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Along Fourth Avenue
Vancouver, BC V6J 1M4
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Right west of False Creek is the neighborhood of Kitsilano. During the 1960s, this hip little community became the Haight-Ashbury of Canada, complete with hippies, and chemically enhanced love-ins, and all the rest. However, in the time since then, Kitsilano, with its proximity to the water and to downtown, has morphed into one of Vancouver’s most desirable neighborhoods. The shopping and restaurant choices in the refurbished and yuppified little neighborhood are among the best anywhere in Vancouver.
Robson Street
Between Burrard & Jervis
Vancouver, BC V6E 1B2
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Originally known as “Robsonstrasse” for its many German shops and delis, this thoroughfare has become one of the most popular retail destinations in all of Canada. Hip fashion and upscale boutiques rule the day here, but even if you’re not the shopping type, Robson Street makes for a great stroll, and the people-watching here is tough to beat.
Whistler Village
North of Vancouver
Whistler, Canada V0N 1B4
Phone: 800-WHISTLER
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At first glance, Whistler Village seems a bit like some sort of Alpine theme park, but it is an actual town with around 10,000 actual people living in it. Of course, locals are often outnumbered by out-of-towners, as Whistler welcomes some two million visitors a year. Obviously, with that many people descending on Whistler annually, the local economy depends on folks in town really laying out the welcome mat for visitors, and they sure do. One of the nice things about the layout of the village is that it was designed to be a completely car-free environment, making an afternoon stroll with the family a real pleasure.
Around Pender & Carrall
Vancouver, BC V6B 6M4
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Vancouver’s Chinatown, one of the oldest and largest on the West Coast. Though much of Vancouver’s Asian population has moved out to the suburbs, this little neighborhood still brims with commercial activity all day long. In addition to the fun of a walking tour of this lively area, Chinatown is home to one of Vancouver’s true hidden treasures – the Dr. Sun Yat Sen Chinese Classical Garden. This lovely urban escape is quietly nestled away from the hustle and bustle that characterizes the rest of the neighborhood.
Chinatown (Victoria)
Fan Tan Alley & Fisgard Street
Victoria, BC V8W 1A1
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This little neighborhood is even older than the one in Vancouver, having been established in the 1850’s. Though the Chinese community in Victoria is rather small, a stroll through Chinatown is a reminder of just how diverse British Columbia has become. One of the highlights in this Chinatown is the boisterous Fan Tan Alley, said to be the narrowest street in all of Canada.
Granville Island
On False Creek Under Granville Bridge
Vancouver, BC V6H 3S3
Phone: 604-666-5784
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Granville Island is an old filled-in sandbar on False Creek that used to house nothing but industrial buildings until the 1970s. At that time, the federal government stepped in with a redevelopment plan and the Granville Island Public Market was born. This lively marketplace is crammed with fresh fruits and vegetables of every kind, but the real draw here is the seafood, which is some of the best you’ll find anywhere in town. And even if you’re not in mood for salmon, Granville Island is a great place to stroll around and take in the environment.