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Festivals

Vancouver enjoys a large number of festivals, including the HSBC Celebration of Light, the largest fireworks competition worldwide held throughout four nights during July-August. Another light festival is the Illuminares Festival, with hundreds of homemade paper lanterns, accompanied by local music, parading down Trout Lake Park after dark. The Pacific National Exhibition, the largest in all of Western Canada, is also celebrated here on the city's fair grounds near Play Land.

Landmarks

The historic district of Gastown, named after John "Gassy Jack" Deightown, features many tourist shops, preserved heritage buildings, and food spots. Canada Place provides a walking tour that covers both city history and picturesque promenade walkways and a view of the harbour. Granville Island is a diverse mixture of shops, restaurants, theatres, galleries, as well as remnants of this peninsula's industrial past. It is also home to the Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre, a cruise ship terminal, the Pan Pacific Hotel, and an IMAX theatre.

Parks, Beaches, Gardens

Stanley Park is one of the largest urban parks in the continent, found in the heart of Vancouver. Queen Elizabeth Park features the highest point in the city and the Bloedel Floral Observatory, a domed observatory housing tropical flora and fauna. Other notable gardens include the Van Dusen Botanical Gardens and the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden. There's also the Pacific Spirit Park and its infamous Wreck Beach--clothing is optional.

Museums

The Museum of Anthropology at the University of British Columbia proudly houses largest collection of native artifacts from the West Coast. Also visit the Vancouver Museum and the Vancouver Maritime Museum for an even bigger look into the city's heritage. For a taste of more scientific exploits, check out Telus Science World and the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre.