The H.R. MacMillan Space Centre is open daily. On Saturday evenings there are viewing of differenct Planetarium production, micro-lecture plus you can always visit to the observatory.

History of the Space Centre

The H.R. MacMillan Planetarium opened for business on October 28, 1968, it was a gift from lumber tycoon H.R. MacMillan to the residents of Vancouver. Space exploration during the 1960s was starting and intrigued H.R. MacMillan who wanted to provide a centre for the people of his day and future generations to learn about space.

At opening the H.R MacMillan centre just had the Planetarium Theatre and they added the exhibit gallery and new theatre in 1997. The Space Centre transformed over the year into the resource for the community as it is known today to provide learning about space for everyone.

The unique look of the H.R MacMillan Space Centre was designed by architect Gerald Hamilton, and it is today one of most original and recognized buildings in Vancouver. The roof of the building may look like a space craft, but is was really made to look at the hats that the native people of that region wore (Haida people). When it opened in 1968, the H.R MacMillan Space Centre has shared the building with the Museum of Vancouver.

Name Changes Over The Years
1968 H.R. MacMillan Planetarium
1997 Pacific Space Centre
2000 H.R. MacMillan Space Centre

Address: 1100 Chestnut Street
Vancouver, BC
V6J 3J9

During the Ming dynasty, scholars and intellectuals of that time, lived and worked in their garden, sharing these inspiring spaces with friends and family of all ages. The scholar’s garden was filled with positive energy, but also offered serene moments for reflection on life.

History

The Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Garden Society began in 1981 and is a not-for-profit organization with the aim to be a bridge of understanding and enhance relationship between Chinese and Western cultures as well to promote Chinese culture generally and be a vital part of the local community.

The Garden recieves its funding from all levels of Canadian government, private individuals, corporations and the Chinese government. The Garden was built in 1985-1986 using the time tested fundamental techniques used by the original Ming dynasty garden. Fifty-two master craftsmen from Suzhou China working with Canadian builders, completed this landscaping masterpiece in a year. The detailed hallways and walkways were constructed with precision craftsmanship, joining the components without the use of nails, screws or glue. The Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Garden opened for visitors on April 24, 1986.

The Sun Yat-Sen Garden was built using the principle of collaborative design, in which the Garden goes well and compliments the public park close to it; improving the view in both places. For the architect, the botanist, the student of history, the lover of beauty, the Garden provides insights into the subtle wonders to be found within the walls of this living treasure.

Who was Dr. Sun Yat-Sen

Known as the “Father of Modern China,” Dr. Sun Yat-Sen is recognized for his central role in the history of modern China where he sought to bring democratic rule in the early 20th century. He visited Vancouver three times to fund-raise in support of the revolution.

Born into a peasant family in Guangdong Province in 1866, he was educated in Hawaii exposing him to Western thought at an early age. Later, he left his medical career to devote himself to the cause of democracy. As China’s first professional revolutionary, he traveled the world promoting the pro-democracy movement and raising funds.

Dr. Sun Yat-Sen is credited with leading the 1911 revolution that finally overthrew the Qing dynasty. He became the first president of the Republic of China in 1912, but resigned shortly after to devote his efforts to the economic development of China. Since his death in 1925, Dr. Sun Yat -Sen’s persona has evolved into a heroic symbol of modern China. He is known as Guo Fu, the Father of the Country.

As you cross the Capilano suspension bridge you will hear sounds of nature, see beautiful gardens skirt and colourful totem poles. You will also see First Nations legends chiseled into cedar. The Capilano Suspension Bridge will provide you with a sense of peacefulness from the West Coast rainforest surroudings.

The reason why the Capilano Suspension Bridge is one of Vancouver, British Columbia’s most famous tourist attractions is because there are lots of things to see and do onsite. It is not far from downtown Vancouver, Capilano Suspension Bridge and area provides history, adventure and culture making this Vancouver tourist spot a complete British Columbia experience and should make your short list of things to do in Vancouver, BC.

Bilt over a hundred years ago in 1889, the Capilano Suspension Bridge measures 450 feet (137m) across and 230 feet (70m) high above Capilano River. Since 1889 alot of other attractions has added to the 27 acre park. In addition to the bridge there are also gift shops with lots of quality merchandise from all over Canada and great homemade fudge. But wait there are also lots of other activities and attractions, see below.

Other Activities:

Treetops Adventure:
Treetops Adventure is the first venue of its kind in North America, offering a squirrel’s eye view of a thriving coastal forest. Visitors venture from one magnificent Douglas fir tree to another on a series of elevated suspension bridges, some reaching as high as 100 feet (30m) above the forest floor.

Story Centre:
You’re one of the Capilano Tramps, those early adventurers who made the long “tramp” to Capilano Suspension Bridge. Today visitors to Capilano Suspension Bridge can pose with the Tramps before they begin their walk through the Story Centre. Life-size photomurals, artifacts and antiques together with “voices from the past” and informative flipbooks chronicle the early history of the Bridge and the development of Vancouver.

Totem Park:
Part of Capilano’s captivating story involves the tradition of placing totem (story) poles on the grounds at Capilano Suspension Bridge. In the 1930′s Mac MacEachran invited local First Nations to place their story poles in the park, adding a First Nations theme. Those colourful poles are maintained in the exact condition in which they were received and are on display in the Totem Park.

Kia’ Palano:
Get a glimpse into the lives of BC’s First Nations people at Kia’palano, our First Nations’ Cultural Center, as they share stories of their heritage and the historical connection between their culture and the natural world. Traditional weaving and beadwork is also demonstrated through the day.

The Rain Forest:

The delicate Temperate West Coast Rainforest ecosystem is visually presented on large panels interpreting the Forest Floor, the Rainforest Canopy, Geology at the Edge and the Spirit of the Rainforest. Complimentary guided tours are
offered hourly year round and every half hour in the summer months. Visitors are well informed for their stroll through the rainforest, past tranquil trout ponds and majestic evergreens.

Gastown is also know for the world’s first Steam Clock and is a great tourist attraction. At each 15 minute interval the clock sounds Westminster chimes on 5 brass steam whistlers. The Steam Clock was designed and put together by Raymond Saunders in 1977 based on a 1875 model, it has a cast bronze case and weighs over 2 tons and the movement was powered by a ‘falling ball’ drive.

The saloon/hotel that started it all was burned down in the Great Fire of 1886. The fire ripped through the whole town and destroyed Vancouver, it was thought to have been started by clearing fire that went out of control by Canadian Pacific Railway. It destroyed 398 homes in about an hour, only 2 of the 400 original houses made it.

Unlike the houses that burned down in the Great Fire of 1886, “The Europe Hotel” is built to withstand fire and it was the first fireproof building in western Canada. The Europe Hotel was built by Italian businessman Angelo Colari in 1892. It was known as the finest hotel in town during those days.

In Maple Tree Square you will find the statue of Gassy Jack Deighton, there is also the Fisherhead Water Fountain stands near the Lamplighter Pub in the Dominion Hotel which was the first Vancouver business to serve alcohol to women.

If you are into Canadian art , Gastown is home to many great art galleries, with works from a selection of Canadian Native artist and sculpters in Western Canada.

Participate in a free 1.5 hour walking tour of Gastown that is conducted daily from June through August. It starts at the Gastown Steam Clock and Gassy Jack statue in Maple Tree Square, you can contact the Gastown Business Improvement Society for schedules if you are interested.

Make you way to the 300 block of West Cordova Street where you will discover street shops selling collectibles, antiques, Canadian designer fashions, and dine at cool eateries, all this on one block.

Gastown is near to Vancouver city’s downtown business area and hotels so it will be quite easy to find and west of it is the Canada Place. You can easily walk from Gastown to the Cruise Ship Terminal or the Vancouver Trade and Convention Centre. Heading east of Gastown you will come to Vancouver’s Chinatown and you will be very close to the Sun Yat Sen Gardens. Now going south you will discover the BC Place, Rogers Arena (formerly GM Place), and International Village.

To get to Gastown is quite easy, you can get there by SkyTrain, Vancouver’s rapid transit system, SeaBus (ferry service from the North Shore), West Coast Express and city buses from all areas of Vancouver and the Lower Mainland.

History
Vancouver’s Chinatown is North America’s second largest and was founded in 1885. In the late 1800′s the Chinese population supplied a large portion of the labour resources for the western region of Canada and attributed to the growth of the city of Vancouver and British Columbia as a province. Once social, economic and political restrictions that slowed the development of the Chinese community were removed Chinatown began to grow in stature and became the 2nd largest Chinatown in North America next to San Francisco.

From the 1980′s to 1990′s immigrants arrived from different parts of Asia and surrounding cities such as of Richmond and other locations began to entice people from Hong Kong, Taiwan and Mainland China generating competing economic and cultural areas of influence. The Chinatown of Vancouver city lost some of its luster as a cultural centre for the Chinese community.

Currently
Vancouver’s Chinatown district is located just east of the downtown area, and contains many of the city’s historic sites and heritage resources. The Chinatown district contains the third largest population of Asian immigrants in the Vancouver city area an it host all kinds of themed events, structures and stores in this district of the downtown core.


The past few years saw a new revitalization of the historical Chinatown. The City of Vancouver and provincial and federal departments along with the local Chinese business and cultural communities had joined forces to contribute to the revitalization.

Today, as it has been for a long while Vancouver city’s Chinatown remains a popular tourist area with many sights, sounds and events in one of Vancouver’s busiest neighbourhoods.

Sights within the Chinatown district include the Millennium Gate , Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Chinese gardens and the close by public park to the many open air shops where you can bargain for goods. This is the best way to become familiar with Vancouver’s rich Asian heritage.

Other events and sights inlude the annual Chinese New Year parade where the celebrations light up the streets of the downtown area, and the narrowest commercial building in the world according to the Guinness book of Records.

Chinatown never dissappoints as it is a treat for the senses, and would be a great stop in your tour of Vancouver city.

History

Robson Street was named after John Robson who was the Premier of British Columbia starting from 1889 to 1892. Back in 1895 there used to be train tracks along Robson street because it was a trading and commercial area and eventually all types of small shops were set up by merchants to service Vancouver’s fast growing population.

After World War II Robson Street was known as “Robsonstrasse” which represented the European shopkeepers influence. The store owners ran small delicatessens, patisseries, and chic clothing boutiques that lined Robson street.  Over the next 100 years Robson Street’s popularity and character continued to evolve.

Robson Street is now Vancouver’s most famous shopping street right n the middle of downtown Vancouver. It’s a three block stretch between Burrard and Jervis street you will a great mixture of shops and restaurants which has become even more pronounced and more appealing in the last 20 years and today locals and tourist alike can find along Robson and its side streets, restaurants for fine dining, premier fashion brand stores and services. Also Robson Street is a great place to sit outside have a coffee and ‘people watch’ as the locals and tourist goes shopping and hangout on the street.

During the evenings Robson street and surrounding areas liven’s up with colorful buskers and performers. Both locals and tourist enjoy drinks and fine foods at some of the city’s most celebrated restaurants. Robson street is renowned both on a worldwide level and locally as it remains a favorite shopping destination for locals and well as foreign visitors. Robson Street is must see if you ever visit Vancouver’s downtown area.

Getting there

• By bus Direct Service by #5 Robson/Downtown
• By Skytrain Robson Street is located 2 blocks south of Burrard Street Skytrain Station

History
The first hikers recorded in history to reach the peak in October 1894 named Grouse Mountain. In the late 1800′s, climbing Grouse Mountain was no easy task, and took nearly three or four days to complete, back then there wasn’t a bridge to cross Burrard Inlet and no paved street to the base of the Grouse Mountain. The rugged crew of hikers dredged deep  snow, climbed over rocks and of course fought their way past the dense forest. Grouse Mountain was named after Blue Grouse which was a breed of birds that were plentiful in the mountains, and this was what the band of hikers hunted while trekking to the summit.

After this first climb up Grouse Mountain and word spread the mountain started attracting hundreds of avid and adventurous hikers. Don and Phyllis Munday was one of the those adventure seeker and he built the first log cabin on the mountain. The Munday Alpine Snowpark to this day bears their name in honor of their contributions to mountaineering.

Activities

Skyride – Above the tall Douglas fir trees you can take in the beautiful view of the city of Vancouver, Pacific Ocean, Gulf Islands, and white snow peaks of the mountainside. The Skyride is on of North America’s largest aerial tramway system. You can take pictures on the way up or once up top at the The Observatory you have a wonderful dinner.

Hours of Operation
The Skyride operates 365 days a year, departing every 15 minutes from 9am-10pm.

Wind Turbine Tours – This is the world’s first and only wind turbine that allows you to stand in a clear glass view POD at the top of the tower, 3 metres from its gigantic  rotating blades. Get a 360-degree views of Grouse Mountain’s surrounding environment.

Hours & Price
Daily 10am-7pm, departing the Fire Pit area in the Alpine Plaza every hour.

Family (2 Adults, 2 Youth) – $59.95
Adult/Senior/Youth – $19.95
Child (12 & under) – Free*

Refuge for Endangered Wildlife – This is a wilderness sanctuary on Grouse Mountain where endangered animals can explore and play, it is a refuge where they can be safe and secure. There is also a research, education and conservation centre on the mountain and it’s all included in your General Admission ticket.

Lumberjack Show – The Grouse Mountain’s Lumberjack Show puts together a great crew of lumberjack performers displaying their skills.  The set for the performance is a set features two logging camps from the early 1900s, where Johnny Nelson from the Green River logging camp prepares to battle Willie McGee from Blue Mountain to determine the top lumberjack. This is a 45-minute fast paced show that  features log rolling, a 60-foot tree climb, two-man peg and raker saws, axe throwing, and springboard chop.

Showtimes (May long weekend-September)
45-minute shows at 12:00, 2:30, 4:30

Birds in Motion – Grouse Mountain, in cooperation with the Canadian Raptor Conservancy, invites you to witness some of nature’s finest birds to demonstrate their flying abilities.

Birds in Motion Demonstrations Hours
Daily at 1:30pm, 3:30pm and 5:30pm (late May to mid September).

Helijet (helicopter) Tours – Get high up in the sky and enjoy the awe inspiring views from above the peaks of Vancouver’s North Shore Mountains in a helicopter ride of your lifetime. Helijet offers breathtaking tours that begin at The Peak of Vancouver.

Available Helicopter Tours
Crown Mountain Tour
An 8-minute aerial tour that will take you over the crater of an extinct volcano and the peaks of Goat and Crown Mountains.

The Lions Peak Tour
A 15-minute flight that extends the Crown Mountain Tour, you will be flown over the Capilano Valley before climbing through the peaks of the Lions.

Coastal Scenic Tour
An exciting 20-minute journey over Vancouver’s Coastal Mountains and it’s breathtaking city coastline. The tour includes Grouse Mountain, the Lions Peak Mountains, Cypress Bowl, English Bay, Stanley Park and downtown Vancouver.

Grand Glacier Tour
An awe-inspiring 25-minute flight over Vancouver’s closest glacial icefield; Meslilloet Mountain. The scenery includes Goat, Crown and Cathedral Mountains, Pallisade Lake and Indian Arm before circling Meslilloet Mountain’s Glacier.

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The Ultimate Flying Experience – Tandem Paragliding offers flights launching from the Grouse Mountain Peak and landing in Cleveland Park for an elevation drop of 3,300 feet.

Hours & Price
Flights available daily, 10am-6pm (late June-September) with flights departing on the hour.

Pre-Booked Flights
$229 (inc. General Admission)
$199 (Members)

Mountain Ziplines – Our dual-line, five-line circuit gives you an adrenaline-pumping tour across the peaks and canyons of Grouse and Dam Mountains. The tour lasts about two hours and can be booked as an individual or as a group.

What the tour includes
The zipline experience will give you a unique perspective of Grouse Mountain, combining heart-pounding thrills with an exploration of BC’s old-growth forests. Along the way our fun and friendly guides will look after your safety, and share stories with you that will leave a lasting impression. And then you’ll strap yourself in and…zoom. Make sure to enjoy every second of this jaw-dropping scenery. Because it goes by fast. Crazy, awesome fast.

Hours & Price
Tours available everyday, from 10am-7pm with tours departing every 30min.
$105 (inc. General Admission)
$75 (Members)

The Grouse Grind – The Grouse Grind® is a 2.9-kilometre trail up the face of Grouse Mountain, commonly referred to as “Mother Nature’s Stairmaster.”

This trail is very challenging. Keep in mind that there is a wide range of mountaintop trails that might better suit the average hiker.

Trail Facts
Length: 2.9 kilometres (1.8 miles)
Elevation Gain: 853 metres (2,800 feet)
Base: 274 metres above sea level (900 feet)
Summit: 1,127 metres (3,700 feet)
Total Stairs: 2,830
Statistics: Annually, over 100,000 people hike the trail.
Average Time: On average it takes up to an hour and a half to complete the hike. For novice hikers, two hours is recommended.
Participants: Hikers range in age from 7 to 90, with an equal male/female split.

…and more like dining, Theatre in the Sky, scenic activities and shopping.

Vancouver’s history is rich despite the fact that it is a young city by historic standards. The Aboriginal peoples of the Vancouver region has been there for around 3,000 years. The native settlements around Vancouver shows that the aboriginals were a food-gathering people with a intricate social system.

Captain George Vancouver sailed into Burrand Inlet and landed there in 1792 and it was the catalyst of a big change in the lives of the First Nations near the Northwest Passage.

Next came the fur traders, gold prospectors than the settlers came. In 1808 the North West Company trader Simon Fraser and his ship crew were the first Europeans descended the Fraser river to set anchor in what we know as Vancouver today. In 1862 at McLeery’s Farm on the Fraser River the European started settling here. Following that a sawmill was built at Moodyville which is now North Vancouver and the lumbering industry was started.

Gassy Jack Deighton in 1867 set up a shanty tavern and the settlement of Gastown rapidly built up around the tavern. Three years after the government surveyed the settlement and decided to build a town site and called it Granville. Vancouver was incorporated as a city In 1886, and shortly after the city was destroyed by fire a few months later. The very resilient community vowed to rebuild and within a year the small city was built. Four year later, Vancouver’s future was solidified when the train transportation from the east and traffic of ships of the Canadian Pacific fleet, arrived. This contributed to the future growth of the Vancouver.

Due to the construction of the railroad system (built on Chinese railway workers back) the population grew quickly from 5,000 in 1887 to 100,000 in 1900. The first ten years of the twentieth century, Vancouver’s population increased 300% and which attributed to a construction boom. Stanley Park ring road was the first road to receive pavement which was made out of the crushed shells of the large midden at the old native village of Lumberman’s Arch; Stanley Park ring road was paved for use by bicycles. Only after World War I were automobile roads built to link up Vancouver to other cities.