Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/678192
WILD AT HEART Nature lovers will be enamoured by Stanley Park's flora and fauna, with its resident beavers making dams at lily pad–filled Beaver Lake, one of North America's largest colonies of Pacific great blue herons (175 fledglings hatched in 2015!) nesting near the tennis courts and its riot of rhododendron and rose gardens. For a look at life in our coastal waters, visit the Vancouver Aquarium, where you can search for the reclusive octopus and see rescued marine mammals such as sea otters. 12 W H AT T O S E E , D O A N D E X P E R I E N C E URBAN EXPLORATION Time poor? You can still experience a wealth of the city's icons on foot. Start with a stroll downtown to Canada Place's iconic five sails with cruise ships anchored in front. Look for the Olympic Cauldron on the plaza outside the Vancouver Convention Centre and spot the circular observation deck of Vancouver Lookout perched above Harbour Centre, which offers sweeping views of city, mountains and sea. Extra time? Stop for a bite at the Top of Vancouver Revolving Restaurant and take in the 360-degree panorama. Explore the city by the sea Hit the highlights whether you have a few hours to explore or a week to wander G etting to Vancouver is easy and exhilarating, whether you land at our city's airport (filled with First Nations art), cruise into into the harbour past snow-laden mountains or arrive along rural and urban roads watching an evocative scene unfurl. Choose your own adventure when discovering the city's sights, sounds and flavours. By Janet Gyenes DENNIS TSANG/FLICKR, VANCOUVER LOOKOUT, PETER JACKSON/FLICKR, FOTAGENIC/FLICKR, BOBSINTOW2010/FLICKR GET THE SCOOP: Stanley Park Horse-Drawn Tours offers a narrated tour of sites such as Deadman's Island and the Girl in a Wet Suit statue, among others. 9 p.m. Listen to the boom (and see the blast) of the Nine O'clock Gun on the Stanley Park seawall. Noon Hear the airhorns atop Canada Place sound the first four bars of "O Canada." SOUNDS OF THE CITY It's easy to be enchanted by the city's sights but be sure to listen for its iconic urban time signals Every 15 minutes Wait for the signature whistles (and steam) of Gastown's celebrated Steam Clock. This is a #veryvancouver selfie spot. HIT THE HIGHLIGHTS: Take the two-hour Vancouver City Snapshots Tour with Landsea Tours & Adventures. COOK IT YOURSELF: Take a hands-on cooking class at Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts (near the Granville Island entrance) led by professional chefs. INCREDIBLE EDIBLES Vancouver is a hungry city and there are plenty of places to get your fill. For a quick jaunt from downtown—and a great way to get out on the water—ride the SeaBus across Burrard Inlet to North Vancouver's Lonsdale Quay Market, where you can graze on confections like peanut brittle from one of the 80-plus marketplace shops. Or head east into the belly of Chinatown for a cultural and culinary tour, dim sum included, with A Wok Around Chinatown. For full-food immersion, eat your way around Granville Island, starting at the Public Market, filled to the brim with fresh-caught fish, handmade pasta and decadent doughnuts. Stroll the island and discover the distillery, an artisan sake maker, brewery and more huddled among theatres and artisans.