After arriving in Vancouver, check in to your historical West End [3] bed-and-breakfast. Plan on dinner at the Raincity Grill [4], which specializes in local seafood infused with West Coast flair.
Make a detour through Barclay Heritage Square [3], a collection of preserved homes, on your way to Gastown [5], where the cobbled streets of the city’s original precinct are lined with interesting shops. Divide the afternoon between the colorful enthusiasm of Chinatown [6] and the grand old buildings along Georgia Street. Allow time for a drink at Steamworks Brewing Co. [7]
Spend the first part of the morning learning about the city’s human history at the Vancouver Museum [8], and then move around the bay to the Vancouver Maritime Museum [9]. After lunch at a 4th Avenue restaurant, admire the mansions in historical Shaughnessy as you drive out to the Museum of Anthropology [10] on Point Grey, which does a remarkable job of cataloging the history of coastal native people.
Arrive at Steveston [11] early and explore the restored cannery village before catching a ferry to Victoria [2] from the nearby Tsawwassen terminal. Deserve a splurge? If so, reserve a room at Victoria’s Beaconsfield Inn [12]. After complimentary afternoon tea, head downtown for dinner at the Bengal Lounge and an after-meal stroll through the totem poles of Thunderbird Park [13].
Even history buffs deserve some time off, so plan on spending this morning at Butchart Gardens [14]. Following afternoon tea at the 1861 Point Ellice House [15], concentrate on the historical buildings of Rockland: Christ Church Cathedral, Craigdarroch Castle, and Government House [16]. Take in an evening performance at the grandly restored McPherson Playhouse [17] or order a pint at Spinnakers Gastro Brewpub [18], Canada’s oldest brewpub.
Start your day with breakfast at old-style Willies Bakery [19], and then walk through the streets of Old Town [20], making sure to detour through restored Market Square [21]. Drive out to Fort Rodd Hill [22], where an 1873 lighthouse is open for tours. Continue toward Sooke for an early dinner at 17 Mile Pub, a 150-year-old roadside pub.
Take in the story of the province’s past at the Royal BC Museum [13], and then learn about one of Canada’s best-known artists at Emily Carr House [23]. Catch a ferry back to Vancouver [1] for a late-afternoon flight home.
Links:
[1] http://www.moon.com/destinations/vancouver-victoria/vancouver
[2] http://www.moon.com/destinations/vancouver-victoria/vancouver-island/victoria
[3] http://www.moon.com/destinations/vancouver-victoria/vancouver/sights/west-end
[4] http://www.moon.com/destinations/vancouver-victoria/vancouver/food/robson-street-and-the-west-end
[5] http://www.moon.com/destinations/vancouver-victoria/vancouver/sights/downtown/gastown
[6] http://www.moon.com/destinations/vancouver-victoria/vancouver/sights/downtown/chinatown
[7] http://www.moon.com/destinations/vancouver-victoria/vancouver/entertainment-and-events/nightlife
[8] http://www.moon.com/destinations/vancouver-victoria/vancouver/sights/south-downtown/museum-vancouver
[9] http://www.moon.com/destinations/vancouver-victoria/vancouver/sights/south-downtown/vancouver-maritime-museum
[10] http://www.moon.com/destinations/vancouver-victoria/vancouver/sights/university-british-columbia
[11] http://www.moon.com/destinations/vancouver-victoria/vancouver/sights/richmond
[12] http://www.moon.com/destinations/vancouver-victoria/vancouver-island/victoria/accommodations/150-200
[13] http://www.moon.com/destinations/vancouver-victoria/vancouver-island/victoria/inner-harbour-sights/royal-british-columbia-museum
[14] http://www.moon.com/destinations/vancouver-victoria/vancouver-island/victoria/saanich-peninsula/butchart-gardens
[15] http://www.moon.com/destinations/vancouver-victoria/vancouver-island/victoria/west-downtown/point-ellice-house-and-garden
[16] http://www.moon.com/destinations/vancouver-victoria/vancouver-island/victoria/rockland
[17] http://www.moon.com/destinations/vancouver-victoria/vancouver-island/victoria/arts-and-entertainment/theater-and-music
[18] http://www.moon.com/destinations/vancouver-victoria/vancouver-island/victoria/arts-and-entertainment/nightlife
[19] http://www.moon.com/destinations/vancouver-victoria/vancouver-island/victoria/food/cafes-and-cheap-eats
[20] http://www.moon.com/destinations/vancouver-victoria/vancouver-island/victoria/old-town
[21] http://www.moon.com/destinations/vancouver-victoria/vancouver-island/victoria/shopping
[22] http://www.moon.com/destinations/vancouver-victoria/vancouver-island/victoria/west-downtown/fort-rodd-hill-national-historic-site
[23] http://www.moon.com/destinations/vancouver-victoria/vancouver-island/victoria/south-the-inner-harbour