Vancouver is the second stop on Orlando City’s five day road swing. This is the first time club will head cross the boarder this season and first time ever facing the Whitecaps on the road.
The Venue
BC Place has been home to the Vancouver Whitecaps dating all the way back to 1983 when they were in the NASL, but there have been quite a few changes since then. The stadium hosts multiple events ranging from concerts to conventions, but during matches the soccer specific configuration can hold up to 21,000 spectators. The two things that set BC Place apart from the rest of the stadiums around the league is the retractable roof as well as the center-hanging four-sided video board.
The Whitecaps have three recognized supporter groups: Curva Collective, Rain City Brigade and Southsiders.
Getting there:
The stadium is best reached by SkyTrain, Vancouver’s light rapid transit system. SkyTrain station Stadium-Chinatown is located closest to the stadium, only two blocks away. The station is served by trains on the Expo and Millennium Lines.
BC Place can also be reached by Skytrain’s Canada Line, which stops at the Yaletown-Roundhouse station, only three blocks away from the stadium. Vancouver City Centre Station, also on the Canada Line, is neither far away. The Canada line also connects with the airport.
Places to See
Stanley ParkStanley Park is the grand daddy of all parks in Greater Vancouver. Known around the world, and why shouldn't it be...a beautiful 1000 acre park that's almost smack dab in the middle of Vancouver.
Gastown
Named after "Gassy" Jack Deighton, a seaman from the UK, Gastown is Vancouver's most historic neighborhood and dates back to 1867. It's here that you'll find cobble stone walkways and stunning architecture that set the stage for some of Vancouver's best shopping, restaurants and cafes.
Capilano Suspension Bridge
As you walk gingerly onto one of the world's longest and highest suspension bridges, swaying gently over the roiling Capilano Canyon, remember that its thick steel cables are embedded in concrete. That should steady your feet – unless you’re the jerk that likes to jump up and down and freak everyone else out. Added park attractions include a glass-bottomed cliffside walkway and an elevated canopy trail through the trees.
Bars and Restuarants
Au Petit Café
The queue outside tells you that you’re in the right place as the slightly unassuming signage could make you think otherwise. Delicious and cheap bánh mì just like mama made it – if mama came from Vietnam that is.
The Black Lodge
If you were a fan of the ABC series “Twin Peaks” pay a visit to this tribute bar to one of the most bizarre and amazing TV shows ever made. The owners of this Kingsway bar have decked it out to look like the setting for David Lynch’s show that blended absurd humor with supernatural elements in a Pacific Northwest setting. One of the bathrooms looks just like the otherworldly setting from the show’s confounding finale.
Killer Burger
Killer Burger will just about kill any desire you have for other burgers. Don’t be afraid to order around the menu, it’s all awesome. But when you can sample a peanut butter, pickle and bacon burger (don’t doubt it, just trust the burger) or the “Black Molly” (Philly steak, grilled onions, provolone cheese, green chiles and bacon), what more could you really want?
Jorge’s Tequila Factory
Do I really need to give you a reason to visit this joint outside of its name? If the thought of a fresh margarita on a hot summer day doesn’t get your mouth watering, don’t worry they also have an extensive cocktail menu. Plus they have plenty of tostadas, burritos and enchilada to soak up all the booze, along with desserts like churros, fried ice cream and Mexican cheesecake.
