Topic Wiki

Trip Reports

Dan, AJK here and here , Chapshnell, UshDadude, sam28, YudiG, Tzfas, mochada, jagstangz, Neil, dpk4588, BKYW, tzifanya54, stever, mordechain, nafnaf12, SLMYRCB, Friars500


Flight Options (as of 04/18)

Cathay Pacific flies directly to/from JFK (777-300ER).         

Final date for this route, 02/23/20

Economy:
12.5K BA OW
17.5K AS OW
20K CX OW (30K RT)

Premium Economy:
25K BA OW
20K AS OW
24K CX OW (36K RT)

Business Class:
37.5K BA OW
25K AS OW
25K CX OW (50K RT)

First Class:
50K BA OW
35K AS OW
40K CX OW (70K RT)
Air Canada flies directly to/from EWR (787-800).
Economy:
12.5K SQ, UA, AC OW

Premium Economy:
20K AC OW

Business Class:
20K SQ OW
25K UA, AC OW

There is also a Delta flight direct to/from JFK in the summer months (prices vary as expected from Delta).   

DP01 (07/13): CX availability becomes better closer to the flight. (MEIR613)
DP02 (04/18): CX availability disappears 3-5 days out on BA and AS. (SLMYRCB)
DP03 (08/18): CX availability can only show up on BA or AS if there is more than 1 seat remaining, if it's only 1 seat, it will only be available on CX.com Use CX.com to see actual # of seats available. (@Yehuda)


Food - BC Kosher List

Cafe Forty One (dairy - cholov yisrael) formerly Shuk Eat/Play
5750 Oak Street
Vancouver, BC
V6M 2V9, Canada
Tel: 604-563-4141
Delivery Service via Skip The Dishes (Fairmont Pacific Rim is not within the deliverable area)
"Really great, everything tasty good value, best Caesar Salad ever, and order pizza in advance for good "camp" like homemade yummyness." (shiframeir)
"Nice selection of pastries in addition to their dairy menu. The pizzas and sandwiches are very good." (SLMYRCB)

Nava Creative Cusine (dairy/pareve - non cholov yisrael)
950 West 41st Avenue
Vancouver, BC
Tel: (604) 676-7579
Located at the JCC - right around corner from Cafe Forty One

Omnitsky's Kosher (meat)
5775 Oak Street,
Vancouver, BC
Tel: (604) 321-1818
Just across the street from Cafe Forty One

Sabra Bakery (meat)
3844 Oak Street
Vancouver, BC
Tel: (604) 733-4912
Two miles down Oak Street near the Sharei Tzedek Shul

Maple Grill (meat)
1967 W Broadway
Vancouver, BC
V6J 1Z3, Canada
Tel: (604) 568-4885

Mount Royal Bagels - North Vancouver
701 Queensbury Ave
North Vancouver, BC
V7L 3V9, Canada
Tel: (604) 904-1116

Real Canadian Superstore
Marine Drive
Has kosher products

Kosher Food Warehouse
612 Kingsway (rear)
Vancouver, BC
Tel: (604) 709-9889


Shabbos

Chabad Downtown - walkable from many hotels, no Eruv, Shacharis on Shabbos followed by Kiddush, Friday night Minyan last weekend each month.
TheKollel - in the community, yes Eruv, Holiday Inn Vancouver Centre only points hotel in the Eruv, Airbnb options, all Minyanim, free Shabbos meals. Some hotels downtown (outside the Eruv) are about an hour walk.
Eruv - https://goo.gl/maps/D2oLBC39GT72


Activities

Stanley park - trolley, rent bikes at Bayshore Bike/Spokes/lots of other places (Westin Bayshore provides 2 hours of free bikes), playground/water are, 9 o'clock gun
Aquarium in Stanley Park
Capilano suspension bridge - also tree walk and cliff walk
Capilano Salmon Hatchery
Lynn Canyon suspension bridge and hikes (Twin Falls, 30 Foot Pool) - free
Grouse Mountain - gondola up, can take chairlift even higher, then an elevator to top of windmill, view of Vancouver, ziplining, parasailing, lumberjack show, see grizzly bears, Grouse Grind - way to hike up the mountain instead
Granville island - market, street performers, kayaking, stand up paddleboat, false creek ferries, brewery tour, kids play area, rent a boat, can bike to here
Seaplane around Vancouver harbor or to Whistler -  http://www.harbour-air.com/index.php 
Whale watching
Victoria Island - ferry to the island/back, Butchart Gardens (expensive, underwhelming), Miniature World, Fisherman's Wharf, oldest Synagogue in Canada. Victoria seems to be very expensive, ferry $30, to bring a car $100, gardens $30.
Bowen Island
Seabus - cheap ferry across harbor and back
Deep Cove kayaking
UBC Garden - Greenheart TreeWalk (look for Groupon)
Zoo
Harbor boat tours - boatrent.ca, Harbor Cruises was terrible - dpk4588
Sea wall
Watch sea planes
Cypress Mountain
Seymour Mountain
Art Museum
Science center imax
Pacific Center Mall
See Olympic torch
"Tour Guys" free walking tour
Rivers to see salmon spawn (swim upstream)
Robson street
Denman street
Vancouver Convention Center - Olympics memorabilia
Kitsilano Beach
Kids Bowl Free
Takaya golf centre
Poets cove
Elizabeth gardens
Van dusen gardens - better than Elizabeth gardens
Canada Place - fly over canada ride experience
Brittania Mine Museum
Vancouver Lookout
Gastown - steam clock
Chinatown
Yaletown
http://scenicrush.com/ - exotic car drive up the Sea to sky highway
Dr SunYatSen Chinese Garden (Dan and a DDFer said not worth it)
Free Chinese Garden
Lighthouse park
Safari Eco Boat Tour and Seaplane flight  Sewellsmarina.com

On the way to Whistler: (see Whistler Master Thread)
Sea to sky highway
Sea to sky gondola in Squamish, can hike up and take gondola down
River rafting in Squamish
Shannon Falls
Brandywine Falls
Panorama Ridge Hike in Lake Garibaldi in between Squamish and Whistler

« Last edited by pointer on February 16, 2020, 11:32:24 PM »

Author Topic: Vancouver Master Thread  (Read 275827 times)

Offline casualchurner

  • Dansdeals Gold Elite
  • ***
  • Join Date: Feb 2014
  • Posts: 222
  • Total likes: 20
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: New Jersey
Re: Vancouver Master Thread
« Reply #860 on: August 09, 2016, 10:45:34 AM »
Flyover Canada @ Canada Center.
Thanks

Offline Suz

  • Dansdeals Gold Elite
  • ***
  • Join Date: Aug 2012
  • Posts: 123
  • Total likes: 3
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Vancouver Master Thread
« Reply #861 on: August 09, 2016, 10:50:21 AM »
Parents are in Vancouver right now and shocker of shockers the weather is actually not too great.
Anyone know of any indoor stuff to do in the city on a rainy day?
TIA
Where are they staying?  Yes, agree with Flyover Canada but that's about 30 minutes.  Spa treatments.  Smile Thai Wellness on Robson Street. Aquarium in Stanley Park.  Art Museum. Pacific Center Mall. 

Offline casualchurner

  • Dansdeals Gold Elite
  • ***
  • Join Date: Feb 2014
  • Posts: 222
  • Total likes: 20
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: New Jersey
Re: Vancouver Master Thread
« Reply #862 on: August 09, 2016, 11:05:51 AM »
Where are they staying?  Yes, agree with Flyover Canada but that's about 30 minutes.  Spa treatments.  Smile Thai Wellness on Robson Street. Aquarium in Stanley Park.  Art Museum. Pacific Center Mall.
Westin Bayshore

Offline sam28

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Jun 2010
  • Posts: 1876
  • Total likes: 137
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Vancouver Master Thread
« Reply #863 on: August 09, 2016, 11:48:03 AM »
where is the best place to daven on shabbes ?

Online nafnaf12

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Jan 2012
  • Posts: 4192
  • Total likes: 251
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 79
    • View Profile
Re: Vancouver Master Thread
« Reply #864 on: August 09, 2016, 12:34:51 PM »
Peak 2 peak gondola, sea to sky sky ride, Shannon falls.
care to elaborate?
going with a group of five
don't want any major hikes..

has anyone done the seaplane tour?
is it worth it? which option?
« Last Edit: August 09, 2016, 12:50:09 PM by nafnaf12 »
A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor.

Offline tzifanya54

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Jan 2012
  • Posts: 5629
  • Total likes: 233
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
Re: Vancouver Master Thread
« Reply #865 on: August 09, 2016, 01:16:16 PM »
care to elaborate?
going with a group of five
don't want any major hikes..

has anyone done the seaplane tour?
is it worth it? which option?
I did the 30 min one, it's expensive but worth it.

Offline mordechain

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Silver Elite
  • *****
  • Join Date: Nov 2014
  • Posts: 668
  • Total likes: 69
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
Re: Vancouver Master Thread
« Reply #866 on: August 09, 2016, 02:05:55 PM »
care to elaborate?
going with a group of five
don't want any major hikes..

has anyone done the seaplane tour?
is it worth it? which option?
Sea to sky gondola takes you from the coast up to the top of the mountain. The views of the sea from on high are excellent. There is also a suspension bridge and trails for walking up there.
Shannon falls are thin but incredibly high, and can be reached with a short walk from the parking lot.
Peak 2 peak is a very beautiful gondola ride between 2 mountains.
I didn't take the sea plane.
If you like the"soaring" ride at Disney, the flyover Canada ride at Canada place is longer and most say much better. It costs about$20 per person, and for some might be more of a thrill than the sea plane

Offline mordechain

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Silver Elite
  • *****
  • Join Date: Nov 2014
  • Posts: 668
  • Total likes: 69
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
Re: Vancouver Master Thread
« Reply #867 on: August 09, 2016, 02:08:20 PM »
Parents are in Vancouver right now and shocker of shockers the weather is actually not too great.
Anyone know of any indoor stuff to do in the city on a rainy day?
TIA
Aquarium, science center IMAX,

Online nafnaf12

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Jan 2012
  • Posts: 4192
  • Total likes: 251
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 79
    • View Profile
Re: Vancouver Master Thread
« Reply #868 on: August 09, 2016, 03:02:32 PM »
Sea to sky gondola takes you from the coast up to the top of the mountain. The views of the sea from on high are excellent. There is also a suspension bridge and trails for walking up there.
Shannon falls are thin but incredibly high, and can be reached with a short walk from the parking lot.
Peak 2 peak is a very beautiful gondola ride between 2 mountains.
I didn't take the sea plane.
If you like the"soaring" ride at Disney, the flyover Canada ride at Canada place is longer and most say much better. It costs about$20 per person, and for some might be more of a thrill than the sea plane
thanks. should i reserve in advance
A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor.

Offline BKYW

  • Dansdeals Gold Elite
  • ***
  • Join Date: Jun 2015
  • Posts: 128
  • Total likes: 3
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: Brooklyn NY
Re: Vancouver Master Thread
« Reply #869 on: August 09, 2016, 03:22:48 PM »
where is the best place to daven on shabbes ?

Depends what you looking for & where you are staying.

Schara Tzedek is MO. They also have the mikvah. There is a large building for Sephardic cons which I didn't visit.  Kollel is a Chabad place which had several yungeleit with kapotes, local orthodox people etc. I guess main Chabad is similar. Downtown Chabad I guess is mostly local & tourists.

Offline stever

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite
  • ****
  • Join Date: Oct 2011
  • Posts: 481
  • Total likes: 2
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: Los Angeles
Re: Vancouver Master Thread
« Reply #870 on: August 09, 2016, 04:37:47 PM »
care to elaborate?
going with a group of five
don't want any major hikes..

has anyone done the seaplane tour?
is it worth it? which option?

i used Harbor Air, did the 30 min one. I liked it, wife didnt love the loud noise and engine diesel smell. but views were amazing. gotta finish my TR with pics one of these days:)

for sea to sky you dont need to do any of the hikes, as stated short walk to shannon falls and a gondola ride all the way up. we were told this is far and above better than Grouse mountain

Online nafnaf12

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Jan 2012
  • Posts: 4192
  • Total likes: 251
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 79
    • View Profile
Re: Vancouver Master Thread
« Reply #871 on: August 09, 2016, 04:39:35 PM »
i used Harbor Air, did the 30 min one. I liked it, wife didnt love the loud noise and engine diesel smell. but views were amazing. gotta finish my TR with pics one of these days:)

for sea to sky you dont need to do any of the hikes, as stated short walk to shannon falls and a gondola ride all the way up. we were told this is far and above better than Grouse mountain
can you do that before next week ::)
A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor.

Offline stever

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite
  • ****
  • Join Date: Oct 2011
  • Posts: 481
  • Total likes: 2
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: Los Angeles
Re: Vancouver Master Thread
« Reply #872 on: August 09, 2016, 04:53:20 PM »
can you do that before next week ::)
lol! pm me

Offline sam28

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Jun 2010
  • Posts: 1876
  • Total likes: 137
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Vancouver Master Thread
« Reply #873 on: August 09, 2016, 06:10:48 PM »
Depends what you looking for & where you are staying.

Schara Tzedek is MO. They also have the mikvah. There is a large building for Sephardic cons which I didn't visit.  Kollel is a Chabad place which had several yungeleit with kapotes, local orthodox people etc. I guess main Chabad is similar. Downtown Chabad I guess is mostly local & tourists.


I don't care where to daven I need 10 for shabbes that's why I need to decide whrere to stay

Offline asks

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Jul 2011
  • Posts: 1050
  • Total likes: 7
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Vancouver Master Thread
« Reply #874 on: August 09, 2016, 06:19:21 PM »
I don't care where to daven I need 10 for shabbes that's why I need to decide whrere to stay
not too many hotels are in the eruv/walking distance

Offline sam28

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Jun 2010
  • Posts: 1876
  • Total likes: 137
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Vancouver Master Thread
« Reply #875 on: August 10, 2016, 12:17:17 AM »
not too many hotels are in the eruv/walking distance
So which one's is in the  eruv and how far does it go the eruv

Offline asks

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Jul 2011
  • Posts: 1050
  • Total likes: 7
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Vancouver Master Thread
« Reply #876 on: August 10, 2016, 07:24:46 AM »
So which one's is in the  eruv and how far does it go the eruv
here's link to eruv map:
https://goo.gl/maps/D2oLBC39GT72
Check park Inn and holiday Inn.  Might be others

Offline BKYW

  • Dansdeals Gold Elite
  • ***
  • Join Date: Jun 2015
  • Posts: 128
  • Total likes: 3
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: Brooklyn NY
Re: Vancouver Master Thread
« Reply #877 on: August 10, 2016, 01:47:53 PM »
here's link to eruv map:
https://goo.gl/maps/D2oLBC39GT72
Check park Inn and holiday Inn.  Might be others

Both are about 25 min walk to kollel & Chabad, under 15 to shara Tzedek. There are a lot of B&B & Airbnb Etc homes

Offline sam28

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Jun 2010
  • Posts: 1876
  • Total likes: 137
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Vancouver Master Thread
« Reply #878 on: August 10, 2016, 04:17:30 PM »
Both are about 25 min walk to kollel & Chabad, under 15 to shara Tzedek. There are a lot of B&B & Airbnb Etc homes

so any of the nice hotels is not walking distance to the shoul ?

Offline Buruch

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Dec 2012
  • Posts: 1984
  • Total likes: 39
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 3
    • View Profile
Re: Vancouver Master Thread
« Reply #879 on: August 10, 2016, 08:50:06 PM »
There are an incredible number of Airbnb places in Vancouver. For best prices, book within a couple days of the stay. You can get half off at some places if you book that close.