Is Whistler worth a visit?

[bowcutt]

We are spending a week in Vancouver in July and are wondering whether a day trip to Whistler is worth doing. Has anyone done this?

[macdonald]

My sister lives in Vancouver and i have visited many times. Vancouver is absolutely beautiful, we love it there. we love Stanley park Grouse Mauntain and down town Vancouver. i visited Whistler once only, that was 26yrs ago when my children were small i remember thinking Wow what a beautiful resort! ,they had the most enchanting little xmas shop there open all yr round and street performers,we stayed in chalets over night. The way i remember Whistler its def worth a visit! ...

[Melbatb]

We spent a week in Whistler last summer (as well as Vancouver, Vancouver Island and Seattle). It wasn't my favourite place - very touristy and so many people.

One idea for a daytrip would be on route to Whistler fairly close together are a mine museum (fabulous - kids loved it) - if you go, there is a shack selling fish and chips just in the carpark opposite which was delicious - and the new cable car which goes up the mountain to a suspension bridge. Great views and some nice though short walks.

Feel free to ask any questions about Vancouver or Whistler.

[toffeecush1on]

We visited Whistler last year. We did the Rocky Mountaineer day trip. The train journey and scenery was wonderful, but Whistler was a let down for us.

[amy56]

We drove to whistler for the day from Vancouver and thought it was a waste of a day. I imagine if you are staying there and using it as a ski resort, then I'm sure it's lovely - but as a day trip there wasn't really anything to see.

Having said that, we were there in 2000, so it might have changed in 15 years!

[Cutiepie]

Originally Posted by Melbatb

We spent a week in Whistler last summer (as well as Vancouver, Vancouver Island and Seattle). It wasn't my favourite place - very touristy and so many people.

One idea for a daytrip would be on route to Whistler fairly close together are a mine museum (fabulous - kids loved it) - if you go, there is a shack selling fish and chips just in the carpark opposite which was delicious - and the new cable car which goes up the mountain to a suspension bridge. Great views and some nice though short walks.

Feel free to ask any questions about Vancouver or Whistler.

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That's great to here about the Mine Museum, I have pencilled to go here in the summer, its always good to hear from someone who has been.

We are in Vancouver for a week this summer before our Alaska cruise, We have decided to stay in Squamish for a couple of nights & are planning on the family white water rafting, Sea to Sky Gondola, Mine Museum, a drive up to Whistler and a state park.

Any other recommendations?

[Melbatb]

We did some hikes around Whistler - we said if we went back we would stay in Squamish. To be honest, I wouldn't bother with Whistler itself! The highlight was the ropeswing into one of the lakes - the kids spent hours on that - awesome dude (as was heard by an American kid swinging off it - it became our saying of the week! )

The Sea to Sky gondola was fun - my kids are used to gondalas as we are a skiing family but the views from the top was great and the trails they had were fun. I would go early rather than later to avoid the crowds (we did the suspension bridge without anyone else on it!)

The Mine museum was definitely worth the time to do - fun and educational!

In Vancouver, we hired bikes to do Stanley Park which was fun! The Science museum was a hit for the kids(13 and 9 at the time). We also did Capilano Suspension bridge - to be honest if you are doing the Sea to Sky gondola you can miss it out. It gets super crowded.

[bowcutt]

Thanks for the tips. We had been looking at the sea to sky gondolas so will definitely do that see how the time goes and maybe drive on up to Whistler. Have you driven in Vancouver itself - are the roads jam packed?

[Melbatb]

We picked the car up after our stay in Vancouver. We had to drive back through on the way to the airport. It was a typical city - lots of traffic lights and stop start! The gps was useful!

[bowcutt]

Thank you.