While maintaining the laid back attitude of North Americas West Coast, Vancouver has managed to build an international spirit. As the third largest city in Canada, it shares an ethnic diversity and multicultural flavour with the rest of the country. Gardens, parks, and beaches are as common here as heritage buildings, restaurants, and theatres.
Downtown Vancouver has vitality and style. Its first distinct feature is Stanley Park, located on the west end of Georgia Street. This 1000 acre park includes an 11 kilometre Seawall promenade, old growth forests, hiking trails, and the Vancouver Aquarium.
Downtown is the cities largest shopping district. One of its main arteries is Robson Street, a highlight for both locals and visitors. Its brimming with fashion boutiques, coffee bars and trendy cafes.
The Theatre and the Commodore Ballroom are on Granville, and are fantastic places to catch performances of live theatre and music. Overall, the area has restaurants to satisfy every palette, urban nightclubs, and a dizzying number of bars offering live entertainment.
Gastown is Vancouvers first community and a heritage zone. Red cobblestone streets, Victorian street lamps, and heritage architecture give the area its old world atmosphere. Today, boutiques, restaurants and specialty shops, combine with its historic character to make it a special attraction. The Steam Clock at Cambie and Water streets goes off every 15 minutes and adds to the areas quirky cachet.
Vancouvers Chinatown is one of the largest in North America, and is second only to San Franciscos. The bustle here goes on day and night.
Yaletown was just a collection of abandoned warehouses. Today, it is one of the cities trendiest areas, dotted with posh condominiums and converted historic warehouses.
Granville Island a former industrial site, Granville Island has become one of the cities biggest and best attractions. Live theatre, pubs, and artist workshops converge here. The public market has one stop food shopping, where you can select fresh produce and treats. The colourful Kids Market is a favourite. Numerous festivals use the island as their headquarters, including the Vancouver International Writers Festival, annual Vancouver International Comedy Festival.
Kitsilano is known for its active population, beaches and mountain views. The community has a profusion of eateries, bookstores, theatres, bars, open air grocers and boutiques
Point Grey is another residential area. One of the wealthiest regions of the city, it boasts stately homes, miles of waterfront, and one of Vancouvers oldest parks. The areas beaches stretch from Jericho Beach to Spanish Banks offering haunts to swim, sail and walk in. It also has a cluster of antique and collectible shops, and is home to the annual Vancouver Folk Festival.
