Vancouver Gets its 15 Minutes of Fame in the New York Times

…or rather its 36 hours. The New York Times Travel Section has devoted this weekend’s 36 Hours in [Your City Here] to Vancouver. I found the opening paragraph particularly interesting:

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, is two cities rolled into one. For outdoorsy types, this western Canadian city is a nature paradise, with miles of scenic hiking trails and bike paths that sweep along the Strait of Georgia, the pine tree-lined waterway that connects Vancouver with the Pacific Ocean. For urbanites, Vancouver is a sophisticated destination, with thriving immigrant enclaves, an ever-expanding restaurant scene, quirky neighborhoods, distinctive shops and lively bars that party all night. Part of the fun is weaving your way through Vancouver’s two sides, and realizing that’s why the city ranks as one of the world’s most livable places.

Since I often refer to the city’s dual nature (although my duality is more about Summer Vancouver vs. Winter Vancouver), the outdoorsy vs urbanite split also works and fits neatly into those two seasonal characters as well.

I can’t say that they visit the same spots that I’d go to with limited time, but they hit a few (the Granville Island Public Market and Jericho Beach), toward the end. (The 36 hours are up? Damn, it was just getting good!) Also, the picture they use at the beginning of the article is, I think, one of the city’s most photogenic spots: one of the views from under the Granville Bridge, just as you approach Granville Island that includes the marina, the city and the mountains. Whenever I pass that point, I try to stop for a moment to take it in. Of course, you usually have to stop these days due to the crowds, and this article is probably not going help. Oh well…

Thanks to my Aunt Mary for being the first of what I expect will be many links from the East Coast to this article starting today…