Granville Island, Vancouver

Granville Island is not really an island, but whatever. It's fun to take the little ferry over there, and there's a huge market with all kinds of food stands ranging from Polish (mmm, perogies) to Chinese to gourmet cheeses. We also went to a cool little bookstore, whose name I can't remember but they had a lot of books on local history. Also check out the children's market, which is two floors of shops that sell candy, toys and other fun stuff.

What can I say about this place its a cool place to spend a couple of hours browsing the stalls and checking out people. I recommend this as a stop before heading into the city centre as you can get some great picnic stuff here for your lunch. You can get to the city centre by catching the little boat buses ($2-4) that run over to the other side of the inlet.

Granville Island is one of my consistent 'fun-day' activities. Whether you have a lot of money to spend, or just a little, there's so much to do and see.

The Island (only about 5 or 6 blocks long on any side) is full of artists studios, where you can shop for their wares, be it jewellery, sculpture, paintings, glasswork, tapestries, or clothing. This is where the best artists in BC display their work, it's also the location of the Emily Carr fine art college.

There are also several small or large playhouses that have changings shows from comedy or drama, to modern dance. Arts Umbrella and the arts club theatre are 2 that come to mind.

My favourite shop is called Dragonspace, and is filled with all sorts of fabulous medieval and faerie-tale based things. Also some great celtic and viking replica jewellery.

The 'market' itself is the public market, crammed full of fresh fish, donuts, perogies, all sorts of fruits and veggies, about 113 different types of meats and cheeses and 50 types of bread!

For the evening, I strongly recommend going to Theatresports. It's improvisational comedy theatre that will have you laughing out loud (generally not for kids).

Keep your eyes peeled. Granville Island is another Vancouver location where the 'hollywood stars' frequent as tourists too!

Granville Island is definately worth checking out. I reccomend taking the aquabus over from any of its stops downtown. Once you're at Granville Island there's lots to do and see. There are many artistic shops to check out for art supplies, hand made hats, jewellery, blown glass, etc.
The Granville Island Public Market is probably one of the best markets in Vancouver. You can buy fresh produce, seafood, etc. There's tons of stands and stalls selling everything and all very fresh.
You can also check out dance, theatre, music, comedy, etc. held at one of the venues on Granville Island.

Granville Island has all the little shops and sights you need to do in an afternoon. This little area still has its fishing docks, but new developments make it the local version of South Street Seaport.

There's everything you'd like to do on a lazy afternoon. Sure it's touristy, but it's a damn good way of being entertained for nothing!

Granville Island is a tourist mecca. It's a variety of places, sights and sounds, shops and galleries for most to enjoy.

If you're not into all that then just head to the brewery to get the grand tour. Granville Island is home to not a bad drop.

Otherwise venture around the markets setting for fresh food, touristy gifts, or quality art.

Granville Island is the marketplace Vancouver had to have.

It's an enclave of markets, art and one good brewery.

I highly recoomend catching the False creek ferry from Yaletown to get the full experience of the area.

What many of the reviews for Granville Island fail to include (and if youre a beer fan like me,as were 3 enthusiatic Americans who seemed to have travelled up just to see this place) then you wont want to miss the "Granville Island Brewery" tour.The tour only goes at specific times and unlike larger brewery tours this building is small.
However our guide was very informative and you got to get hands on,smelling and tasting the barley.Best of all we got 6 sample tasters from this original Canadian Microbrewery..all of which were different but great in taste..Dont miss out!
Of course whilst here dont miss out on the opportunity to wander round this island (or spit of land),part of which is still industrial but most of which is dedicated to craft shops(some unusual stuff),museums a market(great and colourful fruit,veg and fish) as well as a restaurant overlooking the city skyline.
Allow a good afternoon to explore!