Vancouver

Gastown

Vancouver’s oldest neighbourhood, Gastown grew from a single tavern founded by John ‘Gassy Jack’ Deighton back in 1867. Today, the district retains its historic charm and independent spirit. Victorian architecture houses a thriving fashion scene, impeccably curated décor boutiques, one-of-a-kind galleries and some of the best dining in Vancouver.

It’s a gathering place for stylish locals and an ideal neighbourhood to explore on foot. Take an architectural walking tour to hear the district’s history, stroll the streets in search of wine and charcuterie and relax at the days end in one of the craft beer public houses. 

Robson Street

With BC Place Stadium at one end, Stanley Park at the other, and the city’s best-known shopping precinct in between, Robson Street is a must-stroll for visitors to Vancouver. One of Vancouver’s oldest commercial streets, it was once known as Robsonstrasse for the sheer number of German and European stores that opened up after the Second World War.

The international character of the street still exists. Being right in the heart of the downtown core, you’ll find yourself walking right alongside locals on their way to the office, sports fans heading to the game, and students lining up outside noodle shops.

Chinatown

As North America’s third-largest Chinatown, this neighbourhood is packed with vivid colours, exotic cuisine and vibrant culture, rich in history and architecture. Located just to the east of downtown, highlights include Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, the Sam Kee Building (the world’s narrowest commercial building) and the Chinese Cultural Centre.

In recent years, the neighbourhood has seen a younger generation of the city’s Asian population move in, resulting in an influx of modern galleries, cutting-edge restaurants, and new cafes.

Granville Island

In the early 1900s, Granville Island was home to factories, plants, and sawmills. Things are a little different today, with Granville Island being both a locals’ favorite and a huge draw for visitors. Technically a sandspit and not an island, the neighbourhood sits just south of the downtown peninsula, right under the Granville Bridge. The Granville Island Public Market acts as a hub of activity, but it’s also one of the city’s most important cultural districts with theatres, artisan workshops, and craft studios.

One of the best ways to get to Granville Island is one of the adorable mini-tugboat ferries that criss-cross False Creek. Once you’re there, the biggest attraction on Granville Island is the Public Market. Housed indoors, there are endless rows of stalls that feature fresh produce, gourmet foods, baked goods, and seafood.

Coal Harbour & Canada Place

Despite the fact that Coal Harbour is right downtown, it’s a surprisingly calm little neighbourhood, right on the water’s edge. It’s even more surprising given its industrial history as a former shipyard sitting right next to the railway terminus. The area starts at Canada Place and stretches west to Stanley Park, and is bordered by Burrard Inlet to the north, West Georgia Street to the south. Around this area you’ll find locals and visitors mingling on the Seawall, neighborhood cafes and restaurants, a popular marina, and the odd harbour seal bobbing around and greeting passersby.

Canada Place is alos the place to watch the cruise ships gliding into the city and home to the breath-taking FlyOver Canada flight simulation ride, which is well worth exploring.

Stanley Park

Ideally situated on a peninsula at the northwestern edge of downtown Vancouver, Stanley Park is one of the city’s main tourist destinations, attracting approximately 8 million visitors each year. Featuring lovely beaches, miles of well-maintained paved and dirt trails, Canada’s largest aquarium and an array of can’t-miss kid-friendly spots (including a pool, water park, miniature railway and more), this 400-hectare (1,000-acre) haven is recognized as one of the greatest urban parks in the world.

As Vancouver’s first park, with its ever-blooming gardens, pristine coastal areas and roughly 500,000 cedar, fir and hemlock trees, Stanley Park has continued to live up to its ‘greenspace’ designation for almost 130 years. For these reasons and more, this tranquil oasis is the perfect city escape.