Canada in July

There is a fair bit to do in Vancouver city, itself.

Granville Island is worth a look, Stanley Park is a great place to go, plenty to see and do. Also, Capilano suspension bridge is worth going to see, if I remember correctly there is free bus service that runs around Vancouver city, there's a ferry to Granville which only cost a few dollars.
 
Badgi said:
There is a fair bit to do in Vancouver city, itself.

Granville Island is worth a look, Stanley Park is a great place to go, plenty to see and do. Also, Capilano suspension bridge is worth going to see, if I remember correctly there is free bus service that runs around Vancouver city, there's a ferry to Granville which only cost a few dollars.
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there's also another suspension bridge in north van that's free to walk over!!
grouse grind is great fun too...
 
I would recomend staying in Vancouver for a while and visiting around there and then travelling over the Rockies to Edmonton or Calgary, stopping off at The Okanargon, Banf, Jasper, Lake Louise - so many good places. The Spiral Tunnels is also a sight to see.

If you fancy seeing Niagra and all just remember that it is almost closer to here than Vancouver is.

I once took the train accross Canada and while it was an amazing experience you get a bit bored of corn fields in the middle and then Lake Superior takes almost a day to pass!
 
It depends how far you want to go really.

In Vancouver, definitely check out Stanley park. Check the totems and lions gate bridge. Also the aquarium if that's your thing and there's a nice restaurant in the style of a hunting lodge close by (name escapes me).

Gas town is a bit touristy but worth checking out, some good food and good drinks to be found there.

Check out the beaches (again the names are gone). I think second beach and jericho were my favourite. Sunset beach on the English bay at, surprisingly, sunset is beautiful and within walking distance of restaurants etc in the evening.

Granville island is pretty cool, check out the brewery!

On the North shore, there's some nice walks around the suspension bridges. Lynn Canyon was free!

I didn't go to the University, but was told it was also worth checking out.

Outside of Vancouver, you can either take the ferry to Vancouver Island. Victoria is nice, probably only worth a day trip though. We went on a zodiak tour (whale watching). Had an excellent time, got thoroughly soaked but seeing the whales in the georgia stait was incredible. Also on the island if you're staying longer I would drive the coast, sooke basin or there's the surf further up the west coast, may be the wrong season.

If you're heading East, we stayed in the Okanagon. Lovely place. Interesting fact, it's actually a desert (or so I read). The climate is amazing, really really hot but then there's the lakes, try wakeboarding, or just laze on the beaches. Check the kettle valley railway if you like cycling and definitely find time for some wineries. I went to Mission Hills. Tour was a bit pretentious but enjoyed the setting, lunch and the wine.

If you've got the time, maybe take the CPR (train) to Banff. I love the rockies. The lakes and the walking are the obvious things to do. Banff is nice for a day, check out Bow falls (near the Fairmont), the hot springs (cave and basin is under restoration) and maybe consider walking up Mt Sulphur. Around Banff, Lake Louise et all are simply incredible. Some need you to sign up way in advance to see them so start checking now!

Either way, Canada is amazing, you'll have an incredible time.
 
Two and a bit weeks you are far better staying in BC and seeing the local sights than trying to get yourself all across Canada... not only is it a huge country and a considerable distance, but you just won't have proper time.

There have already been some good suggestions to do around Vancouver itself.

Whistler is worth a stay for a few days.
Even if you don't go in for the mountain biking, there is still plenty of other things to do... Zip Trekking, Quad Biking tours, Hiking, Bear Viewing tours, Mountaintop BBQs, Swimming in the lakes etc...

Although I never got to it in my two years in Whistler, Vancouver Island is very popular in the summer. You could easily spend more than a week just there.
 
Nexus said:
Two and a bit weeks you are far better staying in BC and seeing the local sights than trying to get yourself all across Canada... not only is it a huge country and a considerable distance, but you just won't have proper time.
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I have to agree with this, I was over there for just over 2 weeks, based in Vernon, and when we went to the Rockies it was literally a fly through to see what it was like, there is a hell of a lot to see and do, you'd prob need 2 weeks just for that.
 
Been in Canada from Nova Scotia to end up at Victoria - all places are great, Quebec are very much French... I like west side of Canada cos of nice place included Lake Lousie, Jasper and Hope... good one is Victoria via BC ferries... good holiday we spend for over 3 weeks plus 15 days Cunard cruise from NY to East Canada.
 
<3 BC.

In Vancouver hire a bike and go cycling round Stanley Park.
Capilano Suspension Bridge is all-right. I personally aren't a fan of heights, and the day I went the place literally had more Indians there than central Bombay, so I found it a bit meh.

Definitely go up to Whistler. Some good shopping and restaurants in the village. There's mountain-biking on the hill for all from total n00bs to pro-1337 downhill riders. If your scared of the hill you can also just do cross-country around the lakes etc.
If you're into your ski'ing the Glacier will be open (I've never skied and didn't fancy learning on the Glacier).

Definitely go to Vancouver Island. I love Victoria and Long Beach. The scenery you see on the ferry ride is just awesome :cool: (IIRC I did the Horseshoe Bay -> Nanaimo one).
 
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