Vancouver Walking Tours
Larry Sewell - info@vancitywalkingtours.com
Download Video (use this if video doesn't play) Click here to watch another video from Vancouver Walking Tours
Winter Olympics come to Vancouver
Welcome to my new Vancouver Walking Tours website 2010. My name is Larry Sewell, and I've been operating this business since 1997. Over the years I've had the distinct pleasure of showing folks from all over the world, the city that I grew up in. I have a background in the travel and tourism business, and chose that simply because it's what I enjoy. Like most other people I try and do a little research before I travel somewhere new, just to get a little idea of what to look for. I also know that a million people have a million different reasons in what they want, and what they expect when traveling. That's what the anticipation of going somewhere new is all about. With that in mind, I've tried my best to put various tours together, to try and have something for almost everyone.
Here in Vancouver, we are lucky to have mountains and ocean right at our doorstep. With Vancouver's mild summers, and fairly mild winters, we seem to have the perfect mix of everything. In the late fall, and sometimes winter, and early spring, it is very easy to golf in the morning, and ski in the afternoon.. I believe that is one of the things that makes Vancouver quite unique.
The greater Vancouver area has a population of about 2.5 million people, and sometimes it seems that rush hour never ends, but at the same time, you don't have to travel very far to find peace and serenity. We're lucky here to have jewels such as Stanley Park right in the heart of the city. Other places such as Lynn Headwaters Park, Lynn Canyon, Capilano Suspension Bridge Park http://www.capbridge.com are just some of the quiet retreats, that locals can get to, within minutes of downtown.
Winter shot looking northwest
Celebration of light
In July 2003, Vancouver-Whistler were picked over Salzburg Austria, and Seoul South Korea, to host the 2010 Winter Olympics. I believe that was for a number of reasons. A lot of the infrastructure was already in place, and therefore less building had to be done. Though there still has been much construction happening. I'm fortunate enough to work at two of the venues, and it's been fun to see what's been happening. Other reasons I believe is because Whistler has been classified as one of the world's best ski resorts, but I honestly believe that a lot had to do with the beauty of the city itself. As I'm putting this site together, we're about 6 weeks away from the opening of the 2010 Winter Olympics. Vancouver will forever be changed by 2010, but one thing that will be constant, will be it's natural beauty.
Having done this business for the past 13 years, and having been in the tourism game for the past 20 years, I've always liked to ask people why they chose Vancouver as their holiday destination. I get the usual answers, like the mountains, ocean etc. Most of my clients though, have been folks on their way to Alaska, and a lot of them are only in Vancouver for one night, or even just a few hours. I find that somewhat sad. My hope of doing a business like this, is to show visitors that there is so much more to Vancouver than a stop over to Alaska. With places like Stanley Park, Granville Island, UBC, Grouse Mountain, and miles and miles of beaches, there is plenty for visitors to do here. Kayaking, cycling, whale watching, Bard on the Beach, Jazz Festivals, the annual fireworks every summer, just to name a few. Also, when visitors look up and see those mountains, do they ever get a real feel of what's there? Vancouver just got a new trade and convention center, which now fills a badly needed void, for more conventions and trade shows. With it's million dollar view, and location right downtown, it's a perfect place to do business, but to also enjoy what Vancouver has to offer.
Vancouver Trade and Convention Center
Back to the the reason I started this business. I love my city, to show it off, like I think it should be, and to hopefully pass that enjoyment to others from different places. With all this in mind, the main idea was to slow life down a little, and to hopefully show visitors, both the well known tourist destinations, but also the lesser known places. I've designed what I hope is different tours of what I believe makes Vancouver what it is. I hope this new site will at least enlighten you about what we have here.
Most of my groups are usually small. Usually around 2-4 people, but I've had solos, and once had a group of 81 people. It's very casual, and I try my best to give as much information about the places and history as I can. These tours are set up for those people who enjoy a good walk, fresh air, and a slower pace. It's not for everyone, but for those of you who are looking for something different, I hope to meet you one day.
Cheers
Larry
Tour #1 Vancouver City Tour-( 4 miles)
$35.00 pp. Groups of 5 or more $25.00 pp.
This tour is by far my most popular. I designed it so that visitors, especially those staying here for such a short time, could see the most popular sites, and hopefully see what Vancouver has to offer. If you were to look at a photo of downtown Vancouver from the air, you would see that it looks like a piece of pie, with the small end pointing at Stanley Park. This tour basically takes people around a circle, around the downtown core. It covers about 4 miles, and is a flat walk. On average it takes about 3-4 hours, at a leisurely pace. Along the way we visit Canada Place (home to the summer cruise ships), the New Trade and Convention Center, English Bay, False Creek, BC Place, GM Place, Chinatown, and Gastown. We see sights like Burrard Inlet, English Bay Beach, False Creek/Granville Island, the skinniest building in the world, and Vancouver's famed Steam Clock in Gastown.
A large of my visitors are on their way to Alaska, and many times I'll start
and end the tour at Canada Place, and watch these visitors embark on their next
leg of their journey.
False Creek looking at Granville Island
Atlanta Visitors at Dr. Sun Yet Sat Gardens
Annual Dragon Boat races at False Creek
Capilano Suspension Bridge, Stanley Park, and Canada Place Tour. (7 miles) 5-6 hours
Cost is $60.00 pp, based on a minimum of 2. This includes admission to the park.
Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
This tour was designed to show off both Vancouver's environmental, and urban beauty. When I originally put this together, my sole intention was to show visitors, what I believe makes Vancouver what it is. A cosmopolitan city, embraced by mountains, scenic ocean, old growth forest, and also a beautiful downtown core. This tour has also been one of my most popular tours. But this tour is designed for those who don't mind some good healthy exercise. It is about 7 miles in length, and I designed it that way purposely. I find most people are fairly tired at the end of it, but a "Happy Tired" Most of the comments are on the old growth trees, that we see in Capilano and Stanley Park. We start the tour at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, and cross over the Lions Gate Bridge, through the west side of Stanley Park, then cross through Coal Harbor to Canada Place, then finish up in Gastown
Couple from Australia, Capilano Suspension Bridge
This is obviously not for everyone, but for those who like a little adventure.
Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, is one of Vancouver's most well known attractions. Even in the heart of winter their are tour buses there. It's operated by a lady named Nancy Stubbard, who has won business person of the year, on a couple of occasions. This is because she really cares about the product that she offers. For those who may have some fear of the bridge, it gets inspected every day.
Moi neo amigo via Lima. Nov 25-2004. His first taste of snow!
Even on a snowy day, people still come!
In the park itself besides the bridge, there are totem poles, a tree top walk, a fish pond, gift shop, and some absolute gorgeous view of the Capilano Canyon. When we leave the park, the next mile is self admittedly boring, but it leads to what I think is one of Vancouver's landmarks, the Lions Gate Bridge. Initially completed in 1937, the bridge had a complete refit in 2001. From the mid span of the bridge, I believe we have one of the best views. Looking west on a sunny day, you can see Vancouver Island in the background. This was one of the main reasons, I set this tour up.
Lions Gate Bridge at night
We cross over the bridge, and head to the Stanley Park Seawall. The seawall circles Stanley park for about 5 miles. We cover about 2 of those. We come to Second Beach, then cross Lost Lagoon, then to Coal Harbor, Canada Place, then end our tour in Gastown. A word of note. In December of 2006, Mother Nature gave Vancouver a devastating blow, with a wicked blast of wind. Stanley Park lost thousands of trees. But people of Vancouver are diligent, and came through to raise money, for replanting.
http://www.seestanleypark.com/wind/wind151206a.htm
In the park you'll see all kinds of birds, our little bandit friends, and sometimes a coyote or two. When we leave the park and travel through Coal Harbor, you will see one of the most beautiful harbors in the world. With the North Shore Mountains as the background, and downtown in the foreground, it makes for one spectacular picture.
Russian Visitor at Canada Place
The tour ends just a couple of short blocks from Canada Place in
historic Gastown. In all the years I've done this tour, only one couple
have made it the whole way. (lol). It is longer, but not really all
that difficult, if you're
prepared.
Float Plane landing at Coal Harbor
Seymour Demonstration Forest
http://www.stuff2do.ca/videos/SeymourDemonstrationForest.html
25 Kilometers. Easy terrain, but definitely a good day's workout. $60.00 pp, minimum of 2 people needed.
Like I stated earlier, Vancouver is known for it's ocean and mountains. Unfortunately most visitors don't get a chance to see what locals get to enjoy. As you look across Burrard Inlet, you'll glance and see a series of mountains. Cypress, Grouse, and Seymour. At the base of the latter, lies a valley, nestled amongst new growth forest. This area is called the Seymour Demonstration Forest. This 22 kilometer walk, meanders through new growth forest. Home to deer, black bear, coyotes, and an annual salmon return, each fall.
I added this tour for visitors who would like to get a better feel, of what makes Vancouver what it is. Obviously this tour is for a select group of visitors, but anyone who may be looking for a little adventure, maybe this might entice you.
We start by traveling through Lynn Canyon Park, over the Lynn Canyon
Suspension Bridge, and onwards to the Seymour Demonstration
Forest.
Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge
We pass through a quiet and beautiful spot called Rice lake. years ago this was off limits to the public, but is now open for all to enjoy.
Rice Lake
We walk past Rice Lake, and down the road and path through the forest. At the end of the 11 kilometers, is a Salmon Hatchery, called the Seymour Salmonoid Hatchery. http://www.seymoursalmon.com/education.htm I had the honor of working up their in the construction of the class room. To say I enjoyed myself their is a huge understatement. Between mother nature, and the peace and quiet, it was like no where I've seen before. The road going in, is only accessible for those working for the GVRD, the Salmonoid Society, and movie crews.
Like I stated earlier, this walk is not for everyone, but for those visitors who like something different, and aren't afraid of getting a little tired.
I recommend a good pair of shoes, extra socks, band aids (just in case), a good lunch, hat, and a water bottle.
Lynn Headwaters Park Loop
9 Kilometers(5.5 Miles) Moderate climbs. $60.00 pp.
Like the Seymour Demonstration Forest tour, this tour is also designed to take visitors out of the city, and into the back country. This tour starts not to far away from the Demonstration Tour, but heads up a hill, and then loops back along Lynn Creek. Home to old growth forest, this area use to be a logging area, back in the early 1900's. There are still remnants of old saws, along the way. This is another area that is popular with locals. There is some climbing involved, but it's not difficult terrain. For those who would like to venture a little further, there is an extension, to a place called Norvan Falls.
Norvan Falls
Lynn Headwaters Loop Trail. Visitors from Denmark. (That's me in the black shorts lol)
This is a beautiful hike in the spring to early fall months, but in the later fall, and winter, proper dress for the elements is a must. A good pair of shoes or boots would be recommended. other items like a lunch, water bottles, and even a hat would be a good accessory.
Grouse Grind
2.8 Kilometers Steep grade (28%) Travel time depending on fitness level 1-2 hours.
Cost $50.00 per person. Includes skyride back down.
I found a local who created a good website on the grind. Lots of pictures, and good inside information. http://www.briantaylor.ca/grind.html
The grind is more than a hike. It's a workout. It's a 2.8 kilometer trek up one of Vancouver's best known land marks Grouse Mountain http://www.grousemountain.com/
Locals flock to the grind from April through to November, for the ultimate workout. Obviously this not for the average visitor, but if you are the type of person who wants something special, from their visit to Vancouver, this could be it. Actress Jennifer Garner couldn't stop raving about the grind. The following was taken from an interview with Jennifer Garner, when she was filming here:
Vancouver is a nature lover's
paradise, with everything from mountains to beaches, bald eagles to whales. Did
you get to spend any time exploring the great outdoors?
[page]One
thing my trainer and I did was something called The Grouse Grind Mountain Run,
which is an almost two-mile hike straight up the Grouse Mountain Trail in north
Vancouver. Every fall, people compete to see who can get up it the fastest. You
can't go to Vancouver without doing The Grouse Grind. I would consider myself to
be in pretty okay shape, and yet people from Vancouver would fly past me on both
sides. It's really steep and beautiful, but it's physical. I thought I had to be
almost done, and we were just at the halfway mark. You see kids doing it and
people twice your age doing it without a problem. I wished I really was in the
CIA and could call for a helicopter extraction, because it kicked my butt. When
you're done with The Grouse Grind, there's a little restaurant up top with a
gorgeous view. You take a gondola back down.
Most people take from 1-2 hours. The record is 23 minutes. They have a race every September. I think these guys are applying for the Superman role (lol)
Swiss visitor after completing Grouse grind
Once you reach the top, the view is spectacular. There's a cafeteria, restaurant, cinema, gift shop. Outside there are wolves, a grizzly bear den, and for those so inclined, you can hike to the very top. It's the reward once you've made it, that makes it all worth while.
You can hike back down, but most people take the tram. It's actually harder on your body going down, than up. If you are still up to more activity, there's an old mountain road, which you can walk back down. It's a leisurely 2 hour walk.
It goes without saying, this is for those who want a challenge, and are prepared for it. Good shoes are a must. Wear layers, with shorts being easier than long pants. A water bottle is a must.
I've done this tour a few times. Most are cursing me on the way up, but thanking me on the way back down.
View on top of Grouse Mountain, looking down on Vancouver. Notice the hang glider, that took off from top of the mountain.
Stanley Park and Seawall
3-4 hours. 5.5 miles, 8 kilometers. Very easy walk.$35.00pp.
Probably Vancouver's most well known landmark. Stanley Park is a 1000 acre sanctuary, from downtown hustle and bustle. http://www.seestanleypark.com/
With it's thousands of trees, beaches, sports fields, wilderness critters, and stunning views, it makes a perfect Oasis. located at the North end of downtown, Stanley Park, is 75% surrounded by water. A seawall circum navigates the park. 5.5 miles of flat terrain, with gorgeous views. Inside the park there are other activities to see. The Vancouver Aquarium, Brocton Oval, The famous Totems, a miniature railway, the Nine O'clock Gun, and Malkin Bowl, home to Theatre under the Sky every summer.
Stanley Park Totems
Nine O' Clock Gun
With everything Stanley Park has to offer, you literally could spend all day there. Walking, cycling, roller blading, horse drawn carriages, swimming, or even live theatre, there is something there for almost everyone. It was rumoured that Howard Hughes, who stayed at the Bayshore Inn, use to come to Stanley Park almost everyday. It was said he could go there in peace, and no one recognizing him. No matter your reason, a trip to Vancouver would seem incomplete without a visit to Stanley Park.
If you're planning to visit Vancouver, I wish you all a good stay, and hopefully a longer stay than expected. If I can be so bold, and mention some other activities, that might make your stay, a little more memorable, here's a list of things, I think would be fun.
Take an Aqua Bus to Granville Island http://www.GranvilleIsland.com
Take a harbor cruise. There are many companies to choose from.
Check out some of Vancouver's many beaches. Too many to list, but my count equals 7.
Rent a kayak, and paddle.
Rent a bicycle, and ride.
Take a day trip and go river rafting.
Take a day trip to Whistler
Take a day or overnighter to Victoria.
Take in a ball game at "The prettiest little ball park" at Nat Bailey Park. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/natbailey stadium
Jazz Festival -Late June, early July http://www.coastaljazz.ca/
Bard on the Beach-Summers to late September http://www.bardonthebeach.org
Theatre Under the Stars-Malkin Bowl Mid July-Mid August en.wikipedia.org/wiki/theatre_under_the_stars
PNE Fair Late August to Labor day weekend http://www.pne.ca
Langley Cruise in- Saturday after Labor Day. Downtown Langley http://www.langleycruise-in.com
For those here between late September and mid spring, catch a Canuck"s game at the " Garage" other wise known as GM Place. canucks.nhl.com
Also we have great junior hockey at the Pacific Colisieum "The future stars of the NHL" http://www.vancouvergiants.com
Stanley Park miniature railway has light and seasonal shows through October for Halloween, and again at Christmas, travelwithkids.about.com/cs/.../a/stanleyparktrai..html
For more activities in and around Vancouver, I would suggest the following.
Vancouver Plus: http://www.vancouverplus.ca/ or
Georgia Straight Newspaper: http://www.mondotimes.com/1/world/ca/54/2940/7459
I have contacts with other activities such as kayaking, cycle tours, sailing, sky diving, and river rafting.
I hope this web site has been of some use to those of you that have read I appreciate your time in doing so. It would be nice to meet many of you, and I do hope if you've thought of visiting Vancouver, that you actually make the trip. With the winter Olympics, giving us much exposure, I'm sure that many people will contemplate coming here. Please, feel free to ask me questions about my tours, or the city. I'll do my best to answer as much as I can. If you are in need of a translator, please let me know, and I'm sure I can find someone who can translate for us.
For anyone who might be looking for something different, I also have a 2 day BC Back Country tour. In this tour we go off the beaten track, and explore some of BC'S "hidden gems". For more information on that please click this link. http://members.shaw.ca/bcbackcountrytours
