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Vancouver Tourism

Whether you are a nature buff, a cultural explorer, or an extreme shopper, Vancouver can meet your needs. Tucked between the sea and the mountains, Vancouver's temperate weather allows for a range of activities year round. It is said one can kayak in the morning and ski in the afternoon - and many people do - as we are North America's fittest city. Despite that, you'll still find plenty of Nanaimo Bars, butter tarts, and date squares filling our coffee shops. We love our coffee and our sushi, and one can find plenty of each in almost every neighborhood. We're also famous for our wild salmon - especially smoked and preserved with maple syrup as "Indian Candy" - a most delicious snack! Most visitors to Vancouver are surprised at the range of ethnic food choices that are readily available, and the range of languages on street signage. We pride ourselves on being an extremely diverse city, with 52% of city residents having a first language other than English. The cultural possibilities in Vancouver are endless, with Native American Totem Poles beside fiery Chinese Dragons, Highland dancing beside the catchy reggae drumming of Africa. Welcome to Vancouver and enjoy your stay!

Attractions / Areas of Interest and Safety Issues

Attractions and Areas of Interest

Quick Links: Downtown West Side East Side Richmond Burnaby North Shore

Downtown:

Upscale boutiques, trendy restaurants, and elegant lounges are filled with nouveau-riche delights, but expect to pay more. You may even see some stars in this celebrity-packed corner of downtown. Check out Urban Fare, the grocer/deli to the rich and famous, or Choices Market, filled with specialty natural and organic food products. For upscale restaurants, try Glowbal Grill & Satay Bar, Cioppino's Mediterranean Grill, Brix Restaurant or go raw with Rodney's Oyster House or Blue Water Cafe and Raw Bar. Brown's Social House is a little more relaxed... where the overflow from Glowbal find a slightly more frugal nosh. No trip to Yaletown, or the West End, for that matter, is complete without a breakfast stop at the Elbow Room Cafe, famous for dishing out cheeky New York style service ("Want another coffee? It's over there.") and food designed by real celebrity customers. For a simple espresso, try Coo Coo Coffee. Chocoatl serves up elegant chocolate truffles and a stunning array of rich and exotic "hot chocolate" beverages. For a different kind of thirst, Yaletown also has a couple of Brew Pubs: DIX Brew Pub, and Yaletown Brewing Company. For upscale cocktails, try the Opus Bar. For the active set, rent a bike accross from Urban Fare, and ride the sea wall East around False Creek to Granville Island, or bike West to Sunset Beach, the West End, English Bay, and all the way to Stanley Park. Explore West Coast Native culture through the city's largest and most diverse collection of totem poles at Coastal Peoples Fine Arts Gallery.

Granville is closed to cars just North of the Granville Bridge. Traditionally Vancouver's "entertainment district", Granville once boasted the most neon signage in all of North America, and earned the nickname of "the Great White Way". At night, especially on weekends, this area becomes the hub of the young club scene. For those wanting to join in the fun with a slightly older cohort, the hip and urban Ginger 62, or the celebrity-frequented Crush Champagne Lounge might be just the ticket. Walk through this ecclectic corridor of shops, including several Adult-Only Boutiques, bars, clubs, and several chic restaurant hideaways. Not to miss: the casual but satisfying Nuba Lebanese Cuisine, the dark and Bohemian Whineos - with a secret room if you get there early, the upscale Nu or The Stone Grill (one above the other at the waterfront under the Granville Bridge), or the even more upscale sustainable local seafood at C Restaurant (also at the waterfront under the bridge). For those looking for a walk on the wild side, the famous Cecil Hotel's Exotic Showroom, a Vancouver Icon since 1907.

The Gay District: Take a stroll down Davie past the lively gay-friendly restaurants and clubs to where it meets Denman on English Bay. Snap a photo of the Inukshuk - once used at the Northwest Territories Pavilion at Expo '86, but now doubling as the official logo for the 2010 Winter Olympics. Then head down Gay-friendly Denman to the shopping extravaganza that is Robson Street. Not to miss: Little Sister's Book and Art Emporium, The Odyssey or Celebrities Gay Dance Club, Liliget Feast House (Native Canadian Fine Dining), Hamburger Mary's Diner. For delicious fare at a low price, try Wrap Zone. No trip to the West End is complete without a breakfast stop at the Elbow Room Cafe, famous for dishing out cheeky New York style service ("Want another coffee? It's over there.") and food designed by real celebrity customers. Near Denman and Robson you'll find the Mexican delight that is Ponchos (order 2 "Ponchos Special Coffees" for a real live light show at your table - spectacular!). Bike or stroll around the seawall from the West End past Sunset Beach down to Stanley Park, or grab the AquaBus from the seawall where Hornby Street meets the sea (under Granville Bridge) and head accross to Granville Island.
Robson Street: The famed shopping disctrict of Robson Street has all the high-end chain stores you'll ever need, and is the place to see and be seen in the evening. If you are a fan of big-name labels like Armani, Guess, Tommy Hilfiger, Le Chateau, Club Monaco, BeBe, and Esprit, this is THE place to go. You'll also note a pair of Canada's own Roots Stores. Chock full of all your favorite restaurants, like Earl's, Milestones, and the Cactus Club, it also has a few unique gems, like Cafe Crepe, the Gyoza King, Cafe Il Nido, Guu Japanese Bar, and the Kobe Steak House. Joe Fortes is a favorite among locals and celebrities, but make reservations and dress well or you may be turned away. Where Robson and Thurlow cross, get a giggle out of "the two Starbucks on one street corner" featured in "Best in Show". Vancouverites love their coffee... we've got 100 Starbucks outlets... in fact, within a 2 km by 2.5 km square area centered on Robson Street alone, one can reach 29 Starbucks stores ... as well as nearly 100 other coffee shops, including chain stores like Blenz as well as privately owned shops. Just one block north of Robson along Burrard, you'll find Tiffany's, Louis Vuitton, and the Armani Exchange.

There is plenty to do inside the park, including visiting The Vancouver Aquarium. The view from Prospect Point is both famous and fantastic. Enjoy a fancy meal at The Fish House, or for the fitness set, rent a bike at Bayshore Bicycle Rental, Bikes 'N Blades Rental or Spokes bicycle rental and pedal around the seawall encircling the park (about 5.5 miles or 9km total). The park is also very friendly to walkers, and one can drive in and pay-park one's car at various locations in the park itself. Alternatively, book a walking tour with Ecowalk Tours of Stanley Park.

Do some sightseeing amidst the skyscrapers in Vancouver's core. Check out the stunning coliseum-inspired Vancouver Public Library and its "green roof". Pick up some outstanding refreshments at Mink Chocolate Cafe, or Cafe Artigiano before getting your culture on across the street at The Vancouver Art Gallery (VAG), or The Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art which is presenting "Bill Reid: Master of Haida Art". Drop by the multilingual Sophia's Books. Ride up the glass elevator take in a 360º view of Vancouver at The Lookout or let the city revolve around you at The Top of Vancouver Revolving Restaurant. Try out the city's best steaks at Gotham Steakhouse & Cocktail Bar - reservations recommended. Drop by the Hotel Vancouver for martinis and live smooth jazz at the 900 West Lounge.

  • False Creek:

Previously the site of the Expo '86 world fair, False Creek wraps around the inlet, from the eastern end of Yaletown by the Cambie Bridge, past BC Place and GM Place, around to Science World which borders the Downtown East Side, and curving around through lower Fairview to Granville Island (see "West Side" below for more information).

BC Place Stadium, the largest air-supported dome stadium in the world, is home to the BC Lions Football team, who will be playing the Toronto Argonauts Sat October 25th, 2008 [Tickets]. BC Place will also open and close the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. General Motors Place, a.k.a. GM Place, a.k.a. The Garage, hosts many sporting events and concerts, including the Vancouver Canucks NHL hockey team, who will be playing the Edmonton Oilers Sat Oct 25, 2008 and the Boston Bruins Tues Oct 28, 2008 [Tickets]. GM Place will welcome international star Celine Dion on Oct 20 & 21, 2008 [Tickets]. Science World a.k.a "The Golf Ball" includes high quality scientific, biological, anthopological, and archeological documentaries on its 5-storey wrap-around Omnimax Dome Theatre. See the future site of the Olympic Village (still under construction). Walk, jog, or bike the seawall. Take the Aquabus accross the inlet to/from Yaletown, the West End, or Granville Island. Or for a full view of False Creek, take the Aquabus "Mini-Cruise" from Granville Island. For $6 per person, you can ride the complete circuit of stops in about 25 minutes.

  • Downtown East Side:

Safety Note: The Downtown East Side, a.k.a. Skid Road, is (in-)famous for having the highest crime rate in North America. **Please see the section marked "Safety Issues" following the "Vancouver Attractions" section.** If after reading the precautions, you choose to visit these attractions, avoid walking along East Hastings, Abbott, Carrall, or Columbia, especially at night. The best route is coming from Yaletown, the Business District, or the Stadium SkyTrain station via B.C. Place Stadium, and cutting through Tinseltown. Do not attempt to walk through the Downtown East Side to move between Chinatown and Gastown, even though they seem geographically close. Go through Tinseltown / B.C. Place Stadium to the Business District and around, even if it takes a little longer.

While technically, Chinatown, Strathcona, and Gastown all belong to the Downtown East Side, Chinatown and Gastown are unique sub-communities that deserve separate recognition. Most tourists prefer to avoid the Downtown East Side completely, and this is well-advised, however, popular attractions for locals in the Downtown East Side include the large Tinseltown Theatres, the Asian extravaganza that is T&T Market (other safer locations are in Richmond and Burnaby's Metrotown), the funky "New Chinese Cuisine" of Wild Rice, the politically divergent "radical bookstore" Sparticus Books. If you're up for even more adventure, try the The New Amsterdam Cafe and BC Marijuana Party Bookstore/Headquarters, run by the (in-famous BC Marijuana Party President Marc Emery. Although this shop is on the border of Gastown, the area frankly is more sketchy DTES than touristy Gastown. Note that while these shops are "smoke-friendly" do not try to purchase Marijuana here as it is still illegal to purchase without a perscription from a medical doctor. Also on the border between the DTES and Gastown, and close to the financial district is the delectable and surprisingly upscale Chambar, easily accessible from the Financial District, Yaletown, Gastown, or Stadium Skytrain Station. The Po Yuen Taoist Centre Society is found just North of Chinatown.

Safety note: Please see the section marked "Safety Issues" following the "Vancouver Attractions" sections. When walking between Gastown and Chinatown, try to avoid walking along East Hastings, Abbott, Carrall, or Columbia, especially at night. The best route is a bit longer, back South through the business district towards B.C. Place Stadium, cutting through Tinseltown.

Vancouver boasts the second largest Chinatown in North America (second to San Fransisco), and nearly 18% of Vancouver is ethnic Chinese. Established within Hastings, Georgia, Gore, and Taylor Streets, Chinatown is fairly safe during the daytime, just take the usual precautions one would take in any big city. Not to miss are: the Chinatown Millenium Gate which marks the western entrance to Chinatown, the amazingly small Sam Kee Building which is named in the Guinness Book of Records for being the thinnest commercial building in the world, and secures one end of one of Vancouver's famous secret underground tunnels (now closed to the public), Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, Maxim's Bakery and Restaurant, New Town Bakery, The Boss Bakery & Restaurant, the authentic Hong Kong style Floata Seafood Restaurant. The Ching Chung Taoist Temple welcomes visitors and has handouts explaining their beliefs in both English and Chinese. They were open to photographs when asked. The temple is tricky to find - most people don't even know it is there. Although it is less than a block off of Main Street, and marked with a large bright yellow sign, it is easy to pass right by the small recessed door between a bakery and a grocery.

Safety note: Please see the section marked "Safety Issues" following the "Vancouver Attractions" sections. When navigating Gastown, stay close to the tourist-populated areas near Water Street, which are marked with picturesque cobble stones and historic lamposts. Do not attempt to cut through alleys, and do not walk along East Hastings, Abbott, Carrall, or Columbia, especially at night. To get to Chinatown from Gastown, the best route is a bit longer, back South through the Business District towards B.C. Place Stadium, then cutting through Tinseltown.

Gastown is fairly safe during the daytime, especially along Water Street, just take the usual precautions one would take in any big city. Canada Place, a.k.a. "The Sails", includes the IMAX Theatre, which plays traditional IMAX films (45 minute to 1 hour documentaries) on its 8-storey high movie screen - in both 2D and stunning IMAX 3D. Oct 25 & 26 Canada Place will host the annual Vancouver Health Show, the best health and wellness fair in the city, with lots of free seminars and tons of free samples. The Gastown Clock, Steamworks Brewing, Guu Japanese Bar, The Blarney Stone, and The Old Spaghetti Factory are all popular destinations. No visit to Gastown is complete without a tip of the hat to Capt. John "Gassy Jack" Deighton, the first person to settle and open a saloon for sailors in what would later become Vancouver. ("Gassy" refers to his gift of the gab, not to his digestive system!)

 

The West Side:

Most of the excitement in Kitsilano centers around its famed shopping district on West 4th Ave and the shops and restaurants of West Broadway (9th Ave).
West 4th Ave: Not to miss is metaphysical bookstore Banyen Books, and the Naam , a Vancouver haven for granola-munchers and vegetarians of all ages open 24 hours, scrumptious Terra Breads (other location on Granville Island), delightfully earth-friendly Capers Market, the rich roasts of 49th Parallel Coffee House, the high end cookware at Basic Stock, and the unofficial uniform provider of Kits - Lululemon Athletica.
West Broadway (9th Ave): Near MacDonald Street, you will find Iki, a unique sushi spot with posh decor and brown rice rolls. The Eatery is a funky sushi joint with character, The Jazz Cellar a.k.a The Cellar is a place for cool and classy jazz, East is East/Chai (other location on Main Street) is a journey into the far east, and Spirit House carries amazing furniture and decor, all recycled from South East Asia. Where Broadway hits Alma, the fun takes a sharp turn, and moves over to 10th Ave. There you'll find Burgoo Soups, the idyllic deli and cafe Pane and Fromaggio.
Kits Beach Area: Kits Beach still attracts walkers, joggers, and cyclists year-round, with its great views of downtown and the North Shore. The H.R. MacMillan Space Centre a.k.a. "The Planetarium" offers daily educational shows about outer space, and famed late night star shows with special laser effects on Friday and Saturday set to the music of Pink Floyd (9:15pm) and Led Zepplin (10:30pm).

  • Fairview:

While Vancouver is loaded with cheap fresh sushi on every corner, none of them hold a candle to Tojo's, the premier high-end Japanese restarant in North America. Order the "Chef's Choice" and allow Tojo to dazzle you with a selection of gourmet small plates and sushi. Reservations recommended. For cheaper eats, the ShaLin Fresh Noodle House is another "must" along West Broadway, along with its neighbour, Favorito Pasta Trattoria Italian Restaurant, and Saravana Bhavan South Indian food (955 West Broadway). Other great value spots are Harvest Village Chinese Restaurant, Wimaan Thai, Posh Sukiyaki Hotpot Restaurant. Shiro on Cambie has the best wild salmon sashimi. Choices Market has plenty of specialty natural and organic food products.

Understandably confusing to some, Granville Island is not really an island at all, but a man-made penninsula just off South Granville underneath the Granville bridge. A large centre for artisans, it naturally is the home of Emily Carr Art College, and numerous artistic studios and shops of all shapes and sizes. Oct 21-26, 2008 the Island will host the annual Vancouver International Writers and Reader's Festival. Most famously, the Island boasts a large Public Market, filled with fresh vegetables, meats, fish, and breads - don't miss the fresh baked goods at Terra Breads (it's worth the short and fast-moving line), the high quality flowers, or ready-to-eat candided salmon a.k.a. Indian Candy. For some local suds, visit Dockside Brewing or Granville Island Brewing. For a more unique tasting, try Artisan Sake Maker, the first boutique premium sake winery in Canada. If you'd rather sit down for your meal, Dockside Brewing serves up elegant fare with a lovely view of the harbour, the Sandbar Seafood Restaurant boasts an extensive wine list, a sushi bar, and "salmon so fresh that it woke up that morning with his fish buddies unaware that he was to be your dinner". Enjoy the maritime decor, including a full size tugboat suspended above the bar. For the more adventurous, the Afghan Horsemen , just outside the entrance to Granville Island, serves up a unique and tasty Middle-Eastern experience. For a full view of False Creek, take the Aquabus "Mini-Cruise". For $6 per person, you can ride the complete circuit of stops in about 25 minutes.

Bring a bulging wallet to peruse the upscale clothing shops. South Granville is also swimming in housewares and home furnishings, from the new and trendy, to antiques from Asia and Persia. Not to miss: the extremely meat-frendly Memphis Blues BBQ House (The Elvis Platter is a menu favorite), all you can eat sushi and korean BBQ at Shabusen, the award winning West Restaurant (reservations recommended), the Indian fusion of Vij's (where even the celebrities are made to wait in line), the intimate and famed chef-producing Star Anise (reservations recommended), the authentic French bistro-sylings of Salade De Fruits (reservations recommended). Don't forget to marvel at the exotic imported foods in Meinhardts, pick up some amazing chocolates at Daniel The Chocolaterie Belge, to take in a live play at The Stanley Theatre, and to relax into the Hammam & Gommage at Miraj Spa, a unique marble turkish spa and steam room widely sought out by spa affectionados (Ladies, appointments are recommended. Sorry men, you are limited to 4-8pm Thursdays, and by appointment on Sundays. Couples are also welcomed on Sundays.)

  • Shaunghnessy:

Shaughnessy is filled with "old money". It is located between 16th Ave., King Edward, Oak St., and Arbutus St. It's a great place for a drive and an ogle, as it boasts the "Mansions of Shaughnessy". Try heading along Osler St. (one block West of Oak St), and then take a spin around The Crescent. The Crescent is a circular street with 14 gigantic homes and a beautiful green boulevard park in the middle that is filled with native trees and plants. From the Crescent move on to Angus Drive, or nearby Balfour Ave. Shaughnessy is also home to the impressive Van Dusen Gardens (37th and Oak Street) which boasts 22 hectares (55 acres) of labelled plants and trees from around the world, gorgeous ponds with fish, turtles and birds, sculptures in stone and wood, a Native American Medicine Wheel, a giant maze made of shrubery, and a Korean Pavilion. You will also enjoy a garden shop, a book and seed library, and a restaurant. Guided tours available.

The East Side:

Commercial Drive is famous for being Vancouver's "hippie district", and is the home of a large portion of Vancouver's lesbian population. Perhaps less famously, it also boasts a large Italian district, and a wide variety of ethnic restaurants. The big draw Sat. Oct 25, 2008 is the Parade of Lost Souls centered around Grandview Park. Not just for kids - All the spooks come out and The Drive is closed to cars as the entire neighborhood is transformed into graveyards and haunted houses, filled with all manner of costumed characters, street musicians, glowing lanterns, and fire dancers. Wearing a costume and/or anything that glows in the dark is strongly encouraged. Otherwise, enjoy the authentic espresso in the company of lifesize statues of Roman gods at Calabria, the marvellous pizza and gnocchi at Marcello's Pizzeria, the marvel that is Pondok's Indonesian Cuisine, or have a sip of mead and a tasty injera at one of the many Ethiopian restaurants along this strip. Not to miss: the hippie paradise of Beckwoman's shop, and perhaps the world's most user-friendly and woman-friendly erotia shop Womyn's Ware. For nature buffs, Trout Lake Park a.k.a. John Hendry Park, is a peaceful Oasis just steps from Bustling Commercial Drive. While it's not exactly on Commercial Drive, and I would not recommend walking there through East Van, The Cannery is worth the short trip by car. With gorgeous views of the harbour, this Vancouver mainstay is sure to please even the most discerning palate. Reservations recommended.
  • Main Street:

Main Street has been dubbed "the new Commercial Drive" because it basically embodies what the Drive was about 10-15 years ago, before the SkyTrain brought the suburbanites and the chain stores. Main Street is a haven for bargain hunters and seekers of all things unique. Filled with vintage clothing shops and antique stores, Main Street (South of Broadway/9th Ave) can eat away hours - if not dollars - of your day. As far as food, The Congee Noodle House is THE place in the city to go for congee, and it only gets busier as the night wears on. Other gems on Main St are Caffe Rustico (Italian coffee house with free internet), Hawker's Delight (Singaporian Restaurant), the Locus Cafe (North American - great brunch), The Reef (Carribean), and East is East/Chai (other location in Kitsilano). Shaktea Tea House offers a high quality tea experience, and while not all 'Beans' are created equal, the Bean Around the World Coffee Shop on Main is tops. For late night caffeine emergencies, The Grind has got your covered 24hours, and is frequented by many a UBC student. For a cultural experience, The Gold Buddha Monastery is open to the public and holds daily service at 1pm, and in the evening the nuns give lectures in Mandarin, Cantonese, and English (and other languages depending on attendance) from 7pm-8:30pm. They also offer a free vegetarian lunch to all who visit on the weekend. They were open to photographs when asked.

Richmond:

Fun Fact: Richmond has a visible minority population of 59%, the highest in Canada. More than half of its population is of Asian descent, most of whom immigrated in the early 1990s, many of them from Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Mainland China. Many businesses display their store names in large characters both in English and Chinese, and one can "get by" entirely in Chinese. The 98 B-Line Bus runs from downtown through most of Richmond, along No. 3 Rd.

Burnaby:

North Shore:

For a real West Coast experience, ride the SeaBus from downtown to the rainforests of the North Shore. (Click "Hybrid" on the map for a better view.) Not to miss is the stunning Capilano Suspension Bridge and Treetops Adventure (for a cheaper thrill, try the free Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge and Ecology Centre - it also has some great trails for hiking). Other favorite destinations are the Lonsdale Quay Market, and Bowen Island (accessible via the #250/257 bus from downtown and a short 20 minute ferry). The Grouse Mountain Skyride will take you up the mountain in comfort and style, and although there may not be snow in October, the views from the top are spectacular.

 

Safety Issues

The map below outlines the safest and most dangerous areas in Vancouver. It is important to take note of these areas to ensure your trip is not marred by unfortunate incidents.

Green denotes areas that are generally safe both day and night. These are higher income commercial or residential areas with little overt crime or homelessness.

e.g. Yaletown and most of the West Side: Kitsilano, Point Grey, Fairview, South Granville Rise, Arbutus, Kerrisdale, Shaughnessy, UBC.

Striped Green and Orange denotes areas that are generally safe both day and night, but may require you to be aware of your surroundings. These are generally lower income residential areas, with some drug use. Do not leave your valuables unattended.

e.g. The East Side (not to be confused with the Downtown Eastside - see map and "Red" below).

Orange denotes areas that are fairly safe, especially during the day, but which require the usual precautions one would take in any big city. These city areas may have higher incidences of minor crimes like pickpocketing, and may have a higher percentage of homelessness and addiction issues. Use your common sense in these areas, especially at night. Make sure your purse or wallet is closed and protected at all times, and avoid eye contact with anyone who seems intoxicated or aggressive.

e.g. Downtown Core, The West End (downtown), Granville Island, Commercial Drive (a.k.a. "The Drive"), East Broadway (between Cambie and Commercial Drive).

Striped Orange and Red denotes areas where common-sense precautions should be taken during the day, and which may be dangerous at night. These city areas have high incidence of prostitution, homelessness, intoxication and drug use. Stay alert of your surroundings at all times, walk with a buddy if possible, take care to conceal and protect your valuables, and avoid eye contact with anyone who seems intoxicated or aggressive.

e.g. North Granville (downtown), Gastown, Chinatown, Main Street North of Broadway/9th, Stanley Park.

Red denotes areas that require extreme caution during the day, and are best avoided if possible at night. These areas have high incidences of poverty, homelesness, prostitution, mental illness, severe drug addiction, and violent crime. Avoid cutting through (or looking down) alleyways, night or day, as these are crime hotspots. If you are driving, make sure your windows are closed and the doors locked, even during the day. People on foot have been known to approach cars, ask for change, yell, or even become violent or attempt to enter vehicles. If you must enter these areas at night, ask your cabbie to wait for you to enter your building before driving away, bring a cell phone, do not walk alone, and do not bring any valuables with you or wear flashy clothing or jewellery.

e.g. The Downtown East Side a.k.a. Skid Road, East Hastings, Strathcona, parts of Gastown, parts of Chinatown.