A hop, skip & jump through 2010’s Olympic City

Coming to Vancouver for the first time is an often awe-inspiring event for newcomers. With its backdrop of snow-capped mountains, dense forested areas and ice blue beaches and inlets, Vancouver is one of the most naturally beautiful cities in the world.

Sitting pretty on the west coast of Canada, a normally laid-back Vancouver now anxiously awaits tens of thousands of visitors as it prepares to host the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

While thousands are expected to pack the Olympic venues in downtown Vancouver and Whistler each day, Vancouver also offers plenty to do and see outside the Games. TeamUSA.org has compiled a sample of attractions-from must-see tourist spots to hidden gems and special events-that gives visitors a taste of the city's great culture, diversity, nature, shopping, and, of course, eateries.

The Nitobe Japanese Memorial Gardens is a great place to begin a tour of Vancouver. Located at the University of British Columbia's campus and celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, Nitobe is one of only a half-dozen or so traditional Japanese gardens outside of Japan. A great example of the city's multiculturalism, it is also the perfect spot to witness the city's commitment to preserving its natural environment.

No matter what time of year, the garden's exquisitely manicured pathways and evocative plethora of blooming plants and flowers will enchant visitors. In a now famous exchange between the Emperor of Japan-who visited Nitobe some time ago-and his companions, he is remembered as exclaiming, "I am in Japan." Due to the city's unseasonably warm weather so far this winter, cherry blossoms are expected to be budding earlier than normal in the garden, which will certainly be a feast of color for the eyes.

Once at the UBC campus, outdoor enthusiasts can continue on hiking through some of the surrounding trails in the Pacific Spirit Regional Park. Numerous trails ranging from a few minutes to a half-day's walk provide visitors with the opportunity to experience some of the lush, spectacular forested areas the city is famous for.

For those who prefer to take a stroll above ground, the Green Heart Canopy Walkway at the UBC Botanical Garden is an experience to behold. At a total distance of 308 meters, guests begin their tour on the ground near the Asian garden, moving along the narrow walkway as it slowly takes them higher and higher into the canopy to a maximum height of 17 ½ meters. Built by the Vancouver-based Greenheart Conservation Company, the walkway was specially designed using a patented technique that is based on tension and designed to "hug" the trees rather than drill holes in them. Essentially a series of suspension bridges that hang between trees, visitors will marvel during their "canopy tour" of the dense forest, whose distinctive design allows them to view the forest and its inhabitants in a completely unique way.

After all that exercise visitors might be looking to have a little fun with the family. One location sure to please both kids and the kid in everyone is Granville Island. Technically a peninsula, the island can be reached by foot, car, or better yet by the tiny Aqua bus which takes about five minutes from the downtown shore. With its cluster of art galleries, restaurants, theatres, cafes and artisan shops, the tiny island has the magical feeling of a fairground and boasts what is arguably the best open public market in the city. Visitors can purchase locally made baked goods, maple syrup and sweets or simply just walk around and take in the people watching and sweet smells of the marketplace.
For beer aficionados, the Granville Island Brewery (the first microbrewery of its kind in Canada) is a great place to stop and take a tour of its facilities. Or better yet treat yourself to one of its many locally made lagers or ales.

Kids will delight in the island's Children's Market; a small two-storey compound with a bevy of shops selling everything from kites with native-inspired designs to lunchboxes, puzzles, locally made kids clothing and eco-friendly bath products. During February, there will also be a "Kids Zone" area outdoors featuring face painting, games and storytelling. Kids will even be sure to depart in style through their very own pint-size "children's exit," goodies in hand.

For artists and art lovers alike, there are a number of local art festivals taking place in Vancouver during February. One of the largest of these will be the Canamade Festival taking place at the Storyreum in Gastown.

The lovechild of local artist Ingrid Doerr, it will feature an astonishing 20,000 square feet of space dedicated to exhibitors selling and displaying their artworks. Two large wooden rooms will be exclusively showcasing aboriginal art including soap stone carvings and a large exhibit of West Coast native artworks and jewellery. Visitors wanting to take home a 100 percent authentic Canadian-made treasure will not be disappointed. And for those who just want to put their feet up and watch the Games, the event will also have a bar and lounge area broadcasting the Olympics, so no one will miss out on any of the events.

Not only are some of these spots a great opportunity to come out and see the treasures of Vancouver, it's a fantastic way to meet many of the city's more dynamic neighbourhoods beyond the densely populated Olympic areas. Communities such as Gastown, Commercial Drive and Chinatown provide a real taste of the city and offer limitless choices for shopping, restaurants and nightlife.

No matter where you're from or what you like to do, Vancouver is sure to offer up something for everyone. From near and afar the city will be waiting with open arms to embrace visitors from around the world and ensure that the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games are a success for everyone.

Story courtesy Red Line Editorial, Inc. Kristen Ross is a freelance contributor for teamusa.org. This story was not subject to the approval of any National Governing Bodies.

Additional Information
For information on admission to the gardens (including Nitobe Japanese Garden), tours & walks:
http://www.attractions.ubc.ca/
http://www.ubcbotanicalgarden.org
http://www.greenheartcanopywalkway.com/
For information on Granville Island, including shop directory:
http://granvilleisland.bc.ca/
Granville Island Brewing
http://www.gib.ca

*Tours during the Olympic period will be contingent on space availability
Canamade Art Festival (Feb 11-28, 11 a.m. - 8 p.m. daily) Admission $2.00 with .50 going to charity
151 W.Cordova, the Storyeum (Gastown)

Tags: Vancouver, Vancouver 2010