Guidebook for Vancouver
Drinks & Nightlife
The tasting room has a nice atmosphere. My favourite beer there is the "Passive Aggressive" pale ale.
289 locals recommend
Brassneck Brewery
2148 Main StThe tasting room has a nice atmosphere. My favourite beer there is the "Passive Aggressive" pale ale.
Main Street Brewery
261 E 7th AveA newer microbrewery in the neighborhood.
33 Acres Brewing Company
15 W 8th AveConsistently nice beers with interesting flavours.
Another nearby brewery which is more like a huge bar than tasting room. They show hockey games, and have live music sometimes.
37 locals recommend
Steel Toad Brewing Co. Ltd.
97 East 2nd AvenueAnother nearby brewery which is more like a huge bar than tasting room. They show hockey games, and have live music sometimes.
The Lido
518 E BroadwayA nearby bar with a hip, comfortable atmosphere. Often has live music.
This bar is totally hidden and there is no sign except for a small red light on the outside. It has a cozy atmosphere and surprisingly, reasonably priced drinks for Vancouver. Decent food too!
94 locals recommend
The Narrow Lounge
1898 Main StThis bar is totally hidden and there is no sign except for a small red light on the outside. It has a cozy atmosphere and surprisingly, reasonably priced drinks for Vancouver. Decent food too!
Unique Spanish bar with live flamenco music and dancers on stage. No cover charge most nights. Check out their online calendar at thekino.ca
48 locals recommend
the Kino
3456 Cambie StUnique Spanish bar with live flamenco music and dancers on stage. No cover charge most nights. Check out their online calendar at thekino.ca
Arts & Culture
Kids (and kids at heart) love this place!
837 locals recommend
Science World at TELUS World of Science
1455 Quebec StKids (and kids at heart) love this place!
Vancouver's main Art Gallery. Tuesdays from 5 pm-9 pm is by donation admission.
1154 locals recommend
Vancouver Art Gallery
750 Hornby StVancouver's main Art Gallery. Tuesdays from 5 pm-9 pm is by donation admission.
A museum on the history of the people of British Columbia, and the world. Wonderful collections of First Nations art. Located on the University of British Columbia endowment lands which are worth exploring as well. Tuesdays between 5 pm-9 pm is $10 entry.
502 locals recommend
Museum of Anthropology
6393 NW Marine DrA museum on the history of the people of British Columbia, and the world. Wonderful collections of First Nations art. Located on the University of British Columbia endowment lands which are worth exploring as well. Tuesdays between 5 pm-9 pm is $10 entry.
A museum about the history of Vancouver. Located in a big beautiful park called Vanier Park.
144 locals recommend
Museum of Vancouver
1100 Chestnut StA museum about the history of Vancouver. Located in a big beautiful park called Vanier Park.
Sightseeing
If you don't want to pay for Science World, the park just outside has some neat science contraptions on display, some of them interactive. This is also a good starting point for a walk or bike ride along the Sea Wall.
12 locals recommend
Creekside Park
1455 Quebec StIf you don't want to pay for Science World, the park just outside has some neat science contraptions on display, some of them interactive. This is also a good starting point for a walk or bike ride along the Sea Wall.
Many good restaurants, bars, shops, black light bowling, etc. on Commercial Drive from 7th Ave to Venables St. Has kind of a hippy/Italian vibe.
296 locals recommend
Commercial Drive
Commercial DriveMany good restaurants, bars, shops, black light bowling, etc. on Commercial Drive from 7th Ave to Venables St. Has kind of a hippy/Italian vibe.
Parks & Nature
Local park with nice view, community garden, and jogging oval.
14 locals recommend
China Creek North Park
1001 E 7th AveLocal park with nice view, community garden, and jogging oval.
Great view of the city at the top of the hill, and beautiful gardens.
830 locals recommend
Queen Elizabeth Park
4600 Cambie StGreat view of the city at the top of the hill, and beautiful gardens.
Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre
3663 Park RdSuspension bridge, canyon, and hiking trails.
Vancouver's iconic park! Hiking trails, gardens, beaches, sea wall.
2658 locals recommend
Stanley Park
610 Pipeline RdVancouver's iconic park! Hiking trails, gardens, beaches, sea wall.
Getting Around
This skytrain station is about a 10 minute walk away. Trains from here go to Broadway-Commercial Drive Station, which is just one stop away. From there, you can transfer downtown.
You can buy transit tickets here that are transferable between buses and trains. If you will be in Vancouver for more than a week, I would recommend buying a pre-loaded Compass Card for savings and ease of use on buses and trains. You can buy bus tickets with exact change on buses, but they do not transfer to trains.
15 locals recommend
VCC SkyTrain station
This skytrain station is about a 10 minute walk away. Trains from here go to Broadway-Commercial Drive Station, which is just one stop away. From there, you can transfer downtown.
You can buy transit tickets here that are transferable between buses and trains. If you will be in Vancouver for more than a week, I would recommend buying a pre-loaded Compass Card for savings and ease of use on buses and trains. You can buy bus tickets with exact change on buses, but they do not transfer to trains.
TO DOWNTOWN: Take #8 Bus ("Downtown") to Main Street Skytrain Station and get off the bus. Then, take skytrain towards Waterfront. Or, take #99-B-Line Express bus to Cambie St. Then, go to Broadway City Hall Station and take skytrain towards Waterfront.
TO AIRPORT: Take #99-B-Line Express bus to Cambie St (5 min). Then, go to Broadway City Hall Station and take skytrain to YVR (20 min)
652 BC-7
652 East BroadwayTO DOWNTOWN: Take #8 Bus ("Downtown") to Main Street Skytrain Station and get off the bus. Then, take skytrain towards Waterfront. Or, take #99-B-Line Express bus to Cambie St. Then, go to Broadway City Hall Station and take skytrain towards Waterfront.
TO AIRPORT: Take #99-B-Line Express bus to Cambie St (5 min). Then, go to Broadway City Hall Station and take skytrain to YVR (20 min)
TO DOWNTOWN: Take #3 or #8 Bus ("Downtown") or #19 ("Stanley Park") to Main Street Skytrain Station and get off the bus. Then, take skytrain towards Waterfront. There are 4 stops throughout downtown.
Northbound Main St @ E 6th Ave station
TO DOWNTOWN: Take #3 or #8 Bus ("Downtown") or #19 ("Stanley Park") to Main Street Skytrain Station and get off the bus. Then, take skytrain towards Waterfront. There are 4 stops throughout downtown.
TO AIRPORT: Take skytrain to YVR (20 min).
TO DOWNTOWN: Take skytrain towards Waterfront. There are 3 stops throughout downtown (5 min).
81 locals recommend
Broadway-City Hall station
496 W BroadwayTO AIRPORT: Take skytrain to YVR (20 min).
TO DOWNTOWN: Take skytrain towards Waterfront. There are 3 stops throughout downtown (5 min).
TO DOWNTOWN: Take #84 bus ("UBC") and get off at Olympic Village Skytrain Station @ Cambie St (8 min). Then, take skytrain towards Waterfront (2-5 min). There are 3 stops throughout downtown.
Westbound Great Northern Way @ Foley St station
TO DOWNTOWN: Take #84 bus ("UBC") and get off at Olympic Village Skytrain Station @ Cambie St (8 min). Then, take skytrain towards Waterfront (2-5 min). There are 3 stops throughout downtown.
MAIN STREET SKYTRAIN STATION. This skytrain station is about a 20 minute walk away, and can alternatively be reached by bus. Trains from here go directly downtown. You can buy transit tickets here that are transferable between buses and trains. If you will be in Vancouver for more than a week, I would recommend buying a pre-loaded Compass Card for savings and ease of use on buses and trains. You can buy bus tickets with exact change on buses, but they do not transfer to trains.
TO DOWNTOWN: Take the Expo or Millennium Line skytrain towards Waterfront. There are 4 stops throughout downtown.
201 Terminal Ave
201 Terminal AvenueMAIN STREET SKYTRAIN STATION. This skytrain station is about a 20 minute walk away, and can alternatively be reached by bus. Trains from here go directly downtown. You can buy transit tickets here that are transferable between buses and trains. If you will be in Vancouver for more than a week, I would recommend buying a pre-loaded Compass Card for savings and ease of use on buses and trains. You can buy bus tickets with exact change on buses, but they do not transfer to trains.
TO DOWNTOWN: Take the Expo or Millennium Line skytrain towards Waterfront. There are 4 stops throughout downtown.
FROM THE AIRPORT: Take skytrain to Broadway City Hall Station (20 min). Get off and walk to bus stop right outside skytrain station. Take #99-B-Line Express bus to Fraser St. (5 min). Walk along Fraser Street down the hill, crossing the little park called Sahalli Park, to Fraser St. and East 6th Avenue (approx. 3 blocks). The apartment building, 711 East 6th Avenue, will b across the street and to your right.
YVR Airport Canada Line Station
Grant McConachie WayFROM THE AIRPORT: Take skytrain to Broadway City Hall Station (20 min). Get off and walk to bus stop right outside skytrain station. Take #99-B-Line Express bus to Fraser St. (5 min). Walk along Fraser Street down the hill, crossing the little park called Sahalli Park, to Fraser St. and East 6th Avenue (approx. 3 blocks). The apartment building, 711 East 6th Avenue, will b across the street and to your right.
Food Scene
Pizzeria Barbarella
654 E BroadwayFantastic gourmet pizza and nice atmosphere.
Loku Japanese Cuisine
2280 Commercial DrEdit: CLOSED.
I like the burritos at Sal Y Limon or Banditas best, but this place is good too, and closer and open to midnight. All vegetarian menu.
66 locals recommend
Budgies Burritos
44 KingswayI like the burritos at Sal Y Limon or Banditas best, but this place is good too, and closer and open to midnight. All vegetarian menu.
The Lion's Den Cafe
651 E 15th AveJamaican restaurant with a "cool" vibe and good food.
Bandidas Taqueria
2781 Commercial DrGreat vegetarian Mexican food. I love this place!
Great Wall Mongolian BBQ Restaurant
717 Denman StPopular nearby restaurant and bar
The Foundation
2301 Main StreetFunky vegetarian eatery
Heartwood Community Cafe
317 E BroadwayAlternative, community-oriented cafe with tasty healthy food.
A modern diner that serves drinks too. Nice decor, and good breakfasts.
60 locals recommend
The Wallflower
2420 Main StA modern diner that serves drinks too. Nice decor, and good breakfasts.
Full disclosure - I have not eaten here, but I want to because it looks atmospheric and intriguing. If you go, let me know how it is!
27 locals recommend
Eight 1/2 Restaurant Lounge
151 E 8th AveFull disclosure - I have not eaten here, but I want to because it looks atmospheric and intriguing. If you go, let me know how it is!
I keep hearing amazing things about this French restaurant just a short walk away.
203 locals recommend
Les Faux Bourgeois
663 E 15th AveI keep hearing amazing things about this French restaurant just a short walk away.
Sal y Limón
701 KingswayGood Mexican food, popular in the neighborhood.
The best ice cream. Small batch, local. Vegan options too. Line ups are common.
353 locals recommend
Earnest Ice Cream
3992 Fraser StThe best ice cream. Small batch, local. Vegan options too. Line ups are common.
Great food, drinks, and atmosphere. I really like this place!
30 locals recommend
Caffe Barney on Granville
2975 Granville StGreat food, drinks, and atmosphere. I really like this place!
Essentials
This is the closest supermarket. It is located on the upper level of Kingsgate Mall, about a 15 minute walk away.
113 locals recommend
Buy-Low Foods
370 E BroadwayThis is the closest supermarket. It is located on the upper level of Kingsgate Mall, about a 15 minute walk away.
This is the closest liquor store. It is located in Kingsgate Mall which is about a 15 minute walk away.
45 locals recommend
Kingsgate Mall
370 E BroadwayThis is the closest liquor store. It is located in Kingsgate Mall which is about a 15 minute walk away.
Sammy's Marketeria
Corner store that also servers decent donairs.
Large pharmacy in Kingsgate Mall, similar to Walgreens.
You can also buy transit tickets and passes here. The bus fare is $2.75 and tickets bought on the bus require exact change and are not transferable to the skytrain. You will have more flexibility if you buy Compass Cards (preloaded cards) or Day Passes from the Shoppers Drug Mart. There is a $6 deposit for new Compass Cards (pre-loaded cards), however the fare is lower at $2.10, and it is valid for 1.5 hours on any bus or skytrain. Each rider needs a separate Compass Card to keep the fares apart. Day passes are $9.75.
692 locals recommend
Shoppers Drug Mart
1006 Homer StLarge pharmacy in Kingsgate Mall, similar to Walgreens.
You can also buy transit tickets and passes here. The bus fare is $2.75 and tickets bought on the bus require exact change and are not transferable to the skytrain. You will have more flexibility if you buy Compass Cards (preloaded cards) or Day Passes from the Shoppers Drug Mart. There is a $6 deposit for new Compass Cards (pre-loaded cards), however the fare is lower at $2.10, and it is valid for 1.5 hours on any bus or skytrain. Each rider needs a separate Compass Card to keep the fares apart. Day passes are $9.75.
Mount Pleasant Community Centre
1 KingswayPublic library and gym.