Vancouver is regularly voted one of the world’s best cities – and it’s easy to see why. Famed for its quality of life, it embraces visitors with stand-out attractions like the sublime Stanley Park, charming local neighbourhoods, winter sports and more than enough gourmet delights for even the pickiest palate. Here’s our rundown of Vancouver’s highlights.
Explore Gastown
While Downtown is the area of Vancouver that might draw you in first, its neighbour Gastown is arguably more fascinating for its history. It charms with cobbled streets, vintage lampposts and old buildings. Gastown is the very core of what became Vancouver, sparked by the opening of a pub in 1867 by local legend John ‘Gassy Jack’ Deighton.
Here you can navigate using a few must-see landmarks. The 1977 Steam Clock – one of just a few in the world – is a big draw for tourists, putting on its singular show every 15 minutes. The rest of the Water Street, where it sits, is full of well-preserved old buildings that trace the city’s heritage. Built seven years earlier, the statue of Gassy Jack is a city icon. Other spots to look out for include Carrall Street and Hotel Europe on Powell Street – an early 20th century flatiron building.
Gastown is also one of the finest areas of the city to eat in, with a selection of culinary delights to sample. Many of the restaurants occupy vintage buildings. Wildebeest serves up house charcuterie and seared elk with smoked buttermilk mash in an ornate 19th century building, while Pourhouse – close to the Steam Clock – is a 1910 boot company warehouse turned restaurant.
Lean on the bar of 120-year-old Douglas Fir and order up superior pub grub. If you’re a fan of Asian cuisine, you’re only moments away from neighbouring Chinatown, with its plethora of Chinese restaurants.
Embrace the city’s green heart
Stanley Park is Vancouver’s most prized outdoor space. This vast and beautiful expanse is hemmed in by a seawall nearly nine kilometres long. With its colours shifting dramatically with the seasons, it’s a treat to visit any time of year. There’s also a huge amount to do here – including a lake and lagoon, beach and the waterfront path to stroll along. Be sure to wear some comfortable shoes, though, as it’s the longest path of its type in the world, winding between mountain ranges and verdant forests.
Criss-cross the park via the trails – such as Beaver Lake, Rawlings and Siwash Rock – and you’ll likely be accompanied by joggers. If you like nothing more than taking in the ocean breeze, you’ll be in your element here. Or why not visit Vancouver Aquarium, with its penguins and dolphins?
The city’s other parks are equally impressive. To the west, Pacific Spirit Regional Park has several multi-use trails, beaches, botanical gardens and the Museum of Anthropology – one of the city’s best attractions. An oasis of green closer to the centre of the city, Queen Elizabeth Park is famed for its flowers and plants. There’s an indoor tropical garden in the Bloedel Conservatory – complete with parrots, pheasants and finches flying free, arboretum, rose garden and dancing fountains.
Piste and peace
Vancouver’s a big city but it sits next to an even bigger natural environment – so it offers the best of both worlds. Spend a morning in the city and, only minutes later, you can be riding up Grouse Mountain in a cable car, ready for skiing and skating.
Grouse Mountain is a winter wonderland for skiing and snowboarding. Here you’ll find exhilarating jumps and powder-white trails for all abilities, plus shops and restaurants for the après-ski. The dramatic, 140-metre-long Capilano Suspension Bridge is also worth a try for those with a head for heights.
Visit at Christmas time and you’ll find the mountain transformed for the Peak of Christmas event, which welcomes an ice rink, festive food and (of course) Santa complete with his reindeer.
City limits
In Vancouver, your time will run out before the fun. Head for Main Street, the hippest area in town, where you’ll find artisan coffee shops, quirky independent boutiques, quality restaurants and more. It’s a restless area with something new popping up every week.
Look out for the striking geodesic dome on the waterfront at Quebec Street. This is Science World, a place that does a great job of making learning fun. The park surrounding it has plenty of interactive elements and exhibits, while inside there’s more of the same, including a hamster wheel built for humans – join the line, it’s a must-try.
Science World also runs regular events called After Dark, where the park is open for adults who want to mix, learn and play like kids – without the kids.
Close to Science World, you’ll find the Olympic Village on Main Street, following False Creek. Originally built to accommodate the visiting Olympic athletes in 2010, it’s a regenerated area adorned with great restaurants and bars, nature reserves, giant sculptures and one-of-a-kind jewellery stores.
Top up your energy levels at the famous Granville Island Public Market, teeming with foodie treats from local cheese to hot dogs slathered with good stuff. Don’t miss Lee’s Donuts – opened in 1979, it’s famous for the classic ‘honey dip’, although you can opt for more experimental flavours, such as the maple and bacon, if you’re feeling daring.
Main Street’s defiantly indie vibe continues at Neptoon Records, the oldest record shop in town. Wandering around this area will really bring home Vancouver’s unique character – without even trying too hard, it still manages to produce something truly special.
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