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First timers, need help planning please :)

Montreal, Canada
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206 posts
39 reviews
63 helpful votes
First timers, need help planning please :)
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Hi Everyone,

Like most people, we haven't been able to travel because of Covid and now that restrictions are easing up, we're thinking of exploring the Vancouver area.

We are an active couple, late 40's looking at possibly going for 7-10 days in early July. I haven't booked anything yet but plane tickets are super affordable and it's a chance for us to see a part of Canada we haven't seen yet. (We're from Montreal,Quebec).

I'd like to know if most places are now open for business (museums, restaurants (sit-down?), theaters etc.)

Also which neighborhood should we stay in if my husband loves the beach and I prefer cultural attractions?

Is a side trip to Whistler worth it in summer (not into mountain biking or difficult hikes)?

We would also love to do a whale watching tour so if you have any to recommend that would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance:)

Laval, Canada
Level Contributor
2,153 posts
47 reviews
37 helpful votes
1. Re: First timers, need help planning please :)
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Experts will come along but in the meantime…We loved the Times Square suites. Right next to Stanley park and quick bus ride to any part of the city.

Some of the highlights for us were, English Bay, lunch on Granville island (take the water taxi, fun way to see the cityscape)Stanley park( rent bikes) and Kitsalano for the waterfront. We also enjoyed the museum of Anthropology at UBC.

We didn’t go to Whistler but chose Squamish instead, take the gondola up and walk the trails, nice views!

Ottawa, Canada
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17,947 posts
139 reviews
82 helpful votes
2. Re: First timers, need help planning please :)
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Keep some days (3 or 4) to visit Vancouver Island. For Whistler I suggest you rent a car for the day as the drive is magnificent and you want to do it at your own pace. Sea to Sky highway.

Vancouver, Canada
Destination Expert
for Vancouver
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87,106 posts
62 reviews
97 helpful votes
3. Re: First timers, need help planning please :)
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The provincial restrictions are about to change on the 15th. Here are the current restrictions throughout the province.

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/info/restrictions

Here is the Restart Plan for BC effective June 15th. Earliest date for Step 2 is June 15th:

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/info/restart

Those pages will be updated by Friday.

Individual businesses and attractions are currently setting their own hours within the restrictions. This is mostly to do with whether or not they can find staff to work. They will stay open as much as they can find staff to work. Each business or attraction website will show their current situation.

Worth it questions are not easy to answer. What things would make a trip to Whistler worth it for you?

From Vancouver, you could do a whale watch with Prince of Whales from Granville Island, Wild Whales Vancouver from Granville Island. Steveston Seabreeze Adventures and Vancouver Whale Watch operate out of Steveston (Richmond). They have typically run shuttles from Vancouver hotels to their departure location (35-45 minutes.)

Vancouver, Canada
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44,054 posts
69 reviews
47 helpful votes
4. Re: First timers, need help planning please :)
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For the beach, you want English Bay. Look at the Sylvia (although no air con, but ocean breezes and a great location). I think most of the live theatre productions for the summer have all been cancelled, but there may be some pop up street things as we gradually open up. Museums are mostly open, although I think most of them require you to prebook space because they are still limiting capacity.

Yes, Whistler is absolutely worth the day trip, not just for being in Whistler itself, but because the drive is so very scenic.

Vancouver, Canada
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44,054 posts
69 reviews
47 helpful votes
5. Re: First timers, need help planning please :)
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The only whale watching trip I've done was with Stubbs at Telegraph Cove so I dont really have much to say about it that people cant reaserch for themselves.

Montreal, Canada
Level Contributor
206 posts
39 reviews
63 helpful votes
6. Re: First timers, need help planning please :)
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Thanks everyone for your valuable responses, it's very much appreciated :)

7. Re: First timers, need help planning please :)

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