NationStates Jolt Archive

So I'm getting flown out to BC in August for school and I figured that I would go a few days early since I've never been out west and since I'm getting a free flight out there I might as well see some sights and the like. I figured that I'd fly into Vancouver and then bus to Penticton and then go to the school dealy from there... anyways, does anyone know where there's a good (and cheap) place to stay in Vancouver? Also, are there any must-sees/dos while I'm there?

Yeah, I don't know too much about the city, but I figure going there is the best way to learn more about it. :p

I was there for a few hours one day. We checked out the shopping district and that huge park which I can't remember the name of and sat at the port for a while before having to drive back to the states. It's a rather nice city although I have a friend who says "yeah, its nice if you like drugs and dirty whores".

No, not really. But if you want to know, wiki is your friend.;)

Canucks rock!


Well, they're okay, anyways. They're no Devils...

So I'm getting flown out to BC in August for school and I figured that I would go a few days early since I've never been out west and since I'm getting a free flight out there I might as well see some sights and the like. I figured that I'd fly into Vancouver and then bus to Penticton and then go to the school dealy from there... anyways, does anyone know where there's a good (and cheap) place to stay in Vancouver? Also, are there any must-sees/dos while I'm there?

Yeah, I don't know too much about the city, but I figure going there is the best way to learn more about it. :p
Try one of those on-line things like priceline or expedia.

I'm a lot more familiar with the Abbotsford area because of the base. It's a long drive to Vancouver. I'm sure you can find a decent hotel, once you decide where you want to stay.

Try one of those on-line things like priceline or expedia.
I tried looking at expedia for my plane tickets and they were like $200 more than I've been quoted at TravelCuts, so I'm not sure how good their hotel thingies are. I am somewhat hoping to bum a spot on a couch... I have some friends who might be down there by that time (one who is going to school in BC starting in September and one who is going to visit his parents out there in August)... but having a back up plan of a really cheap hotel would be good I think.

Omg! wikitravel is awesome! look, places to go, places to eat, places to sleep et c. http://wikitravel.org/en/Vancouver sweet. :)

Mwuahaha! I live there X33

But if you're looking for a cheap place to stay, good freakn' luck! >>;

Bring an umbrella, that's all I can say X3

Well, I found one hostel that's $10 a night if I don't mind sharing a room with 5 other people, $20 if I want a single.

I'd say that's pretty cheap. I'm only there for 5 days or so, so I'm not particularly concerned about living in a shithole for that long.

Also, I thought it was supposed to be relatively dry during the summer?

I've never been there, i'm afraid. Try Google.

Vancouver...

Well it is quite pretty when driving through on a bus at 11:30 at night.

I mean, you got your city, your ocean, your snow capped mountains. What more could you ask for in a city?

Vancouver...

Well it is quite pretty when driving through on a bus at 11:30 at night.

I mean, you got your city, your ocean, your snow capped mountains. What more could you ask for in a city?

A large fountain of ale.

EDIT: With free access.

Staying in Richmond should be cheaper than Vancouver, and it is only across the river. Stay off East Hastings, it is full of nothing but hookers and dealers. It's not as bad as it used to be because an increase in police presence caused them to migrate into the nicer part of the city.

The Rock Shop is a pretty good place to go if you are really into music. Google Map it if you are interested. Actually, that peninsula would be a good place to wander as it is nice IIRC. Chinatown could be a place to visit too. It is on and around Pender Street (again Google Maps is your friend). Richmond has a (smaller) Chinatown too, but I have no idea where. There is also the Punjabi Market (Main St near 49th) which is supposed to offer good bargains.

UBC has a nice museum (Museum of Anthropology) either on or near campus. And um, that is all I can be arsed to remember ATM.

Yeah. Stay away from East Hastings.

I live here. Well, I live about twenty minutes out of Vancouver, actually. Sadly, that doesn't mean I actually know anything. :p I third the East Hastings comment, though - now there's a place you don't wanna wander on your own. Stanley Park was destroyed a little this past winter, but it's a lovely place; I used to go to the aquarium all the time as a kid, and the zoo - and I still go on the train every Christmas!

Uhm... what else... well, there are some really nice beaches, but it's not quite warm enough yet. It will probably pour all five days you're out here, because Vancouver's like that. :p We also have awesome sushi. Actually, we have awesome food, in general - diversity is good for something! There's the Richmond Night Market, if you're here over a weekend, which is worth checking out.

I live here. Well, I live about twenty minutes out of Vancouver, actually. Sadly, that doesn't mean I actually know anything. :p I third the East Hastings comment, though - now there's a place you don't wanna wander on your own. Stanley Park was destroyed a little this past winter, but it's a lovely place; I used to go to the aquarium all the time as a kid, and the zoo - and I still go on the train every Christmas!

Uhm... what else... well, there are some really nice beaches, but it's not quite warm enough yet. It will probably pour all five days you're out here, because Vancouver's like that. :p We also have awesome sushi. Actually, we have awesome food, in general - diversity is good for something! There's the Richmond Night Market, if you're here over a weekend, which is worth checking out.
There is a nude beach somewhere. Some idiots where dumb enough to build houses overlooking it and then bitch about the beach.

There is a nude beach somewhere. Some idiots where dumb enough to build houses overlooking it and then bitch about the beach.

Yeah, Wreck Beach is one. I'm pretty sure there are a couple.

Ohhh, speaking of beaches, check out Kitsilano Beach. It has its own website:
http://www.city.vancouver.bc.ca/parks/rec/beaches/kitsb.htm

Well, I found one hostel that's $10 a night if I don't mind sharing a room with 5 other people, $20 if I want a single.

I'd say that's pretty cheap. I'm only there for 5 days or so, so I'm not particularly concerned about living in a shithole for that long.

Also, I thought it was supposed to be relatively dry during the summer?

I fear to think where you will be staying for $10 a night... but I guess it would depend on what you're comfortable with.

As for the dry comment... it's laughable.
... that's what all tourists think, and they all get soaked. It rains 9 months out of the year here, and for a month and a half of what's left, we get hail or slush. Could be beautiful in the morning and thunderstom on the afternoon.

Deffinately stay off East Hastings.

And there are large pockets of construction EVERYwhere in the downtown now, so make sure you don't fall into one of the huge pits.

I know what country it's in. Does that count as familiar?

I went there once, but it was about 5 years ago. The bay was very pretty & Stanley Park was cool. Our hostel was right in the middle of the red light district!

I live here - I'll leave you some tips when I wake up. There are some fun areas to check out. Don't believe the East Hastings haters - it's not dangerous in the daytime, just a bit sketchy. Also, past downtown nearer to the PNE the street is actually awesome. Tons of delicious Pho and italian supermarkets and bakeries. Yum.

I've never been there, but I've seen it. Vancouver is the third most filmed city in North America.