Explore North Vancouver British Columbia
Gateway to North Shore Attractions and Recreational Opportunities
© Jan Lee
May 4, 2009
Situated on the northern shoreline of Burrard Inlet, overlooking Vancouver’s burgeoning commercial centre, North Vancouver serves as the gateway to a network of communities and recreational destination points referred to as the North Shore.
The name “North Vancouver” actually refers to two separate metropolitan entities: the City of North Vancouver, and the District of North Vancouver. Comprising more than 170 square km/106 sq. miles of the Lower Mainland’s northern mountainous terrain, North Vancouver is a premier destination point for recreational enthusiasts year round.
British Columbia Ski Destinations
Ski areas that share its address include Grouse Mountain, which is known worldwide for its eye-popping vistas and scenic gondola rides; Seymour Mountain, well known by locals for its record-deep snow; and Cypress Mountain, with its alpine and Nordic skiing. Each one of these legendary ski areas host summer recreation as well, including backcountry mountain biking, hiking, tandem paragliding, boating and wildlife viewing.
But North Vancouver is known for much more than skiing and summer activities. Once considered a hub for lumber production and shipbuilding, North Vancouver is now an example of 21st-century Canadian ingenuity. A shipbuilding port has been transformed to a state-of-the art SeaBus terminal and market place quay that services both daily commuters and a growing tourism industry.
Lonsdale Quay
An active public market, Lonsdale Quay houses international food kiosks and restaurants, arts and crafts displays and stores. The Quay's easy access to entertainment venues, pubs and attractions and its bird’s eye view of Stanley Park, Centennial Place and Vancouver’s environs has made it a favourite destination for year-round visitors.
Connected to the Quay is the city’s new 213 m./700 ft.-long walkway at North Vancouver Waterfront Park. An amalgamation of materials from North Vancouver’s ship-building days and contemporary engineering, the walkway provides spectacular 360-degree views of surrounding sights and is a connecting point for ships and boats docking nearby.
Capilano Suspension Bridge
North of Lonsdale Quay is one of North Vancouver’s oldest attractions: The 137-metre/450 feet-long Capilano Suspension Bridge. Built in 1887, it provides a breathtaking view from 70 metres/230 feet above the Capilano River.
Capilano’s true legacy however, is its enduring preservation of its pristine surroundings. The owners of this private attraction continue to develop insightful ways to engage the public and educate its visitors about the amazing and often fragile resources around them. Capilano’s Treetops Adventure escorts visitors from one treetop to another, offering ingenious ways for them to learn about the environment, its network of checks and balances, and our impact on nature.
North Vancouver Park System
North Vancouver has more than 40 different parks to visit, many with walking trails and natural areas. A list of city parks and amenities can be accessed at the City of North Vancouver’s Web site. Most of the parks do not permit dogs, so visitors will want to check the Web site first before including a canine companion.
North Vancouver Historical Archives
A trip to this former logging and ship-building centre wouldn’t be complete without a stop at the district’s museum and archives. The North Vancouver Museum and Archives houses more than 40,000 photographs in its database of regional history. The days of North Vancouver’s role as an industrial centre and its transformation to one of Lower Mainland’s best-loved year-round recreation destinations is a story that can best be appreciated in the words and photographs of those who helped shape its success.
North Vancouver Driving Directions
By car, North Vancouver can be easily reached via any number of highways: From downtown Vancouver via the Lions Gate Bridge; from Richmond and New Westminster via Highway 1 North; and from Whistler and the Sea-to-Sky Highway via Highway 1 South.
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