Vancouver Restaurants

Vancouver is a major seaport and coastal city in the lower Mainland of southwestern British Columbia, Canada. Vancouver is the taken from Captain George Vancouver, a British explorer. Its name riginated from the Dutch words “van Coevorden,” which means someone from Coevorden, an old city in the Netherlands. Today, the city is the largest metropolitan area in Western Canada and the third largest in the country. The city is ethnically diverse, with around 55% or city residents taking on a first language other than English.

The first inhabitants of Vancouver were the Skwxwú7mesh, Xwméthkwyiem, and Tseil-waututh peoples of the Coast Salish group. In 1791, Jose Maria Narvaez of Spain was the first European to explore the coastline of present-day Point Grey and part of Burrard Inlet. The first European settlement was in 1862 on the Fraser River (McLeery’s Farm). A sawmill was put up at Moodyville (City of North Vancouver in its present time), which were quickly followed by mills owned by Captain Edward Stamp. In 1886, the City of Vancouver was incorporated, with the city taking the name of George Vancouver.

The Gulf of Georgia Cannery was once the leading producer of canned salmon. Visiting the place can help give a tour on fishing history. VanDusen Botanical Garden is a living museum of plant collections from around the world. The botanical garden has different highlights every season, and is also home to sixty five species of birds. The Capilano Suspension Bridge is suspended 450 feet across and 230 feet about the Capilano River. Those who are adventure-seekers can cross over to the Treetops Adventure and walk from one of the Douglas fir to another through a series of elevated suspension bridges that reach as high as 100 feet above the forest floor. Grouse Mountain shows that panoramic views of the city while riding on the Skyride to the mountaintop. Adventures include lumberjack shows, helicopter tours, Refuge for Endangered Wildlife, scenic hiking trails, falconry demonstrations and fine dining. The Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden shows beautiful views in any weather. Chinatown and the Garden are easily accessible by car or transit. The Metropolis at Metrotown has around 470 stores, and is the biggest shopping destination in British Columbia.

Vancouver is known for its performing arts organizations. Vancouver Symphony Orchestra has programs like Tea and Trumpets, Kids Koncerts, Pops and other masterworks series for classical music lover to any novice concertgoer. The Arts Club Theatre Company offers theatre productions, particularly 10 to 14 musicals, new work, comedies, and classics. Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival is held on Vanier Park from June to September. There are free lecture series, fireworks, and Operas and Arias programs. The Vancouver International Fringe Festival is held every September, and for 25 years have done 500 alternative performances. The Vancouver International Festival is North America’s largest film event. TD Canada Trust Vancouver International Jazz Festival takes pride in its “10 days, 1,300 global musicians and 400 concerts.” PUSH International Performing Arts Festival offers visionary music, theatre, dance and hybrid performances. The Vancouver Opera is the second largest opera company that offers traditional opera favorites and new productions. The Full Circle: First Nations Performance Talking Stick Festival offers theatre, music, performance, dance, and visual arts of the local, national, and international Aboriginal artists. Vancouver Folk Music Festival brings grassroots artists to Jericho Beach.