Vancouver

If you ask first time visitors to Vancouver what they think of the city, their response is likely "it's a boring place." This response is particularly true if they come from a metropolis- think New York, Singapore or Dubai. That used to be my instinctive response as well.

What changed my mind?

Reframe Your Expectations

Vancouver's the city you visit to be awed by nature and its sheer beauty. You come here to hike, to bike around the seawall, to explore. Jump on the SeaBus across the Burrard Inlet to North Vancouver or the ferry to Bowen Island. Catch a gorgeous sunset on Jericho Beach, or see the sunrise from Mount Seymour. Visit one of the many lakes nearby. Hike, snow shoe, ski. Take a breather and slow down. Appreciate what's right in front of you.

Venture Beyond Your Comfort Zone

You don't exactly come to Vancouver to eat and photograph your way through the latest dining experience. You come here to experience life for what it is outside of the lecture hall or office. It's a great place to remember the world is so much bigger than material hankerings. Yes we do have our fair share of hipster cafes, but we're also a few minutes away from a 9 KM seawall.

Exploring the city is a great way to immerse yourself in the history of it. Visit the Museum of Anthropology. Learn.

Try a new cuisine at one of the many car-free days or cultural street festivals in the summer. Visit a pumpkin patch or check out the apple festival on UBC in the autumn months. The Christmas Market and the Hot Chocolate Festival are a given during winter. As is cherry blossom hunting in the spring.

Vancouver as a Conduit

Much of interior BC is a bus ride away from the city. Hiking groups are plentiful. Nature lovers are a given here. Vancouver is close to Seattle, Portland and more if you'd like a road trip into the States.

Vancouver's a city that reinvigorates. Sure, it's not a party city. It's so much more.