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Jericho Beach
An activity-lovers idyll - Jericho is also great if you just want to putter along the beach, clamber over driftwood logs and catch stunning panoramic vistas of downtown Vancouver sandwiched between the water and the looming North Shore mountains. It's also popular with sunset fans.
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Kitsilano Beach
Mega-popular Kits Beach faces English Bay and has a strong claim to being the city's favorite summer hangout. The wide, sandy expanse flanking the water here attracts buff Frisbee tossers and giggling volleyball players, as well as those who just like to preen while they're catching the rays.
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Lighthouse Park
Some of the region's oldest and most spectacular trees live within this accessible 75-hectare park, including a rare stand of original coastal forest and plenty of those gnarly, copper-trunked arbutus trees. It's ideal for a romantic picnic, and you'll find plenty of doe-eyed couples hogging the grass here.
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Lonsdale Quay
As well as being a transportation hub - this is where the SeaBus from downtown docks and you pick up transit buses to Capilano, Grouse and beyond - this waterfront facility built for Expo '86 houses a colorful indoor market.
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Lost Lagoon
This area near the park's entrance was originally an extension of Coal Harbour, but by 1916 the bridge was replaced with a causeway, and in 1922 the new body of water was named, transforming itself into a freshwater lake a few years later. Today it's a wild-bird sanctuary and its perimeter path makes for a wonderful nature-bound walk.
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Lumberman's Arch
Once the site of a Coast Salish village, Lumberman's Arch received its modern name from the beefy, rough-hewn archway donated by the Lumberman's and Shingleman's Society. If your kids have overheated themselves by running wild in the sun, cool them off here at the giggle-inducing seafront Water Park.
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Lynn Canyon Park
Set amid a dense bristling of ancient trees, the main feature of this provincial park is its swinging suspension bridge, a free alternative to Capilano. Not quite as long or high as its tourist-magnet rival, it provokes the same jelly-legged reaction as you sway over the river 50m below - and it's also far less crowded or commercialized.
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Marine Building
Vancouver's most romantic old-school tower block is an evocative reminder of what skyscrapers used to look like before bland concrete and faceless glass caught the eye of area developers. A graceful, 22-story, Art Deco tribute to the city's maritime past, its grand entranceway resembles a ship's prow while a salty frieze of waves, marine flora and sea horses wraps around the building's exterior.
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Miniature Railway & Children's Farmyard
Near the aquarium, these twin, kid-friendly attractions are a big draw in summer. The farmyard allows youngsters to interact with llamas, sheep, goats, cows, hens and other small animals in a way that will make you wonder why you bother spending money on much pricier zoos back home. In contrast, the railway offers a 15-minute train ride that kids of all ages can enjoy.
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Model Trains Museum & Model Ships Museum
Of the twin museums discreetly housed here under one roof, the train museum wins hands down. With one of the world's largest toy locomotive collections - there are so many that only a lucky few get to rattle around the giant BC railway layout - it will be rare if you don't spot a reminder or two from your childhood.
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Mt Seymour Provincial Park
A popular, rustic retreat from the downtown clamour, this giant, tree-lined park is suffused with more than a dozen summertime hiking trails that suit walkers of most abilities (the easiest path is the 2km Goldie Lake Trail). Many trails wind past lakes and centuries-old Douglas firs and offer a true break from the city.
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Museum Of Anthropology
As of 2 September, 2008, the Museum of Anthropology will be closed for renovations. It is scheduled to reopen on 3 March, 2009. Public programs will continue to be held offsite - check their website for details.
With Canada's best display of northwest-coast First Nations artifacts in a spectacular waterfront setting, this is Vancouver's best museum. The totem poles alone - displayed against a wall of glass overlooking the coastline - are worth the admission.
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Nitobe Memorial Garden
This lovely garden is a perfect example of Japan's symbolic horticultural art form. Aside from some traffic noise, it's a tranquil retreat, ideal for quiet meditation. Considered one of North America's most authentic Japanese gardens, it's divided into a Tea Garden - complete with ceremonial teahouse - and a Stroll Garden, where the layout reflects a symbolic journey through life following the principles of yin and yang.
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Pacific Spirit Regional Park
This stunning 763-hectare park - the city's largest - cuts a wide swathe across the peninsula. Stretching from Burrard Inlet on one side to the North Arm of the Fraser River on the other, it's a green buffer zone between the campus and the city. A smashing spot to hug some trees and explore (there are 54km of walking, jogging and cycling trails) - you'll marvel at the giant cedars and firs that will be towering over you here.
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Pendulum Gallery
A creative use for the cavernous atrium of the city's main HSBC Bank Building - you'll be overlooking the cash machines and smiling bank tellers - this gallery offers an ever-changing roster of temporary exhibitions. It's mostly new art, and can range from striking paintings to challenging photographs and quirky arts and crafts.
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Prospect Point
One of Vancouver's most glorious lookouts, this lofty spot is located at the park's northern tip. In summer you'll be jostling for elbow room with the tour groups as you angle for a view of the passing cruise ships - heading down the steep stairs to the viewing platform usually shakes some of them off.
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Queen Elizabeth Park
The city's highest point - it's 167m above sea level and has smashing views of the mountain-framed downtown skyscrapers - this 52-hectare park claims to house specimens of every tree native to Canada (look out for the white-flowered dogwood, BC's floral emblem). Sports fields, manicured lawns, formal gardens and pitch-and-putt golf keep the locals happy, and you'll likely see wide-eyed wedding couples posing for their photos.
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Robson Street
Locals, international tourists and recent immigrants - count the number of accents you catch as you stroll along here - throng the hotels, eateries and shops of Robson St, Vancouver's de facto promenade.
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Roedde House Museum & Barclay Heritage Square
For a glimpse of what pioneer-town Vancouver looked like before the glass towers, drop by this handsome 1893 Queen Anne-style mansion, now a lovingly preserved museum. Designed by infamous BC architect Francis Rattenbury, the house is packed with period antiques and the surrounding gardens planted in period style. Sunday entry, including tea and cookies in the garden, costs around C$1 extra.
Read more about Roedde House Museum & Barclay Heritage Square
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Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre
Those interested in the history of the Canadian Pacific Railway should visit the Roundhouse, formerly a CPR repair shed. It now houses handsome Engine No 374 (www.wcra.org/engine374), which brought the first passenger train into the city in 1887. Yaletown was once a busy locomotive hub, and rail lines are still embedded in the streets around the area.
Read more about Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre
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Sam Kee Building
This structure near the corner of Carrall St made it into Guinness World Records as the world's narrowest office building. It's easy to miss because it looks like the front of the larger building behind, to which it is attached. It's currently an insurance company office and there isn't much to see inside, but it's still a nifty stop if you're passing this way.
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Science World & Alcan Omnimax Theatre
Nestled under the city's gleaming geodesic dome (or 'silver golf ball' as the locals often call it) are two levels of hands-on science, technology and natural-history exhibits aimed at satisfying the most enquiring of minds. It's an ideal place to bring kids - the gallery that explores sustainability issues is recommended, along with the water course of ball cannons and bridges. Expect to spend at least a few hours here.
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Seawall Promenade
The 9km (5mi) Seawall Promenade - ideal for cycling, walking, jogging and in-line skating - hugs Stanley Park's shoreline. Keep in mind that cyclists and skaters, like vehicles, must travel counterclockwise around the park, and it can get crowded on weekends.
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Second Beach & Third Beach
Second Beach is an ever-busy, family-friendly area on the park's western side, with a large, grassy playground, a greasy-spoon snack bar that also serves ice cream, and the Stanley Park Pitch & Putt golf course. Its main attraction, though, is the seasonal outdoor swimming pool that sits on the waterfront overlooking the distant UBC peninsula.
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Sikh Temple
Not in the market, but close enough to be worth the extra trip, is the Sikh Temple. Designed by Arthur Erickson, the building has the hallmarks of traditional Indian architecture. Visitors are welcome to look inside as long as they follow the prescribed customs: women need to bring a scarf to cover their head, and you'll be asked to leave your shoes at the entrance. It's off SE Marine Dr, near Knight St.
