Vancouver has a wonderful balance of beauty and bustle that makes it a fantastic destination, offering a multitude of things to see and do. From the stunning scenery and abundant parks and gardens to the bustling and lively nightlife and endless choices for shopping, you can stay and stay for hours, days or even weeks and have a blast!
Explore Vancouver from the iconic waterfront to the lively Gastown district, to the historic Gastown Steam Clock, visit Stanley Park and hike one of the many trails, to the art galleries, world-class concerts and theatres, Vancouver is full of things to do and see.
The following information is intended to be a starting point for those planning to visit Vancouver, so that you have a place to start your search, but to give an idea of what to see and do and when to visit.
Downtown
The Downtown is Vancouver's commercial, cultural and governmental centre. To see many of the main tourist attractions the Downtown is the perfect place to start.
Gastown
Also known as the West End, Gastown, located in Downtown Vancouver, was a working class area of Gastown and a red-light district, in the years prior to 1912. Today, it is a National Historic Site. Gastown is a popular attraction, with lots to see and do and great shopping.
If you're visiting, why not stop in one of the many restaurants, cafes and bars? Or take a walking tour of some of the narrow streets and historic buildings. Don't miss The Steam Clock, one of the world's largest (as it is only 8m tall). Also, be sure to go to the Pacific Institute which has many wonderful artifacts from the old days of Gastown.
The city of Vancouver's most famous attraction is the Granville Island Public Market, located on the shores of Burrard Inlet, a short ferry ride from downtown Vancouver. Granville Island Public Market features approximately 200 vendors selling a wide range of gifts, arts and crafts, clothing and ethnic food. It is Vancouver's most popular tourist attraction and one of the most popular tourist destinations in Canada.
The Stanley Park seawall walk runs for more than a mile and is a great way to experience Vancouver from the water. The park itself covers more than 2.3 km and features more than 2,000 species of plants and flowers.
Stanley Park is also home to many attractions, such as the famous treehouses, a wildlife sanctuary, miniature golf, and a zoo.
There are more than 40 museums and galleries. Some of the most famous are the Vancouver Maritime Museum, which showcases the history of the city's connection to the sea and the Pacific, and the Museum of Anthropology, which has artifacts from the native communities living in Vancouver. In the downtown area, the B.C. Sports Hall of Fame, the Hockey Hall of Fame, and the Pacific National Exhibition are all worth seeing.
The Vancouver Convention Centre is the city's largest and most modern convention center. The building was renovated and expanded from 1994 to 1995 and is host to many large events.
Vancouver is a welcoming city that has been voted one of the friendliest cities in the world. The city attracts artists, musicians and many other creative types. The Stanley Park seawall walk is a great way to experience the natural beauty of the city and is a great place to go for a walk or enjoy a bike ride.
FESTIVALS & EVENTS
One of the most spectacular shows on the Pacific Coast is the Vancouver International Fireworks Competition. The fireworks display on the Fourth of July has been described as a sight to behold. Another popular event is the Bumbershoot music festival, which takes place each summer in Victoria, British Columbia. The B.C. Jazz Festival has been held annually for the last 16 years and is one of the largest jazz festivals in Canada. In 2007, it brought in 150,000 people and features artists from around the world.
The Vancouver World Film Festival is held in October and is one of the best film festivals in North America. The B.C. International Children's Festival is held in Victoria in September and features events for all ages.
MUSEUMS & HISTORIC BUILDINGS
The Vancouver Maritime Museum is dedicated to the city's marine history. There are exhibits that show how the city grew from the early fishing days to the modern shipping days and the impact of the Second World War. Not only does the museum feature the original Union Steam Ship Company vessel SS Grandville, it also owns the tugboat that helped transport the Titanic back to Canada in 1912.
The Museum of Anthropology was built in 1928 and is a museum filled with artifacts and stories that tells of the history of the area. The main building was designed by Douglas Cardinal, who also designed the Georgia and Granville Street buildings. The Museum of Anthropology has been the best museum in the city for years. The Museum of Vancouver has a fascinating collection of city buildings and artifacts. The V. C. Voordesteyn Company Building, which dates from 1888, was designed by Joseph Healy and is currently used as a hotel. The building is unique because it has been converted to a hotel and is actually in downtown Vancouver.
There are many impressive buildings in the downtown area of Vancouver. One of the most beautiful buildings in the city is the Vancouver Art Gallery. It was designed by Gordon J. Bond and has beautiful sculptures all over the park area. There is a view of Stanley Park from the gallery.
The British Consulate General is on Burrard Street and it was built in 1901. This building is very beautiful because of its many original details. The Consulate of the United Kingdom has now become the Consulate General and is currently the Consulate of Canada.
In the West End, you will find some of the oldest heritage buildings in the city. The Empress Hotel on Georgia Street was built in 1906, which is the oldest hotel in the city. There are many beautiful Victorian homes along the streets in this part of Vancouver. The area is becoming quite popular as residents appreciate these gorgeous buildings.
The Vancouver Art Gallery is the best museum in the city. Its collection includes more than 50,000 objects of fine and applied art. The gallery is unique because the art has been grouped in different areas. For example, there are galleries of European art, Asian art, and Pacific art.
One of the oldest theatres in the city is the Granville Theatre. This unique theatre is located on Granville Street and was built in 1914. Today, this building is a live theatre and the auditorium is in excellent condition. The Vancouver Playhouse is another historic theatre in the city. It is located on West 6th Avenue and was built in 1910.