Lindt Chocolate Boutique - 701 Granville Street in Vancouver, BC

In this chocolate store you will find the famous truffle balls made by the Swiss Chocolate experts. Keep your eyes peeled for those elusive Lindt Chocolate Bunnies covered in gold foil, they’re usually only found around Easter time. Stop by their website for more chocolate gifts perfect for the fall season.

Mink, A Chocolate Cafe – 863 Hastings Street West, Vancouver, BC

If you go to a chocolate shop or store looking for the best chocolate bar there is then Mink is your destination. The chocolate bars here are like no others with flavours and names such as The Maidens(Tahitian vanilla in dark chocolate ganache) and O Canada (pecans caramelized in maple syrup in a maple syrup milk chocolate ganache). Check their website for the full chocolate bar menu.

Olde World Fudge Co. Ltd. – 1689 Johnston Street, Vancouver, BC

This gem of a chocolate store is located on Granville Island. Go and watch how traditional fudge is made in a multitude of flavours some old favourites and maybe some new ones too (like pumpkin fudge or Oreo cookie fudge).

Whichever chocolate store you choose you and your sweet tooth will not be disappointed!

Georgia Straight’s “Best of Vancouver” is the best Vancouver “Best of” list. Running for 13 years now, the Best of Vancouver edition of this popular newpaper gives readers the Best of Vancouver in many categories. Some of the entries are funny, some strange and some make you wonder who voted!

Here’s are some of the better entries. For the complete list of the Best of Vancouver 2008, click here.

Best place to Pimp Your Ride

Best Public Make-Out Place

Best Reasons to Support A Code of Silence on the Bus

Best Free Wireless

..and many more if you go to the rest of the Best of Vancouver 2008, by clicking here.

Vancouver 2010 Winter Games

The world is coming to play in Vancouver and Whistler in 2010.

The countdown is on, and soon the world will be coming to Vancouver and Whistler for the Winter Games in 2010. The best athletes in the world will come to BC to compete in events like hockey, skiing, figure skating and more. The twin cities of Whistler and Vancouver will provide a dazzling stage on which to perform.

Preparations are well underway to prepare the cities for the Games in 2010. The Organizing Committee is assembling a dedicated team who will be in charge of everything from marketing to security.

Events will be held in both cities. Whistler will host all alpine skiing events, the Nordic events as well as the luge, bobsled and skeleton events. Both the opening and closing ceremonies will be held in Vancouver, as well as hockey, curling, speed skating, snowboarding and figure skating. The timeline below details important upcoming events. Be sure to check back regularly for updates.

Please visit the official website of Whistler Blackcomb for more information on the games.

To find out general information on the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games, please visit the Official Vancouver 2010 Winter Games Site.

In the News:

Whistler founders make the Games a reality. Read more.

VANOC says venues being built on budget and 13 will be ready this year. Read more.

Official Timekeeper Omega unveils the Vancouver 2010 Countdown Clock Read more.

VANCOUVER 2010: First Venue Competition Ready Read More

Where did the Olympic flag come from? Read more.

The Road to 2010

2005 Venue construction begins. Venues are to be completed by 2007-2009. Find out more.

2006 Vancouver 2010 attends the Torino 2006 Olympic Winter Games, which includes a Vancouver 2010 cultural presentation at the Closing Ceremonies.

2006 Vancouver 2010 Cultural Olympiad

2008 Vancouver 2010 attends Beijing 2008 Olympic Games

2008 and 2009 Vancouver and Whistler will host “test events” in every Olympic and Paralympic sport. This will determine the capability of the organizing committee in staging large-scale events.

2008-2009 Call for volunteers and volunteer training for 2010

2009 Tickets become available for 2010 events

2009 The Olympic flame originates always from Olympia, Greece. The torch relay begins 114 days prior to the Opening Ceremony.

2010 February 12-28 – Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver and Whistler

2010 March 12-21 – Paralympic Winter Games in Whistler

While Vancouver is known for it’s amazing natural beauty and it’s friendly people, there is also a very dark side of Vancouver that many people don’t see. From crack heads to Heroin junkies, drunks to HIV and Hepatitis infected prostitutes, Vancouver has it’s share of nastiness.

So, if you are curious as to what these sort of people look like and how they live, there is only one place to see it all.

Main Street and Hastings Street in Vancouver is the epicenter of the drug and disease problem in Vancouver. No where else will you see such a concentration of junkies and crackheads. Day and night you will find hundreds of people scurrying around like rats, looking for a fix or for something to steal to buy some crack or Heroin.

For the safest viewing, stay in your car and drive slowly on Hastings Street, past Main street and then to Cambie Street. In those few blocks you will see things that will amaze you. Sketchy junkies searching the ground as if some magical crack fairy dropped some crack rocks for them, to people shooting up in dark doorways and you’ll even see drug deals going down.

For the really brave, walk along the street from Main to Cambie. It’s 4 blocks of Hell. You’ll be propositioned by whores and crack dealers every few steps and after you end your trip at Cambie Street, you’ll have a fresh appreciation for what you have in life!

One experience you will never forget if you are courageous enough…Dress in old ripped up clothes, put on a hat pulled down low and go hang out in front of the Carnegie Library at the corner of Main and Hastings. You’ll be amazed at the activity there at any time of the day. Drug deals, stolen goods, you name it…All happening right outside the Vancouver Police Station!!

Safety Tips

1. If you are driving to check out the crackheads and junkies, make sure to lock your doors and do not park. If you do, many will come to your window to ask you if you need anything. A great time to take close-up photos of the junkies, but don’t stay too long. They won’t appreciate photos being taken!
2. If you are walking, don’t walk alone. The more people the better and make sure you have a cellphone ready to dial 911. Also, try to keep an eye behind you
3. If you are walking, hide all jewelry. Rings, chains, watches or anything else shiny or valuable looking should be hidden.

Directions to Main and Hastings Streets in Vancouver

The Steveston Historic Fishing Village is one of Richmond’s gems. It’s Richmond’s version of Granville Island, only smaller, quieter, and certainly packed with charm and loveliness.

It used to be an old dock that has transformed into a popular area filled with quaint shops, pubs, and fantastic restaurants. The atmosphere in Steveston Village is very relaxed and you will feel right at home there.

One of the Village’s most oustanding features is its pier, which remains to be one of the most beautiful places to go for long walks in Vancouver. Strolling along this boardwalk can sooth your soul as you are surrounded by breathtaking water views, beautiful boats and fresh sea air. Schedule your walk to watch the incredible sunrises and sunsets.

If you love whale-watching, Steveston Village also offers guided tours from April through October. They also host wildlife viewing excursions in search of sea lions from April through May. A wonderful historic site to visit is The Gulf of Georgia Cannery, which is also open for tours. Here, you will be able to see how a cannery operates.

Steveston Village also offers a tremendous number of restaurants covering a wide variety of cuisines. Be sure to order from the seafood menu though as Steveston’s restaurants are reknowned for having the freshest seafood cooked to culinary perfection.

Things to Do:
Go on a Whale Watching or Wildlife Excursion
Visit the Gulf of Georgia Cannery
Tour the Britannia Heritage Shipyard
Stroll Along the Beautiful Boardwalk
Visit the Countless of Little Shops in the Village

Restaurant Picks:
Cimona Cafe
Charthouse Restaurant
Tapenade Bistro
Shady Island Seafood

Google directions to Steveston Historic Fishing Village 

“Guide to Vancouver“

Vancouver tourist information centers, the Vancouver airport, the Vancouver hotels and other tourist hot-spots are filled with them. You have seen the web pages that want to help you discover Vancouver, but don`t really give you the low-down on the city. These so called “Vancouver Guides” aren’t really giving people that are looking for of a guide to the City of Vancouver, a honest interpretation of all the best that Vancouver, B.C. has to offer.

Best Vancouver Guide is going to change that.

We won`t just be posting about the tourist attractions that you’ll find in the regular Vancouver tourist guides. You know, the incredible Capilano Suspension Bridge or all the many exciting things you will see on Granville Island.

This guide to Vancouver will be about more than that. This guide to the city will give you a much more “cool” Vancouver guide, where you will find a wide variety of things to see and do when in Vancouver. Things that aren`t in your usual Vancouver guides.

Best Vancouver Guide is fueled by YOU and our email bin is wide open to suggestions. We want YOU to tell the world what you think is best about Vancouver

Send us a email and tell us what’s best about this incredible city. As long as your opinion doesn`t contain vulgarity or any sort of racist, sexist or just pain nasty comments, we`ll post it right away!

The best part?? Others can speak their minds, giving the people that are looking for some of the best that Vancouver has to offer, a much more honest opinion.

Need some ideas?? Here are some of the Best Vancouver posts we`ll be putting up. Once the posts go up, get in there and tell others how you feel, or, send us your own!We`re powered by the people and we like it!

Best places to get a deal when you dine out in Vancouver.
Best Vancouver Island camping spot.
Best places you won`t find on a Vancouver map.
Best Vancouver jobs to have in the summer.
Best Vancouver travel ideas for people that want to see odd things.
Best and nicest looking Vancouver restaurant staff.
Best spot to find some Vancouver sun in the winter.
Best craigslist Vancouver posts.
Best place go in Vancouver to make you appreciate what you have.
Best Vancouver Canuck memory.
Best places in Vancouver to smoke a joint and trip out on nature.
Best show in Vancouver.
Best Vancouver Hotel to film an adult film in.
Best North Vancouver store for slurpies in the summer.
Best time to go to the Vancouver aquarium and avoid big crowds.
Best Vancouver used car dealership.
Best Vancouver community college that isn`t a rip-off.
Best place to take a photo of Vancouver.
Best agency to deal with when it comes to apartment rentals in Vancouver.
Best restaurant for a romantic dinner in Vancouver.
Best times to go to Science World.
Best Vancouver hotels for pet owners.
Best Vancouver downtown hotel.
Best place to see the Vancouver skyline.
Best Stanley Park sight to see.
Best Vancouver school district to place to your child in.
Best Vancouver Sun Run training tips.
Best Vancouver web design company.
Best Vancouver web site.
Best Interior Designer in Vancouver.
Best Vancouver limousine company to rent from.
Best Vancouver airport hotel bartender.
Best Vancouver web cam sites

Give us a shout now and tell us about the Best of Vancouver!

Granville Island began its transformation in the late 1970’s, from a declining 37-acre industrial park in Vancouver’s False Creek, to possibly the most successful urban redevelopment ever seen in North America.

Granville Island is an urban planning success story, analyzed and copied worldwide. Transforming it from a derelict industrial park to a thriving market and entertainment destination, the Island’s planners have carefully and affectionately guided its growth.

Here are some of Granville Island’s popular attractions

The Granville Island Public Market – The Granville Island Public Market is Vancouver’s hub of epicurean delight. Browse the exotic array of crisp, garden-fresh produce which overflows each vendor’s stall—from luscious berries in season, to delicate Japanese eggplant. Look for displays of fresh Coho salmon and giant prawns on beds of ice. Breathe in the delicious scent of just-from-the-oven bagels mixing with the aroma of freshly roasted coffee and pungent cheeses from around the world. The Public Market provides the very best of fresh food for the expert chef, as well as those who love to eat! It is a great source of local produce, homemade products and unusual ingredients for exotic recipes. Wild fiddleheads, pine mushrooms, seaweed, stinging nettles—the list is endless.

Granville Island Kids Market – If you’re a kid looking for fun, or a grown-up looking to bring out the kid in you, the Granville Island Kids Market is the place to be this summer! Arts and crafts, henna, face painting, ceramic painting, and rice art take place almost every day! If you’re planning on joining in the fun, make sure to call in advance and confirm which activities are taking place on any given day.

Granville Island Made in BC (BC Day) – Here comes another exciting patriotic celebration: BC Day! Follow the red balloons and discover the talented BC artists who call Granville Island home, see some amazing chalk artists create amazing chalk art, and join in all the activities for kids – young and old – that will be happening at the Kids Market. And what better way to end the day than with supper at one of the Island’s restaurants, all of which will be featuring dishes that highlight the most delicious foods our province has to offer?

It’s a remarkable thing, this island in the middle of a city of two million. Embracing the surrounding metropolitan bustle, Granville Island’s ambiance is matchless; its gritty, industrial past is proudly displayed in today’s people-friendly, artistic, and energetic incarnation. Take a trip to Granville Island soon. It’ll be well worth your while!

Granville Island Web Site

Google Map to Granville Island

578 Carrall Street, Vancouver, BC

Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden Web Site

Google Maps-Directions to Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden

The largest city-owned park in Canada and the third largest in North America, Stanley Park is a 404.9 hectare (1,000 acre) urban park bordering downtown Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Much of the park remains forested with an estimated half million trees that can be as tall as 76 metres (250 feet) and hundreds of years old. There are approximately 200 km (125 miles) of trails and roads in the park, which are patrolled by the Vancouver Police Department’s mounted squad.

A great place to spend the day. Wear comfortable shoes and bring your camera for some amazing photo ops.

Stanley Park Web Site

Google Maps for Stanley Park Vancouver

VanDusen Botanical Garden is one of Vancouver prettiest places to visit. This spectacular 22-hectare (55-acre) garden in the heart of Vancouver, British Columbia has matured into a botanical garden of international stature since opening to the public in 1975. The mild Vancouver climate allows the cultivation of an outstanding plant collection which is a delight any time of the year. VanDusen boasts over 255,000 plants representing more than 7,300 taxa from around the world. Their plant collections represent ecosystems that range from tropical South Africa, to the Himalayas, to the Canadian Arctic, as well as plants native to the Pacific Northwest

Location of VanDusen Botanical Gardens, Vancouver, BC

VanDusen Botanical Garden
5251 Oak Street (37th & Oak St.)
Vancouver, British Columbia
V6M 4H1

Google Map

VanDusen Botanical Garden Web Site