5 Cool Neighborhoods in Vancouver and Why to Visit Them

Vancouver is a coastal city located on British Columbia’s mainland in Canada. It is surrounded by a stunning natural landscape with the Pacific Ocean and the beautiful North Shore Mountains that make it a fantastic place for outdoor exploration. Inside the city, you will find a welcoming metropolitan area with a lively atmosphere, active nightlife, and an abundance of attractions to keep you occupied during your visit.

Vancouver has consistently been ranked as one of the most liveable cities in the world and it is home to some fantastic neighborhoods. Each area takes on a different personality and offers a unique set of activities to do and things to see. Try stopping by a few of them during your time in Vancouver! Before you head out to explore all of the city’s amazing neighborhoods you should stop by a Vancouver luggage storage spot to keep your bags safe and out of the way.

Gastown

Situated just east of Downtown Vancouver is Gastown, the city’s oldest neighborhood. This area was first established back in 1867 and was made with cobblestone streets and old buildings. Today the area has gotten a bit of a revival so you will see a good mix of modern attractions and historic charm that draws in most travelers visiting Vancouver.

• Why Visit Gastown?

Aside from its historic significance, Gastown is a great place to visit thanks to its historical significance and hipster coffee shops. It is also ahead of the fashion scene, so trendy clothing stores are abundant and you can definitely find a hip new outfit if you want to do some shopping!

• What to Do in Gastown

Gastown is home to many landmarks that you won’t want to miss out on seeing. The Gastown Steam Clock is one of the most famous landmarks in the area, but there are some really great First Nations art galleries worth checking out as well. Take a walking tour of the neighborhood if you want to learn more about its history, or go on your own food tour by visiting the different pubs and restaurants in the area!

Kitsilano

Kitsilano, sometimes referred to as “Kits,” was previously the hippie area of Vancouver back in the 1960s, but now it is home to upscale families living in waterfront houses. It is a lively place in the summer with yoga studios and markets opening up in its streets and inviting people to spend time outdoors.

• Why Visit Kitsilano?

This is the place to go if you want to have a laid-back afternoon at the beach or discover some of the latest fashion trends. You will find quite a few things to keep you busy outside, as well as fantastic shopping and dining opportunities!

• What to Do in Kitsilano

The main star of this Vancouver neighborhood is Kits Beach, the top beach in the whole city. Not only can you swim in the pristine waters of the ocean, but the area is also home to the Kitsilano Pool which is heated, filled with salt water, and has waterslides that you can slide down. In the heart of the neighborhood is 4th Avenue, one of the top destinations for bars, restaurants, and stores in the entire city.

West End

The West End is a neighborhood found in Downtown Vancouver and it was actually the first upscale neighborhood of the city back in the 1890s. Today, you will find mostly high-rise apartments and buildings with some nice parks and greenspaces in between.

• Why Visit the West End?

If you are a foodie then you will certainly enjoy your time in the West End since it is home to lots of bars and restaurants. This neighborhood also houses Davie Village which is a meetup spot for the local LGBTQ+ community.

• What to Do in the West End

Davie Village is a great spot to start when you are exploring the West End, and it is a really inclusive space where you can find friendly people and a welcoming atmosphere with colorful banners and rainbow crosswalks. Other places worth checking out in the West End include English Bay Beach and Stanley Park. Looking for some retail therapy? Check out Robson Street.

Chinatown

Vancouver’s Chinatown is located just southeast of Gastown, as mentioned above. The first people to live in this part of the city were immigrants who traveled here to build the Canadian Pacific Railway, and today it is still one of the best spots to go to experience their culture and see a different side of Vancouver.

• Why Visit Chinatown?

This area is actually a National Historic Site and is proudly one of the biggest Chinatowns in the whole world! It still holds onto its original character and personality but is also evolving with trendy restaurants and bars.

• What to Do in Chinatown

Your time in Chinatown should be spent browsing through Asian specialty shops and tasting the local Asian cuisine in their restaurants. Make time to visit the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden and Park which is a beautiful area with ponds with koi fish, picture-perfect walkways and pavilions, as well as trees and stones that were imported from China over a hundred years ago.

Granville

For some of the city’s best food and great entertainment options, head straight for Granville. This place used to be a simple industrial area but was successfully transformed into an urban playground that offers a little bit of everything.

• Why Visit Granville?

Granville is a great place to visit because it has such a wide variety of attractions. Whether you want to go out for a yummy dinner or to see a show at a theater, you can do everything right here in this part of the city.

• What to Do in Granville

One of Granville’s most popular attractions is the Granville Island Public Market which is where you can shop for all kinds of fresh produce, fish, and meats from local farmers. If you are traveling as a family you should check out the Kids Market; it is a two-story space filled with interactive games, toy stores, and play areas. Otherwise, just enjoy walking around the neighborhood and stop by any of the award-winning restaurants or performing arts theaters that catch your eye!

The Many Neighborhoods of Vancouver

One of the best parts about Vancouver is how varied the neighborhoods are. Each place lets you see the city from a different perspective and there is a place suitable for anyone, no matter who you are or what you like to do. Start planning your visit to Vancouver so you can see all of its neighborhoods for yourself!