How Vancouver got ist start
by etfromnc
Before a former riverboat captain named John Deighton came to town in 1867, Canadian mill workers had to hike ten miles through bear-infested forests to New Westminster if they wanted a drink. Deighton recognized their plight and told the men they could have as many drinks as they wanted from his barrel of whiskey if they helped him build a saloon. Remarkably, the bar was built in less than 24 hours. Named the Globe Saloon, the mill workers now had a place to drink and gather. It was then that a tight-knit community was born. The area, dubbed Gastown, was incorporated as the city of Vancouver on April 6th, 1886. Two months later a fire roared through the streets turning all but two of Vancouver’s 400 buildings into ashes. Rebuilding began at once and prosperous times followed until the Great Depression left Gastown flooded with poverty. It wasn’t until devoted locals revived the area in the 1960s restoring its historic, neighborly character that you find today.
If I had one day...
by ct-bound
If I only had 1 day in Vancouver, here's what my ideal itinerary would be.
After breakfast, head to Vanouver's Chinatown. Spend an hour or two perusing the shops, grab some lunch or snacks to take with you, and walk South down Main St about 2-3 blocks until you reach the Dunsmuir viaduct (overpass). Turn right and walk along the viaduct sidewalk past BC place (if it's the right weekend in summer, you'll see the molson Indy running underneath you). At Hamilton st, turn left, and walk past the Vancouver Playhouse and Queen Elisabeth theatre. See if either is playing anything good tonight - if so, pick up tickets.
Continue a few blocks, walking past the beautiful colisseum-like public library (wander inside if you so desire), and turn right on Robson St. Pick up a Starbuck's vanilla latte (grande), and continue on up Robson. Window shop, or actually shop along for the next many blocks, past the mega-big Chapters bookstore and Virgin Records. Stop at the Bagel Street Cafe and get a toasted bagel with sundried-tomato cream cheese. Or there's a tasty vietnamese restaurant on Robson just a few blocks before Denman. If you make it all the way down Robson to Denman without finding something to tempt your stomach, within a few blocks (to the left) on Denman, there's a great Mexican restaurant, a perogy place, and several chinese or japanese restaurants. Stop and have lunch.
Continue ALL the way down Robson or the other direction (North) on Denman until you reach Stanley Park (both hit it). Go to the aquarium for the afternoon, and then get fish & chips at Lumberman's arch, with extra malt vinegar and one of those terribly good cake donuts (OK, and maybe some Rolaids!).
Check out what's playing at Theatre Under the Stars (TUTS) in stanley park that night. Walk around the seawall with yet another cup of latte, and either return to the QE or playhouse, or to TUTS for an evening of entertainment.
Afterwards, head home, soak your feet, and hope you wore good walking shoes! Vancouver is generally full of kind and friendly people, with fantastic cuisine and beautiful scenery.
Enjoy it!
Go to a hockey game, ride the...
by travfish
Go to a hockey game, ride the sky-train and sea bus check out Stanley park and go to Whistler wether you ski or not. Check out China town and North Van. I was most surpised by Vancouvers size, BC's beauty, and how much fun I had - I will miss seeing so many beautiful and friendly Asian women. If there was a good job for me I might have to move!
Granville Island Market
by Mikebb
This was one of the most popular places we visited during our time in Vancouver. Located not far from the city centre it is a large market consisting of a number of old warehouses which house a great variety of activities including the fresh fruit and vegetable market, souvenirs shops, arts and crafts, entertainers, bars and food halls plus much more.
You will need several hours to browse through what is on offer and an hour or so more should you wish to have lunch.
The market is alongside Granville Road just after you cross the Granville Bridge on the way out of the city. We enjoyed the colour and vibrance of this market, also the opportunity to eat lunch on the deck overlooking False Creek and the various marinas' and apartment buildings on the other side of the creek.
Gas Town.
The town was...
by Fumbler8
Gas Town.
The town was founded in 1867 when a certain saloon keeper named John 'Gassy Eye' Deighton opened his doors to the public. At the start of 1971, it was declared as a heritage zone when the government designated Water Street as a historical area. Gastown was literally transformed into streets filled with shops, stores, restaurants and coffee bar thus becoming on the most frequent tourist stop.
Born John Deighton (b.1830 d.1875) in Hull, England, this ambitious saloon keeper was affectionately known as Gassy Jack.
This is a picture of me with Gassy Jack.
Sign in with Facebook
Robson Square
Carved blockprints
Stanley Park
UBC Museum of Anthropology
