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Things to do in Gastown

Our most recommended things to do in Gastown

Vancouver: 2.5-Hour Gastown Walking Food Tour

1. Vancouver: 2.5-Hour Gastown Walking Food Tour

Walk through the cobbled stone streets of Vancouver’s oldest neighborhood and taste local foods on this Gastown food tour. Enjoy local craft beer, Japanese Kar-age style chicken, freshly made Sicilian Tortellini with local wine, and more. After meeting your storytelling guide for the day, start exploring the city alongside locals while learning local facts and little-known stories about Vancouver. Get to know more about its Wild West history, dating back 150 years. As you walk, taste a variety of local bites, including crispy and sweet chili cauliflower, Canadian poutine (handmade fries topped with cheese curds and gravy) wine, organic soft ice cream, waffles, and award-winning cheesecake.

Vancouver: Lost Souls of Gastown Tour

2. Vancouver: Lost Souls of Gastown Tour

Venture into Vancouver's earliest and most gruesome history on this 90-minute walking tour. Designed for adult audiences, the experience is both a walking tour and a theatre piece. Every story is grounded in documented Vancouver history, taken from the city archives. The plotline is woven together as the tragic tale of one person's life, ending in a dramatic finale in the heart of Gastown's Maple Tree Square.  Do not expect a ghost tour or conventional walking tour – this is an experience that will pull you so deep into the swirling lamplight and darkened alleys of Gastown’s murky past you may have a hard time finding your way back out… As you travel along cobblestone streets you'll visit our city's oldest hotel - the Victorian, learn the truth about the historic Gastown Steam Clock, see how Vancouver looked before and after the Great Fire, explore notorious Gaoler's Mews, and walk down the back alleys of Water Street to famous Maple Tree Square. Every one of Gastown's must-see sites and landmarks is visited on the walk.

Vancouver & Capilano Suspension Bridge Sightseeing: Half-Day

3. Vancouver & Capilano Suspension Bridge Sightseeing: Half-Day

Vancouver’s fascinating past and present come together in this engaging tour that traverses through urban cityscapes, seaside parks, and ancient rainforests. Begin with the highlights of downtown, including Canada Place, home of the 2010 Olympic Cauldron.  Wind through impressive modern and historic architecture, past the Arts and Financial Districts and the fashion mecca of Robson Street. Enter the 1,000-acre urban rainforest, Stanley Park, for a unique perspective of the city from a quiet forest setting. Continue across the Lions Gate Bridge to Vancouver’s scenic North Shore and the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park. Don’t miss the impressive collection of First Nations artwork and the historic Story Centre.  From the spectacular Cliffwalk, gaze out over towering cedars and the Capilano River winding through the valley far below. Take an exhilarating walk across the Capilano Suspension Bridge to the other side, where many unique and informative experiences await, including the TreeTops Adventure.  Do not miss the amazing Cliffwalk above the canyon. Return to downtown Vancouver via Stanley Park and English Bay, and get ready to engage all of your senses as you step out into Granville Island Market. This market is an artisan haven for all things local and handmade, including delicious food, coffee, tea, eclectic artwork, and West Coast music.  Carry on through bustling Chinatown, a tribute to the Far East. Continue to historic Gastown, the heart of Vancouver, where it all began.

Vancouver: City Highlights Tour

4. Vancouver: City Highlights Tour

The Vancouver city highlights tour offers a personalized way to see the best of this beautiful city on the west coast of Canada. With your professional, certified guide, make multiple stops in Vancouver, including Stanley Park, Granville Island, Gastown, Chinatown, Robson Street, and the English Bay Vancouver Harbour. Explore the city’s art, historic landmarks, and shopping venues.

Vancouver Bicycle Tour

5. Vancouver Bicycle Tour

Explore Vancouver's highlights on a guided bike tour to the city's top sights and districts. See more in less time as you peddle by Beaver Lake and along English Bay. Take a ferry across False Creek and view the Olympic Village complex and Gastown.  Meet your group at the bike rental shop in downtown Vancouver and put on your helmet. Listen to a safety briefing before taking off along flat, protected bikeways. Travel at a leisurely pace, allowing you to soak up the city's vibrant culture. Start with a tour of the world-famous Stanley Park including the stunning seawall and the mesmerizing forested trails within. Wave to the beavers at Beaver Lake and marvel at the towering trees. Cycle through English Bay, home to some of the hottest beaches in the city. Hop on a ferry over False Creek to discover amazing food and art at Granville Island. You'll have a one-hour break, leaving you time to find some lunch in the area. Travel along the seawall that follows False Creek. Take in the city skyline framed by the North Shore Mountains. Pass by the Olympic Village complex and Science World. Hear about Expo ’86 and the 2010 Winter Olympics. Finally, travel back in time to check out Vancouver’s vibrant Chinatown including a visit to the Dr Sun Yat Sen Chinese Gardens and history-rich Gastown. Learn about the city’s beginnings as a logging outpost and hear about infamous Gassy Jack. See Vancouver's first pub before heading to the seawall and making your way back to the bike shop through Coal Harbor. One last look at waterfront provides a great view of marinas and seaplanes taking off and landing.

Vancouver: Highlights Tour with Lookout and Capilano Bridge

6. Vancouver: Highlights Tour with Lookout and Capilano Bridge

Explore all of Vancouver's hotspots in just one day with a comprehensive bus tour and special landmark visits. Ride around the most popular districts as you learn about their history from your guide. Take in panoramic views of the city from Vancouver Lookout and cross the Capilano Suspension Bridge. Enjoy a fully narrated ride around the Gastown and Chinatown areas, the modern buildings of Vancouver Harbor, and the sandy beaches of English Bay. Enjoy a quick history lesson at the Stanley Park totem pole display and wander around the art community on Granville Island. Step up to the Vancouver Lookout observation deck for the most privileged views of the city and its surrounding landscape from above. Hold on tight as you trek across the swaying Capilano Suspension Bridge and look down at the trees through the glass floors of the Cliffwalk.

Vancouver: Half-Day City Highlights E-Bike Tour

7. Vancouver: Half-Day City Highlights E-Bike Tour

Jump on a fun and easy-to-ride e-bike tour through Vancouver. Cycle along Stanley Park and cruise the Seawall with stunning views of the Downtown skyline and the North Shore Mountains. Visit the iconic Totem Poles and lush Beaver Lake, where wildlife abounds. Make use of your electric boost and ride up to the Prospect Point lookout, the highest point in the 1000 acre park, overlooking the Lion’s Gate Bridge, and on clear days you can see all the way to Vancouver Island.  After leaving the park, cruise along and check out some iconic neighborhoods on the False Creek waterfront, including Yaletown and Olympic Village. Both neighborhoods are award-winning developments known for their modern style and eco-friendly design. Finally, make your way to Chinatown and Gastown, two of Vancouver’s oldest neighborhoods. Your guide will share stories about the city’s roots amongst the city’s oldest buildings before heading back to the starting point. This e-bike tour makes use of Vancouver’s extensive separated bike trails, with 95% of riding on routes without cars and a maximum group size of 10 riders. This tour does not stop at the Granville Island Market, so going there in the morning is a great way to pair your day of exploring.

Vancouver: Stanley Park Bicycle Tour

8. Vancouver: Stanley Park Bicycle Tour

Stanley Park is truly one of the most beautiful parks in the world. This unique 3-hour guided tour includes a perfect mixture of forest exploration, seaside cruising and city riding. Meet your group at the bike rental shop in Downtown Vancouver to begin your tour of the park and city. During a safety briefing, you’ll be fitted with a bike and helmet. You'll ride in small groups and follow flat, protected bikeways. Traveling at a leisurely pace, you can soak up the natural beauty of the park. After riding through some picturesque neighborhoods of Vancouver including the West End and English Bay, you'll find yourself at the entrance to the jewel of the city: Stanley Park. Your guide will escort you through the park making stops along the way, sharing in-depth information about the biodiversity of the temperate rainforest, the history of the coastal First Nations and their legendary totem poles, as well as an abundance of hidden treasures and stories that the park has accumulated over its 125-year history. Stanley Park is uniquely situated with incredibly scenic views of Downtown Vancouver, the North Shore, The Lion’s Gate Bridge, as well as English Bay and the West End. This easy 12 km ride showcases the great natural beauty of Vancouver.

Vancouver: Attractions by Twilight Guided Tour with Dinner

9. Vancouver: Attractions by Twilight Guided Tour with Dinner

See the natural beauty and culture that makes Vancouver an attraction to the world. Experience Capilano Suspension Bridge and enjoy dinner atop Grouse Mountain. End the night with a narrated driving tour of different neighborhoods. Begin your tour with pickup from your guide from your downtown Vancouver hotel. Venture outside the city and bask in the stunning scenery of the surrounding mountains and landscapes, where the famous Capilano Suspension Bridge awaits you. Muster up the courage to cross the swinging bridge 230 ft. above the river. Next, get your adrenaline pumping at the Cliffwalk. Then, board the gondola Skyride up to the peak of Grouse Mountain. While you are atop the famous mountain, you will be treated to a delicious and scenic twilight dinner at Altitude Restaurant. Then, with your appetite satisfied, your guide will introduce you to the world-famous natural beauty of the west coast on a drive through Stanley Park. Here, you'll take in breathtaking ocean views, lush rainforest, and majestic mountains. Finally, listen to a narrated drive through Gastown. See the Steam Clock, art galleries, and restaurants located in beautiful Victorian buildings. Then, see Chinatown, buzzing with traditional Asian bakeries, dim sum restaurants, cocktail bars, and fashion shops before concluding back at your hotel.

Vancouver: 1.5-Hour Guided Sunset Tour

10. Vancouver: 1.5-Hour Guided Sunset Tour

Explore Vancouver as the sky changes color and the sun goes down, seeing the city from two different perspectives. This 1.5-hour guided tour will take you to the most beautiful parts of the city in a coach with panoramic view windows. Start at Prospect Point in Stanley Park and look out over the Burrard Inlet, Vancouver’s North Shore, and Lionsgate Bridge.  Then, it’s off to the popular English Bay where many people will still be catching some of the last rays of sun. The highlight will be stopping at Queen Elizabeth Park, the highest point in Vancouver, where you can get views of the park, the city, and North Shore.   Historic Gastown will be the last stop in your evening — this original settlement is now a National Historic Site. Cobble-stone streets, the original working steam clock, and local artisans will be there to greet you as you enter the area. End your tour here to continue exploring on your own, or continue a little further to end your tour in Canada Place.

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Frequently asked questions about Gastown

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Other Sightseeing Options in Gastown

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What people are saying about Gastown

Overall rating

4.7 / 5

based on 1,120 reviews

The Self-Guide Tour Explorial app is a great tool for anyone looking to explore a new city. It's user-friendly and offers a wide range of options for things to do and see. Will do it again in other cities for sure.

This was our first time in Vancouver and the app managed to lead us through the city and give interesting puzzles and information about a lot of attractions. This is a great alternative to the usual guided tours!

Our guide, Jason was terrific. Really enjoyed hearing about the history of GasTown and sampling food and drink at different establishments there

This tour was great. The food, drink, and historical knowledge all made this a tour to remember! We highly recommend this one!

It was an Amazing tour, I loved the whole experience, Katy is really nice guide