Grouse Mountain features in many tours, but the best and cheapest way to access the mountain is via the easy public transport links provided. The ferry across to Lonsdale Quay from Downtown Vancouver runs very regularly due to the large proportion of city workers living on the north shores of Vancouver.
When you land at Lonsdale Quay it is tempting to walk out of the terminal and straight onto the bus, as it will be right in front of you, however if you have a little time on your hands then take a right hand turn and have a nosey round the small craft shops and stalls of the Lonsdale Quay Market. This wonderful area is a smaller version of Granville Island and has the similar relaxed atmosphere and the same scrumptious food available in both the cafes and on the stalls.
Once you stagger out of the cafes, having indulged in their wonderful hot chocolate and delicious Eggs Benedict, return back to the bus station and catch the 236 bus up to the base of the mountain. Grouse Mountain is the last stop on the bus so there is no fear of missing the stop! This bus route is mainly used by tourists so the drivers are friendly if you have any questions!
Tickets for the gondola ride up to the top of the mountain are available at the Tourist Information Centre in Downtown Vancouver and on site at Grouse, there is little difference in price and you will still need to queue up for a ‘real’ ticket in exchange for your voucher from the Tourist Information Centre so you will need to research your prices before you take the trip to get the best deal!
The trip to the summit is around 8 minutes. On a clear day you can see for miles and miles across Vancouver and beyond, however, if you look down into the forest instead of the view across downtown you may be able steal a glance at the bears in the forest!
Once at the top there are many areas to look round including the bear and wolf sanctuary. You will be able to spend hours looking at this magnificent creatures and chasing them round their enclosed habitat to try and get that ultimate photo! However once at the top the thing that you will not be able to tear yourself away from will be the views, you will literally feel like you are on top of the world! So grab a hot drink find a pew out on the viewing decks and soak in that breathtaking scenery.
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