Tips for Visting Gastown Vancouver BC

Everything You Need to Know About Gastown Vancouver, one of the most popular attractions in Vancouver, Canada.

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By Darrin Robertson, VTT Editor - Updated: January 17, 2023

Although Vancouver is a relatively young city, it's got a great restored historic area called Gastown.  For anyone staying in downtown Vancouver, it's a must-see attraction.  Along the brick streets of Gastown are antique lamps, hanging flowers, a clock that blows off steam every few minutes, and all sorts of Canadiana you'll want for your picture album when you get home!  If you hunting for a souvenir of Vancouver, this is the place to find it

Things to do in Gastown

During the day it's fun exploring the cafes, art galleries, and shops specializing in aboriginal art and soapstone carvings. At night there's good restaurants and some Vancouver night clubs worth checking out. (Bryan Adams even has a recording studio located here!)

Location of Gastown - One of the best things about Gastown is it's location - it's an easy 5 minute walk from the cruise ship terminal and nearby Vancouver hotels like the

Pan Pacific and Fairmont Waterfront, Harbor Centre marks the western edge of Gastown. From there, Gastown is located along Waterstreet as it goes east, from Cordova to Carall St. A word of caution: Be careful about going anywhere east of Columbia St., as this gets into a rather undesirable and unsafe area of Vancouver.

Best Time to See Gastown

Anytime after the shops and restaurants open, usually around 9 AM Monday to Saturday.

Cost of Admission

Nothing! Gastown is Free.

Gastown Vancouver Attractions

Information on deals in Gastown Vancouver

Sights to See in Gastown include:

Steam Clock - Every 15 minutes, it whistles and blows off steam. One of the most famous clocks in Canada!

Statue of Gassy Jack – Who is Gassy Jack? He was a gold prospector, riverboat captain, saloon keeper and founder of Gastown.

Best Restaurants in Gastown

Water St. Café - Our choice for the best restaurant in Gastown. Vancouver residents and dining critics love it too! Sidewalk Patio dining in the summer is a great experience.

Steamworks Brewing Co. - consistantly rated as one of the best pubs in Gastown for good food, a great atmosphere, and most importantly, it's own terrific micro-brewed ale!

The Irish Heather- If you're thirsty for a glass of Guiness in Vancouver, you'll find it at the Heather.

Photos Of Gastown

Large Photos we have taken of the area.

Vancouver Nightclubs in Gastown

Lamplighter - A fixture of Gastown since 1925 . Dj fueled weekend nights, now open till 3am Friday & Saturday! Sonar– Great little club to sit back and enjoy the music and have a few drinks with friends.

Club 23 – With its laid back atmosphere its as much like a house party as a club night .

Shine – Great look and a sound sytem that will blow you away, with its 2 room venue you will be glad you came.

Gastown Vancouver Hotels

Victorian Hotel– The Hotel is so charming, with friendly staff and newly renovated rooms.

Ramada Limited Hotel - Very helpful and friendly staff, free WiFi, very good location and close to skytrain.

How to Get to Gastown

Skytrain - Waterfront station is the terminal you get off at if you're riding the Skytrain to Gastown from YVR Vancouver Airport, Richmond, Burnaby or East Vancouver.

Seabus- If you want to get to Gastown from North Vancouver, this is a great way to do it. Ride the seabus from Lonsdale Quay to Waterfront Station, and it's an easy 5 minutewalk from there.

Drive- You can drive to Gastown Vancouver quite easily. Take Homer St. or Cambie St. north in the downtown, and they both end up in Gastown. Once you get there, there's parking in Gastown in several covered parking lots, or metered parking along the curb in some of the sidestreets.

Foot- It only takes 5 minutes to walk to Gastown Vancouver from the Canada Place cruise ship terminal (same distance to the Pan Pacific & Fairmont Waterfront Hotels). If you're wondering how to get to Gastown from downtown Vancouver hotels and shopping, the quickest way is to walk.

 

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