This year we decided to vacation out West so in a few weeks time we are flying to Vancouver, Staying downtown on Burrard street/Robson for 4 nights, then heading to Whistler for 5 nights.

Kids now grown, so just the two of us! We would like some recommendations for must-see places and great places to eat - Chinese/Indian/Mediterranean in particular. Thanks

Museum of Anthropology on the UBC campus.

Since we are new Canadian Citizens we have CAP cards that include free entry to there

http://www.icc-icc.ca/en/cap/attractionsBC.php

When I went there were rooms off the main galleries that were open and we just went in and started opening drawers, it was fascinating.

There is an awesome Mongolian restaurant at Whistler that I would highly recommend called the Mongolie Grill.

We will try that out thanks. For the size of the town, there is no shortage of places to eat in Whistler

Are you driving or using public transit?

One of the very best Chinese resturants http://www.sunsuiwah.com/en_home.html

Japanese ... https://plus.google.com/115188335476...ut?gl=ca&hl=en or http://www.tojos.com/Home.html

Indian http://www.vijs.ca/

The other 3 are well known. Miko is Mrs. JonboyE's favourite.

Thanks for the recommendations! I don't think I will be ordering squab at Sunsuiwah though - a bird with the head still on didn't get my gastric juices flowing you definitely get authentic food Chinese in Vancouver for sure.

We will be using public transit/cabs until we pick up a car for our trip to Whistler.

Biodiversity museum on UBC (short walk from the Museum of Anthropology) was very good

http://beatymuseum.ubc.ca/

Like the Natural History Museum on a smaller scale

The skiing is not that good at that time of year!

I smell a recce

Things I would do in Vancouver by transit.

* rent some cycles and bike the seawall
* walks in Stanley Park
* the Museum of Anthropology at UBC - if it is a nice day visit the rose garden on the parkade roof.
* Granville Island public market and the surrounding artisan's studios.
* On a clear day, Grouse Mountain. There is a gondola but if you are fit you can hike up.
* Lynn Valley suspension bridge. It is less touristy than the advertised, expensive, Capilano bridge - and free. There are lots of good hikes around there.
* wander along Robson Street, and Water Street in Gastown.
* the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen gardens and wander around Chinatown.
* for another side of Vancouver take the Skytrain to Commercial Drive
* take the Canada Line to Richmond then the bus to Steveston. Visit the Gulf of Georgia cannery then walk by the commercial fish port and along the boardwalk to the Brittania Hertage Yards.

That should keep you busy for four days withhout going near a shopping mall. The weather can be a bit unpredicable in June so make the most of the nice days.

The drive up to Whistler is very good. When I am taking someone for the first time I make stops at:

* Porteau Cove park for a veiw of the mountains across Howe Sound
* The Brittania Beach mining museum.
* Shannon Falls just before Squamish. As well as the falls (only a 2 or 3 minute walk away) see if you can spot any climbers on the Chief).
* viewpoint for the Tantalus Mountains shortly after Squamish/Garibaldi Highlands.
* Brandywine Falls - an easy 10 minute walk from the car park.

If you have the car in Whistler don't miss exploring Hwy 99 to Pemberton and Lillooet.

We are not skiing but will be driving and doing some light hiking

The ski slopes are used for mountain biking in the summer. Howerer, you can still use the gondola on Whistler Mountain to take the strain out of getting near the tops.

Thanks for all this info. I had planned a few of those you mentioned but now have a few more places to add to my itinerary

Although I enjoy shopping, I prefer to be a tourist than spend all day in a store. I have been to NYC twice and have yet to set foot in Macy's. I have of course been to Tiffany's a few times though - well it is like a gallery full of art