Vancouver’s a city of gorgeous natural beauty, perhaps best defined by its buildings. With a wave of new construction projects in the 1970s, this urban center of British Columbia is city of striking glass high-rises. Known as “the city of glass,” Vancouver’s architecture reflects not only this location’s aesthetic, but also its personality. Like many British Columbia cities, Vancouver is a place that celebrates its natural surroundings while maintaining a uniquely urban experience.

The best example of this relationship can be found in Vancouver’s legendary Stanley Park. Located within walking distance from downtown Vancouver, Stanley Park is a 1000-acre urban park that is 10% larger than New York’s Central Park. While many of the trees found in the park are hundreds of years old, a contemporary man-made seawall, popular with bicyclists and rollerbladers, forms its perimeter. This juxtaposition of urban and nature, quiet woods and busy streets is exactly what should attract any gay tourist to the city. Especially those in search of a relaxing, renewing getaway.

With a variety of restaurants centered in Vancouver’s redefined Yaletown neighborhood, visitors to the city are able to sample a great collection of cuisines from around the world. Many locals say that this area is also your best chance to spot a celebrity involved in any of the projects currently shooting in “North Hollywood.” The X-Files and MacGyver both shot their entire series in Vancouver, and the current blockbuster franchise, Twilight, has called the city home for the last year.

Some of the most exciting restaurants in Vancouver take advantage of the city’s close proximity to the ocean. Nestled between the Georgia Strait and Burrard Inlet, Vancouver has an extraordinary amount of shoreline for such a dense, urban area. One restaurant that takes advantage of Vancouver’s natural harbors exceptionally well is the Lift Bar and Grill. With an exhilarating location overlooking the water, Lift Bar and Grill has crystal clear views of Stanley Park and the north shore mountains. Outdoor patios provide warm weather seating, and large fire pits are available to huddle around on a chilly night. The restaurant is great for group dining, and the sushi is amazing.

Speaking of seafood, the restaurant’s Nu and C are also great bets when planning a night out in Vancouver. With a wide selection of local wines and an innovative menu focusing on fish, these restaurants (which share a chef) offer great views of Granville Island, an outdoor public market in Vancouver. They’re a great idea if you’re looking to sample some the city’s local delicacies. For a quick bite, you should also definitely make a point to stop by Japadog. This famous hot dog stand in downtown Vancouver sells world-famous Japanese-style hot dogs with toppings like seaweed and soy sauce.

If you have more of appetite for sightseeing, there is wide-range of things to do in Vancouver, many of which focus on the city’s natural beauty. The Museum of Anthropology at the University of British Columbia has a number of exhibitions on display about the rich cultural heritage of the people that first inhabited the Pacific Northwest area. The Vancouver Art Gallery showcases national and international contemporary art and features many works by the famous artist Emily Carr. An authentic classical Chinese garden can be found at the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, and a day or more of hiking could be spent at Grouse Mountain, located fifteen minutes outside the city.

If a walk in the woods doesn’t appeal to you, there’s a wide variety of neighborhoods to hike through around in the city of Vancouver. Commercial Drive is a hip, slightly grungier section of the city known as “The Drive.” It was recently voted one of North America’s hippest neighborhoods, and has a large gay and lesbian population. For the history buffs out there, you won’t want to miss Gastown, an historic section of Vancouver with great views of the coastal mountains and a landmark steam-powered clock. If you’re in Gastown at night, don’t miss the Salt Tasting Room, an intimate dining and wine experience with one of the most interesting local wine menus in town.

The gay community in Vancouver is largely centered on a neighborhood along Davie Street where there are a number of clubs and bars to hit up during the evening hours. The wide street is easy to walk along, and there seem to be fun things to explore around every corner. 1181 is a bar with a number of signature cocktails, and often sees performances from local DJs. JLounge is on the second floor of a building off Davie St., and has an almost treehouse- like feeling. Celebrities is a landmark Vancouver nightclub with the largest dance floor in Davie Village, and Odyssey showcases go-go dancers and some of the best female impersonators in the area.

Vancouver Pride takes place at the end of July. There’s a large parade, festival, and a number of boat cruises during the festivities. The Davie Street Dance Party kicks things off on Friday by turning all of Davie Village into blocks of dancing and partying with drinks, drag queens, and a number of vendors. Commercial Drive hosts a Dyke March and Festival, and the Rapture Circuit Party also takes place this weekend. Over 100,000 people take part in the Sunset Beach Pride Festival in which hundreds of vendors participate with live performances throughout the day.

In terms of lodging, Vancouver has a number of fine hotels many with great locations in the downtown and harbor areas. The Westin Grand is a beautiful hotel, full of incredibly comfortable, moderately priced suites and with a prime location in the city center. The Fairmont Pacific Rim and Shangri-La Hotel Vancouver are both very luxurious hotels with great views of the gorgeous area. If you’re looking to be closer to Davie Street, the Opus Hotel offers affordable rooms in the center of Davie Village.

With exciting local cuisine, hard-to-beat views, and a number of attractions around the city, Vancouver is a great choice for a gay tourist looking for a beautiful destination with a unique character. Whether you’d prefer to take in the beautiful scenery during the summer, or the cultural attractions and winter sports available in the colder months, this jewel in British Columbia’s crown should not be missed.