One family recounts their adventures in Vancouver, Canada visiting all the sites and sounds that pertain to this area's favorite sport: Hockey! One family recounts their adventures in Vancouver, Canada visiting all the sites and sounds that pertain to this area's favorite sport: Hockey!
One of the best things about having kids is how thoroughly they can involve you in their ever-changing interests. Blessed with a son who's a sports nut, our household swings with the season from soccer to basketball to hockey and, soon I suppose, to baseball. We're always talking about taking a sports-oriented vacation.
One special year, a well-connected friend offered us tickets to the NHL All-Star Game in Vancouver, British Columbia.
Using frequent flyer miles, we fought our way to a wonderful luxury hotel, The Sutton Place Hotel (866/378-8866) decked out with NHL regalia. We settled in with the home-baked cookies and milk brought to all families and read their monthly Kids in Vancouver newsletter.
The next morning we had a very early swim in the greenhouse-enclosed pool, breakfast at the All-Star players' hotel (now the Westin Grand Vancouver (
800/937-8461), visited the temporary Pinnacle/NHL Fantasy Theme Park at the PNE Center (where there are often fun displays), then went to the NHL Old Timer's Exhibition Game and Super Skills contest.
Sunday morning we drove through waterside Stanley Park, ran around, then went to a thrilling All-Stars Game. Over four days, we spent about 18 hours flying/driving and playing/reading with our son, and about 48 hours in beautiful Vancouver having a FANatical hockey immersion experience.
It was unforgettable in so many ways, and what more can you ask from a great vacation?
Vacations based on team sports that your kids already enjoy are some of the most successful and happy times you'll have together. Take it from us!
Some of the top Sport Events tour operators packaging hotels and tickets include: RoadTrips (800/465-1765), based in Winnepeg, Manitoba, Canada; City Escape Holidays, California (800/222-0022); Esoteric Sports Tours, Georgia (800/321-8008); Sports Empire, California (800/255-5258); Sports Tour Classics, Arizona (800/777-6925); and Sportstours, Florida (800/591-9198).
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