Courtesy of danbreckwoldt|Getty Images
Vancouver, Canada Neighborhoods
Situated in the southern portion of Canada's British Columbia province, Vancouver is sandwiched between the Pacific Ocean and the Coast Mountains. Downtown Vancouver is set on a peninsula described by experts as a mitten-clad hand with downtown perched on the thumb. The peninsula is separated from the rest of the mainland by the Burrard Inlet to the north and the Frasier River to the south. If you're looking for an in-depth look at any particular neighborhood, consult our list of the best Vancouver tours, many of which concentrate on one neighborhood.
The main feature of downtown Vancouver is Stanley Park, which is located at the tip of the peninsula. The park is 1,000 acres in size, featuring numerous hiking and biking trails, and is home to the nearly 14-mile-long Seawall and the Vancouver Aquarium. Downtown is also the city's largest shopping district. Robson Street in particular brims with shops and cafes while its neighbor, Granville Street, features numerous independent boutiques. Granville Street is also known as "Theater Row" because of the dozens of concert, theater and movie venues that are located there.
Perched just northeast of downtown, Gastown dates back to the 1860s and is Vancouver's oldest neighborhood. Thanks to its plethora of Victorian architecture, independent boutiques, cobblestone streets and First Nations art galleries, it's a magent for tourists. However, in recent years, the neighborhood has grappled with problems of drug use, homelessness and crime because of its proximity to the Downtown Eastside, which borders Gastown. If you're visiting Gastown, city officials advise against going through the Downtown Eastside.
Vancouver's Chinatown is one of the largest in North America, just behind San Francisco and New York. Located a few blocks east of downtown Vancouver, Chinatown is home to numerous specialty shops and Chinese restaurants. Unfortunately, Chinatown has suffered in recent years due to its proximity to the Downtown Eastside, a neighborhood that borders Chinatown that struggles with open drug use, homeless encampments and crime. If you'd like to visit Chinatown, plan to stop by during the day as recent visitors said they did not feel safe at night.
Formerly a collection of abandoned warehouses, Yaletown has made a dramatic comeback and is now one of Vancouver's trendiest neighborhoods. Yaletown boasts dozens of unique specialty shops and independently owned restaurants. Yaletown is also one of Vancouver's hottest nightlife spots, with lively bars like the Yaletown Brewing Co. calling to night owls.
Granville Island sits just south of downtown's thumb-like peninsula. Formerly an industrial site, Granville Island is now one of Vancouver's top attractions with live theater, pubs, artists' workshops and the Granville Island Public Market, home to stalls that sell a variety of fresh produce and tasty treats. Granville Island is also a popular spot for families thanks to the Kids Market, which boasts its own indoor play area, shops hawking unique toys and family-friendly entertainment. Plus, this area plays host to several of the city's events, including the Vancouver Writers Fest.
Travelers and experts alike suggest spending at least a day in Kitsilano. Known for its numerous outdoor activities, beaches and mountain views, Kitsilano sits just south of downtown across English Bay. Here you'll find some of Vancouver's most popular outdoor spaces, including Kitsilano Beach and Vanier Park. The parks hosts some of the city's favorite events like summer's Bard of the Beach, which features outdoor performances of Shakespeare's plays. Kitsilano is also a foodie's paradise, boasting dozens of one-of-a-kind eateries.
Vancouver's east side is made up of a conglomeration of ethnic neighborhoods which feature unconventional shopping, top-notch dining options and plenty of entertainment venues. Commercial Drive – also known as Little Italy – is famous for being Vancouver's artistic hub and is packed with art galleries, second-hand shops and plenty of Italian restaurants and cafes. Another well-known cultural pocket is Little India, aka Punjabi Market. Located on Main Street starting at East 49th Avenue and continuing five blocks south, this area is filled with Indian restaurants, markets and boutiques.
Sitting northwest of downtown, this suburban section of the city attracts shopaholics with large commercial centers such as the Park Royal, Vancouver's oldest shopping mall. West Vancouver's other main attraction is Lighthouse Park, a nearly 200-acre forest where visitors can sit and watch seals lounging on the rocks near Howe Sound.
Located across the Burrard Inlet from downtown Vancouver is North Vancouver, which acts as a gateway to some of the city's nearby natural attractions, including Lynn Canyon Park, Grouse Mountain and the Capilano Suspension Bridge. Even if you are not interested in these outdoor activities, recent visitors say that North Vancouver is worth a visit. The area is filled with antiques shops, cultural attractions (swing by the Inuit Gallery of Vancouver) and the Lonsdale Quay Market – which consists of three different levels – is home to dozens of specialty shops, restaurants and fresh food vendors.
Safety
Vancouver is a safe city to visit, however "crimes of opportunity," such as pickpocketing and stealing valuables from unlocked cars, are common. Take extra precaution with your valuables when walking around areas like Gastown and Chinatown. Visitors should be aware that panhandling occurs regularly in touristy areas. Because of the city's mild climate, it's not uncommon to spot transients or even drug dealers after dark, particularly in the Downtown Eastside neighborhood. If you're hoping to visit Gastown or Chinatown, do not walk through the Downtown Eastside neighborhood, which is plagued by open drug use, homeless encampments and crime.
Explore More of Vancouver, Canada
If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. This does not affect the quality or independence of our editorial content.
Recommended
