One great things about the Vancouver Convention Centre is that it's in a perfect spot, jutting out over Burrard Inlet, with floor-to-ceiling windows that give you a great view of the North Shore mountains. The bad thing is that you are all too aware of what you're missing out on while you're sitting shoulder-to-shoulder in yet another seminar. Which is really all the more reason to make the most of your break time.Whether it's a 15-minute coffee break or an hour over lunch, here are five Vancouver experiences worth skipping the buffet line-up for.
1. The Seawall - Vancouver's seawall is legendary. Most people will tell you to rent a bike and follow it around Stanley Park. If you don't have that kind of time, VCC luckily sits right on the seawall so you can run downstairs and get a breath of fresh air as you walk around the outside of the building. You'll even find info signage around the perimeter so you know what you're looking at.
2. Flightseeing - You've probably heard the floatplanes taking off and landing in the harbour all morning. You don't need to be heading somewhere to experience one of these 'craft - both Harbour Air and West Coast Air offer 20-minute "flightseeing" tours, taking you over Vancouver with a spectacular view of mountains, city and water. You'll need to check in about 25 minutes in advance so this is really a lunch break option. Bonus: you'll get access to free wi-fi, 49th Parallel Coffee, newspapers and snacks before you take off. (Map here)
3. Bella Gelateria - As good as the coffee and pastries might be during your conference coffee break, they probably won't be as good as the gelato at Bella Gelateria across the street from the VCC. They use only the best ingredients and they usually have at least five different chocolate choices. For those with dietary restrictions, they have soy milk, yogourt and coconut milk options. As a bonus, if your session gets out late, they're open until at least 10:00 pm. (Map here)
4. Tickets Tonight - The Tickets Tonight booth in Tourism Vancouver's Visitor Centre is Vancouver's version of the TKTS stand in the middle of Times Square in New York. Offering half-price, day of performance tickets for arts and culture events in the city, a trip across the street to this spot could cheaply solve your question of what to do tonight. The Visitor Centre in itself is more than just a brochure distribution point - purchase sightseeing tickets here and enjoy a discount for most attractions. (Map here)
5. The Marine Building - In a city as young as Vancouver, the Marine Building qualifies as a bona fide historical landmark. Built in 1929, it's a shining example of Art Deco design. True to its name, the designs on the outside include crabs, fish, boats and starfish. Make sure you push through the revolving doors and have a look at the embalmed lobby. (Map here)
