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Driving from Vancouver to Whistler on the Sea to Sky Freeway is a quick journey by road journey necessities, nevertheless this stretch alongside Freeway 99 in British Columbia is full of so many points to see and do, it’d take days to find. We’ve rounded up the best factors of curiosity from Vancouver to Whistler along with places to stay, the place to eat, and what adventures accessible.
Having lived in Vancouver, we have pushed the Sea to Sky Freeway many situations in our lives, however it wasn’t until we revisited it as vacationers that we actually took our time to soak up all the best factors of curiosity alongside the Sea to Sky corridor. So sit once more, profit from the views, and start planning your private road journey from Vancouver to Whistler BC.
Sea to Sky Freeway Avenue Journey
The Sea to Sky Freeway is barely 154 km (95 miles) prolonged and the drive time from Vancouver to Whistler could also be achieved in a mere 90 minutes. Should you want to plan a tremendous Sea to Sky Freeway road journey, plan on 4 to five days.
This journey is superb and there are so many points to would you like time to go mountaineering, uncover its epic waterfalls, immerse in its historic previous and take throughout the sights. So let’s get started.
Areas to Go to from Vancouver to Whistler
1. Vancouver
Spend the night time time in Vancouver and uncover one among Canada’s best cities for on the very least a day. There are many points to see in Vancouver that may protect you occupied from the waterfront path on False Creek to historic Gastown and the well-known Granville Island. Listed beneath are numerous of our prime options for points to do in Vancouver.
The place to Preserve in Vancouver
The Opus Vancouver is an outstanding boutique resort positioned in Yaletown that is strolling distance to each little factor. This trendy resort was named certainly one of many prime inns by Forbes and the best luxurious property in BC. Study additional: The place to Preserve in Vancouver – Most interesting Lodges & Journey Leases By Area
It had a number of of the friendliest service we’ve expert at a resort. It needs to be that modern West Coast air that makes all people fully completely happy! We extraordinarily counsel it. Plus there are good selections for consuming and nightlife shut by and its solely a fast stroll to the waterfront.
2. Stanley Park and Downtown
We suggest starting with exploring Stanley Park. Rent a bicycle and take a spin throughout the Sea Wall. It is best to undoubtedly stop on the Marina for a number of of the best views of the Vancouver Skyline. An superior stop may be the Stanley Park Totem Poles at Brockton. The totem poles present the indigenous custom of British Columbia which can be very prevalent alongside the Sea to Sky Freeway aka British Columbia Freeway 1. Strive 26 Most interesting Points to do in Vancouver, BC
Spend the rest of the day exploring False Creek with an important chunk of time at Granville Island. Granville Island is full of eateries, boutique shopping for, artists studios, and even a theatre. It’s a pleasant spot to hold round. Then take the water taxi all through False Creek to walk alongside the waterfront to Gastown. Vancouver’s oldest neighborhood was primarily based by Gassy Jack Deighton in 1867. There’s numerous shopping for and consuming in Vancouver.
3. Capilano Suspension Bridge
In your second day in Vancouver, head out throughout the morning to see the well-known Capilano suspension bridge. The Capilano Bridge is a 137meters prolonged (450 ft) suspension bridge swinging 70 meters (230 ft) above the Capilano River. That’s the star attraction, nevertheless there could also be moreover a extreme ropes treetop journey and they also present guided strolling excursions by way of the rainforest. There are free shuttles from downtown Vancouver, nevertheless you in all probability have a automotive, we suggest driving since it might be greatest to find the other sights near Vancouver.
4. Grouse Mountain Gondola
Grouse Mountain is home to some good snowboarding correct near city center. There moreover Cypress Bowl and Mount Seymour for winter sports activities actions, nevertheless Grouse Mountain has various summer season season actions and points to do. To get to Grouse Mountain, cross the Lions Gate Bridge that takes you into North Vancouver.
Grouse mountain is a year-round trip spot merely quarter-hour from downtown Vancouver. Take the Grouse Mountain Gondola up for magnificent views of Vancouver. Should you’re touring throughout the winter, snowboarding is definitely in order nevertheless in case you aren’t into snowboarding or visiting all through one different season, there’s a zipper line journey, lumberjack current, two resident grizzley bears that benefit from a pure sanctuary, consuming, and mountaineering. Study additional: 14 Most interesting Hikes in Vancouver to Profit from the Good Out of doors
5. Hit The Seashore
If mountaineering and heights aren’t your points, You probably can spend the day attempting out Vancouver’s seashores. Vancouver has numerous cool seashores to go to. Chances are high excessive you already visited Second and Third Seashores when biking spherical Stanley Park. And when working your strategy from Stanely Park within the route of Granville Island, there’s English Bay Seashore (the place we used to dwell) and Sunset Seashore. Nevertheless within the occasion you go all through English Bay to Kistalano, there are far more seashores.
The very best Vancouver seashores to go to listed below are Jerico Seashore, Kitsilano Seashore, Spanish Banks Seashore, and Wreck Seashore. Wreck Seashore is taken under consideration top-of-the-line nude seashores on the planet, so be warned, you’ll see various pores and pores and skin. The rationale it was almost certainly chosen as an important nude seashore is as a result of 5 hundred steps major proper all the way down to the sandy seashore making it pretty secluded.
Stops on the Sea to Sky Freeway
After spending a number of days exploring Vancouver and North Vancouver, it’s now time to hit the road and let the Sea to Sky Freeway road journey begin. The drive takes us as quickly as as soon as extra all through the Lion’s Gate Bridge to North Van after which a drive by way of West Vancouver with a quick stop at Lighthouse Park sooner than moving into Horseshoe Bay. This, in my opinion the place the Sea to Sky Freeway really begins.
6. Whytecliff Park
A popular stop at Horseshoe Bay is Whytecliff Park. This marine sanctuary is home to shipwrecks and an abundance of Marinelife and could also be quite common with scuba divers. It’s good for swimming, plus at low tide, you could stroll out to Whytecliff Island. Make sure to stop proper right here for some footage and to soak up the view.
7. Britannia Mine
The next stop is probably going one of many hottest factors of curiosity alongside the Sea to Sky Freeway. The Britannia Mine Museum is a Nationwide Historic Website online of Canada that was a very powerful copper mine in the entire world. Proper now it’s a excellent interactive museum that takes friends on a observe to the center of the mountain to see the place miners dug for copper. Make sure you check out the model new current, BOOM. The multi-sensory film takes place throughout the giant 20 story setting up the place we be taught in a very entertaining strategy regarding the 96-year historic previous of mining in Squamish.
There’s moreover the “Linked by Copper: From Cells to Cell Telephones”, which gives a glimpse of how copper has influenced our day-to-day lives all by historic previous since historic situations, from connecting us with electrical power to wi-fi and defending us from harmful micro organism. Study additional about it proper right here.
8. Britannia Seashore
Shut by you could stop at Britannia Seashore which was as quickly as a booming mining metropolis, nevertheless right now it is a small and charming village. Britannia Seashore was in all probability probably the most polluted areas in North America as a result of copper mine mine, nevertheless in 2005, an unlimited enterprise was undertaken to clean up the waters. Proper now, the waters of Howe Sound at Britannia Seashore are 85% recovered with marine life coming once more more and more extra yearly. It is best to undoubtedly try it out on your self.
9. Shannon Falls
The first waterfall we come all through between Vancouver and Whistler is Shannon Falls positioned merely South of Squamish. The falls are a quick and simple stroll from the automobile parking space so make sure you get out and have a look! Shannon Falls is the third largest waterfall in British Columbia. There are a number of fully totally different viewpoints to soak up the large 335-meter (1099 foot) cascade. From Shannon Falls, you possibly can start one among three treks to the Stawamus Chief.
10. Sea to Sky Gondola
The Sea to Sky Gondola takes you as a lot as Summit Lodge for superior views of Howe Sound. When you end up on the prime there are a variety of viewing platforms, The Sky Pilot Suspension Bridge, and plenty of mountaineering. That is probably one of many premier factors of curiosity on anyone’s Vancouver to Whistler road journey. (it was closed as soon as we’ve been there, however it’s probably one of many prime factors of curiosity alongside the Sea to Sky Freeway and to not be missed)
11. Sea to Sky Air
Given that Sea to Sky Gondola was closed, we nonetheless managed a fowl’s eye view by taking an unbelievable scenic flight on a floatplane over the Coast Mountains and Howe Sound with Sea to Sky Air. Our pilot David took us over the waters the place we landed on Howe Sound to toot spherical for a while in the hunt for marine life. It was top-of-the-line scenic flights we’ve ever taken.
12. Squamish
Driving from Vancouver to Whistler, the first major group after Horseshoe bay is Squamish. This generally is a good place to spend the night time time and check out the web sites and actions throughout the house. For a additional in-depth info be taught 14 Great Points to Do in Squamish BC
The place to Preserve Squamish
An excellent place to stay in Squamish is Sunwolf Riverside Lodge. These log cabins are positioned on the river in a forest setting. They’ve wood-burning stoves and a inconceivable restaurant that is frequent with locals and vacationers alike. It makes you are feeling as in case you might be out in nature nevertheless has the entire amenities you need.
13. Stawamus Chief
Recognized merely as The Chief, the Stawamus Chief is a 702 meter (2,303 foot) granite cliff towering over city of Squamish. Rock Climbers come from all around the world to take care of its routes. The Chief is Canada’s Reply to El Capitan.
You don’t should be a rock climber to benefit from The Chief, you could hike to the best too! There are three fully totally different hikes, First Peak, Second Peak and, Third Peak hikes. (How genuine correct?) You in all probability have restricted time the First Peak is the shortest (4km spherical journey) and has beautiful views.
14. Bald Eagles at Squamish River
For individuals who maintain at Sunwolf Riverside, you’ll be immediately on the Squamish River the place you’ll uncover the best Bald Eagle sightings on the planet. From November to February a lot of of bald eagles flock to the river to munch on the abundance of salmon stock. We’ve been there in October and we observed numerous bald eagles ourselves, so one factor tells me they’re spherical all 12 months lengthy. We stood on the bridge overlooking the river and watched them sweep in for his or her catch sooner than sitting on extreme treetops.
Sea to Sky Half to – Squamish to Whistler Stops
After on the very least 2 nights in Squamish, it’s time to hit the road as soon as extra and make your strategy within the route of Whistler. There are lots of stops on this portion of Freeway 1, so ensure you take your time and profit from the drive.
15. Garibaldi Provincial Park
Dwelling to the placing Mount Garibaldi, Garibaldi Provincial Park is a gigantic recreation house at 480990 acres (194,650-hectares) in house. Widespread mountaineering trails from Diamond Head embrace a cool hike out to Elfin Lake the place for $15 you could maintain in a cabin full with a propane vary. This generally is a frequent park for mountaineering and canoeing too! See one different BC mountain trip spot at The Most interesting Points to do in Revelstoke, BC – Furthermore Snowboarding
16. Brandywine Falls
The next well-known waterfall on our Vancouver to Whistler journey is Brandywine Falls. It’s one different simple 10 to 15-minute stroll from the automobile parking space all through a railway monitor to a stupendous 70 meters (230 foot) dashing waterfall dropping proper right into a horseshoe canyon.
17. Whistler
Congratulations you made it to Whistler! Whistler is one among Canada’s prime vacationer places and we recommend staying on the very least numerous days. Longer within the occasion you intend on snowboarding or snowboarding! There are so many points to do in Whistler, it makes for an outstanding ending degree to our Sea to Sky Freeway journey.
Whereas there, ensure you check out the Olympic Village, hit a number of of the Olympic web sites identical to the bobsleigh to aim your hand at a spin down the monitor or head up the mountain for magnificent views on the Peak 2 Peak Gondola. There are good mountaineering trails and in case you might be visiting throughout the winter, there are clearly glorious winter factors of curiosity nevertheless listed below are numerous ideas open air the normal snowboarding and spa experiences in Whistler.
18. Apply Wreck Path
The next frequent stop on our drive from Vancouver to Whistler is the Apply Wreck Path. Positioned on the Cheakamus River, the Trainwreck Path grew to turn out to be additional merely accessible to vacationers in 2013 after the municipality opened up the bridge to take care of people from crossing the observe tracks to entry it. The trail begins at Cheakamus Crossing and is a few 15-minute hike to an excellent trying suspension bridge. After crossing the bridge, the stays of seven wrecked boxcars stand throughout the forest. They’re coated in graffiti making for great {photograph} options.
The boxcars are stays from a 1956 observe derailment from Lillooet. The observe was behind schedule, so to make up time it was going nearly twice the speed prohibit. When it acquired right here to a sharp curve on a slim a part of the monitor, it flew off the rails. Get coordinates proper right here from Google maps.
19. Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre
We had been to Whistler numerous situations and on no account made it to any of the indoor factors of curiosity nevertheless I’m glad we lastly did! The center is dedicated to the historic previous and custom of The Squamish and Lil’wat tribes. It’s a excellent interactive museum.
20. Whistler {Photograph} Safaris
Should you’re visiting Whistler all through the summer season season months, ensure you hop on a bear safari. Whistler {Photograph} Safaris takes you via the Whistler Olympic Park searching for black bears. You moreover get a tour of the Whistler Olympic Park’s Ski Jumps and cross nation snowboarding tracks.
It’s an efficient solution to get out and uncover additional of the surrounding Whistler and to see some wildlife alongside one of the best ways. The ocean to sky freeway positively lives as a lot as its recognition as certainly one of many good drives on earth. We have an entire submit dedicated to points to do in Whistler proper right here so try it out to see the entire points to do whenever you end your Sea to Sky Freeway road journey.
The place to Preserve in Whistler
We made our base on the Pan Pacific Mountainside positioned immediately on the mountain. It’s good for ski in ski out throughout the winter or for simple entry to the gondola within the summertime. And it has parking! We have stayed in many various lodging downtown Whistler and also you really can’t go flawed with any of them.
Watch our Sea to Sky Freeway Avenue Journey Video
Did you benefit from the entire great points you’ll be able to do from Vancouver to Whistler? What are you prepared for? Start planning your drive alongside the Sea to Sky Freeway and guarantee to spend some time in every Vancouver and Whistler, two of Canada’s most enjoyable and beautiful places.
It is best to undoubtedly get the tunes ready in your drive. We’ve put collectively the Last Avenue Journey Playlist.
- Study additional the stops on the Sea to Sky Freeway at:
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