Guidebook for Vancouver
Sightseeing
A great place to relax on a sunny day. A portion of the gardens is open to the public with no entry fee.
221 locals recommend
Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden
578 Carrall StA great place to relax on a sunny day. A portion of the gardens is open to the public with no entry fee.
This landmark was constructed for the 1986 World's Fair. The venue now houses permanent and travelling exhibits. Catch the Aqua Taxi here to Granville Island and enjoy the views of the city skyline.
837 locals recommend
Science World at TELUS World of Science
1455 Quebec StThis landmark was constructed for the 1986 World's Fair. The venue now houses permanent and travelling exhibits. Catch the Aqua Taxi here to Granville Island and enjoy the views of the city skyline.
Vancouver's first steel-framed high-rise. At 53 m, the thirteen-storey, Second Empire style building was the tallest building in the British Empire upon its completion in 1910. A beautiful building.
The Dominion Building
207 W Hastings StVancouver's first steel-framed high-rise. At 53 m, the thirteen-storey, Second Empire style building was the tallest building in the British Empire upon its completion in 1910. A beautiful building.
You may recognize this building as the 'Watchtower' from Smallville which was filmed in Vancouver. A beautiful terracotta building with a faux patina dome. Look for the 9 maiden sculptures.
Sun Tower
128 W Pender StYou may recognize this building as the 'Watchtower' from Smallville which was filmed in Vancouver. A beautiful terracotta building with a faux patina dome. Look for the 9 maiden sculptures.
A beautiful flatiron style heritage building in the heart of Gastown. Built in 1909 as a hotel, it is now used for affordable housing.
13 locals recommend
Hotel Europe
43 Powell StA beautiful flatiron style heritage building in the heart of Gastown. Built in 1909 as a hotel, it is now used for affordable housing.
Historically the site where butchers sold fresh cuts of meat and also the location of public executions! Now people come for local shopping and great dining experiences.
Blood Alley Square
Blood Alley SquareHistorically the site where butchers sold fresh cuts of meat and also the location of public executions! Now people come for local shopping and great dining experiences.
VIA Rail Canada Inc.
1150 Station StVia Rail, a historical train station.
Gastown Vancouver Steam Clock
305 Water StA Vancouver landmark.
Jimi used to live part time with his grandmother here, in the historical Hogan's Alley neighbourhood.
7 locals recommend
Jimi Hendrix Shrine
209 Union StJimi used to live part time with his grandmother here, in the historical Hogan's Alley neighbourhood.
Food Scene
A quaint little coffee shop. The name is an homage to the original neighborhood which was removed to make way for the Viaducts.
789 Gore Ave
789 Gore AvenueA quaint little coffee shop. The name is an homage to the original neighborhood which was removed to make way for the Viaducts.
Great atmosphere and drink selection. Open for dinner and weekend brunch.
101 locals recommend
The Union
219 Union StGreat atmosphere and drink selection. Open for dinner and weekend brunch.
The Brixton
212 E Georgia StGreat cafe serving breakfast/brunch and free wifi.
Excellent Chinese tapas. Smaller portions, very flavourful, served family style.
250 locals recommend
Bao Bei
163 Keefer StExcellent Chinese tapas. Smaller portions, very flavourful, served family style.
Asian influenced tapas menu. Live music on weekends and some weeknights. Off sales.
13 locals recommend
Electric Owl
926 Main StreetAsian influenced tapas menu. Live music on weekends and some weeknights. Off sales.
Campagnolo Upstairs
1020 Main StItalian restaurant with a nice atmosphere.
Dim Sum restaurant located on the top floor of the mall. Plain decor, but good dim sum.
17 locals recommend
Floata Seafood Restaurant
180 Keefer StDim Sum restaurant located on the top floor of the mall. Plain decor, but good dim sum.
Delicious Caribbean food in a relaxed atmosphere. 2 levels with entertainment downstairs on weekends.
44 locals recommend
Calabash Bistro
428 Carrall StDelicious Caribbean food in a relaxed atmosphere. 2 levels with entertainment downstairs on weekends.
Great spot for breakfast, lunch and delicious deserts. All meals are either baked or served fresh, not fried.
34 locals recommend
Acme Cafe
51 W Hastings StGreat spot for breakfast, lunch and delicious deserts. All meals are either baked or served fresh, not fried.
Serving great meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner in a casual atmosphere. They have delicious french pressed coffee and cinnamon buns. Also a small selection of cook at home meals.
59 locals recommend
Catch 122 Cafe Bistro
128 W Hastings StServing great meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner in a casual atmosphere. They have delicious french pressed coffee and cinnamon buns. Also a small selection of cook at home meals.
Chambar Restaurant
568 Beatty StreetA well-known Belgian restaurant with great atmosphere.
Amazing tagines and mini Belgian waffles. Get there early for breakfast on the weekends or you will have to stand in line for a table.
256 locals recommend
Cafe Medina
780 Richards StAmazing tagines and mini Belgian waffles. Get there early for breakfast on the weekends or you will have to stand in line for a table.
A socially responsible vegetarian restaurant serving brunch and dinner in a casual atmosphere.
15 locals recommend
The Parker
237 Union StA socially responsible vegetarian restaurant serving brunch and dinner in a casual atmosphere.
A quaint neighborhood eatery serving locally sourced healthy meals. They also have a small selection of grocery items.
28 locals recommend
Harvest Community Foods
243 Union StA quaint neighborhood eatery serving locally sourced healthy meals. They also have a small selection of grocery items.
Great restaurant in historic Gastown with a wonderful outdoor patio in the summer. Tasty food and a good selection of drinks.
109 locals recommend
Chill Winston
3 Alexander StreetGreat restaurant in historic Gastown with a wonderful outdoor patio in the summer. Tasty food and a good selection of drinks.
Everything Cafe
A quaint coffee house with nice pastries.
Deacon's Corner
101 Main StGreat diner style breakfast/lunch menu. Friendly atmosphere.
Open for lunch, dinner and late night snacks. Serving all natural, sustainably raised meat from local farms. A great selection of BC craft beers and some unique German bottled beer.
105 E Pender St
105 East Pender StreetOpen for lunch, dinner and late night snacks. Serving all natural, sustainably raised meat from local farms. A great selection of BC craft beers and some unique German bottled beer.
Cute cafe with a small patio. Amazing Belgian waffles and creme brule.
21 locals recommend
Crackle Creme
245 Union StCute cafe with a small patio. Amazing Belgian waffles and creme brule.
Mamie Taylor's
251 E Georgia StSouthern influenced cuisine. Open for dinner and weekend brunch.
Matchstick Chinatown
213 E Georgia StNice cafe.
Pidgin Restaurant
350 Carrall StAsian inspired cuisine, a bit pricey.
Tuc Craft Kitchen
60 W Cordova StDelicious food, reasonable prices, and great service.
Sushi Den
609 Abbott StBest sushi in the neighbourhood.
Pies baked fresh daily. Bake a limited quantity each day and close when they are all sold.
24 locals recommend
The Bubble Tea Shop
1680 Robson StPies baked fresh daily. Bake a limited quantity each day and close when they are all sold.
Blenz Coffee
338 Helmcken StLocal Vancouver coffee chain.
Drinks & Nightlife
Casual pub atmosphere and pub fair. They also have off-sales (take away beer sales).
31 locals recommend
London Pub
700 Main StCasual pub atmosphere and pub fair. They also have off-sales (take away beer sales).
The Keefer Suites
133 Keefer StCool atmosphere, nice tapas style food, and very creative, well presented drinks.
A cocktails and tapas restaurant in historic Gastown. It also doubles as a bar-tending school and they serve some of the best drinks in the city.
189 locals recommend
The Diamond
6 Powell StA cocktails and tapas restaurant in historic Gastown. It also doubles as a bar-tending school and they serve some of the best drinks in the city.
MIA Nightclub
350 Water StDance club and lounge with amazing sound and great staff.
Shopping
Rexall
88 W Pender StA good pharmacy with a limited selection of grocery items.
Crosstown Liquor Store
568 Abbott StGood selection of wine, beer and spirits.
As the name suggests, Asian inspired home imports. Lots of beautiful items and gift possibilities.
Peking Lounge
83 E Pender StAs the name suggests, Asian inspired home imports. Lots of beautiful items and gift possibilities.
Essentials
The best one-stop shop for all your grocery needs in the historic Woodward's building (look for the red neon W). Note there are several produce markets in Chinatown closer to the Ginger.
366 locals recommend
Nesters Market
333 Abbott StThe best one-stop shop for all your grocery needs in the historic Woodward's building (look for the red neon W). Note there are several produce markets in Chinatown closer to the Ginger.
A socially responsible deli and restaurant. Great selection of meat and deli items and small selection of bakery items at reasonable prices. The attached restaurant is open for breakfast and lunch.
38 locals recommend
Save On Meats
43 W Hastings StA socially responsible deli and restaurant. Great selection of meat and deli items and small selection of bakery items at reasonable prices. The attached restaurant is open for breakfast and lunch.
A selection of grocery items and great produce close to the Ginger. There are also several other produce markets in Chinatown.
239 Keefer St
239 Keefer StreetA selection of grocery items and great produce close to the Ginger. There are also several other produce markets in Chinatown.
Thornton Park
Farmers market every Wednesday, 3pm - 7pm, from June to October.
Arts & Culture
The most comfortable cinema seating in the city.
113 locals recommend
Cineplex Odeon- International Village Cinemas
88 W Pender StThe most comfortable cinema seating in the city.
This historical Chinatown landmark has been restored and converted to an exhibition space. Free guided tours available on select days of the week (book online in advance).
11 locals recommend
Rennie Museum
51 E Pender StThis historical Chinatown landmark has been restored and converted to an exhibition space. Free guided tours available on select days of the week (book online in advance).
Everything Else
Aquabus ferry dock at the Olympic Village. Catch the aquabus to Granville Island, Sunset Beach and several other stops.
33 locals recommend
The Village Dock station
Aquabus ferry dock at the Olympic Village. Catch the aquabus to Granville Island, Sunset Beach and several other stops.