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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 275998 times)

Offline @Yehuda

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Re: Vancouver Master Thread
« Reply #1040 on: July 27, 2018, 02:19:03 PM »
the sheraton wall centre is great (esp if u can convince them to give u club access if maybe u reserved with your bus spg now before the changes). try to get a high floor and u can see everything.
Thank you! That makes me more comfortable. Will still keep an eye on other options.

Did you find that you were far from the main activities - the park, sea wall, harbor?

Offline shiframeir

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Re: Vancouver Master Thread
« Reply #1041 on: July 29, 2018, 01:43:03 AM »
Thank you! That makes me more comfortable. Will still keep an eye on other options.

Did you find that you were far from the main activities - the park, sea wall, harbor?
i had a car so no. drove wherever i wanted to go and parked. went on a seaplane, the park etc.

Offline wonderlust

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Re: Vancouver Master Thread
« Reply #1042 on: July 29, 2018, 10:31:18 AM »
the sheraton wall centre is great (esp if u can convince them to give u club access if maybe u reserved with your bus spg now before the changes). try to get a high floor and u can see everything.  note there is also an amex offer for four seasons i think...
Did you ever check out the Bayshore to compare the 2?

Offline @Yehuda

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Re: Vancouver Master Thread
« Reply #1043 on: July 29, 2018, 11:01:02 AM »
i had a car so no. drove wherever i wanted to go and parked. went on a seaplane, the park etc.
I plan on a car also, just don't know what to expect with parking (is street parking a possibility or everywhere needs a lot?).

Offline shmebeble

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Re: Vancouver Master Thread
« Reply #1044 on: July 29, 2018, 10:03:29 PM »
I plan on a car also, just don't know what to expect with parking (is street parking a possibility or everywhere needs a lot?).
street parking was accessible

Offline tzifanya54

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Re: Vancouver Master Thread
« Reply #1045 on: July 30, 2018, 02:28:06 AM »
Did you ever check out the Bayshore to compare the 2?
I did. The bayshore is all about location.... Wall centre was very nicely redone about 4 years ago, very nice downtown hotel just not on the water.

Offline Friars500

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Re: Vancouver Master Thread
« Reply #1046 on: July 30, 2018, 01:06:36 PM »
We are a family of 9 heading to Vancouver from August 16 - August 23.  Ages range from mid-60s (good shape, and can hike moderate but not strenuous) to 2 years old.  So looking for tips for Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday (and for an easy day Friday)

We have nothing specific planned but want to do Whistler, Victoria and Grouse Mountain.  I would like to turn each of these into a full day - so I am looking for stuff to do not only at these places but on the way.  We would like to include two moderate hikes.  Suggestions?

Offline sam28

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Re: Vancouver Master Thread
« Reply #1047 on: July 30, 2018, 02:31:43 PM »
We are a family of 9 heading to Vancouver from August 16 - August 23.  Ages range from mid-60s (good shape, and can hike moderate but not strenuous) to 2 years old.  So looking for tips for Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday (and for an easy day Friday)

We have nothing specific planned but want to do Whistler, Victoria and Grouse Mountain.  I would like to turn each of these into a full day - so I am looking for stuff to do not only at these places but on the way.  We would like to include two moderate hikes.  Suggestions?

check out my TR I think it will help .

Offline shiframeir

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Re: Vancouver Master Thread
« Reply #1048 on: July 30, 2018, 07:51:12 PM »
I did. The bayshore is all about location.... Wall centre was very nicely redone about 4 years ago, very nice downtown hotel just not on the water.
yeah in my informal review of every picture available online of the two i found the sheraton wall nicer and updated. we got a junior suite that was great (paid up a few extra points), and if u can get club room (we got with spg business pre aug 1) thats a big plus too, lots of kosher goodies plus drinks/fruits etc.

Offline Tzadik Nistar

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Re: Vancouver Master Thread
« Reply #1049 on: August 01, 2018, 05:24:37 PM »
Anything to do in Victoria besides the gardens?
Is it worth wasting a day for the boat ride and the gardens?

Offline sam28

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Re: Vancouver Master Thread
« Reply #1050 on: August 01, 2018, 05:33:50 PM »
Anything to do in Victoria besides the gardens?
Is it worth wasting a day for the boat ride and the gardens?

taking the boat ride by it self is Amazing and the views is breathtaking . I did not have time to go to Victoria but I went to a other island and I would do it again if I come back

Offline tzifanya54

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Re: Vancouver Master Thread
« Reply #1051 on: August 01, 2018, 11:02:24 PM »
yeah in my informal review of every picture available online of the two i found the sheraton wall nicer and updated. we got a junior suite that was great (paid up a few extra points), and if u can get club room (we got with spg business pre aug 1) thats a big plus too, lots of kosher goodies plus drinks/fruits etc.
That can still be done it just depends on your sweet talking skills. I stayed in one of the the club level suites, for the same 12k points...

Offline ludmila

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Re: Vancouver Master Thread
« Reply #1052 on: August 01, 2018, 11:16:42 PM »
taking the boat ride by it self is Amazing and the views is breathtaking . I did not have time to go to Victoria but I went to a other island and I would do it again if I come back
Which island if I may ask? What did you like the most about it? I know the boat ride is amazing, we enjoyed it especially our children, at the time my twins were 15 , and they had a great time.
I was the Best,still the Best, and will always be the Best.
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Offline @Yehuda

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Re: Vancouver Master Thread
« Reply #1053 on: August 01, 2018, 11:41:29 PM »
Please share. Victoria seems like a nice place (nice looking Westin) but an expensive ferry and expensive gardens.

Offline sam28

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Re: Vancouver Master Thread
« Reply #1054 on: August 02, 2018, 10:18:19 AM »
Which island if I may ask? What did you like the most about it? I know the boat ride is amazing, we enjoyed it especially our children, at the time my twins were 15 , and they had a great time.

check out my TR

Offline @Yehuda

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Re: Vancouver Master Thread
« Reply #1055 on: August 02, 2018, 01:49:00 PM »
So gondolas, suspension bridges... which one/how many?

Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge - free
Grouse Mountain Gondola - $56
Capilano Suspension Bridge - $47
Sea to Sky Gondola & Suspension Bridge - $42

Based on most reviews, I've written off Capilano. Is there a point to do Lynn + Grouse and also do Sea to Sky? Are the views so different that it's worth doing both?

Offline ludmila

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Re: Vancouver Master Thread
« Reply #1056 on: August 02, 2018, 02:13:04 PM »
I was the Best,still the Best, and will always be the Best.
Pele Good,Maradona Better, George Best.

Offline emak

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Re: Vancouver Master Thread
« Reply #1057 on: August 02, 2018, 02:24:18 PM »
So gondolas, suspension bridges... which one/how many?

Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge - free
Grouse Mountain Gondola - $56
Capilano Suspension Bridge - $47
Sea to Sky Gondola & Suspension Bridge - $42

Based on most reviews, I've written off Capilano. Is there a point to do Lynn + Grouse and also do Sea to Sky? Are the views so different that it's worth doing both?
We did the Lynn Canyon and loved it. Don't know about the other ones. There's also an area by the bridge to go hiking and check out the falls.

Offline sam28

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Re: Vancouver Master Thread
« Reply #1058 on: August 02, 2018, 03:51:57 PM »
So gondolas, suspension bridges... which one/how many?

Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge - free
Grouse Mountain Gondola - $56
Capilano Suspension Bridge - $47
Sea to Sky Gondola & Suspension Bridge - $42

Based on most reviews, I've written off Capilano. Is there a point to do Lynn + Grouse and also do Sea to Sky? Are the views so different that it's worth doing both?

I think this place is a waste of time Grouse Mountain Gondola - $56
« Last Edit: August 02, 2018, 04:36:55 PM by sam28 »

Offline Ergel

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Re: Vancouver Master Thread
« Reply #1059 on: August 02, 2018, 03:53:56 PM »
So gondolas, suspension bridges... which one/how many?

Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge - free
Grouse Mountain Gondola - $56
Capilano Suspension Bridge - $47
Sea to Sky Gondola & Suspension Bridge - $42

Based on most reviews, I've written off Capilano. Is there a point to do Lynn + Grouse and also do Sea to Sky? Are the views so different that it's worth doing both?
It's two totally different mountains that are 1.5 hours away. I mean, have you been to Switzerland, why do you need to go see another mountain?
Life isn't about checking the boxes. Nobody cares.