Things to See in Vancouver

The city's highest point - it's 167m above sea level and has smashing views of the mountain-framed downtown skyscrapers - this 52-hectare park claims to house specimens of every tree native to Canada (look out for the white-flowered dogwood, BC's floral emblem). Sports fields, manicured lawns, formal gardens and pitch-and-putt golf keep the locals happy, and you'll likely see wide-eyed wedding couples posing for their photos.

Once a disappointing regional gallery with nothing more than a clutch of Emily Carr canvases to recommend it, the VAG - housed in an old courthouse but rumored to be moving to a new downtown location soon - has been dramatically transformed in recent years, becoming a vital part of the city's cultural scene.

Expect your lurching stomach to make a bid for freedom as one of the two glass elevators here whisks you 169m to the apex of this needle-like viewing area. Once up top, there's not much to do but wander around and check out the truly awesome 360-degree vistas of city, sea and mountain panoramas unfurling around you.

A tranquil break from clamorous Chinatown, this intimate 'garden of ease' exhibits the Taoist symbolism behind the placing of gnarled pine trees, winding covered pathways and ancient limestone formations.

A multisensory deli specialising in gourmet fish, cheese, fruit and bakery treats, the covered market is a chatty, visceral place to mix with the locals. It's a great place to pick up picnic fixings (Vanier Park is a short seawall stroll away if you're looking for a spot) and buskers are a regular fixture around the market's exterior.

The city's most intimate lounge is tucked at the back of Glowball Grill & Satay Bar. With a frosty-pink interior, silhouettes of naked women a la James Bond and flirty cocktail list that includes You Glow Girl and Pink Pussycat - perfect for washing down those finger-licking satay sticks.

This classic Vancouver brewpub is something of an icon in the city's pub scene. Outside on the enormous patio or inside playing pool, you'll find a casual crowd comparing notes on the fine microbrews and savouring the great comfort foods on the menu.

Free nightly jazz attracts locals and visitors to the Listel Vancouver hotel's laid-back resto-bar, a romantic, ambient-lit venue showcasing hot soloists, trios and quartets from the city and beyond. The focus is mainstream, but there's always a great buzz here during the Jazz Festival, when performers drop by to jam into the wee hours.

Venerable but never blasé, this smashing English Bay restaurant was sourcing and serving unique BC ingredients long before the fashion for Fanny Bay oysters took hold. A great showcase for fine West Coast cuisine, the weekend brunch here is a local legend and the three-course tasting menu is an absolute bargain. If you're on the move, drop by the take-out window and pick up a gourmet sandwich for your jaunt around nearby Stanley Park.

A rare relic of Kitsilano's hippy past, this vegetarian restaurant has the feel of a comfy farmhouse. It's not unusual to have to wait for a table here at peak times, but it's worth it for the hearty stir-fries, Mexican platters and sesame-fried potatoes with miso gravy. This is the kind of veggie spot where carnivores are also happy to dine. There's nightly live music, an array of great organic beers and a popular patio.

You'll be rubbing shoulders with chatty Asian language students at this friendly and decidedly unpretentious Japanese diner. Good value sushi and sashimi classics are fresh and well-presented, but it's the hearty cooked combo meals - especially the sizzling chicken teriyaki - that will bring you back for more. If it's crowded, there are several other good value Japanese and Korean eateries dotted nearby.