Whether you're in Vancouver for one month or a year, there are plenty of places to explore in and around the city. A visit to BC's capital of Victoria is an easy weekend trip on a ferry ride through the scenic Georgia Straight. Whistler and Seattle can be reached by bus for a day trip or a weekend excursion. And closer to Vancouver, nature opportunities can be found in parks throughout the city and in the wilderness surrounding North Vancouver.
TO SEE AND DO No matter what you're looking for, you'll find diverse neighborhoods and places to shop in Vancouver. Robson Street and Metrotown in Burnaby have the largest variety of stores. Main Street and Commercial Drive offer funky clothing stores and ethnic restaurants. South Granville is one Vancouver's trendiest places to shop, with boutiques and galleries. Underneath a bridge, Granville Island is a must-see for shoppers looking for unique things. And every weekend during the summer, the Richmond night market hosts the largest outdoor market in Vancouver.
Sports Teams
Vancouver is home to four professional sports teams. Canada's national sport of ice hockey is played by the Vancouver Canucks from October to April. Other teams include the B.C. Lions (football), the Vancouver Whitecaps (soccer) and the Vancouver Canadians (baseball).
Festivals and Events
Throughout the year, there are a variety of festivals, parades and events in Vancouver. Popular festivals include the Celebration of Light the largest fireworks competition in the world, the Vancouver International Film Festival, the Jazz Festival, and many others. The largest parades include the Chinese New Year's Parade, the Gay Pride Parade, and the Santa Claus Parade. And a glance at any local newspaper will tell you all about the latest special events.
Transportation
Unless you live within walking distance of the school, you will need to use public transit to get to Britannia College. Waterfront Station, only a block away from the school, is the centre of Vancouver's transportation system. The Skytrain station, Seabus terminal, and numerous buses can all be accessed here.
There are three different modes of public transit in Vancouver: the Skytrain, Seabus and bus. There is no need to buy different tickets, as they all accept the same tickets, transfers, and passes. The transit system has 3 zones, so if you live outside Vancouver city (eg. Burnaby or North Vancouver are two zones), you will pay more on weekdays. There is no change service on the bus so you need to have exact change. If you catch the bus every day, you will save money by purchasing a monthly pass. Passes and ticket books are available at 7-Eleven, Safeway, and anywhere the Faredealer sign is shown.
| Single zone transit ticket | $2.25 |
| Two zone bus ticket | $3.25 |
| Single zone monthly pass | $69 |
| Two zone monthly pass | $95 |