Vancouver Family Vacations

In February, the world descended on Vancouver for the 2010 Winter Olympics. Now that the masses are gone, Vancouver can relax and give off its usual laid-back vibe. This Canadian city doesn't need to throw an event like the Olympics to get noticed. Indeed, few cities in the world can combine the thriving pulse of a metropolis with the spectacular scenery of oceans and mountains. Spend the daylight hiking and biking, followed by dinner at a slew of family-friendly restaurants.

The city is a great launch pad for a cruise to Alaska or in combination with Whistler or Victoria. Kid-friendly attractions include one of the most majestic parks in any city in North America, Stanley Park, the Vancouver Aquarium, the collection of historic totem poles at the Museum of Anthropology, the Kid's Only Market at Granville Island, and a jaunt to one of the largest Chinatowns on the continent. Give yourself at least three days to see most of the major sites, more if you want to relax a little and feel like a local.