Don’t plan on doing much after you’ve arrived in Vancouver. Let the brood run off steam in a local park (Stanley Park [3] is perfect if you’re based in the West End [4]). If you’re traveling with teens, a walk around Canada Place [5] provides a good introduction to the city.
Interactive displays at Science World [6] and Museum of Vancouver [7] will fill your morning. Older children will love exploring space at H.R. MacMillan Space Centre [7], adjacent to the Vancouver Museum, while young children will want to spend time at Granville Island’s Kids Market [8]. If the weather is warm enough, bring bathing suits for the outdoor waterpark.
Kids will love Day 3, which centers on Stanley Park [3]. Take a horse-drawn carriage ride, explore the Children’s Farmyard, and jump aboard the miniature railway. The park’s world-class Vancouver Aquarium [3] is a must (try to time your visit with the always-entertaining Dolphin Show). Break up the day with a picnic lunch at Third Beach [9] or a hot dog from Prospect Point Café.
Rise early and catch the ferry to Victoria [2]. Find an outside seat on the starboard side and watch the Vancouver skyline and Coast Mountains disappear into the distance. Consider an afternoon double-decker bus tour of Victoria [10] to help everyone get oriented.
Explore the waterfront and find your way around to Fisherman’s Wharf for lunch at Barb’s Place [11], hoping that the resident seals make an appearance. Have your wallet out for afternoon visits to the Royal London Wax Museum and Pacific Undersea Gardens [12].
Go whale-watching in the morning from Tofino [13] then return to Victoria to spend the afternoon at your leisure, souvenir shopping along Government Street and walking through historical Market Square [14].
Return to Vancouver [1] for your homeward flight.
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/stanley-park
[4] http://www.moon.com/destinations/vancouver-victoria/vancouver/sights/west-end
[5] http://www.moon.com/destinations/vancouver-victoria/vancouver/sights/downtown/canada-place
[6] http://www.moon.com/destinations/vancouver-victoria/vancouver/sights/false-creek/science-world
[7] http://www.moon.com/destinations/vancouver-victoria/vancouver/sights/south-downtown/museum-vancouver
[8] http://www.moon.com/destinations/vancouver-victoria/vancouver/sights/false-creek/granville-island
[9] http://www.moon.com/destinations/vancouver-victoria/vancouver/recreation/beaches-and-swimming
[10] http://www.moon.com/destinations/vancouver-victoria/vancouver-island/victoria/recreation/touring-victoria
[11] http://www.moon.com/destinations/vancouver-victoria/vancouver-island/victoria/food/seafood
[12] http://www.moon.com/destinations/vancouver-victoria/vancouver-island/victoria/inner-harbour-sights/commercial-attractions
[13] http://www.moon.com/destinations/vancouver-victoria/vancouver-island/west-coast/tofino/recreation
[14] http://www.moon.com/destinations/vancouver-victoria/vancouver-island/victoria/shopping