Granville, the Island in the Midst of Vancouver

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A sunny day was all I wished for a Granville Island visit.  After two rain-soaked trips to the Island, I finally saw this amazing part of Vancouver in bright afternoon sun.  

Don't miss Granville Island when visiting Vancouver!

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The Best Time to Visit

To avoid crowds at this popular place,  visit Granville Island during weekdays or on early mornings.  The Granville Public Market is a haven for culinary artists, rookie chefs, and everyone in between.  Early birds may enjoy coffee at Blue Parrot & JJ Bean after 7:30 am, and Petit Ami after 8:30 am.

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Winter Hours (October 1st – April 31st): 9 am – 6 pm daily
Summer Hours (May 1st – September 30th) 9 am – 7 pm daily

The Public Market is open on all statutory holidays except December 25th, 26th, and 

January 1st.  The Public Market is closed MONDAYS IN JANUARY ONLY.

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How to Get To Granville Island

False Creek ferries leave every five minutes for Granville Island from a dock behind the Vancouver Aquatic Centre, on Beach Avenue, near Burrard Street Bridge, and get off between the Bridges pub and the Public Market.  You can also take a 20-minute ride on Bus #50 to the edge of the island. Buses #4 UBC and #7 Dunbar will also take you within a few minutes' walk of the island.  The market is a short walk from the bus, ferry, or tram stop. 

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What to See on Granville Island:

• Granville Public Market 
• Waterside boardwalk behind the Arts Club Theatre
• Charles H. Scott Gallery
• Sea Village
• Granville Island Brewing Company
• Granville Island Museum, with fishing, train, and model-boat displays
• Railspur Alley is home to a mix of crafts galleries, studios, and workshops
• The Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design, the province's leading art college
• Watch glassblowers at work at New Small Sterling Glass Studio 
• Net Loft shopping arcade
• Take the ferry back to downtown Vancouver or stay for dinner and catch a play
  at the Arts Club or the Waterfront Theatre

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My favored tour, however, is by one of the small ferry boats along the island and its amazing floating homes, then towards the Science Museum, over to the Yaletown marina, and back to Granville Island. 

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The skipper told me that despite the beautiful sunshine on this day, an evening sail is even more exciting when the sun sets, and all the high-rises glow in the last sun rays.  Sailing later (the ferry runs until 9 pm) becomes even romantic when the city is lit up with thousands of lights from the buildings and streets.

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A Hidden Gem in Ontario: Prescott

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Prescott, ON: History, Beaches & Shakespeare in the Park

Prescott is home to the St. Lawrence Shakespeare Festival, a professional summer theatre festival on a pretty outdoor stage overlooking the river.  The Festival runs annually in Prescott, Ontario in July and August, attracting thousands of audience members each season.  Read more about Shakespeare's Gardens in Prescott, ON, Canada

https://garden-dream.blogspot.com/2023/07/shakespeares-gardens-in-prescott-on.html

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A beautiful Lighthouse next to the Shakespeare Gardens invite visitors - 

and even sells delicious ice cream. 

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British settlement in the area began with a group of United Empire Loyalists led by Edward Jessup.
In 1810, Jessup and his son laid out a townsite which they named Prescott in honour of General Robert Prescott.

Prescott's harbour developed considerably in the early 19th century, supporting the growing Great Lakes shipping industry. It became notable for its freight forwarding businesses, as local forwarders shuttled Great Lakes freight between Prescott and Montreal. 

Soon, Upper Canada experienced a railway boom, which provided competition for the maritime shipping industry.  The Bytown and Prescott Railway began operating in 1854, connecting Prescott to Bytown (now Ottawa). Prescott now has a population of over 4,000 with over 90% English-speaking. Leo Boivin and Ben Hutton are famous ice hockey players that are coming from Prescott.

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Katarina's Coffee Shop is a little gem located at the west end of King St in Prescott is well worth the visit. Fabulous selection of baked goods and beverages. Soups and sandwiches as well. Made in-house, and absolutely delicious! Indoor and patio seating.

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The “Ships Anchor Inn” is nestled on the shore of the majestic St. Lawrence River seaway, directly beside the Canada Coast Guard docks and centrally located along Main Street. The old stone house built in 1832 has been restored to its original beauty, yet offers the modern comforts of today’s lifestyles, with new queen-sized beds, in-room baths, Fireplaces, AC & Canadiana antique furnishings. Complete with waterfront views and all at affordable family rates.

http://www.shipsanchorinn.com/

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Be sure to visit the Prescott Farmers' 7 Crafters' Market every Saturday from 9AM - 2PM at the RiverWalk, located on Edward St between King St and Water St.

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Prescott is just 5 km from the US-Canada border on Ontario Country Road #2.  I arrived after
dark and was smitten by the fabulous Main Street evening lighting in the form of lighthouses. 

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You can dine on authentic Spanish dishes and shop for high-quality imported Spanish foods for your home kitchen in a most unexpected place. You’ll find El Rebost de les Mil Illes (991 Industrial Road, in the middle of an industrial park just off Highway 401, but do not let the location fool you.

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Before the arrival of Europeans to the now Prescott area, it was inhabited by the St. Lawrence Iroquois. The French began occupation of the area in the late 17th century. The area became a battleground during the 1754−1763 war between Britain and France.  Both parties wanted to control what was a strategic stretch of the Saint Lawrence River.

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If you’ve brought your bike, you can hop onto the Prescott section of the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail, a 3,600-kilometre-long, province-spanning route. 

About a kilometer west of downtown, scuba divers can check out a sunken 1860s wooden twin sidewheeler at the bottom of the St. Lawrence River at the Rothesay Dive Site (1671 County Road 2 at Merwin Lane, Augusta).

More to check out before you go:

July 8th-August 5th; William Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" 

July 12-August 5th; Oscar Wilde's "The Importance of Being Earnest" 

August 8th-12th; Lewis Carroll's "Alice in Wonderland" 

August 16th; William Shakespeare's "Hamlet" 

Shakespeare Festival   https://www.stlawrenceshakespeare.ca/

History Museum

https://www.prescott.ca/recreation-culture/history-heritage/

https://www.prescott.ca/recreation-culture/museum-visitor-centre/

Zens Inn Bed & Breakfast  232 King St.   https://www.ZensInn.com

Independent Coffeeshop:  Katarina's Coffee Shop, 513 King St,

https://katarina-s-coffee-shop.myshopify.com/

Restaurants:

Little Barcelona  https://www.littlebarcelona.ca/menu/menu

Beach, Boat Launch, Pool & Childrens Play

https://www.prescott.ca/recreation-culture/beach-boat-launch/

Bus to Brockville.   https://riverroute.ca/riding-the-riverroute/

the bus stops are located at most street intersections along the bus route.  The transit service does not operate on statutory holidays. Don’t live near a listed bus stop location? Riders can flag the bus to stop in areas with speeds of 50km/h or less along the route in Maitland, Prescott, Johnstown, and Cardinal.

The Sunday Night Concert Series is BACK! Experience live entertainment at the Kinsmen Amphitheatre every Sunday from June 25-August 27th! 

Pickleball:

Tuesdays & Thursdays: 6-8PM 

Location: Leo Boivin Community Centre 

Cost: $5 drop-in rate, or buy a $30 monthly membership. (Active for one month from the date of purchase).

*Please bring your own indoor shoes, paddle & pickleball. Limited equipment will be available for use.

Calendar of all events in town:

7https://calendar.prescott.ca/default

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