What to do in Canada?

Question

I'm flying into Vancouver, going over to Calgary for the Stampede, then to Banff and Jasper and back to Vancouver.

What to do in Vancouver/Vancouver Island and everywhere else? And anything i just shouldn't miss along the way? I like everything from adventure sports, and horse riding/walks etc to nights out, so any suggestions will be appreciated.

Thanks :)

Answer 1

Vancouver Island: Go to Victoria (Butchart Gardens and such), you could check out Long Beach in Tofino

Vancouver: Stanley Park, Go up Grouse Mountain (Do the Grouse Grind or take the Gondola up),Check out the Beaches (Some nice ones in Stanley Park, or I like Jericho)

If you are really into outdoor sports and stuff, i would check out Squamish you can do like everything there (Including Horse back Riding). This time of year Whistler has nice Biking and Hiking too. The Okanogon is nice too if you wanna check that out.

you can go skydiving in Abbotsford (about 30 minutes or so from Vancouver):

http://www.vancouver-skydiving.bc.ca/

Answer 2

Definitely drive between Jasper and Lake Louise. Scenery is breathtaking. If you aren't driving yourself then there is a shuttle that does the journey every day. There are loads of walks and lookouts along the road.

Go to the Columbia Icefields and go on the snocoach on the glacier. That was pretty cool. I went right at the beginning of the season so wasn't too busy but right now it might be a little...over-run... Best time apparently is really early when it first opens. Lunchtime is the worst time.

Go up the gondola in Banff. The views are amazing. Also - do the guided tour of the Banff Springs Hotel - amazing place.

In Vancouver, make sure you go to Granville Island for lunch. They have a great market and loads of little touristy type shops. The Museum of Vancouver is nearby and that's pretty interesting. I wouldn't advise the trolley buses for the tour unfortunately. The drivers seem to be pretty hit and miss - they tend to be grumpy by the end of the day and moan a lot! There is another company that does city tours but haven't been on that one.

Go the Sylvia Hotel in Vancouver for dinner one night and get a table by the windows - nice to watch the sun go down by the beach and great for people watching!

Have an ace time!

Answer 3

Make sure you don't miss the Snow Coach tour on the Columbia Icefield glaciers in Jasper Nat'l park.  

The Banff townsite has lots of great shops, museums, and things to see and do.  Find a place to park a block or two from the main street, and just take the bus or walk.  It's easier than trying to park everywhere you go.  

Oh, and go to the town hall and you will find all kinds of pamphlets for adventure sports.

When in Calgary, you might want to check out "The Shooting Edge".  You buy a day pass and you can borrow and shoot just about any gun you can name there... even without firearm certificates!  (bring lots of $)

Calgary has a pretty good zoo, too.

If you are into dinosaurs,  you could also hit up the Royall Tyrell Museum in Drumheller (not far from Calgary), or go to Dinosaur Provincial Park.