Vancouver, a bustling west coast seaport in British Columbia & along with it's US neigbhour Seattle, is regarded as one of the gateway cruise ports for Alaska. Aamong Canada’s densest, most ethnically diverse cities. A popular filming location, it’s surrounded by mountains, and also has thriving art, theatre and music scenes. Vancouver Art Gallery is known for its works by regional artists, while the Museum of Anthropology houses preeminent First Nations collections.

The original named Gastown it grew from the clearcuts on the west edge of the Hastings Mill logging sawmill's property, where a makeshift tavern had been set up by the proprietor, Gassy Jack.  He persuaded the curious millworkers to build him a tavern, from this first enterprise, other stores and some hotels quickly appeared along the waterfront to the west.

Gastown became formally laid out as a registered townsite dubbed Granville as part of the land and political deal whereby the area of the townsite was made the railhead of the Canadian Pacific Railway, it was renamed "Vancouver" and incorporated shortly thereafter as a city in 1886. Browse cruises from Vancouver | Browse Alaska Cruises

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Weather

August is the hottest month of the year in Vancouver with an average temperature of 18°C (64°F), for those looking for sunshine July has the hours at 13 hours a day, whilst the coldest month is January at 4°C (38°F) Those loooking to avoid the rain, November is the wettest month with an average of 200mm of rain. 

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Things to see and do in Vancouver

Vancouver in 1, 2 or 3 hours

Vancouver has plenty of options for easy sightseeing and shopping add-ons for travellers who just have a couple hours to kill. Tourism Vancouver have put together 3 great options for you to experience the city in one, two or three hours. 

One Hour options

Walk down Robson Street, known as one of the Vancouver’s most vibrant shopping areas which stretches from BC Place Stadium to Lost Lagoon in Stanley Park. It’s a great place for people watching, browsing stores as well as walking through landmarks such as Library Square, Robson Square and the Vancouver Art Gallery.

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Two Hour options

After strolling through Robson Street head over to nearby Gastown, a historic district that juxtaposes old buildings and landmarks. Walking down the cobblestone streets, take a picture in front of Victorian buildings or next to the iconic Gastown Steam Clock on the corner of Cambie and Water streets. The district has endless options for enjoying a beer or cocktail.

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Three Hour options

Nothing compares to the array of authentic Asian cuisine in Vancouver’s Chinatown, the third-largest in North America. Try out traditional dim sum, handmade steamed dumplings or delicate Chinese tea in one of area’s many tea shops. After trying out the local cuisines head to Chinese Cultural Centre, the Sam Kee building (the world’s narrowest commercial building) or the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, where lily-pad-topped ponds and traditional Chinese pagodas and  provide a sense of escaping from the bustling city.

Vancouver