Guidebook for Vancouver
Entertainment & Activities
Old school bowling alley with 10-pin downstairs and kitschy glow-in-the-dark 5-pin upstairs. Rainy day fun with kids or without.
25 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Grandview Lanes
2195 Commercial DrOld school bowling alley with 10-pin downstairs and kitschy glow-in-the-dark 5-pin upstairs. Rainy day fun with kids or without.
Iphakamisa Park
1657 Charles StGreat playground, bike polo and people watching.
Beautiful outdoor pool overlooking the ocean inside Stanley Park. Gradual entry for the little ones. (Summer only.)
31 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Second Beach Pool
Beautiful outdoor pool overlooking the ocean inside Stanley Park. Gradual entry for the little ones. (Summer only.)
Pitch & Putt is very Vancouver and this is one of the prettiest courses you'll ever golf on.
24 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Stanley Park Pitch & Putt
2099 Beach AvePitch & Putt is very Vancouver and this is one of the prettiest courses you'll ever golf on.
Great for kids. Lots of fun science-themed exhibits.
837 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Science World kwiTELUS World of Science
1455 Quebec StGreat for kids. Lots of fun science-themed exhibits.
Food Scene
Jamjar Canteen
2290 Commercial DrYummy Lebanese food in a stylish space.
Wishes + Luck
2270 Commercial DrWe haven't tried this place yet, but have heard good things.
Local coffee roasters offering tasty small-batch brews and baked goods.
490 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
JJ Bean Coffee Roasters
3010 Main StLocal coffee roasters offering tasty small-batch brews and baked goods.
Prado Cafe
1938 Commercial DrGreat coffee in a beautiful lofty space.
Kin Kao Thai Kitchen
903 Commercial DrYummy modern Thai.
A Canadian Institution. Order a "Double-Double" (double cream, double sugar).
191 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Tim Hortons
3463 Dunbar StA Canadian Institution. Order a "Double-Double" (double cream, double sugar).
Moja Coffee
1102 Commercial DrLofty, light-filled room. Great coffee and pastries.
The antidote to the $5 Starbucks latte. Not fancy, but totally authentic. The best cappuccino in town, if you're lucky, served by Joe himself, who started the shop with his brother in 1974. *Cash only
7 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Joe's Cafe Bar
1150 Commercial DrThe antidote to the $5 Starbucks latte. Not fancy, but totally authentic. The best cappuccino in town, if you're lucky, served by Joe himself, who started the shop with his brother in 1974. *Cash only
Excellent wood-fired pizza. Go early. This place lines up.
159 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Via Tevere Pizzeria
1190 Victoria DrExcellent wood-fired pizza. Go early. This place lines up.
Very cool space with a great patio and sangria by the jug.
153 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Havana Vancouver
1212 Commercial DrVery cool space with a great patio and sangria by the jug.
Cafè Calabria
1745 Commercial DrFamily-run Italian coffee house. *Cash only*
Finch's
353 W Pender StGreat sandwiches. Cozy ambience.
Delicious food in a cool, under-the-radar back alley location.
207 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Tacofino Taco Bar
15 W Cordova StDelicious food in a cool, under-the-radar back alley location.
Don't let it's back alley location put you off. Very cool spot specializing in cheeses, cured meats & housemade condiments with regional wine pairings.
63 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Salt Tasting Room
227 W Pender StDon't let it's back alley location put you off. Very cool spot specializing in cheeses, cured meats & housemade condiments with regional wine pairings.
Modern Chinese cuisine in an elegant, eclectic space. Very unique and cool.
250 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Bao Bei
163 Keefer StModern Chinese cuisine in an elegant, eclectic space. Very unique and cool.
Great way to get a birds' eye 360-degree view of the city. The elevator ride is free when you eat at the restaurant, which is a bit pricey, but worth it for the incredible views.
44 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Top Of Vancouver Revolving Restaurant
555 W Hastings StGreat way to get a birds' eye 360-degree view of the city. The elevator ride is free when you eat at the restaurant, which is a bit pricey, but worth it for the incredible views.
Pepino's Spaghetti House
631 Commercial DrDrinks & Nightlife
A modern take on tacos and tequila. What's not to love?
155 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
La Mezcaleria
1622 Commercial DrA modern take on tacos and tequila. What's not to love?
BierCraft Tap and Tapas
1191 Commercial DrBeligan and craft beers.
St. Augustine's
2360 Commercial Dr60+ beers on tap, always changing.
Everything Else
Jefferson's Barbershop
1949 Commercial DrCool cuts and even cooler toy collection.
Great selection of well-curated and re-worked vintage clothing and jewellery. Fun window displays, especially at Hallowe'en.
20 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Mintage
1714 Commercial DrGreat selection of well-curated and re-worked vintage clothing and jewellery. Fun window displays, especially at Hallowe'en.
Playground for kids, colourful locals and bocce courts.
18 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Victoria Park
650 Lonsdale AvePlayground for kids, colourful locals and bocce courts.
RBC Royal Bank
1715 Commercial Dr*
Britannia Rink
1661 Napier StLocal community centre with skating rink, pool, library, gym and fitness classes.
Built for Vancouver's 2010 Olympic games, this facility has a great ice rink and gym. It also has a great farmer's market during the summer months.
50 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Trout Lake Community Centre
3360 Victoria DrBuilt for Vancouver's 2010 Olympic games, this facility has a great ice rink and gym. It also has a great farmer's market during the summer months.
Trout Lake Beach
Tranquility in the city.
A favourite among locals, this small grocery store is packed with all the essentials including some organic and local produce and non-medicated meats.
112 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
City Avenue Market
2279 Commercial DrA favourite among locals, this small grocery store is packed with all the essentials including some organic and local produce and non-medicated meats.
A great way to see local and other marine life--dolphins, otters, belugas, sharks, penguins, sloths (!)... And since it's a non-profit focussing on conservation, you're can go with a clear conscience.
663 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
I-Aquarium yaseVancouver
845 Avison WayA great way to see local and other marine life--dolphins, otters, belugas, sharks, penguins, sloths (!)... And since it's a non-profit focussing on conservation, you're can go with a clear conscience.
BC Place
777 Pacific BlvdHome of Vancouver's CFL team, the BC Lion's.
Shopping
Dilly Dally Toy Store
1161 Commercial DrExcellent independent toy store.
Mediterranean Specialty Foods
1824 Commercial DrDelicious spanakopita, tzatziki, olives and hummus.
J N & Z Deli
1729 Commercial DrLegendary deli.
LaLa's on the Drive
1748 Commercial DrFun gift store with great cards.
Pulp Fiction Books
2422 Main StGreat selection of new and used books.
Lovely boutique for women's clothing and accessories.
16 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Barefoot Contessa
3715 Main StLovely boutique for women's clothing and accessories.
Vancouver's oldest neighbourhood and one of the few places you'll actually see brick in the "City of Glass". Great boutiques, cafes, pubs.
1068 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Gastown
Vancouver's oldest neighbourhood and one of the few places you'll actually see brick in the "City of Glass". Great boutiques, cafes, pubs.
Hip Vancouver 'hood known for its trendy boutiques, cafes and and restaurants.
205 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Main Street
Main StreetHip Vancouver 'hood known for its trendy boutiques, cafes and and restaurants.
Downtown Vancouver's most famous shopping district. Mostly mid-range international brands (GAP, Club Monaco, Aldo, J.Crew) plus some local favs (Aritzia, Lululemon).
789 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Robson Street
1155 Robson StDowntown Vancouver's most famous shopping district. Mostly mid-range international brands (GAP, Club Monaco, Aldo, J.Crew) plus some local favs (Aritzia, Lululemon).
Essentials
Great deli. (Try the garlic havarti.) Cash/Interac only.
59 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Santa Barbara Market
1322 1322 Commercial DrGreat deli. (Try the garlic havarti.) Cash/Interac only.
Wine, beer and liquor. Not cold. If you want it chilled, head to Liberty down the street.
256 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
BC Liquor Stores
4423 Main StWine, beer and liquor. Not cold. If you want it chilled, head to Liberty down the street.
South China Seas
1502 Victoria DrGlobal specialty foods, herbs and spices.
Sightseeing
Arguably the coolest thing about Vancouver--a 1,001-acre public park bordering downtown that's almost entirely surrounded by water. Rent bikes and ride the perimeter (1 hour) or walk around (3 hours)
2658 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Iparke ye-Stanley
610 Pipeline RdArguably the coolest thing about Vancouver--a 1,001-acre public park bordering downtown that's almost entirely surrounded by water. Rent bikes and ride the perimeter (1 hour) or walk around (3 hours)
One of the largest historic Chinatown's in North America, the largest in Canada.
109 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Vancouver Chinatown Festival
100 Keefer StOne of the largest historic Chinatown's in North America, the largest in Canada.
The first of its kind outside of China, it's an authentic representation of an age–old garden tradition which reached its peak in the Ming Dynasty. Admission $14 Adults/$10 Seniors+Student/$28 Family
221 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
I-Garden yase-China ye-Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical
578 Carrall StThe first of its kind outside of China, it's an authentic representation of an age–old garden tradition which reached its peak in the Ming Dynasty. Admission $14 Adults/$10 Seniors+Student/$28 Family
At 28km, it's the world's longest uninterrupted waterfront path and the most popular recreational spot in the city. Walk it, jog it, or rent bikes and cycle this masterpiece in urban planning.
304 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Vancouver Seawall
At 28km, it's the world's longest uninterrupted waterfront path and the most popular recreational spot in the city. Walk it, jog it, or rent bikes and cycle this masterpiece in urban planning.
Great place to take a dip or catch a Vancouver sunset.
537 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
English Bay Beach
Beach AvenueGreat place to take a dip or catch a Vancouver sunset.
A former manufacturing site reborn as a unique shopping district. Don't miss: Public Market (groceries), Net Loft (cool shops), Kids' Market, Railspur Alley (artists' studios) and the G.I. Brewery.
1659 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
I-Granville Island
A former manufacturing site reborn as a unique shopping district. Don't miss: Public Market (groceries), Net Loft (cool shops), Kids' Market, Railspur Alley (artists' studios) and the G.I. Brewery.
Passenger ferry serving False Creek destinations. Best way to get to Granville Island. Adults fare: $3.50 to $5.50. Twenty-five minute mini-cruise around False Creek: $8 adults, $4 seniors + kids.
54 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Aquabus Ferry Ltd.
1587 Johnston StreetPassenger ferry serving False Creek destinations. Best way to get to Granville Island. Adults fare: $3.50 to $5.50. Twenty-five minute mini-cruise around False Creek: $8 adults, $4 seniors + kids.
Pricy, but the ride up the mountain is exhilarating and the views are breathtaking. Nice restaurant at the top. Wait for a clear day. Adults $44 roundtrip.
249 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Grouse Mountain @ Skyride station
Pricy, but the ride up the mountain is exhilarating and the views are breathtaking. Nice restaurant at the top. Wait for a clear day. Adults $44 roundtrip.
Very popular tourist attraction. Not for those fearful of heights. Adults $38.
1150 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Capilano Suspension Bridge
3735 Capilano RdVery popular tourist attraction. Not for those fearful of heights. Adults $38.