A Weekend In Vancouver

I was just in Vancouver a couple weeks ago (for the first time in 10 years or so) and was reminded of what a cool city it is! I thought it would be fun to share a few of the activities I took part in during my weekend stay on the coast.

I had initially booked the trip to attend the Vancouver Yoga Conference and was just heading down for the weekend. It was a small conference, which only took up about half the day so I ended up having a bit more time to explore than I initially expected. Luckily, many different yoga studios attended the conference so I received a few free passes to check out various studios throughout the city. I attended a couple different studios in the downtown core, that I would definitely return to.

View from Vancouver Conference Center (Merriam, Megan. 2012)

Yyoga was my favourite by far. They offer a variety of classes, including both hot and traditional practices. They have a number of studios throughout the Vancouver area, so they are pretty easy to access. The Yaletown location (which I attended) had full service amenities, mat and towel service, and an awesome tea lounge, which is all included with a drop in price of $15-$20 (depending on class length).  If you are into Bikram yoga, Bikram Yoga Vancouver is an awesome place to check out. They have three locations in Vancouver, and they are one of Vancouvers origional hot yoga studios. As a certified Bikram studio, they do only teach the Bikram series, so ensure that is what you're looking for before going to this studio. 

Seawall - Night Trek (Merriam, Megan. 2012)

I chose to check out the Vancouver Aquarium on Sunday afternoon. I arrived at the aquarium around 4:00 PM and they were closing at 5:00 PM. The staff seemed to think that it wasn't enough time, but I was able to see almost everything in about 45 minutes (so you don't need to allot a ton of time if you want to check it out).  Keep in mind that the majority of the aquarium is outside, so be sure to dress appropriate for Vancouver weather. Rainboots and a umbrella are essential! I did not show up prepared, and ended up using a yoga mat for protection from the rain (...still worked).

Walking the Seawall should be on everyone's to-do list when in Vancouver. From the aquarium, it is a 2 hour walk, right along the coast. Try to do this on a nice day for the best view (I made the mistake of doing it at night, in the rain) and for all you runners out there, this is a perfect jog route! 

Honey Doughnuts & Cookies (Merriam, Megan. 2012)

After walking the Seawall, I came across The Fish House in Stanley Park. I walked in - soaking wet from my earlier adventures - and they quickly sat me in front of a fireplace and served me one of the best butternut squash soups I've ever had. They have an amazing selection of fresh fish on the menu (hence the name) and a great wine menu. The restaurant is quiet on Sunday nights, but they suggest that you make a reservation if you want to dine any other night of the week. I was looking for a good sushi restaurant to try out, but there were too many to choose from. Does anyone have a favourite spot for sushi or fresh fish in Vancouver?

Hiking Mount Seymour (Merriam, Megan. 2012)

I also made it out to Deep Cove, an adorable community, about 30 minutes (drive or SeaBus) from downtown Vancouver. It is a very quaint town, off the most eastern bay of North Vancouver, at the bottom of Mount Seymour. There are hiking and biking trails up the mountain and kayaking and fishing in the bay, making it a very popular location for outdoor enthusiasts. Honey Doughnuts & Cookies, located on the main street, is a great place to treat yourself after an activity filled day - famous for their fresh honey doughnuts. 

A weekend trip was not enough time to spend in Vancouver, but just enough to make me eager to go back. Any opinions on Vancouver would be great to hear!