2009 Vancouver Official Travel Planner Guide - (Page 20) Attractions & Museums Photography: Moon rising over Ferris wheels ©Tourism Vancouver/PNE; Daffodils at VanDusen Garden ©Tourism Vancouver/VanDusen Garden; Sitting on the steps of the Vancouver Art Gallery ©Tourism Vancouver/Vancouver Art Gallery What’s New? Air Grouse Mountain Zipline The Air Grouse experience puts guests high above the alpine rainforest, careening through the air at speeds of more than 50 km/hour. The three-line adventure circuit gives them a unique perspective on the Blue Grouse Lake region of the mountain, combining heart-pounding thrills with an exploration of B.C.’s breathtaking old-growth forests. grousemountain.com/Summer Vancouver is a multifaceted city with great itinerary options, including a wonderful offering of attractions and museums. Here’s a sampling of Vancouver highlights. The Quintessential Views In a city full of breathtaking views, be sure to direct your clients to some of the most distinctive vistas. A visit to Vancouver Lookout makes a great first stop and is a must-see attraction offering 360-degree views of the city skyline. To see the city from a peak perspective, have your clients drive to North Vancouver for a visit to Grouse Mountain. They can ride North America’s largest aerial tramway to the top of the mountain for truly awe-inspiring scenery year-round and then enjoy the restaurants and attractions. On the way back to downtown Vancouver, they can visit Capilano Suspension Bridge, which leads visitors over a pristine canyon and offers a firsthand encounter with the wonders of British Columbia’s rainforests. Outside Vancouver, the Hell’s Gate Airtram takes visitors on a gripping descent into a wild river canyon. Top-notch Museums Vancouver’s museums truly set it apart from other cities and allow visitors to examine the area’s unique culture, arts and heritage. For visual arts, there’s no better place to get acquainted with the art of British Columbia’s First Nations peoples than the UBC Museum of Anthropology with its towering totem poles and other stunning sculptures. Visitors can get a new introduction to the museum with VUEguide, a personalized interactive experience. The Vancouver Art Gallery has more than 7,900 works of visual art in its permanent collection. For an unbeatable introduction to the history of Vancouver, check out the Vancouver Museum and the Vancouver Maritime Museum, both of which are located in Vanier Park, near Granville Island. Vancouver Art Gallery Upcoming Exhibits In 2009, several new exhibitions are scheduled to appear at the Vancouver Art Gallery, including two especially anticipated blockbuster exhibits. Vermeer, Rembrandt and the Golden Age of Dutch Art: Masterpieces from the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam will showcase rarely seen European works February–June 2009. Later in the year, Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera and Mexican Modernism will feature the works of this famous, passionate and talented couple. It is scheduled for June– September 2009. vanartgallery.bc.ca Vancouver Aquarium’s Frogs Forever? Frogs Forever? is a fascinating new exhibit at the aquarium that puts the spotlight on the plight of the world’s frogs, with tips on how we can all help save them. The new gallery features 26 species of amphibians and interactive activities that engage, amaze and inspire visitors to care for these important creatures of our natural world. vanaqua.org/frogs/ Experiential Attractions Vancouver is home to several interactive and hands-on attractions that keep visitors engaged in the action. At the BC Sports Hall of Fame, guests can learn about British Columbia’s sports heroes through 20 galleries and interactive exhibits including a virtual sports simulator and a rock climbing wall. Another of the city’s most beloved attractions is the Vancouver Aquarium. With a full schedule of shows each day that include up-close encounters with beluga whales, dolphins and a host of other sea spectacles, it’s easy to see why. At Science World, identified by the huge geodesic dome atop the building, your clients will be engrossed by the world of science and technology as they explore hundreds of interactive exhibits through several galleries. Another technologically impressive experience can be found at IMAX Theatre at Canada Place, where nature documentaries and movies are shot on specialized film and shown on enormous screens accompanied by high-tech sound systems. This creates an experience that makes viewers feel like they are part of the movie’s action. Gardens Galore Considering how vibrant Vancouver is — both culturally and naturally — it’s not surprising to find numerous sanctuaries where your clients can stroll among gardens and learn about nature. The Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden not only offers serenity, but also provides educational opportunities through an extensive calendar of cultural events. At the UBC Botanical Garden, which doubles as a plant research centre, eight separate installations — as well as the Nitobe Memorial Garden, a traditional Japanese installation thought to be one of the top gardens of its kind outside of Japan — are in bloom year-round. VanDusen Botanical Garden is a spectacular 55-acre botanical paradise offering beauty in every season. Nestled against 7,000-foot Mount Cheam is Minter Gardens, one of the most magnificent show gardens in the world. This 32-acre garden features 11 themed gardens and is home to the largest collection of Penjing Rock Bonsai outside China. Bill Reid Gallery The Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art is Vancouver’s newest public art gallery and downtown’s home for Aboriginal art, culture and learning. The gallery is home to a number of permanent and featured exhibits showcasing the works of Bill Reid, one of Canada’s most renowned Aboriginal artists. billreidgallery.ca 20 t o u r i s m va n c o u ve r. c o m / t ra d e Tree fro g ©iStock photo/M ark Ko stich http://grousemountain.com/Summer http://vanartgallery.bc.ca http://vanaqua.org/frogs/ http://billreidgallery.ca http://tourismvancouver.com/trade
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