The city of Vancouver, British Columbia provides many opportunities for a citizen with a disability to experience the best of what the beautiful location has to offer. Activities for the disabled range from sedate to active and can be enjoyed for free or nearly free.
Outdoor Markets Around Vancouver
A number of Farmer's Markets are held throughout the city, usually on weekends from May through October. The outdoor markets are conveniently located close to transit so are easily accessible to those able to use the public transit system. Locally grown fruits, vegetables, homemade preserves and more can be found at the bustling weekend markets. Not only can people with a disability shop in a convenient location, it is an opportunity to make connections and become involved in and support the community at large.
Trout Lake, West End, Kitsilano and Main Street are the four main markets worth a visit during the spring and summer months.
Another outdoor market option is the immensely popular Chinatown Night Market. Held every Friday from May through September from 6:30 p.m. to 11 p.m., there is a diverse, multi-cultural array of products available. The area is easily accessible via transit and as the streets in the area are closed to vehicle traffic the market is safe for people in wheelchairs and those who may move more slowly.
Bargain Tourist Attractions
The magnificent Dr. Sun Yat Sen Chinese Garden is free for the last half hour of opening. Admission is normally $10 so the savings are significant for those on a budget. The area just inside the gates can be experienced for free at all times yet still portrays the beauty and calmness of the main Garden. This activity can be combined with the Chinatown Night Market to make an extended day of activity.
For those with a taste for the off-beat take a free historic guided walking tour of the Mountain View Cemetery, centrally located on the #41 bus route. Vancouver's only cemetery has been open since 1886 and is the last resting place of over 150,000 people.
The Capilano Salmon Hatchery, though not in Vancouver proper, opens every day and admission is free. Late August through November provide the best opportunity to view returning salmon, moving up the river for spawning. Take the Seabus from Vancouver and the #236 from the North Vancouver Seabus Terminal to access the attraction via transit.
Gastown remains one of Vancouver's premier tourist attractions. Pictures of the famous Steam Clock grace many tourist photos. Every Saturday from June 15th to August 30th free guided Gastown walking tours provide background information on the Steam Clock and other historical aspects of the accessible, easily traversible streets of Gastown.
Granville Island, which has many high-end, expensive shops and galleries, also has much to do for free. During the summer months buskers perform, dragon boaters dot the waters of False Creek and the Market has numerous artisan displays as well as local produce. A day can easily be 'wasted' moseying around the wheelchair-friendly area.
Rainy Day Indoor Activities in Vancouver
The Vancouver Art Gallery located in downtown Vancouver on Georgia Street offers admission by donation on Tuesday evenings from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. The Gallery is spacious and uncrowded making it easy for people with impaired mobility to check it out.
The Museum of Anthropology at UBC has half-price admission on Tuesday evenings and provides an amazing opportunity to experience the cultural history of B.C. and Canada as well as numerous international displays and artifacts. The magnificent, newly renovated Museum is well worth a visit and patrons may need numerous visits to take in all the displays. It is wheelchair accessible.
The Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre at Davie and Pacific is the location for Dance Allsorts, Vancouver's most eclectic dance series. The new season begins in September and each Sunday performances are 'pay-what-you-can'. Combine a performance on a nice day with a walk along the fully accessible seawall behind the Centre along False Creek.
Accessible Activities are Plentiful in Vancouver
Every year the Vancouver Parks Board puts on an event called the Summer Sports Festival. A variety of activities – canoeing, kayaking, adapted waterskiing, dragon boating, outrigger paddling, trailriding, sailing and golf – specifically adapted for the needs of the disabled are arranged throughout the summer. It is an opportunity for people with a disability to experience activities they not have had an opportunity to try.
Stanley Park, Kitsilano Beach, Pacific Spirit Park and many more city parks are not only accessible via transit but also provide wheelchair- and scooter-friendly locations to get out and enjoy Vancouver's scenery.
Outdoor pools at Kitsilano Beach and Second Beach in Stanley Park both provide ramp access to the water and are great locations to get some exercise or people watch.
Vancouver will likely have its fair share of rainy days and on such occasions a visit to the architecturally significant main branch of the Vancouver Public Library on Georgia Street can while away the time.
Vancouver prides itself on being inclusive on all levels and the wide array of accessible attractions ensures all Vancouverites, regardless of ability, can get out in the community and enjoy.
Lorah Delaney - Lorah is a native of Vancouver, British Columbia. She has a degree in Physical Education from the University of British Columbia and a ...
