Sightseeing in Vancouver

From 19th century Coastal First Nations to Ming-dynasty China, from the first ship to traverse the Northwest Passage both ways to counter-culture and hippie-central, it's all here.

Inside we'll discover the culture of the First Nations people of BC: the massive and majestic totem poles, painted bentwood boxes and potlatch feast dishes carved by the aboriginal peoples of the Pacific Northwest Coast.

It's like stepping back in time, especially with the reconstructed Haida village outside. The UBC Museum of Anthropology is almost more art gallery than museum.

As well as the historic art pieces, there are also modern works. My favourite is Raven and the First Men by Bill Reid, a very large sculpture in yellow cedar depicting a native story on how humans came to the Coast.

If we want to spend all day out here at UBC, there's also the UBC Botanical Garden and the traditional Japanese Nitobe Memorial Garden or climb down the cliff to Wreck Beach (Vancouver's only clothing optional beach - a counter-cultural option perhaps).

Or, let's head back downtown to see...

I love to walk slowly around the curving walls looking out over the pond.

Watch the changing reflections of rocks, plants and sky. Even catch a glimpse of a turtle sunning himself or a goldfish swiftly swimming by. It's like stepping into another culture and another time for a few moments just walking around the Chinese Garden in Vancouver.

Then balance the peaceful yin experience with the yang side - leave the garden and go sightseeing in Vancouver's Chinatown. Window-shop past busy markets with strange-smelling (to Westerners) herbs and dried fishes. Then find kitchen supplies (rice paddle, anyone?) and plant pots, inexpensive brocade slippers and china tea sets.

Usually I like to do that in the opposite order, busy shopping then peaceful reflections. But an early visit to the garden followed by midday shopping is also a great choice. If you're here at Chinese New Year (usually in February), don't miss the parades and celebrations! And if you're here in the summer, visit the Chinese Night Market in Chinatown and in Richmond.

Now you've experienced China in Vancouver.

The Vancouver Maritime Museum houses an actual ship inside its walls.

The RCMP schooner St Roch retired here after being the first ship to travel the dangerous Northwest Passage (by sea north of the North American continent) from both directions in the 1940's. St Roch was also the first ship to circumnavigate North America.

Photo courtesy of CogDogBlog

Vancouver is a port city. The economy from the arrival of the first Europeans was founded on trade arriving by sea from the far-flung reaches of the globe. And so this museum talks about the very early navigation by Captain George Vancouver, shipwrecks and lighthouses along the BC Northwest Coast and everything else Vancouver and ocean-related.

If you just love museums, there's also the Vancouver Planetarium and the Museum of Vancouver within a few minutes walk. It all depends on how much you can learn in one day! Otherwise, if the weather's nice, walk along the sea wall of Vanier Park and if you're visiting in the summertime, catch a Shakespeare play at Bard on the Beach.

Or if you want to keep going on the whirlwind of cultural sightseeing in Vancouver, after a morning of learning all about the oceans around Vancouver, lighten up your day with a visit to...

The Drive started as Little Italy, a community of Italian immigrants. Over the years it has shifted to become, depending on your perspective, an open community of wacky hippies and/or forward-thinking, environmentally-friendly, community-minded folk.

You will find cooperatively owned stores and restaurants where all the workers own the business and share the profits. And you will find indie artists of all stripes: musicians, painters, photographers, videographers, and more. I love the community feel to the area. Caring about other people and the environment is the hallmark of the majority of businesses and people along Vancouver's Commercial Drive.

This is the place to find live music too. Every night at least one restaurant will be hosting a live concert by local artists. Or you may find a Poetry slam. Or an open mic session where you can strut your stuff. Come and join in the fun! You are sightseeing in Vancouver - relax and soak it all in!

There's much more than is mentioned here, like the Vancouver Art Gallery and many private galleries in downtown Vancouver and along Granville Street, and there's immigrant neighborhoods like Little India where you'll find shops and restaurants with an exotic flavour. And then there's Vancouver events... and the list goes on!

Come sightseeing in Vancouver, expand your horizons. That's what traveling is all about (even if you live here!)

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