By Nicholas Katers
Fun Places in Vancouver
Vancouver is
Canada's major city in the western provinces but reflects the nation's vibrancy and diversity. The city of Vancouver is home to Chinese, Russian, French and other cultural communities drawn to its urban charms. Vancouver is filled with art museums, sports teams and other attractions where visitors can have fun before heading home. Your next trip to Vancouver should look past obvious destinations for hidden gems ignored by other tourists.
BC Lions Football Club
Vancouver's BC Lions Football Club is one of the cornerstone franchises of the Canadian Football League (CFL). Fans of American football will be intrigued by the CFL's different rules including three downs, 110-yard fields and 12 players aside when watching the BC Lions. The club plays its games in the 59,841-seat BC Place Stadium in the heart of Vancouver. The BC Lions play 18 games per season from June through November with the potential to win the CFL's Grey Cup, Canada's most viewed sporting event.
BC Lions Football Club
10605 135 St.
Surrey, British Columbia V3T 4C8, Canada
(604) 930-5466
www.bclions.com/
Vancouver Giants
Hockey fans in Vancouver can eschew the team's NHL franchise for cheaper tickets to Vancouver Giants games. The Vancouver Giants play Western Hockey League games in the 16,281-seat Pacific Coliseum each season. The Giants won the league championship in 2006, Canada's Memorial Cup in 2007 and produced NHL players like JD Watt and Triston Grant in the past. The team's season extends from September through March with plenty of giveaways, discounted tickets and events to keep games interesting.
Vancouver Giants
100 North Renfrew St.
Vancouver, British Columbia V5K 3N7
(604) 444-2687
www.vancouvergiants.com/
Biltmore Cabaret
The Biltmore Cabaret is a rock club and show lounge located on Vancouver's venerable Kingsway. The 350-person club features two bars, multiple booths and plenty of seats to accommodate music fans. Travelers trying to see Canada's hottest artists should head to the venue on Fridays for Big Band Night. Visitors can check out themed nights like Rockabilly Sundays and late night comedy shows at this unique venue. The Biltmore Cabaret offers burlesque shows on Wednesdays that are popular among Vancouver residents.
Biltmore Cabaret
395 Kingsway
Vancouver, British Columbia V5T 3J7, Canada
(604) 676-0541
www.biltmorecabaret.com/
Cliffhanger Climbing Gyms
Cliffhanger Climbing Gyms operates three indoor climbing facilities in the metro Vancouver area including Vancouver, Coquitlam and Richmond. The Vancouver branch of Cliffhanger offers 15,000 square feet of indoor walls and exercise areas for rock climbers of all experience levels. The course's 53 top ropes allow multiple groups to scale walls while learning important lessons about teamwork. Cliffhanger Climbing Gyms hosts birthday parties for kids as well as climbing camps to teach children the fundamentals of rock climbing.
Cliffhanger Climbing Gyms
670 Industrial Ave.
Vancouver, British Columbia V6A 2P3, Canada
(604) 874-2400
www.cliffhangerclimbing.com/
Resources
About the Author:
Nicholas Katers has been a freelance writer since 2006. He teaches American history at Carroll University in Waukesha, Wis. His past works include articles for "CCN Magazine," "The History Teacher" and "The Internationalist" magazine. Katers holds a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in American history from University of Wisconsin-Green Bay and University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, respectively.
Photo Credits:
Photo by Magnus Manske (Wikimedia Commons)
