Historic Gastown is one of the most popular
tourist destinations in Vancouver. Conveniently located within walking
distance of Canada Place in the heart of Vancouver. Gastown is famous
for its cobblestone streets, its excellent restaurants, it's steam
clock, and its shops.
Gastown is the Vancouver's oldest
downtown neighborhood and it's definitely worth a visit if you're looking
for souvenirs, good food, Native Arts and Crafts or nightlife.
It's a good place to visit when you first get off your cruise ship or
before you board the ship because it's conveniently located.
Gastown, where the city of Vancouver began. Today, the area is a
charming mix of old and new with its cobbled streets, antique gaslights,
Victorian architecture, and unique tangle of mews, courtyards and
passage housing boutiques, restaurants, and entertainment.
Visit the world's first Steam Clock - each 1/4 hour the clock sounds
Westminster chimes on 5 brass steam whistlers.
The Fisherhead Water Fountain stands near the Lamplighter Pub in the
Dominion Hotel - it was the first Vancouver establishment to serve
alcohol to women.
SO.CIAL CUSTOM
BUTCHER SHOP AND DELI
This is the neighbourhood's favorite lunch stop. Order the house-made
charcuterie, sliced and piled on soft focaccia. 332 Water Street; (604)
669-4488.
KOMAKINO
The Vancouver tastemaker Campbell MacDougall’s roving shop carries edgy men’s
wear labels like Number (N)ine and Raf Simons. 109 West Cordova Street; (604)
618-1344; www.komakino.ca
KOOLHAUS
This modern house wares emporium stocks a tidy mix of internationally known
furniture designers and Canadian talent like Bev Hisey.
1 Water Street; (604) 875-9004;
www.koolhausdesign.com
BONETA
A sexy crowd comes for the creative cooking at this genial new hot spot. The
mirrored ceilings let you survey the scene from all angles.
1 West Cordova Street; (604) 684-1844 www.boneta.ca
COBRE
The latest in a slew of Latin kitchens serves dishes like vaca frita with
chorizo hash. 52 Powell Street; (604) 669-2396
www.cobrerestaurant.com
The Europe Hotel, was built in 1892 by Italian businessman, Angelo
Colari. Known in its day as the finest hotel in town, it was the first
fireproof building in western Canada.
Gastown is home to several prominent galleries representing the finest
selection of Canadian Native art and sculpture in Western Canada.
The 300 block of West Cordova Street is one of Vancouver's best kept
secrets. Nowhere else will you find collectibles, antiques, Canadian
designer fashions, and funky eateries on one block.
A popular walking tour of Gastown is conducted daily from June through
August. The free 90-minute tour starts from the Gastown Steam Clock and
Gassy Jack statue in Maple Tree Square. For tour schedules, contact the
Gastown Business Improvement Society, (604) 683-5650.
Gastown Stores
Gastown is home to many unique Shops and Restaurants, here are a few to explore.
FARFALLA
Handmade Italian soaps, French linens and Hediard loose-leaf teas crowd the
shelves at this European-imports boutique. 57 East Cordova Street; (604)
215-8707; www.monogrammafarfalla.com
ONE OF A FEW
Michelle Rizzardo carefully selects pieces by independent fashion designers like
Ashley Watson for her side-by-side boutiques. 354 Water Street; (604) 605-0685;
www.oneofafew.com
Gastown is easily accessible by Skytrain, Vancouver's rapid transit
system, SeaBus (ferry service from the North Shore), West Coast Express
and city buses from all areas of Vancouver and the Lower Mainland.
Just got back from Vancouver (I'm from Toronto) and I
thought Gastown was great! Its cool in that its really the only old part of the
city I noticed. Really nice, well preserved buildings, but at the same time
there is also a modern feel to the area. Good restaurants (Cobre was amazing),
great patios to sit on and have a drink (Chill Winston has two huge patios in a
small square there) and some cool bars/clubs (I went to Blarney Stone, and Irish
bar/club; mainly a university crowd). It also had a lot of shopping (which I'm
not one for, but my fiancé dragged me around). She really liked the small local
designer shops that are all over. (There were a few where I got stuff too) And
some cool art galleries; I got some interesting BC native carvings. On a side
note, while I did see a good number of homeless around there and was aware we
were near a bad area, I never once was harassed or felt in danger; I never
really even thought about it. Actually, I saw that they had security walking
around the streets all the time, so I guess that gave some added piece of mind.
While I mainly went to Vancouver for the outdoors activities (which are many and
a blast), Gastown was a definite highlight of my trip, so I thought I would
share.
Visit the world's first Steam Clock - each 1/4 hour the clock sounds
Westminster chimes on 5 brass steam whistlers. 