Vancouver, Whistler & Vancouver Island - Washington, Oregon and the Pacific Northwest - page 747

( 604-665-3346; www.vancouverpolicemuseum.ca ; 240 E Cordova St; adult/child $12/8;
9am-5pm Tue-Sat; 4) Illuminating the crime-and-vice-addled history of the region, this
quirky museum is lined with confiscated weapons and counterfeit currency and has a
former mortuary room where the walls are studded with preserved slivers of human tis-
sue - spot the bullet-damaged brain slices. Consider a summertime Sins of the City walk-
ing tour to learn all about the area's old brothels and opium dens.
Science World MUSEUM
MAP GOOGLE MAP
( www.scienceworld.ca ; 1455 Quebec St; adult/child $22.50/15.25; 10am-5pm Mon-Fri, to 6pm
Sat & Sun; ; Main St-Science World) Under Vancouver's favorite geodesic dome (OK,
its only one), the recently revamped science and nature showcase has added tons of new
exhibition space and a cool outdoor park crammed with hands-on fun (yes, you can lift
2028kg). Inside there are two floors of educational play, from a walk-in hamster wheel to
an air-driven ball maze and, of course, a karilloscope.
Alongside the permanent galleries, there are ever-changing visiting exhibitions and
regular entertaining demonstrations of scientific principles for those who like to watch -
the giant Omnimax Theatre takes that one step further.
VANCOUVER FOR CHILDREN
Family-friendly Vancouver is stuffed with things to do with vacationing kids. Grab a
copy of the freeKids' Guide Vancouverflyer from racks around town or visit
www.kidsvancouver.com for tips and resources. If you're traveling without a car,
hop on the SkyTrain or SeaBus transit services or the miniferry to Granville Island:
kids love 'em - especially the newer SkyTrain cars, where they can sit up front and
pretend they're driving. Under-fives travel free on all transit.
Stanley Park ( Click here ) can easily keep most families occupied for a day. If it's
hot, hit the water park at Lumberman's Arch or try the swimming pool at Second
Beach; also consider the miniature railway. The park is a great place to bring a pic-
nic, and its beaches - especially Third Beach - are highly kid-friendly. Save time
for the Vancouver Aquarium ( Click here ) and, if your kids have been good, consider
a behind-the-scenes trainer tour. The city's other educational attractions include
Science World ( Click here ) and the HR MacMillan Space Centre ( Click here ) .
If you time your visit right, the city also has an array of family-friendly festivals,
including the Pacific National Exhibition ( Click here ), the Vancouver International
Children's Festival ( Click here ) and the fireworks fiesta known as the Celebration of
Light ( Click here ) .