Vancouver City Guide

Vancouver Sights

This town was a gas right from the start.

Taking in some First Nations art and culture is a good way to begin a tour through Vancouver. Continue through its many green spaces, its countercultural and cosmopolitan neighbourhoods, and Gastown, the city's original settlement, now transformed into a gussied-up historical quarter.

Vancouver Nightlife

After hours, Vancouver spins the wheel of good time fortune.

Vancouverites are always willing to doff the bike shorts, throw on their best t-shirt and go out on the town. It's a city that loves to entertain. Sports and live music take precedence, with theatre very close behind and a healthy comedy scene to boot.

Shopping Vancouver

Hit Vancouver's top five shopping strips - your cash will love its new home.

Vancouver's music shops are some of the world's most interesting, and house great bargains. Downtown, high fashion rubs hips with high-street tack. Further abroad are great homewares, antiques, vintage clothing, outdoor gear and First Nations art.

Pacific Spirit Regional Park

Free, Park

This stunning 763-hectare park - the city's largest - cuts a wide swathe across the peninsula. Stretching from Burrard Inlet on one side to the North Arm of the Fraser River on the other, it's a green buffer zone between the campus and the city. A smashing spot to hug some trees and explore (there are 54km of walking, jogging and cycling trails) - you'll marvel at the giant cedars and firs that will be towering over you here.

Christ Church Cathedral

Religious/spiritual, Architectural highlight

Completed in 1895 and designated as a cathedral in 1929, the biggest and best Gothic-style church in the city is nestled incongruously among Vancouver's looming glass towers. Undergoing extensive renovations in recent years, it's a busy site and is home to a wide range of cultural events, including regular choir and chamber music recitals and the occasional Shakespeare reading.

Sunset Beach

Kids, Free, Beach

A chain of small, sandy beaches running along the north side of False Creek, this is where West Enders come to hang out and catch some rays, many of them lounging on the grassy banks overlooking the waterfront. The walking, cycling and blading trail here - it links to the Stanley Park seawall trail if you want extend your trek - is always packed in summer, often with members of the local gay community checking each other out.