English Courses in Vancouver

Visit the Museum of Anthropology
Vancouver and what is known as the Lower Mainland was settled some 10,000 years ago. Overlooking the Burrard Inlet, on campus at the University of British Columbia, the Museum of Anthropology offers up a mosaic of Aboriginal works, both ancient and contemporary, all weaving together a story that is rarely told to visitors of this great city. To really learn about the city’s roots, and its relationship with the global community, this is one of the most important things to do in Vancouver.

The Vancouver Aquarium
The Vancouver Aquarium gives visitors the opportunity to see what lies beneath the frigid waters of the Pacific Ocean, or what’s living above in canopies of the Brazilian Amazon. One of North America’s largest aquariums, and conveniently located in the heart of Stanley Park, this attraction is one of the most popular things to do in Vancouver. There is much to see, and as the Aquarium offers a regular rotation of unique exhibits, visitors should allow at least a day to come nose-to-nose with Belugas and learn about how essential the salmon is here in the Coastal ecosystem.

Vancouver Lookout
Vancouver Lookout at Harbour Centre is the best first stop, with a spectacular 360° view of the metropolitan area, the majestic North Shore Mountains and perhaps even Vancouver Island just off the Pacific Coast. The experience starts outside of the building in an exterior glass elevator where in 40 seconds visitors are whisked from the street level to the observation deck.  Upon arrival, 167 m above sea level, is a view of one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

Take a Drive up the Sea-to-Sky Highway
Rated as one of the most the beautiful drives in the world, the Sea-to-Sky corridor takes visitors on a 1.5 hour long journey, from the heart of downtown Vancouver to the world class ski town of Whistler. With waterfalls, jaw-dropping vistas, a stunning cultural center and a suspension bridge along the way, this is a journey not to miss.

Hike the Grouse Grind
There is no better way to become an honorary Vancouverite than by hiking on the Grouse Grind. Nicknamed “Mother Nature’s Staircase,” this is no Sunday stroll. Located on Vancouver’s North Shore, at the foot of the Grouse Mountain, the Grind takes hikers some 850m up through the alpine. At the top, a panoramic chalet awaits with ice cold drinks and sweeping views of the city. On the way back, visitors can enjoy a scenic ride down the mountain on the Grouse Gondola.

Cycle Around Stanley Park
Vancouver’s Stanley Park has managed to beat New York’s Central Park, the Luxeumbourg Gardens in Paris and Chicago’s Millennium Park to be named the World’s Best Park by Trip Advisor. So why is it so great? Where else in the world can a visitor cycle all the way around an old growth forest, visit ancient Aboriginal village sites, lie on a beach, lounge around a rose garden or get up and close with sea lions and Pacific dolphins. There are a handful of bicycle rental spots at the base of Denman Street, and it’s the best way to get around the park.

Window Shop in Gastown
Vancouver proper began in the heart of what is now a trendy neighborhood called Gastown, named after a historical figure known as “Gassy Jack.” Once Canada’s third largest city, in 1867 “Gastown” was the site of various lumber mills, and is now home to chic loft apartments, European eateries, cocktail lounges and eye-catching boutiques. There are a few galleries of note along Water Street, and plenty of places to buy Canadian items.

Dim Sum in China Town
Vancouver’s Chinatown is one of the oldest in Canada and the largest. Perched on the edge of the Downtown Financial District and Gastown, Chinatown offers up an array of funky shops, inexpensive markets, and of course, the best Dim Sum restaurants in town. Sunday is the busiest day for Dim Sum, but also the best with multi-generational families sitting down and chatting about the week’s events.

Find Your Zen
Vancouver’s Chinatown is home to one of Canada’s most impressive Chinese gardens, Dr. Sun Yat Sen. Constructed with wholly traditional methods (by hand), the site mimics complex gardens found in China with courtyards, meandering brooks, impeccably sculpted vegetation, all in keeping with the Confucian and Buddhist tradition.

Kayaking in Deep Cove
Ocean kayaking is one of the most popular things to do in Vancouver, and Deep Cove is one of the best and safest places to do it in Canada. At Indian Arm, a picturesque fjord, the forests creatures come down to the water’s edge to greet paddlers with curiosity.

Take an Aquabus to Granville Island
No visit to Vancouver is complete without a visit to the Granville Island.  What was once an industrial manufacturing hub is now the meeting place for well-to-do Vancouverites and tourists to shop for organic produce, sip on premium teas, sample fine chocolates, listen to buskers, and watch sleek yachts at the dock.

High Tea at the Fairmont
On the 15th floor of the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, which dates back to the days of the railroad,  a  sumptuous spread awaits with the finest teas, impeccable finger sandwiches, scones, and of course, sweeping city views.

Hike in Lynn Canyon
Vancouver has two suspension bridges, both equally spectacular, but one is always crowded with tourists and costly, and the other is frequented more by locals and free! Located in the heart of Lynn Valley, Lynn Canyon Park has been delighting hiking enthusiasts for over 100 years. Complete with trails, popular swimming holes, and breathtaking waterfalls, a visit to this bridge 50 meters above the canopy is a must.