The Games are about more than work and competitions. Here are some of our recommendations for enjoying British Columbia’s many attractions. Content will be continuously updated. Please send your questions or suggestions to Vancouver@AroundTheRings.com. To return to the table of contents, just click on the fish!

Restaurants and Cafes
Araxi Restaurant and Bar
  • Description: Pacific Northwest cuisine specializing in ingredients sourced from nearby farms.
  • Address: 4222 Village Square, Whistler
  • Phone: +1 604-932-4540
  • Website: www.araxi.com
The Boathouse
  • Description: Take your pick of locations near the English Bay inukshuk that inspired the Vancouver 2010 symbol. Horseshoe Bay en route to Whistler or Richmond, minutes from the Olympic Oval and Vancouver International Airport.
  • Address: 1795 Beach Ave., Vancouver
  • Phone: +1 604-669-2225
  • Address: 6695 Nelson Ave., West Vancouver
  • Phone: +1 604-921-8188
  • Address: 8331 River Rd., Richmond
  • Phone: +1 604-273-2014
  • Website: www.boathouserestaurants.ca
CinCin
  • Description: Contemporary, Tuscan cuisine on stylish Robson Street. One of the city’s deepest domestic and import wine cellars.
  • Address: 41154 Robson St., Vancouver
  • Phone: +1 604-688-7338
  • Website: www.cincin.net
The Cannery Seafood House
  • Description: Simply the finest seafood in Vancouver. Set on the shores of Burrard Inlet, surrounded by the bustling Port Metro Vancouver.
  • Address: 2205 Commissioner St., Vancouver
  • Phone: +1 604-254-9606
  • Website: www.canneryseafood.com
Floata Seafood Restaurant
  • Description: One of Vancouver's biggest eateries -- seating 1,000 people -- near the Dr. Sun-Yat Sen Classical Chinese Garden in the heart of Chinatown.
  • Address: 400-180 Keefer St., Vancouver
  • Phone: +1 604-602-0368
  • Website: www.floata.com
Gotham Steakhouse and Cocktail Bar
  • Description: Simply the finest steak in Vancouver.
  • Address: 615 Seymour St., Vancouver
  • Phone: +1 604-605-8282
  • Website: www.gothamsteakhouse.com
Granville Island Public Market
  • Description: The best food fair in the city in a year-round farmer's market in the city's artsy former industrial zone.
  • Address: Under the Granville Street Bridge.
  • Website: www.granvilleisland.com/en/public_market
Howe Sound Inn and Brewing
  • Description: A bed and breakfast hotel, resto pub and microbrewery halfway between Vancouver and Whistler.
  • Address: 37801 Cleveland Ave., Squamish
  • Phone: +1 604-892-2603
  • Website: www.howesound.com
Imperial Chinese Seafood Restaurant
  • Description: Specializes in Cantonese yum cha, dim sum and seafood. In the city's art deco jewel, the Marine Building.
  • Address: 355 Burrard St., Vancouver
  • Phone: +1 604-688-8191
  • Website: www.imperialrest.com
The Irish Heather Gastropub
  • Description: A little bit of Dublin in historic Gastown, with a gourmet twist.
  • Address: 210 Carrall St., Vancouver
  • Phone: +1 604-688-9779
  • Website: www.irishheather.com
The Naam
  • Description: Vancouver's favorite vegetarian restaurant, open 24 hours a day.
  • Address: 2724 W. 4th Ave., Vancouver
  • Phone: +1 604-738-7151
  • Website: www.thenaam.com
Nick's Spaghetti House
  • Description: A half-century-old tradition amid an area often called Little Italy.
  • Address: 631 Commercial Dr., Vancouver
  • Phone: +1 604-254-5633
Roundhouse Lodge
  • Description: A 50,000-square foot feast for the hungry skier or snowboarder atop Whistler Mountain. Make a reservation for Steeps, then go for a ride on the new Peak 2 Peak Gondola to Blackcomb.
  • Address: Whistler Mountain
  • Phone: +1 604-932-3434
  • Website: www.whistlerblackcomb.com
Sophie's Cosmic Cafe
  • Description: Kitschy, ‘60s style diner with hearty home cooking. Best breakfast in town. Other meals just as good.
  • Address: 2095 W. 4th Ave., Vancouver
  • Phone: +1 604-732-6810
  • Website: www.sophiescosmiccafe.com
Stella's Tap and Tapas Bar
  • Description: Kitschy, ‘60s style diner with hearty home cooking. Best breakfast in town. Other meals just as good.
  • Address: 1191 Commercial Dr., Vancouver
  • Phone: +1 604-254-2437
  • Website: www.stellasbeer.com
Tojo's
  • Description: There are many sushi restaurants in the Olympic city, but there is only one Tojo’s. The inventor of the California roll presides over the kitchen at the city’s finest Japanese restaurant.
  • Address: 1133 W. Broadway, Vancouver
  • Phone: +1 604-872-8050
  • Website: www.tojos.com
Tomahawk Barbecue
  • Description: A Vancouver tradition since 1926.
  • Address: 1550 Philip Ave., North Vancouver
  • Phone: +1 604-988-2612
  • Website: www.tomahawkrestaurant.com
Urban Fare Carvery Restaurants
  • Description: Gourmet food in a cafeteria format in one of three gourmet downtown supermarkets.
  • Address: 177 Davie St., Vancouver
  • Phone: +1 604-975-7550
  • Address: 305 Bute St., Vancouver
  • Phone: +1 604-669-5831
  • Address: 1133 Alberni St., Vancouver
  • Phone: +1 604-648-2053
  • Website: www.urbanfare.com
Watermark on Kits Beach
  • Description: West coast cuisine by the shores of Vancouver's quintessential westside beach.
  • Address: 1305 Arbutus St., Vancouver
  • Phone: +1 604-738-KITS
  • Website: www.watermarkrestaurant.ca
White Spot
  • Description: The beloved 81-year-old chain boasts the most famous burger joint in the Olympic city. But there is much more to the menu at the casual dining mainstay.
  • Address: Various locations
  • Phone: +1 604-331-SPOT
  • Website: www.whitespot.com
Nightlife

Just over two decades ago, British Columbia bars were closed on Sundays. Now they’re open seven days a week and some in downtown Vancouver are open until 4 a.m. The late-1990s brought casino expansion and Vancouver has several that run around the clock. Minimum legal age to consume alcohol or gamble is 19. Many of Vancouver’s most popular bars are in the Granville Mall entertainment district cluster.

Ceili's Irish Pub and Restaurant
  • Description: The biggest, most accessible and fun establishment in the Granville Mall entertainment district. Three floors, including a rooftop patio under a retractable roof.
  • Address: 670 Smithe Street, Vancouver
  • Phone: +1 604-697-0990
  • Website: www.ceilis.com
Cloud 9 Revolving Restaurant and Lounge
  • Description: The city's highest revolving restaurant -- 42 stories above Robson Street in the Empire Landmark Hotel -- is also the city's highest jazz bar.
  • Address: 1400 Robson St., Vancouver
  • Phone: +1 604-687-0511
  • Website: www.cloud9restaurant.ca
Commodore Ballroom
  • Description: Opened amid the Great Depression in 1929, it is one of Canada's greatest live music venues with a trademark bouncy dance floor. U2, The Police and Nirvana played here before hitting it big.
  • Address: 868 Granville St., Vancouver
  • Phone: +1 604-739-7469
Dubh Linn Gate Irish Pub
  • Description: Whisky, draft beer, gourmet Irish pub fare combines for a unique apres ski at the village base of Blackcomb and Whistler mountains.
  • Address: Pan Pacific Lodge, 4320 Sundial Crt., Whistler
  • Phone: +1 604-905-4047
  • Website: www.dubhlingate.com
Dusty's Bar and BBQ
  • Description: : A Whistler original by the world cup plaza, downhill from the finish line for 2010 alpine.
  • Address: 2320 London Lane, Creekside, Whistler
  • Phone: +1 604-905-2171
Edgewater Casino
  • Description: Slots, tables and sports bar right in the middle of it all. Across the street from B.C. Place Stadium and Canada Hockey Place (known to the locals as General Motors Place or “The Garage.”) Across False Creek from the Olympic Village.
  • Address: 750 Pacific Blvd. South, Vancouver
  • Phone: +1 604-687-3343
  • Website: www.edgewatercasino.ca
Gerard Lounge
  • Description: An intimate, old library-style bar where Hollywood North movie stars and area real estate tycoons go to unwind.
  • Address: Sutton Hotel, 845 Burrard St., Vancouver
  • Phone: +1 604-682-5511
River Rock Casino Resort
  • Description: Part of an all-suite hotel, with restaurants and a Vegas-style showroom with big name touring acts.
  • Address: 8811 River Rd., Richmond
  • Website: www.riverrock.com
The Roxy
  • Description: Vancouver's most-popular nightclub. Warning: long lines.
  • Address: 932 Granville St., Vancouver
  • Phone: +1 604-331-7999
  • Website: www.roxyvan.com
Shark Club
  • Description: The city’s most-popular sports bar, near B.C. Place Stadium and Canada Hockey Place. At 10 p.m., it turns into a nightlub with a disc jockey.
  • Address: 180 W. Georgia St., Vancouver
  • Phone: +1 604-687-4275
  • Website: www.sharkclubs.com
Stage and Screen
Arts Club Theatre Company
  • Description: Local theatre company that programs the Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage in South Granville and Granville Island Stage with original and repertory live theatre productions.
  • Phone: +1 604-687-1644
  • Website: www.artsclub.com
Fire Hall Arts Centre
  • Description: Stage and cinema venue on the city's gritty Downtown Eastside.
  • Address: 280 E. Cordova St., Vancouver
  • Phone: +1 604-689-0926
  • Website: www.firehallartscentre.ca
Maurice Young Millennium Place
  • Description: Whistler's multi-use gallery and performance center.
  • Address: 4335 Blackcomb Way, Whistler
  • Phone: +1 604-935-8410
  • Website: www.myplacewhistler.com
Orpheum Theatre
  • Description: The 81-year-old former grand cinema is home of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. It is also a popular contemporary concert venue. The jewel of Granville Mall.
  • Address: 884 Granville St., Vancouver
  • Phone: +1 604-665-3050
  • Website: www.vancouver.ca/theatres
Queen Elizabeth Theatre
  • Description: Home of Ballet British Columbia, Vancouver Opera and touring Broadway shows.
  • Address: 1132 Hamilton St., Vancouver
  • Phone: +1 604-665-3028
  • Website: www.vancouver.ca/theatres
Vancity Theatre
  • Description: The home screen of the annual Vancouver International Film Festival has new, classic, independent and foreign films nightly.
  • Address: Vancouver International Film Centre, 1181 Seymour St., Vancouver
  • Phone: +1 604-683-3456
  • Website: www.vifc.org
Vancouver Playhouse Theatre Company
  • Description: Vancouver's biggest and oldest local theatre concern.
  • Address: Vancouver Playhouse, 649 Cambie St., Vancouver
  • Phone: +1 604-873-3311
  • Website: www.vancouverplayhouse.com
Vancouver TheatreSports League
  • Description: Four nights a week, year-round, improvisational comedy and local satire.
  • Address: New Revue Stage, Granville Island.
  • Phone: +1 604-738-7013
  • Website: www.vtsl.com
Top Attractions
Capilano Suspension Bridge
  • Description: At 110-years-old, it's the oldest and most popular tourist attraction in Vancouver. The centrepiece is a wobbly bridge that spans Capilano River canyon. Minutes from downtown via the historic Lions Gate Bridge.
  • Address: 3735 Capilano Rd., North Vancouver
  • Phone: +1 604-985-7474
  • Website: www.capbridge.com
Fort Langley National Historic Site of Canada
  • Description: The well-preserved wooden fortress where the Hudson’s Bay Company, Canada's oldest enterprise, established its west coast trading post in 1858. The surrounding village is by the banks of the Fraser River, the province's biggest waterway, and features funky antique shops and cafes.
  • Address: 23433 Mavis Ave., Fort Langley, B.C.
  • Phone: +1 604-513-4777
  • Website: www.fortlangley.com
Grouse Mountain
  • Description: Ride the gondola to the peak of Vancouver, the closest ski, snowboard and snowshoe slope to downtown Vancouver. It's a popular hiking and mountain biking spot in summer. Features a wildlife refuge with grizzly bears and bald eagles.
  • Address: 6400 Nancy Greene Way, North Vancouver
  • Phone: +1 604-984-9311
  • Website: www.grousemountain.com
Museum of Anthropology at University of B.C.
  • Description: One of the world's greatest collections of Northwest Coast aboriginal artifacts, including works of B.C. master Bill Reid, in a building designed by famed architect Arthur Erickson.
  • Address: 6393 N.W. Marine Dr., Vancouver
  • Phone: +1 604-822-5087
  • Website: www.moa.bc.ca
Science World
  • Description: The city's science museum at the east end of False Creek includes an Omnimax Theatre in the shiny geodesic dome legacy building from Expo 86.
  • Address: 1455 Quebec St., Vancouver
  • Phone: +1 604-443-7440
  • Website: www.scienceworld.bc.ca
Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Chinese Garden
  • Description: A classic, Ming Dynasty-style garden built in the mid-1980s on the edge of Chinatown. Named for the father of modern China who visited Vancouver three times.
  • Address: 578 Carrall St., Vancouver
  • Phone: +1 604-662-3207
  • Website: www.vancouverchinesegarden.com
Vancouver Aquarium
  • Description: Beluga whales, seals, otters, sharks and lizards. Set amid Stanley Park.
  • Address: 845 Avison Way, Stanley Park, Vancouver
  • Phone: +1 604-659-3474
  • Website: www.vanaqua.org
Vancouver Art Gallery
  • Description: The city's art gallery in the heritage courthouse at the north end of the Robson Square complex. The permanent Emily Carr exhibit is quintessential west coast. Site of the Omega-sponsored Vancouver 2010 countdown clock.
  • Address: 750 Hornby St., Vancouver
  • Phone: +1 604-662-4719
  • Website: www.vanartgallery.ca
The Vancouver Museum
  • Description: You can’t miss the big, white roof. It’s shaped like a Coast Salish woven basket hat. Part of the Vanier Park campus near the Burrard Street Bridge, with the H.R. MacMillan Planetarium and Observatory, Maritime Museum and civic archives. The park is site of the annual children's festival and Bard on the Beach Shakespeare festival.
  • Address: 1100 Chestnut St., Vancouver
  • Phone: +1 604-736-4431
  • Website: www.vanmuseum.bc.ca
Outdoor Recreation

Vancouver is a famous four-season outdoor sports destination and many locals enjoy golfing, skiing and kayaking on the same day when the conditions are just right in winter or early spring. Stanley Park, right next to downtown, is a must-see. At 1,000 acres, it's Canada's biggest urban park. Enjoy a walk, jog or cycle around the scenic 5.5 mile seawall, stop at the popular totem pole park or wander through gardens.

Golf Clubs
Ecomarine Kayak Centre on Granville Island
  • Description: Popular among paddlers intent on seeing the city from sea level.
  • Address: 1668 Duranleau St., Vancouver
  • Phone: +1 604-689-7575
  • Website: www.ecomarine.com
Ski Resorts
  • Name: North Vancouver's Mount Seymour
  • Phone: (+1 604-986-2261
  • Website: www.mountseymour.com

  • Name: West Vancouver's Cypress Mountain
  • Description: Cypress is the Vancouver 2010 snowboarding and freestyle skiing venue.
  • Phone: +1 604-926-5612
  • Website: www.cypressmountain.com

  • Name: Whistler Blackcomb
  • Description: The new Peak 2 Peak gondola connects Whistler and Blackcomb mountains, giving skiers and snowboarders double the downhill fun. Whistler began at Creekside, which was built for a bid to host the 1968 Games.
  • Website: www.whistlerblackcomb.com
Whistler Ziptrek Ecotour
  • Description: Walk among the treetops or take the express route down Fitzsimmons Creek on a harness and cable.
  • Phone: +1 604-935-0001
  • Website: www.ziptrek.com


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