Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Promenade
A lovely promenade
takes you along the west
and east sides of Canada
Place, and around the
point, providing a first-rate
view of visiting cruise
ships, the harbor, and the
SeaBus ferry. On a hot
day, cooling breezes make
the 6,675-ft (2,000-m)
walkway a refreshing
place to enjoy the scenery.
Floatplanes
Pontooned planes
arriving from Victoria land
at Coal Harbour, to the
west of Canada Place.
Helicopters from Victoria
descend on the east side
of the complex.
Plaza
Located near the tip
of the point, the plaza
(above),
offers a cooling
fountain, benches, and
shady trees. It's a serene
spot to sit and watch the
comings and goings of
the harbor's busy traffic.
Promenade
into History
Gain a wider knowledge
of Vancouver history with
a free, self-guided tour
along the promenade.
Intriguing stories are told
through archival photo-
graphs. Information and
details are presented
though 44 sculptures,
plaques, and historical
points of interest.
Vancouver
Convention and
Exhibition Centre
Conventions and exhibi-
tions are housed in grand
halls accessed by an
indoor promenade that
echoes the exterior walk-
way. Both conventions
and consumer tradeshows
are held here, including
the huge Vancouver Snow
Show in October.
CN IMAX Theatre
Since Expo '86, the
CN IMAX Theatre has
entertained visitors with
exciting giant-screen IMAX
movies. The 440-seat
theater brings family-
oriented films to gigantic
life on a five-story screen.
IMAX 3D movies, a world
first, debuted here.
Expo '86
On May 2, 1986,
Prince Charles and
Princess Diana opened
Expo '86, a hugely
successful world's fair
that hosted 50 per
cent more people than
expected. Unfortunate-
ly, it closed with a
$311-million deficit.
However, enduring
legacies such as
Canada Place (the
former Canada Pavilion)
Science World, the
SkyTrain, and the urban
renewal of the once-
derelict area around
False Creek, show that
Expo '86 ultimately gave
back to Vancouver much
more than it had cost.
Heritage Horns
Every day, at noon,
the sound of ten cast-
aluminum air horns
blasts across Vancouver
and beyond from the
top of Canada Place.
Designed and built by
Robert Swanson in 1967
as a project to celebrate
Canada's 100th birthday,
the first four notes of the
noon hour blast are from
the country's national
anthem,
O Canada
.
Every July 1, Canada Day fireworks awe spectators with
technically brilliant displays over the harbor at Canada Place
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