Schmap Vancouver Neighborhood Guide

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Vancouver - Neighborhood Guide
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Vancouver Home
Schmap Vancouver guide and map

Vancouver is the city that has it all: natural beauty and cosmopolitan flair. Set between the Pacific Ocean and the coastal mountains, it has a harmonious blend of nature and urban living. Gardens, parks, and beaches are as common here as heritage buildings, restaurants, and theatres.

While maintaining the laid-back attitude of North America's West Coast, Vancouver has managed to build an international spirit. As the third largest city in Canada, it shares an ethnic diversity and multicultural flavour with the rest of the country. It's young, lively, and the jumping-off point for many spectacular outdoor activities.

Downtown

Vancouver has vitality and style. Nowhere is this more evident than in the downtown core. Its first distinct feature is Stanley Park, located on the west end of Georgia Street. This 1000-acre park includes an 11 kilometre Seawall promenade, old-growth forests, hiking trails, and the Vancouver Aquarium.

Downtown is the city's largest shopping district. One of its main arteries is Robson Street, a highlight for both locals and visitors. It's brimming with fashion boutiques, coffee bars and trendy cafes.

Crossing Robson is Granville, a street that offers independent fashion stores and entertainment venues. Shops like John Fluevog Shoes and True Value Vintage are here, as well as the city's "Theatre Row," where concert, theatre and movie choices can be found. The Orpheum Theatre and the Commodore Ballroom are also on Granville, and are fantastic places to catch performances of live theatre and music. Overall, the area has restaurants to satisfy every palette, urban nightclubs, and a dizzying number of bars offering live entertainment.

Gastown

This is Vancouver's first community and a heritage zone. Red cobblestone streets, Victorian street lamps, and heritage architecture give the area its old-world atmosphere. Today, boutiques, restaurants and specialty shops, such as Hill's Native Art, Three Centuries Shop, and Salmagundi West, combine with its historic character to make it a special attraction. The Steam Clock at Cambie and Water streets goes off every 15 minutes and adds to the area's quirky cachet.

Chinatown

Vancouver's Chinatown is one of the largest in North America, and is second only to San Francisco's. The area's specialty shops, superb dining, and heritage buildings attract millions of visitors. The bustle here goes on day and night, from the summer's open-air Chinatown Night Market, to packed restaurants such as Hon's Wun-Tun House or Floata Seafood Restaurant.

Yaletown

Not long ago, Yaletown was just a collection of abandoned warehouses. Today, it is one of the city's trendiest areas, dotted with posh condominiums and converted historic warehouses. One popular establishment is the Yaletown Brewing Co., and unique boutiques like Atomic Model and BoNaparte Designs are also worth checking out. Part of the area's popularity is its ultra-cool nightlife, and the exclusive Bar None is one hot spot.

Granville Island

A former industrial site, Granville Island has become one of the city's biggest and best attractions. Live theatre, pubs, and artist workshops converge here. The public market has one-stop food shopping, where you can select fresh produce and treats. La Baguette et L'Echalote, Edie's Hats, and the colourful Kids Only Market are favourites. Numerous festivals use the island as their headquarters, including the Vancouver International Writer's Festival, annual Vancouver International Comedy Festival.

Kitsilano

Located minutes south of downtown, Kitsilano is known for its active population, beaches and mountain views. The community has a profusion of eateries, bookstores, theatres, bars, open-air grocers and boutiques. Here, you'll find gems like the Naam, Sophie's Cosmic Cafe, Kidsbooks and the Hollywood Theatre. Vanier Park accommodates the annual Vancouver International Children's Festival in May, as well as the summer's open-air Shakespearean Bard on the Beach productions.

Point Grey

Just to the west of Kitsilano is Point Grey, another residential area. One of the wealthiest regions of the city, it boasts stately homes, miles of waterfront, and one of Vancouver's oldest parks. The area's beaches stretch from Jericho Beach to Spanish Banks, offering haunts to swim, sail and walk in. It also has a cluster of antique and collectible shops, and is home to the annual Vancouver Folk Festival.

West Point Grey Park provides one of the city's most dramatic viewpoints, with the University of British Columbia (UBC) just south of it. UBC has an expansive campus, featuring several of the city's best museums and attractions, including the Museum of Anthropology and the Nitobe Memorial Gardens.

East Vancouver

Vancouver's east side has always been known for its multitude of ethnic neighbourhoods and unconventional shopping and entertainment. Once dubbed Little Italy, the area on Commercial Drive, between Broadway and Venables, is often considered the city's hub for artists and counter-culture. Shops and cafes like Pupuseria Rinconcito Salvadoreno and La Casa Gelato help piece together this diverse community. You can also wander through the pockets of eclectic galleries and second-hand shops, such as Cosmopolis and Attic Treasures.

Another area to shop and dine in is Little India, located south of East 47th Street on Main Street. The Punjabi Market (Little India) has jewelry and fabric shops. This is also where flavourful Indian foods and spices are readily available. Some of the stores and restaurants here include Guru Bazaar, All India Foods, and Bombay Sweets.

The Suburbs

West Vancouver

This suburb area northwest of downtown is one of the most prosperous communities in Canada. If you're looking for a place to shop, the large Park Royal Centre is the country's first shopping mall. Be sure to take time out to walk through Lighthouse Park. It's in an 80-acre old growth forest, and visitors might get a chance to watch seals lounging on the rocks near Howe Sound.

North Vancouver

Just next to West Vancouver lies North Vancouver. The lower Lonsdale area has heritage buildings and antique and specialty shops, while the Lonsdale Quay Market is a thriving waterfront treat. North Vancouver is the gateway for several of the area's ecological sites. Tourists will revel at Lynn Canyon Park, the thrill of the Capilano Suspension Bridge, and the splendor of the Fraser Valley. The year-round fun of Grouse Mountain and Cypress Mountain are also nearby.

Copyright 1999-2005 Wcities, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Contact Wcities

Chinatown

Vancouver
Canada

Vancouver's Chinatown is one of the largest in North America, and is second only to San Francisco's. The area's specialty shops, superb dining, and heritage buildings attract millions of visitors. The bustle here goes on day and night, from the summer's open-air Chinatown Night Market, to packed restaurants such as Hon's Wun-Tun House or Floata Seafood Restaurant.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Neil Bruder

Photo: Uncle Weed

Photo: Neil Bruder

Photo: Marie Richie

Photo: Carson Simms

Photo: gwilli

Downtown

Vancouver
Canada
Vancouver has vitality and style. Nowhere is this more evident than in the downtown core. Its first distinct feature is Stanley Park, located on the west end of Georgia Street. This 1000-acre park includes an 11 kilometre Seawall promenade, old-growth forests, hiking trails, and the Vancouver Aquarium. Downtown is the city's largest shopping district. One of its main arteries is Robson Street, a highlight for both locals and visitors. It's brimming with fashion boutiques, coffee bars and trendy cafes. Crossing Robson is Granville, a street that offers independent fashion stores and entertainment venues. Shops like John Fluevog Shoes and True Value Vintage are here, as well as the city's "Theatre Row," where concert, theatre and movie choices can be found.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Tomas Hellberg
Photo: David Wise
Photo: Tomas Hellberg

East Vancouver

Vancouver
Canada
Vancouver's east side has always been known for its multitude of ethnic neighbourhoods and unconventional shopping and entertainment. Once dubbed Little Italy, the area on Commercial Drive, between Broadway and Venables, is often considered the city's hub for artists and counterculture. Shops and cafes like Pupuseria Rinconcito Salvadoreno and La Casa Gelato help piece together this diverse community. You can also wander through the pockets of eclectic galleries and second-hand shops, such as Cosmopolis and Attic Treasures.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Qole Pejorian
Photo: kay be
Photo: Lena Dee
Photo: ria boomars
Photo: slicerelite
Photo: Andrew Hale
Photo: Mark Hall-Patch

Gastown

Vancouver
Canada
This is Vancouver's first community and a heritage zone. Red cobblestone streets, Victorian street lamps, and heritage architecture give the area its old-world atmosphere. Today, boutiques, restaurants and specialty shops, such as Hill's Native Art, Three Centuries Shop, and Salmagundi West, combine with its historic character to make it a special attraction. The Steam Clock at Cambie and Water streets goes off every 15 minutes and adds to the area's quirky cachet.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Robin Keener
Photo: Brenda Vanderhorst
Photo: Peter Schär
Photo: Juan Madrigal
Photo: Pastor Tim Keyl
Photo: Audrey Romu
Photo: Richard Gifford
Photo: stellersjay

Photo: Carly McNeill
Photo: Ray Sormaz
Photo: mcknnn_jhn
Photo: Jude l'Obscure
Photo: Rich Purcell
Photo: Javier Solsona
Photo: Bob Cornish
Photo: J. Sean Bennett

Photo: Jacobo Navarro
Photo: alone together in canada
Photo: sabaker

Kitsilano

Vancouver
Canada
Located minutes south of downtown, Kitsilano is known for its active population, beaches and mountain views. The community has a profusion of eateries, bookstores, theatres, bars, open-air grocers and boutiques. Here, you'll find gems like the Naam, Sophie's Cosmic Cafe, Kidsbooks and the Hollywood Theatre. Vanier Park accommodates the annual Vancouver International Children's Festival in May, as well as the summer's open-air Shakespearean Bard on the Beach productions.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Robert Deluca
Photo: Orit Reem
Photo: through eyes of j
Photo: Greg Farkas
Photo: Pixeloflight
Photo: Ramin Arya
Photo: Julie Jira
Photo: Dennis Knothe

Photo: Jeremy Greive
Photo: Dave McLean
Photo: Wrrrbat!
Photo: Cecilia Huard
Photo: Andrew Bobyn

Little India

Vancouver
Canada
Little India, located south of East 47th Street on Main Street, is a great neighborhood for shopping and dining. The Punjabi Market (Little India) has jewellery and fabric shops. This is also where flavourful Indian foods and spices are readily available. Some of the stores and restaurants here include Guru Bazaar, All India Foods, and Bombay Sweets.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Richard E. Sobel
Photo: Wendi Dunlap

North Vancouver

Vancouver
Canada
Just next to West Vancouver lies North Vancouver. The lower Lonsdale area has heritage buildings and antique and specialty shops, while the Lonsdale Quay Market is a thriving waterfront treat. North Vancouver is the gateway for several of the area's ecological sites. Tourists will revel at Lynn Canyon Park, the thrill of the Capilano Suspension Bridge, and the splendor of the Fraser Valley. The year-round fun of Grouse Mountain and Cypress Mountain are also nearby.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: t.nα
Photo: clyde@sdlasertech.co
Photo: meaduva
Photo: Phillip Capper
Photo: Pamela Drucker
Photo: Victor Wong
Photo: aastfalk
Photo: Daniel Papania

Photo: Delwynne Fife
Photo: John Conybeer
Photo: Bill Horsman
Photo: TenaciousC
Photo: guidomax
Photo: Daniel García Peris
Photo: mulder911
Photo: DCI Photography

Photo: Vivien Anayian
Photo: hoperegrine
Photo: Gary Cunningham
Photo: fcapdevil
Photo: Bridgette
Photo: Richard Cleaver
Photo: Sachit Kamat
Photo: Robert Pfeffer

Photo: Kevin Van Lierop
Photo: Alastair Brunton
Photo: Divakar Goswami
Photo: attentive k.
Photo: Kody Baker
Photo: Kevin O'Rourke
Photo: Lee Ellis
Photo: michael.hope@rogers.com

Photo: ppanek51
Photo: Andriy Baranskyy
Photo: Comrogues
Photo: N_!_C_K
Photo: Patty and Evan Davis
Photo: Kevin McGrew

Point Grey

Vancouver
Canada
Just to the west of Kitsilano is Point Grey, another residential area. One of the wealthiest regions of the city, it boasts stately homes, miles of waterfront, and one of Vancouver's oldest parks. The area's beaches stretch from Jericho Beach to Spanish Banks, offering haunts to swim, sail and walk in. It also has a cluster of antique and collectible shops, and is home to the annual Vancouver Folk Festival. West Point Grey Park provides one of the city's most dramatic viewpoints, with the University of British Columbia (UBC) just south of it. UBC has an expansive campus, featuring several of the city's best museums and attractions, including the Museum of Anthropology and the Nitobe Memorial Gardens.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Bob Hare
Photo: Alexandra Skelly
Photo: Joel Gillespie
Photo: Jay Black
Photo: Joel Gillespie
Photo: Betty King
Photo: Grant
Photo: dtrickle69

Photo: Nicole Vanderwyst
Photo: Nicole Vanderwyst
Photo: Larson Owston
Photo: soholad
Photo: Alick Weber

West Vancouver

Vancouver
Canada
This suburb area northwest of downtown is one of the most prosperous communities in Canada. If you're looking for a place to shop, the large Park Royal Centre is the country's first shopping mall. Be sure to take time out to walk through Lighthouse Park. It's in an 80-acre old growth forest, and visitors might get a chance to watch seals lounging on the rocks near Howe Sound.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Alejandro Mejía Gree
Photo: llenrap604
Photo: Leftdef11
Photo: Dave Evers
Photo: thecanadawall.com
Photo: Paola Quiros
Photo: David Prescott
Photo: Raul P

Photo: moon_cookie
Photo: Mike Ivanov
Photo: jenzvan
Photo: afroginbc
Photo: Katie Walton
Photo: Heather
Photo: bigairsil
Photo: Nimalan Mahendran

Photo: Suzy Jurgensen
Photo: Pooya Karimian
Photo: Tiffany Withrow
Photo: J.Thomson
Photo: david tsabar
Photo: DieReini1
Photo: Karl Partington

Yaletown

Vancouver
Canada
Not long ago, Yaletown was just a collection of abandoned warehouses. Today, it is one of the city's trendiest areas, dotted with posh condominiums and converted historic warehouses. One popular establishment is the Yaletown Brewing Co., and unique boutiques like Atomic Model and BoNaparte Designs are also worth checking out. Part of the area's popularity is its ultra-cool nightlife, and the exclusive Bar None is one hot spot.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Mike
Photo: Vida J Morkunas
Photo: Vince Hodges
Photo: Patrick Gunn
Photo: Mike Bultrowicz
Photo: Gordan
Photo: Forrest Pangborn
Photo: anjali119

Photo: Sarah Wall
Photo: Jacky Chui
Photo: Ruth P. Christie

Other Schmapplets in this city related to "Vancouver - Neighborhood Guide"
Vancouver
Vancouver - Historical Background
Vancouver - Where to Stay
Vancouver - Dining & Drinking
Vancouver - Art & Entertainment
Other nearby cities:
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Reno (1110 miles)
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Napa Valley (1206 miles)
Berkeley (1268 miles)
San Francisco (1279 miles)

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