixth best in north america.

Grouse Mountain is one of the north shore mountains of the pacific range in north vancouver. it is the site of an alpine ski area during the winter season overlooking  greater vancouver with four chairlifts facilitating 26 runs. in the summer, the mountain features lumberjack shows and a 2.9 km (1.8 mi.) hiking  trail known as the grouse grind. year-round operations include a 100-seat mountaintop theatre and a wildlife rescue. public access to the mountain top is by a swiss garaventa aerial tramway, or the grouse grind hiking trail.

Grinder (Grizzly Bear on Grouse Mountain) 

The Capilano Suspension Bridge is a simple suspension bridge crossing the capilano river in the district of north vancouver, the current bridge is 136 metres (446 ft) long and 70 metres (230 ft) above the river. as well as the bridge itself and treetops adventure, the park also features rain forest eco tours, award-winning gardens, nature trails, north america's largest private collection of first nations totem poles, period décor and costumes, and exhibits highlighting the park's history and the surrounding temperate rain forest. guests can also witness a first nations performance, featuring their traditional regalia (ceremonial dress), masks, dancing and storytelling.

Here are a few of my favourite things to do in Vancouver.

The Vancouver Aquarium is home to over 70,000 fascinating creatures from the Arctic to the Amazon. Be sure to catch daily beluga whale, dolphin and sea otter shows, and for an unforgettable extra try a hands-on animal encounter.

Step aboard one of our old-fashioned horse-drawn vehicles and meander in comfort through the natural beauty of Stanley Park, Vancouver’s #1 attraction.

Granville Island, a charming public market overflowing with fresh produce, breads, seafood and a bounty of other goods is reason enough to visit Granville Island. Be sure to also stroll the narrow lanes of the island to check out its unique shops and photo-worthy views of downtown across False Creek.

Lookout Tower, located in the downtown Harbour Centre, the Vancouver Lookout, at a height of 130 metres (430 feet), is the perfect place to survey the city and plan - or reflect upon - your day.

Vancouver Art Gallery, this highly acclaimed collection of national and international contemporary art is worth spending at least an afternoon exploring. Don't miss the collection of work by the well-known British Columbian artist Emily Carr.

Science Museum, ignite your mind and discover the wonders of science. Popular, hands-on interactive displays, inspirational feature exhibitions, jaw-dropping science demonstrations on Centre Stage, immersive films in the domed OMNIMAX® Theatre and awesome shows in the Science Theatre.