The Traveling American has visited more than sixty cities in the United States and Canada over the past thirty years. The task of naming the Top Ten large cities in these two countries was a difficult one. We defined large cities as those with a metropolitan population of at least 300,000 and ended up placing thirteen cities on our list (there were a few ties). We believe these cities are the most memorable places in these two countries for travelers to experience during a short visit.

A CITY TIED FOR NUMBER 6 IS VANCOUVER. BRITISH COLUMBIA:

Vancouver is an important stop for anyone seeking to enjoy the beauty of the Pacific coast and experience the great outdoors. Located just thirty miles north of the Canadian border, Vancouver could have ended up being part of the United States if expansionists in Congress seeking to negotiate a border with Great Britain at the 54th parallel had prevailed instead of President James Polk who agreed to a boundary at the 49th parallel. Today, Vancouver is Canada’s third largest city with a diverse population of almost 2.5 million people in the metro area. It is a gateway for foreign investors and immigrants from Asia and elsewhere seeking a new life in North America. 

Vancouver, like Seattle, has a large harbor for shipping, is protected from harsher norther weather by the surrounding mountains, and is separated from the Pacific by the 400-mile-long Vancouver Island to the west. These natural features plus a favorable business climate have made Vancouver a popular place for movie and TV production, world festivals, and the arts in general. Other prominent industries in Vancouver include computer software, forestry, and consumer products. Vancouver is densely populated with a high cost of living and little affordable housing, but the city is frequently cited as having a high quality of life for residents because of its food and entertainment options and abundant outdoor attractions. It is not hard for visitors to find tours or guides offering activities from whale watching to seaplane rides, or from kayaking to hiking. 

Vancouver is a popular destination for travelers throughout the year and draws a large number of cruise visitors during the warmer months. The northwest regions of the Pacific have a well-deserved reputation for rainy weather. Precipitation is most common in Vancouver from October to March each year and decreases to only a few inches of rain monthly from April to September. Since average high temperatures exceed 60 degrees Fahrenheit from May to September, those five months offer the best conditions to enjoy the indoor and outdoor amenities of the region. 

Some of the destinations most frequently enjoyed by visitors to the city include:

World Famous Stanley Park - Stanley Park was named the top park in the world by TripAdvisor. Stanley Park is an urban retreat adjacent to the downtown which includes over one thousand acres of public land along the waterfront with forest trails, playgrounds, an aquarium, beaches, and wildlife. Many people experience the park by walking, biking, or jogging on the seawall that starts at the city convention center and runs for twenty miles or by following the seventeen miles of wooded trails that cover the interior sections. For a more tranquil experience, the park has a miniature train which does a 15-minute loop in the park and offers horse carriage rides. Another popular activity in the park is the Vancouver Aquarium with thirty educational exhibits on marine life and interactive animal displays. For history buffs, the Brockton Point section of the park is known for its 100-year-old lighthouse and a First Nation display of ten replica totem poles. With plenty of open space and relaxing views, Stanley Park is a frequent site for outdoor festivals and events.

Canada Place- Canada Place is a national landmark located on the harbor of Vancouver that serves as a welcome center for people arriving in the city by ship or visiting the downtown. With an iconic design reminiscent of a ship with sails, this multi-use facility includes a convention center, an office tower for Vancouver’s world trade center, the ornate Pan Pacific Hotel, a cruise ship terminal, outdoor viewing pavilions overlooking the harbor and several attractions. One attraction is the Fly Over Canada flight simulation rides in which patrons seated in rows in front of a domed screen take off and receive beautiful views of some of Canada’s most stunning natural wonders, the Canadian Rockies, or  locations in the Western United States.

Grouse Mountain- Grouse Mountain is the counterpoint to Stanley Park. Towering 4100-feet over North Vancouver, the mountain is a vast alpine recreation area that is busy year-round. Winter activities include thirty-three ski and snowboard runs, four chairlifts, sledding and snowshoe trails, a skating pond, dining and drinking establishments, and even a theater. During warmer months, the Skyride gondola ride provides a scenic view of the mountain and much of the city below. More ambitious visitors can hike to the top on a 2-mile trail with endless stairs and take the gondola back down.

Granville Island  Several neighborhoods in Vancouver are known for shopping such as Robson Street, coffee shops like the West End, or late-night entertainment like the Yaletown District. But the best-known area for browsing, food and entertainment is Granville Island. This restored industrial district offers dozens of shops, theaters, and restaurants markets all in one location.  People are usually drawn there by the Public Market which features fresh produce grocers and food stalls selling a wide variety of prepared meals and baked goods. Entertainers, brew pubs, children’s activities add to the festive spirit of this district.

Day Trip to Nearby Victoria-   Although it is more than three hours away from downtown Vancouver by ferry service or car, the picturesque town of Victoria is a popular excursion for visitors to the area. Victoria has a picturesque inner harbor area as well as the ornate Victorian and neo-baroque governmental buildings and hotels. The best-known attraction in Victoria is the Butchart Gardens. Established in the early 1900s by the Butchart family on a former limestone quarry, the hundreds of different plants, trees, and flowers in the garden are viewed by more than a million people each year.  

Other Places to See- Another leading attraction near Vancouver is the huge Capilano River Suspension Bridge that crosses the river at a height of 230 feet. It provides access to a cliff walk and also an attraction called the Treetops Adventures which allows visitors to walk among beautiful, carpeted forests via an elevated suspension walkways. Cultural enthusiasts are also likely to enjoy the First Nation artifacts and art presented at the Museum of Anthropology, the VanDusen Botanical Gardens, and the Vancouver Art Gallery.