VanDusen Botanical Gardens

Rated this place:

5251 Oak Street, Vancouver, BC, V6M4H1

Lilypad: It's a lovely splash of colour in the midst of the vast garden, like something out of a fairytale.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Lilypad

Vancouver Folk Music Festival

Rated this place:

Jericho Beach, Vancouver, BC

Outdoor concert venue: It's magical, easily the most laid back and downright nice festival I've ever attended. The crowds and music are excellent.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Outdoor concert venue

Jericho Beach Park

Rated this place:

3941 Point Grey Road, Vancouver, BC, V6R1B5

West side beach: It's got killer views, the beach goes on forever, and the sunset lasts forever. This one is less crowded than beaches closer to town, and occasionally I've run into a seal while swimming. They're usually as surprised and curious as I am!

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• West side Beach

Stanley Park

Rated this place:

Georgia Street, west end, Vancouver, BC, BC V6J 5L1

Totem poles (in vancouver): They were some of the first ones I ever saw when I came here to BC, and they represent many different styles and eras of Totem pole all in one place.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Totem Poles (in Vancouver)

Pacific National Exhibition (PNE)

Rated this place:

2901 East Hastings Street, Vancouver, V5K 5J1

Rollercoaster: This one's called the Corkscrew, and when that yearning for a crazy ride hits, the double helix inversion is the just the thing.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Rollercoaster

Teahouse in Stanley Park

Rated this place:

Ferguson Point, Stanley Park Drive, Vancouver, BC, V6G 1A1

Scenic restaurant: In addition to the fantastic westward view, fine menu and four fireplaces, it's a lovely drive to get there. A favorite for wedding receptions and photography as well.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Scenic Restaurant

The Original Paper-Ya Co Ltd

Rated this place:

9-1666 Johnston Street (Grandville Island), Vancouver, BC, V6H3S2

Wrapping paper: There is plenty of choice, yet the offerings are distinctive. Rare wrappings for rare gifts, makes sense, wouldn't you say?

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Wrapping paper

Vancity Theatre / Vancouver International Film Centre

Rated this place:

1181 Seymour Street, Vancouver, BC, V6B 3M7

Movie theatre: They're likely to be showing something I want to see! The seats are basically all overstuffed easy chairs with double wide armrests so everybody has plenty of room.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• movie theatre

Stock Market

Rated this place:

1689 Johnston Street, Granville Island Public Market, Vancouver, V6H 3R9

Soup: The soup tastes excellent, is made with fresh ingredients, and I can take it with me. Whoever said you can't take it with you was wrong. You can. Just as long as it's soup. Also brilliant salsas!

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Soup

Naramata Bench

Rated this place:

Naramata Road, Naramata, BC

Place to see a llama: Well folks, this is waaay out of town on the east side of Lake Okanagan. But if you do find yourself there and see Llamas wandering down the street, it isn't because you made a few too many stops on the wine tour. It's because they're really there.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Place to see a Llama

Hedley Trading Post

Rated this place:

5777 Haynes Street, Hedley, BC, V0X1K0

Unusual gifts for unusual people (outof town): Hedley is nestled in the mountains on Highway 3 between Penticton and Hope. The Hedley Trading Post has some unusual things here and there, as well as regular touristy items. Good selection of crystals and geodes and things.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Unusual Gifts for Unusual People (outof town)

Lonsdale Quay Market

Rated this place:

123 Carrie Cates Court, North Vancouver, BC, V7M 3K7

Northshore market: It's accessible via the Seabus, has plenty of shops, and has great views of Vancouver from the Quay.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Northshore market

The Muffin Delight

Rated this place:

123 Carrie Cates Court (Lonsdale Quay), North Vancouver, BC, V7M3K7

Hot coconut milk: We used to work gazillion hour days, and the hot coconut milk was a succulent caffiene free afternoon pickmeup. Their namesake muffins are fine too!

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Hot Coconut Milk

West Jet, Vancouver International Airport

Rated this place:

Richmond, V7B 1Y7

Airline (domestic): Okay, prices for everything are going up. So why not have a flight that's fairly enjoyable? The Westjet planes are nearly new, well run, and the staff are nice. Which is more than I can say for any other domestic airline. And they have flights to a good number of domestic and international destinations. The fact that the staff are part owners in the airline makes a difference, as far as I can tell.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Airline (domestic)

Banyen Books and Sound

Rated this place:

3608 W. 4th Ave, Vancouver, BC, V6R 1P1

Inspirational bookstore: Their selection of books is unparalleled. The atmosphere of the store itself is very consistent with the peaceful and happy state of being the books are supposed to help us have.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Inspirational bookstore

Naam

Rated this place:

2724 W. 4th Ave, Vancouver, BC, V6K 1R1

24 hr vegetarian: There are plenty of choices, you can get scrambled eggs for breakfast, and I can't even eat the whole Tempeh Reuben platter.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• 24 hr Vegetarian

Halfmoon Yoga Products

Rated this place:

1650 Johnston St, Vancouver

Teapot: The Japanese Beehouse Teapot is sleek, simple and durable. And it makes an excellent cup of tea. There are several other places in town where you can buy them, but it's nice to see that Halfmoon is carrying them now too.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Teapot

Aphrodite Cafe and Pie Shop

Rated this place:

3598 W 4th Ave, Vancouver, BC

Pie: They're all organic, and yes, that seems to be a big part of the reason they taste so good.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• pie

Sophie's Cosmic Cafe

Rated this place:

2095 W. 4th Avenue, Vancouver, BC

Salmon burger: We're up to our eyeballs in kitsch in here. Everything I draw on the placemats comes true. The Salmon Burger is excellent. And the staff is committed to solid, friendly service.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Salmon Burger

Crocodile Baby

Rated this place:

Penninsula Village, #230 - 15355 24th Avenue, South Surrey, BC, V4A2H9

Baby store: They were nice to me when I was shopping for my ever expanding brood of nieces and nephews. And they have a sense of humour.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Baby store

Australian Boot Company

Rated this place:

1968 West 4th Ave, Vancouver, BC, V6J 1M5

Boot store: Blundstones pull on and off, and I've spent my lifetime allocation of shoe tying time. The boots look good and wear very well. I can take them to the office or the wackiest location- glass blowing studios, farms, film studios, you get the picture. And they have discounts for members of groups like the DGC.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• boot store

Vancouver Maritime Museum

Rated this place:

1905 Ogden Avenue, Vancouver, BC, V6J1A3

Submarine: I had no idea it was there! I was out for a walk and there it was, the Ben Franklin, a full on fo-real submarine.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• submarine

False Creek Ferries/Aquabus

Rated this place:

230-1333 Johnston Street, Vancouver, V6H 3R9

Public transit: It's totally improbable to have a stocky little fleet of boats supplying public transit, but hopelessly endearing to me. I just love it.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Public Transit

Organic Acres

Rated this place:

150-1689 Johnston Street, Vancouver, BC, V6H3R9

Organic veggie stand: They've got everything you can think of in organic vegetables, they're always fresh, and the staff is efficient but still manages to be fairly nice.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Organic Veggie stand

Salmon Shop

Rated this place:

112-1689 Johnston St., Vancouver, BC, V6H 3R9

Tandoori smoked salmon: Where else in the world are you going to find this? Also BBQ Salmon, Maple Salmon... you get the picture. Remember to ask for some ice with your fish if it's going to be a while before you get home!

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Tandoori Smoked Salmon