Vancouver Travel Guide

Vancouver boasts a diverse multicultural identity thanks to the many different groups that call the city home. Though English and French are the two official languages, you'll also likely hear Chinese, Punjabi, German, Italian, French, Tagalog (Filipino) and Spanish.

Perhaps the biggest difference American travelers will encounter is the use of the Canadian dollar and the international metric system. One U.S. dollar is equal to about CA$1.30, but since the exchange rate fluctuates, be sure to check it before your trip. You can avoid confusion by familiarizing yourself with Canadian currency. Coins are in denominations of $2, $1, $0.50, $0.25, $0.10 and $0.05. Canadian dollar coins are called "loonies;" two dollar coins are called "toonies." Paper bills are in denominations of $100, $50, $20, $10 and $5. You can dodge high exchange fees by withdrawing Canadian money directly from an ATM in Vancouver. Along with differences in currency, you'll also encounter some disparities in how temperatures, distance and weights are measured (in metric units); distance is measured in kilometers – pay close attention to this if you've decided to rent a car.

Aside from these fundamental differences, Americans should feel right at home in Vancouver, especially hockey fans. True to its Canadian stereotype, Vancouver is a hockey-obsessed city, and autumn marks the beginning of the season. The Vancouver Canucks are the city's hometown team; games are held downtown in Rogers Arena.

Thanks to its seat along the Pacific Coast, Vancouver boasts its fair share of delectable seafood. You'll find casual fish and chips at any one of the city's markets like Granville Island (the first stop for any foodie), but if you're craving something a little more formal, head to Yaletown. This area of Vancouver is home to Blue Water Cafe and Rodney's Oyster House, just two of the city's favorite seafood restaurants. YEW Seafood + Bar at the Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver also receives praise for its menu, which features regional specialties, like Qualicum Bay scallops and Sidney Island venison. If you venture beyond Vancouver to Richmond, British Columbia (about 8 miles south of the city center), you'll also find plenty of fresh catches in Steveston Village, where wild-caught salmon, halibut, crab, salmon, tuna and mussels are served fresh from the docks.

When you're ready to sample cuisine from other parts of the globe, you'll see that Vancouver has you covered there, too. About 2 miles north of the city center is where you'll find Vancouver's Chinatown – North America's third largest by population after San Francisco and New York. Cravings for Indian fare can be sated in Punjabi Market – an Indo-Canadian neighborhood in South Vancouver.

Aside from providing the city fresh regional ingredients, Vancouver's coastal location also provides a picturesque backdrop for many of the top restaurants. For dinner with a view, try the Teahouse Restaurant (in Stanley Park), Lift Bar Grill View or Bridges Restaurant (on Granville Island), to name only a few.