Winter may not spring to mind as a good time to visit these two cities, but it does have its advantages. Nothing in Vancouver [1] and Victoria [2] ever really closes, and in fact some places get busier as the winter resorts along Vancouver’s North Shore gear up for action and the performing arts scene is in full swing.
If you’re traveling to Vancouver and Victoria between December and March, pack your winter woolies and consider this seven-day itinerary.
Arrive in Vancouver and spend the remainder of the day exploring downtown [3], making a stop at the main Vancouver Visitor Centre [4], wandering around the white “sails” of Canada Place [5], and then visiting historical Gastown [6].
Day 2 is dedicated to museums: the Vancouver Museum [7], the Vancouver Maritime Museum [8], and the Museum of Anthropology [9], each representing an element of regional history. Get some fresh air by taking a walk along English Bay Beach before dinner.
Rise early and strap on your skis for a day on the slopes of a local resort. Families should head to Grouse Mountain or Mount Seymour [10] and snowboarders to Cypress Mountain [11]. Nonskiers can rent a bike and lazily make their way around Stanley Park [12].
Rent a vehicle or jump aboard a tour bus to visit Whistler [13]. Even if you don’t plan on skiing or boarding, this alpine village located a 90-minute drive north of Vancouver offers plenty to see and do throughout the winter.
Depart Vancouver for Victoria [2] by seaplane. After checking into a historical bed-and-breakfast for a two-night stay, spend the rest of the afternoon exploring the Inner Harbour [14] on foot; include a visit to the Royal BC Museum [15].
Rent a bike and ride around Marine Drive, making your final destination one of the many tearooms in Oak Bay. Spend the afternoon at Butchart Gardens [16].
Head out to Goldstream Provincial Park [17], where a large population of bald eagles spend winter feasting on spawned-out salmon. 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/downtown
[4] http://www.moon.com/destinations/vancouver-victoria/vancouver/sights
[5] http://www.moon.com/destinations/vancouver-victoria/vancouver/sights/downtown/canada-place
[6] http://www.moon.com/destinations/vancouver-victoria/vancouver/sights/downtown/gastown
[7] http://www.moon.com/destinations/vancouver-victoria/vancouver-island/victoria/history/the-growth-victoria
[8] http://www.moon.com/destinations/vancouver-victoria/vancouver/sights/south-downtown/vancouver-maritime-museum
[9] http://www.moon.com/destinations/vancouver-victoria/vancouver/sights/university-british-columbia
[10] http://www.moon.com/destinations/vancouver-victoria/vancouver/sights/north-shore/grouse-mountain
[11] http://www.moon.com/destinations/vancouver-victoria/vancouver/recreation/winter-recreation
[12] http://www.moon.com/destinations/vancouver-victoria/vancouver/sights/stanley-park
[13] http://www.moon.com/destinations/vancouver-victoria/vancouver/whistler
[14] http://www.moon.com/destinations/vancouver-victoria/vancouver-island/victoria/inner-harbour-sights
[15] http://www.moon.com/destinations/vancouver-victoria/vancouver-island/victoria/inner-harbour-sights/royal-british-columbia-museum
[16] http://www.moon.com/destinations/vancouver-victoria/vancouver-island/victoria/saanich-peninsula/butchart-gardens
[17] http://www.moon.com/destinations/vancouver-victoria/vancouver-island/victoria/west-downtown/goldstream-provincial-park