CTW Explores
Vancouver
Country: Canada Language: English Currency: Canadian Dollar ($)
Vancouver is British Columbia’s largest city and the third largest city in Canada. It is a charming metropolis that seems to perfectly combine history and modern architecture. It is full of culture, as it is home to some amazing craft brewers and distillers, making the food and drink scene unbeatable.
CTW Must See
Gastown
Gastown is Vancouver’s oldest neighborhood. In 1867, “Gassy” Jack Deighton arrived and opened the first saloon. From there, a sawmill and seaport were added to the area, making it a popular downtown area for trade. Today, it stands as a National Historic Landmark. It features historic Victorian style architecture, cobblestones, and old light posts with some of the city’s most trendy shops and cafes. Gastown’s main feature is its iconic Steam Clock. The Steam Clock was designed by Raymond L. Saunders in 1977 and stands as the ‘world’s first steam powered clock’.
Vancouver Lookout
From the Steam Clock, you’ll be able to see the Harbour Centre Tower not too far away. This skyscraper is one of the tallest buildings in Vancouver, making it the ‘Vancouver Lookout Tower.’ The top deck offers 360-degree views of the city and the scenery surrounding it.
Canada Place
Canada Place is a national landmark and a memorial structure. Its tall white sails stand 81.5 meters (267 feet) high; it holds five horns called The Heritage Horns. Every day at noon, the horns play the first four notes of Canada’s national anthem, O Canada. The building operates as a convention center, a hotel, a cruise ship terminal, and as the Vancouver World Trade Center.
Digital Orca
The Digital Orca sculpture was designed by Douglas Coupland in 2009. The sculpture represents ‘changes reshaping the economy of BC,’ and allows visitors to travel between the past and the future. The Digital Orcra is made of aluminum and stainless steel and its pixelated appearance provides a unique perspective.
Bill Reid Gallery
The Bill Reid Gallery is named after the renowned Canadian Haida artist, Bill Reid. The gallery features a Bill Reid Collection, as well as special contemporary exhibits displaying Indigenous Art of the Northwest Coast. Some of its works include sculptures, a traditional totem pole and silver and gold jewelry.
Vancouver Art Gallery
The Vancouver Art Gallery is the fifth largest art gallery in Canada. It holds a collection of more than 10,000. The building itself was built in 1906 and designed to be a provincial courthouse. The works of art within the gallery are made up of European and North American artists, contemporary art from Asia, and Indigenous Art from British Columbia.
Library Square
Library Square holds the Vancouver Public Library (VPL). The library was established in 1869, and now has 9.5 million items, including books, ebooks, biographies, CDs, DVDs, magazines and more. VPL is one of the top three library systems in the country by size, and has nearly 7 million visitors yearly.
Science World
Science World is a science centre near False Creek. It is a hands-on interactive science museum featuring interactive displays, ever-changing exhibits, a large cinema, and various galleries designed for all ages. Some of the galleries include a BodyWorks Gallery, promoting positive messages about the body, while teaching visitors to understand their bodies better; a Puzzles and Illusions Gallery, where illusions surround you; and a TD Environmental Trail, helping visitors understand how their actions affect our world. Plan to spend a day exploring Science World as it is only a short train ride from downtown Vancouver with a lot of exhibits to explore.
Granville Island
Granville Island is a small shopping peninsula near downtown Vancouver. It was once an industrial manufacturing area but it is now a very popular spot for tourism and entertainment; it holds 275 businesses and facilities! Granville Island features a large public market with plenty of local produce and food vendors to choose from. It is also home to some great breweries and distilleries, making it the perfect place to watch the sunset with a nice drink!
Museum of Anthropology
The Museum of Anthropology features an array of art from the Northwest Coast First Nations and all around the world. It has a collection of objects from around the world, including over 535,000 archaeological objects and 38,000 ethnographic objects. A walk inside the museum will bring you up close to thousands of textiles, ceramics, sculptures, and more. It is located near the University of British Columbia, just 20 minutes outside downtown Vancouver.
Vancouver Island
Vancouver Island is a gorgeous island in the northeastern Pacific Ocean. It is the largest island on the west coast of North America and features extraordinary landscapes, fine dining, amazing craft distilleries, and a plethora of fresh, local produce. Vancouver Island is a short boat ride from Vancouver, making it a perfect one or two day stop on your Canadian trip!
More Canadian Adventures...
If you loved Vancouver, then these other Canadian destinations could be your next adventure!
