Szilvia GombolaDowntown Vancouver
August 4th 2008 04:52
There is something I really love about Vancouver, I am not sure I can put my finger on what it is, all I know is that every time I am there I feel great. Maybe it is the relaxed atmosphere, maybe it is the friendly local’s, or maybe it is a combination of both.
I have been to Vancouver on several occasions, once in the summer as a dedicated Vancouver tourist, and twice in the winter, on my way to and from the ski fields at Whistler.
My next few posts will be dedicated to finding out what is so great about this city. Starting with the city’s downtown shopping district.
Downtown Vancouver centres on Robson Street. The street is full of some of the most fantastic designer stores, such as Mexx, French Connection, Gap, The Levis store and so much more. In fact, you can buy anything on Robson Street from fantastic wigs to amazing shoes. CDs are cheap in Canada so do not go past the Virgin Megastore on Robson. Oh and coffee, whenever you need a break from shopping there is bound to be a Starbucks nearby. In fact, on the intersection of Robson and Thurlow Streets there are Starbucks’ diagonally opposite each other, from there it is only another two blocks to the next one.
There are a number of great places to eat as well. If you are into Asian food, head to the Western end of the street where you will find a number of great noodle shops and sushi bars.
Vancouver is often referred to as the Hollywood of the North due to the number of well-known movies and TV series shot here, because it is cheaper than shooting them in the US.
I remember on my first trip to Vancouver, staying in an apartment that overlooked the architecturally spectacular Vancouver Public Library, at the eastern end of Robson Street. Every night there was a lot of filming going on around the libarary, I could just make out people running across the rooftops under the huge floodlights. During the day, I walked past a number movie caravans /dressing rooms lined up along the street, and there were limousines pulling up curb side all the time.
Unfortunately, I could not get a look in due to the tinted windows, but there are plenty of other places around Vancouver that are great for a bit of celebrity spotting.
Some of the best places to spot a celebrity are:
• Four Seasons Hotel Really Long Link
• Metropolitan and Diva at the Met Restaurant (www.metropolitan.com/vanc):
• Opus Hotel and Opus Bar (www.opushotel.com):
• Pan Pacific Hotel Really Long Link
• Sutton Place Hotel and Gerard Lounge (www.suttonplace.com)
• Cin Cin Ristorante (www.cincin.net):
• George (www.georgelounge.com):
• Tojo's (www.tojos.com):
For those that love comedy one of the best tips I have ever received is that when Robin Williams is in town he often appears unannounced at one of the city’s comedy clubs.
I have been to Vancouver on several occasions, once in the summer as a dedicated Vancouver tourist, and twice in the winter, on my way to and from the ski fields at Whistler.
My next few posts will be dedicated to finding out what is so great about this city. Starting with the city’s downtown shopping district.
Robson Street image from flickr
Downtown Vancouver centres on Robson Street. The street is full of some of the most fantastic designer stores, such as Mexx, French Connection, Gap, The Levis store and so much more. In fact, you can buy anything on Robson Street from fantastic wigs to amazing shoes. CDs are cheap in Canada so do not go past the Virgin Megastore on Robson. Oh and coffee, whenever you need a break from shopping there is bound to be a Starbucks nearby. In fact, on the intersection of Robson and Thurlow Streets there are Starbucks’ diagonally opposite each other, from there it is only another two blocks to the next one.
Starbucks on diagnonally opposite each other
There are a number of great places to eat as well. If you are into Asian food, head to the Western end of the street where you will find a number of great noodle shops and sushi bars.
Vancouver is often referred to as the Hollywood of the North due to the number of well-known movies and TV series shot here, because it is cheaper than shooting them in the US.
I remember on my first trip to Vancouver, staying in an apartment that overlooked the architecturally spectacular Vancouver Public Library, at the eastern end of Robson Street. Every night there was a lot of filming going on around the libarary, I could just make out people running across the rooftops under the huge floodlights. During the day, I walked past a number movie caravans /dressing rooms lined up along the street, and there were limousines pulling up curb side all the time.
Unfortunately, I could not get a look in due to the tinted windows, but there are plenty of other places around Vancouver that are great for a bit of celebrity spotting.
Some of the best places to spot a celebrity are:
• Four Seasons Hotel Really Long Link
• Metropolitan and Diva at the Met Restaurant (www.metropolitan.com/vanc):
• Opus Hotel and Opus Bar (www.opushotel.com):
• Pan Pacific Hotel Really Long Link
• Sutton Place Hotel and Gerard Lounge (www.suttonplace.com)
• Cin Cin Ristorante (www.cincin.net):
• George (www.georgelounge.com):
• Tojo's (www.tojos.com):
For those that love comedy one of the best tips I have ever received is that when Robin Williams is in town he often appears unannounced at one of the city’s comedy clubs.
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