Vancouver and Whistler Places: Recent Episodes
vancouverplaces
Maybe you think you know Vancouver pretty well, maybe you'd like to get to know the city better, maybe you have never been to Vancouver, or maybe you'd just like to hear a couple guys who wrote the best-selling "111 Places in Vancouver That You Must Not Miss" guidebook tell a few yarns about the city they love. Join producer Mike Finnegan as he tries to keep chatty, and sometimes witty, authors Dave Doroghy and Graeme Menzies on track as they discuss interesting and often unknown facts and stories about their favorite places in Vancouver.
A tale of olympic proportions, invloving a pitcher of beer, a gold medal, a Canadian athlete, and a gloriously spontaneous moment that captured the attention, and the affection, of a nation.
The amazing backstory behind the development of Vancouver's landmark sports arena, and home of the Vancouver Canucks!
Discover the little-known and fun to find statue of iconic Nuu-cha-nulth chief on the Legislative Library building in Victoria.
Crank up a story from this unique hand-powered outdoor audio device, located between a stately castle and the west coast wilderness.
Visiti the one-of-a-kind wooden bridge that is your gateway to the natural wonders of Westham Island, and scene of a spooky X files episode!
Home of the Royal Canadian Navy's Pacific Fleet, and a World War Two dummy with salty language. A story not to be missed!
Mark your calendar for July 1, 2067 and plan to be in Victoria for the big reveal ... or just listen to this podcast episode.
Discover one of Victoria's oldest, most-fabled, buildings - and its historic neighbourhood.
Below the topsoil of its well-manicured world-famous gardens there's an industrial site that built a fortune and a city.
The quasi-subterranean repository of provincial history, hiding near the Royal BC Museum in Victoria.
We'll tell you where to find the almost-secret memorial to a tragic bridge disaster that you've probably never heard about.
This un-missable giant of the sea-to-sky highway is as hard or easy to climb as you dare make it.
Discover the many reasons to visit this park, the highest point in Vancouver, which is not named for the Queen you think it is.
From Marvin Gardens to Kamchatka to the library with Colonel Mustard, "Board with Friends" is the place to be!
The historic high school with ties to Hollywood, Vimy Ridge, and the Prime Minister's Office.
Taste, smell, see, feel, and hear a little bit of India at the Punjabi Market on Vancouver's Main Street.
The quintessential Main Street cafe and bakery, and the perfect place to begin, or end, your next shopping spree.
Bring your big bad bra, and order a historic bra-tini, while you experience a historic, iconic, watering hole in Victoria.
Our first podcast interrupted by a helicopter! But join us anyway and find out why the Marine Building is maybe the most spectacular building in Vancouver, and certainly the most fishy!
There are no bats in the Belfry (that we know of), but there are plenty of plays performed below.
Too much Lassie and Peter Crawford in this episode about aviation, but what can we say?
Hearty doesn't begin to describe these pies peaked with mashed potatoes, pees, and gravy.
More than big, more than salty - it's historic. Tune in and discover why you must not miss it.
Bagpipes, Banks, and things that go Bang feature in this tale about Victoria's Tudor-inspired armoury on Bay Street.
It's 1918 and there's shoot-em-up pandemonium on Pandora Avenue! Discover the story of the barber-assasin who also shot himself.
In this episode we challenge listeners to find three works of art cleverly disguised as manhole covers!
Is the world's best Eddie Van Halen mural hiding in Victoria? We'll help you find Paul Archer's studio and then you can decide for yourself!
Take your binoculars or take a picnic basket, either way this is a scenic and historic place to sit back in a classic adirondak chair. Graeme and Dave explain how they found it, and where you can too!
Graeme explains the romantic and historic backdrop to this charming green garden oasis, minutes from downtown.
Dave delivers an athletic and humorous overview of Victoria's spectacular 1994 Commonwealth Games, and tells you where to find this almost-hidden granite memento.
This place was hard to photograph, but Dave and Mike explain why it's a restaurant not to be missed.
Once you get past the adolescent potty humour, Graeme and Dave tell you about, and where to find, one of Whistler's most impressive public sculptures: The Sitting Man.
Our one-hundreth podcast episode is dedicated to our third book: it's all about Victoria, British Columbia. Dave and Graeme give a taste of what's in the book and Mike gives a taste of champagne!
The history of Whistler is at your feet. Dave tells you where to find the brass plaques, and how you can amaze your friends and ski lift companions with fascinating local history.
There's a haida canoe floating through the air at the University of British Columbia's Forestry Building. Graeme tells listeners all about it.
In recognition of the recent Coronation of King Charles III of Canada, Dave and Graeme share personal royal stories and highlight several places in their 111 Places books with a royal connection.
If you've never seen train cars growing in the middle of a forrest, this is your chance!
Spooky wooden shacks and rusty old cars are all that's left of this forgotten lumber mill just a few kilometers north of Whistler.
Graeme dishes out some hot tips on where to pull over for excellent roadside nosh on your drive along the Sea to Sky highway.
Float planes are a big part of downtown Vancouver - Dave explains why. Graeme tries to pack some Canadian aviation history into the episode.
The incredible story of how Whistler morphed from a garbage dump to a world-class alpine ski resort
Dave explains where you can find the most interesting rooftops in Vancouver. Look out for Bilbo Baggins.
Architecture, stamp-worthy stained glass, homeless Jesus, the Bride of Frankenstein, LSD ... Vancouver's Holy Rosary Cathedral it all!
The 111 fun doesn't stop at the border! Join Graeme, Dave and Mike as they chat with 111 Places in Seattle book author Harriet Baskas and photographer Courtney Kelley about their wonderful new collaboration.
Discover and decode the fridge that tells the story of Whistler's evolution from backcountry ski haven to world-renowned alpine resort. It's at the Whistler Museum.
What's the deal with those gigantic bird sculuptures in the Olympic Village? Dave reveals all, and we get back to making bad puns.
Whatever happened to the Hamilton Plaque commemorating Vancouver's first street corner? Listen and learn grasshoppers!
"You want a piece of me, Bob?" Graeme and Dave tell where Adam Sandler's character Happy Gilmore uttered those words before receiving a major-league whoopin' from iconic game show host Bob Barker, and reveal a number of other Vancouver-area scenes from the movie.
Get the inside scoop on the 111 Places book series as Graeme, Dave, and Mike chat with the Emons' North American Editor-in-Chief Karen Seiger.
A very cool place - figuratively and literally! Listen up, as Dave, Mike, and Graeme explain why the Britannia Mine Museum is a place you want to see.
Find out where to see an incredible artifact of British Columbia's lumber history, and learn all about the incredible steam donkey. When you find it, you'll say "eureka!".
Nitobe or not Nitobe, that is the question we answer in this episode about the incredible, serene, sensational and authentic Japanese Garden at UBC.
Dave and Mike serve up a fresh plate of insider tips on where to get a five star meal in Whistler. Graeme pines for lobster bisque.
The Duke (John Wayne), The King (Elvis), Satchmo (Louis Armstrong), Bing, Bob, Frank, Sammy, and Errol are just some of the stars who've stayed at the Hotel Georgia.
Mike, Dave, and Graeme celebrate the show's 10,000th download by revealing the top ten episodes and share some of their favorite episodes and experiences.
Graeme reveals the hidden history of Vancouver's incredible Jericho Beach, and manages to talk about Hippies again.
Dave dives into float homes. Graeme suggest some other delights for the eyes. Things not to miss at Vancouver's iconic Granville Island!
This Flash Gordon-esque piece of public art is easy to miss but well worth seeing. Dave explains what it is and how it got there. Graeme serves up some ideas on what else to see in the neighbourhood.
The eye-catching exterior of the Seaforth Armoury is nothing compared to the mind-boggling backstory of what was once "the finest armoury in the British Empire". Graeme gives the goods on the Seaforth Armoury - its opening by spy novel author John Buchan, the impressive Regimental Museum - and Dave explains how he met the Regiment's Colonel-in-Chief ... twice!
Graeme is a fountain of knowledge on this unique piece of public art, dedicated to the memory of one of Vancouver's best-known and most-loved citizen.
Dave reveals some of the best places to get your Winter Olympic-style picture taken in Whistler. Graeme and Mike throw in some tips on where to see Olympic rings, 2010 Olympic medals, a Torch from the relay, and still-in-use venues.
There's a great park in Whistler with an unusual name and a facscinating story. Dave explains.
Dave tells of his fascination with the Gulf of Georgia Cannery in Steveston Village. Graeme plugs the tram museum.
Find out where Vancouver's first Jail ("Gaol") is, and some of the spooky and cool places nearby. Also, who knew Dave was once a wax museum barker?
The craft beer at Vancouver's Brassneck Brewery has some great names, but there's one special brew that only comes out in December:
Clark Gable bowled here! Graeme, Dave, and Mike review the many wonders of Vancouver's historic Commodore Lanes.
What do art, soccer, and music have in common? Dave, Graeme, and Mike spill the beans on Whistler's Art Junction.
Oh to be a student in the 1960s! Dave tells the remarkable Ski Club origins of the Whistler Lodge Hostel.
Graeme gushes over the authentic neon sign and pulp fiction ethos of the Ovaltine Cafe, while the mysteries of Ovaltine and the fate of Vancouver's past neon glory are discussed.
Graeme shares some insights on the Japanese Canadian War Memorial in Stanley Park, and some ideas on COVID-friendly virtual Remembrance Day options; Dave tells the backstory on the War Memorial in Whistler.
Dave, Graeme, and Mike chat about Vancouver places with world-renowned anti-corruption expert Alexandra Wrage.
There is no Wolfman of Whistler. But this hallowe'en episode does talk about ghosts and graves.
Dave and Mike school Graeme on Whistler's impressive, expensive, fleet of snow cats and the heroic cat-jockeys who groom the mountains to perfection each night.
The bones aren't blue, but the whale is! Graeme tells a whopper of a story about the big blue whale skeleton at the Beaty Museum at UBC.
Vancouver has a lot of beautiful parks and this one isn't really one of them. But it does have a cool name. Dave explains. Graeme endorses a local beer. Mike lets loose with the puns.
The Sea to Sky Highway from Vancouver to Whistler is the most scenic drive in Canada. Dave, Graeme, and Mike explain why.
Dave, Graeme and Mike talk about the Trudeau family connection to Whistler and that nightclub where Canada's 23rd Prime Minister once bounced underage merrymakers.
Star Trek analogies fight for respect in this ramble about an obscure Jack Harman sculpture of a remotely famous surgeon, hidden in a Vancouver rose garden, and duplicated for display in a Scottish castle.
Ice Cube has left a cool legacy on the Sea to Sky Highway - pull over and find out about Sam the Axe Man.
Dave, Mike, and Graeme talk about the best place to watch jets land at Vancouver International Airport. Graeme says take a sandwich.
Dave and Graeme reminisce about the 2010 Olympic events in Whistler and talk about the open-to-the-public ski jump at Whistler Olympic Park.
If you've never seen an Olympic medal before, Dave tells you where you can find a set in Whistler!
Be the first to hear about the 111 Places in Whistler (and Sea to Sky area) that Dave and Graeme think you must not miss!
If ships could tell stories this one (the SS Beaver) would have a million. Graeme tells a few of them, including where you can find this easy-to-miss memorial cairn in Stanley Park.
You thought the rainbow crosswalk on Davie at Bute was a rainbow crosswalk (and it is) but did you also know it was Canada's first? Dave paints a colourful picture of Vancouver's historic rainbow crosswalk and explains why it is where it is.
Vancouver's top true crime author Eve Lazarus gives Graeme, Dave, and Mike the inside scoop on one of Vancouver's most unique places and tells about one of its most interesting people - Inspector John Vance.
Fuel up your Vancouver trivia knowledge with this discussion about Coal Harbour's iconic floating Chevron gas station.
If you're searching for an unusual hike, and want to discover a little piece of Vancouver's hidden military history, this is the episode you've been waiting for!
Since last week was World Bee Day, and since Dave is an accidental apiarist, this episode is all about bees - and some sweet tips on where to get the best honey in town.
Meet special guest Michael Levenston - the original urban farmer - and discover the unique agricultural oasis right in the heart of Kitsilano. Michael tells a tale not just about the city's early environmental and ecological roots, but also informs and entertains with tales of worms, computers, a surprising connection to artist Bill Reid and the latest in human composting.
Dave gives a slam-dunk inside scoop on the rise and fall of Vancouver's NBA basketball team, and tells where you can see their last game ball.
You don't need an alibi to hear about this building's storied connection to Vancouver's urban history, tommy-gun-toting Chicago gangsters, a trio of Hollywood movie stars, and fifty shades of hand-picked craft beer.
If you're too busy running along the Stanley park seawall to stop and read the Harry Jerome statue plaque, this episode delivers the details on the once-time fastest man in the world (and a bit about the artist who created it).
Vancouver's oldest independent, family-owned, record store is fodder for discussion about vinyl records of old and fresh artists of today.
Dave divvies up details on the person behind the place called Jack Poole Plaza - photogenic legacy of the 2010 Olympics and popular mountain-view meeting place in downtown Vancouver.
Dave and Graeme invite you to turn on, tune in, and drop in to the Naam Restaurant - the groovy gasto-epicentre of Kitsilano's hippie heritage.
Graeme dons his arctic furs to gush about Canada's Arctic Tallship and the other ancient wooden beauties afloat at Vancouver's Heritage Harbour.
Dave reels Graeme and Mike into a big whopper of a sturgeon story, and explains where and how to see them for yourself. Grame and Mike are left with an urgin’ for sturgeon.
A Baroness, a cat named Mr Got To Go, and a bowl of fruit are all a part of this peachy story about Vancouver's ivy-clad secret gem: The Sylvia Hotel.
PNE insider Roxann Bury-Howard joins Mike, Dave, and Graeme to give the inside story on Canada's oldest roller coaster - the wooden wonder that has thrilled and mezmorized all kinds of passengers including monks, pipe bands, brides, movie stars, teens and old-timers for over 60 years.
Loretta Lynn, the coal miner's daughter, never saw Vancouver's Coal Harbour but she was discovered at Vancouver's chicken coop. Graeme and Dave dazzle Mike with this unbelievable tale.
Take a stoll along the golden mile - location of Canada's widest bike path, home to several millionaires, a one-time happenning place for hippies, and sight of Vancouver's biggest rooftop reindeer.
The purrfect podcast episode for feline fans, and also Adele fans (if you know who she is). Dave, Mike, and Graeme talk about cats, coffee, covid and the Cat Cafe!
A conversation about the features and origins of the world-famous Jack Chow building devolves into a discussion about the koi fish (and otter) at nearby Sun Yat-Sen Classical Garden.
This episode is for the birders. Dave delivers soaring praise for the Reifel Bird Sanctuary, Graeme tries to make it about rum and gangsters.
Mike frames this discussion about Vancouver's many Arthur Erickson buildings. Dave takes a wrecking ball to one building in particular; Graeme covers the angles on others.
Dave breaks the Unofficial Secrets Act to reveal the location of mysterious stones at Stanley Park. Mike reveals how little he gets paid for doing this. Graeme reveals nothing.
Graeme, Dave and Mike yack about what is probably the oldest wooden building in Vancouver that you didn't already know about and its connection to the ships at sea.
Wooden you like to see a century-old wooden bridge? Dave sings Ladner's praises and Graeme joins in to sing Rolf Harris songs. Mike still wonders what he's got himself into.
Dave pours a tall one about Vancouver's first micro-distillery. Graeme stirs-up trouble but recovers with a gin-based Christmas martini recipe.
Vancouver Canucks honcho Chris Brumwell joins Graeme, Dave and Mike for an extended conversation about the storied The Rogers Arena and the memories, secrets, and history contained within.
One two three four! Graeme gets to the heart of Vancouver's 1970s music-making scene. Dave says "turn me loose!". Discover the hidden-in-plain-sight music history within Vancouver's Mushroom Studios.
If you're in the market for a wooden Mountie, an old-school stereo system, a stuffed gopher, or classic vinyl LP, this is the episode you've been waiting for! Dave, Graeme and Mike tell the back-story on four of their favourite cool, independent, very Vancouver shops.
Some people drive their cars into the ground, other people bury them. Dave takes the wheel in this story about one of Vancouver's classiest, biggest-finned, formerly four-wheeled wonders.
Graeme gets all wound up about railway tracks again. Dave sings To Sir With Love. Mike secretly wonders how it came to this.
Rick Hansen is known as "the man in motion" and the granite Vancouver sculpture created in his honour has rolled around a bit too. Dave reveals the little-know travel history of this Rick Hansen tribute.
If you're a railway buff this episode will punch your ticket. Graeme and Dave all full steam ahead with the riches to rags to riches again story of the first transcontinental train into Vancouver. Mike keeps them both from going off the rails.
Beef up your knowledge of Vancouver's burger history. Dave spills the beans on the first McDonalds outside the USA. Graeme asks "who cares!?".
Easy to miss but well worth finding. Graeme and Dave brew up some banter on the historic and haunted Billy Bishop pub.
Dave and Graeme discuss the one-piece two-whiz wonder of Vancouver. Is this antique two-man urinal the only one left in Canada?
Neon. Cars. Murder. All that and more in this rambling review of the story behind the Bowmac sign behind the ToyRUs sign on West Broadway.