I just re-read my post about the last time we were in Vancouver and I can’t believe how quickly time can pass. Almost exactly 4 years ago, I was 20 weeks pregnant with Cam and we were celebrating my 30th birthday in Vancouver.
This time around we took on the city with a 3.5 year old and my in-laws!
We stayed close to the Rogers Arena at an Airbnb that had amazing views but otherwise was uninspiring. The location was decent but the 5/5 ratings on the listing didn’t match the reality of the building or apartment we rented. I really love a luxury Airbnb so I was disappointed with the accommodation, especially when we discovered the pool that we were all looking forward to using was under construction!
As to be expected though, we spent a lot of time exploring. Which meant our lackluster stay didn’t impact the overall trip too much. I was able to work half days while we were there, which was a nice balance of staying on top of things at work and being able to feel like I was still on a bit of a vacation. We were extremely lucky to get good weather most of the week, too; making for a perfect afternoon of lunch, rock throwing, and park hopping on our first day.
In the evening Cam stayed with his grandparents while Mike and I walked to a nearby recommendation for dinner. We shared sushi rolls, edamame, and udon noodles at Tokyo in April. I’ve always heard how great sushi is in Vancouver and it did not disappoint.
The next day we indulged with breakfast at jam cafe. One of the main reasons I maintain this blog is to keep record of all of the delicious places we eat while traveling. For this reason, I have to mention this brunch spot. Mike and I spilt the French toast and waffle board. Drool.
Next up was walking off those waffles and exploring Stanley Park. It was quite the adventure navigating the subway and bus with a stroller but we managed. Eventually we made our way into tranquil nature on the outskirts of the city. We stopped first for a great lunch at Stanley’s Bar & Grill, where we clinked cheers with amber and dark beers on the pretty wraparound patio. We saw the totem poles and the lighthouse and, of course, threw rocks into the water. One of Cam’s favorite past-times.
Mike’s parents lovingly stayed with Cam again that evening. We were able to go to dinner with one of my oldest friends from college, Jeff, and his wife, Heather. Just by chance, Jeff & I both ended up marrying Canadians.
We walked to Gastown for dinner at Pourhouse, where we made the last 10 minutes of happy hour and spent a few hours catching up and reminiscing about our wilder, younger days!
Happily, we kicked off the weekend with a short aquabus to Granville Island, where we fueled up on donuts and coffee before exploring the Kids Market.
Originally I imagined this Kids Market to be just a bunch of kids toys with shopping being the only activity. Oh, how wrong I was. Cam spent literally hours playing in a kids jungle gym and riding other small attractions they had. I can see this being a big hit with local parents. Particularly because there is a brewery right across the street…… one that you can easily take shifts at, sipping brews while one adult stays at the Kids Market……
We were ready for lunch after and, at the recommendation of Heather, went to go fish. It was an unassuming food stand that I might have missed if we hadn’t heard rave reviews. Over fresh fish n’ chips and salmon tacos, we all agreed the hype was true! Go here if you visit!
Another weekend adventure was Capilano Suspension bridges. I’m happy to report they still provide the free shuttle from the city to the bridges that we used a few years ago. This place is pricer than I remembered but Cam seemed to enjoy it. It was also a nice cool and crisp Fall day, which made all of the Halloween decorations feel fitting. At least for me, a lady for lovesss Fall.
We were hit with some rain after the weekend, which called for one thing: Burgoo. Classic comfort food like grilled cheese and tomato soup just can’t be beat on a cold day.
With the rain coming on and off, we weren’t sure what to do with the rest of the afternoon. Most of the time before we travel, I try to find smaller blogs maintained by locals to get a sense of what to check out (like in Spain when we visited Calle San Francisco, a cobblestone street with giant mushroom statues and tiny toadstool houses, that I found only by browsing a blog). Looking for something indoors to do that Cam would enjoy, I remembered reading about an indoor steam train, Engine 374. And this is where we spent the rest of the afternoon… Cam was obsessed. It was free. We were able to bring in snacks. Basically, I can’t recommend enough.
That night Mike and I hit the millennial jackpot when discovering Bartholomew: where cocktails and charcuterie come together in a candlelit, cozy bar. (We also ordered the Asparagus & Burrata with cannellini beans, pesto, and hazelnuts, that was so mouthwatering-nom I need to try to recreate.)
Our final day in Vancity was a rainy one. The public library was a hit while I was working in the morning, as was the steam train from the day before. After exhausting indoor options, we braved the rain and walked to see the “digital orca” by the Olympic torches. Can you spot it??
Cam fell asleep in the stroller and we took the rarity as a chance to shop a bit in the warm, dry(!) shops and to get a coffee at a cute little cafe, Koffie. We ended our trip with a “leftovers dinner,” where you heat up all of the leftovers you had during the week, add a vegetable, and call it dinner.
What a great week it was!
VEG VIBES 