Five ways to enjoy Vancouver for under $50
Like any big city, Canada’s West Coast hub can be a little on the expensive side. But also like any big city, it has plenty of affordable things to see and do. Here’s a look at five great activities for under $50:
1. Vancouver Art Gallery
I’d been to Vancouver dozens of times but hadn’t made it to the gallery until my last visit. It’s pretty outside and even more stately on the inside, with a glorious main rotunda and lots of natural light. There are some gorgeous works by stars such as Emily Carr, lovely First Nations art and cutting-edge photographic works. Current exhibits include a contemporary art display called Ambivalent Pleasures, with varied and wildly abstract works by 40 artists. There’s also a nice café. See vanartgallery.bc.ca
2. Stanley Park golf
Even a lot of Vancouverites don’t seem to know there’s an adorable and affordable pitch-and-putt golf course inside Stanley Park. It’s not exactly Pebble Beach — and the longest hole is only about 100 yards. But you’re surrounded by towering cedars and lush green lawns, as well as flowering rhododendrons in spring. Best of all, it’s only $12.95 for adults, less for kids and seniors. It’s only a couple of bucks to rent clubs, and you also can buy golf balls. The course should open soon for spring play. See vancouver. ca/parks-recreation-culture/ stanley-park-pitch-putt.aspx
3. Fly over Canada
This is a great family thing to do on a rainy day. You buckle yourself into upright seats that move up, down and forward a bit to simulate motion as you “fly” over this wonderful country of ours, with footage of polar bears, wild national parks, a glorious fall day in Ontario and Vancouver’s harbour. You might feel a bit dizzy now and then as it’s quite realistic, especially at the beginning as you fly over the rim of the fiordlike inlet at Newfoundland’s Gros Morne National Park. Fly Over Canada is located behind the convention centre on the waterfront. General admission tickets are $20.75 for adults, with discounts for kids and seniors. See flyovercanada.com
4. Vancouver Aquarium
Another Stanley Park delight, Vancouver’s Aquarium is a large (the biggest in Canada) and welllaid-out facility. There’s a large tank with massive turtles and, of course, a shark display. Kids will love the chance to interact with rays at the touch pool, and just about everyone loves a dolphin show or a penguin talk. Among the best features are the jellyfish displays, with dozens of jellyfish that float and dance in the water like diaphanous, otherworldly clouds. Admission is $36 for adults, including tax. Seniors and students 13-19 are $27 and kids 4-12 cost $21. See vanaqua.org
5. Kayak Granville
If you really want to feel like a Vancouverite, get out on the water with a paddle in your hands. There are a couple of places at Granville Island that let you cruise around False Creek, where you’ll pass underneath bridges and skirt the pretty waterfront parks that make this city so attractive. Ecomarine Paddlesport Centres (ecomarine.com) rents single kayaks for $39 for two hours. A standup paddleboard goes for $19 for the first hour or $29 for two hours. Vancouver Water Adventures (vancouverwateradventures.com) also rents standup paddleboards and Sea-Doos. Kayaks cost $25 plus tax for an hour and $15 for each additional hour. Both companies have other locations.