Overview
Gastown is Vancouver's original neighborhood, named after 'Gassy Jack' Deighton who opened a saloon here in 1867. Cobblestone streets lined with red-brick Victorian buildings now host boutique hotels, trendy restaurants, designer shops, and galleries - one of Vancouver's hottest districts. The Steam Clock at the corner of Water and Cambie streets, installed in 1977, was the world's first steam-powered clock and chimes with a steamy show every 15 minutes. Free. A 5-minute walk from downtown or 3 minutes from Waterfront station.
Opening Hours
24 hours (shops 10:00-21:00; steam clock 24 hours)
Travel Tips
Time your visit for the top or quarter hour to catch the steam clock. Evenings are great for cocktail bars and atmospheric restaurants.
Hotels near Gastown
Hotels and guesthouses in Vancouver, Gastown, Vancouver
Other attractions in Vancouver
Stanley Park
A massive 405-hectare downtown park famous for its Seawall promenade and totem poles.
Capilano Suspension Bridge
A thrilling 140m-long suspension bridge 70m above an old-growth forest.
Granville Island
Vancouver's cultural hub, packed with artisan studios and a fresh produce market.
Grouse Mountain
A North Vancouver mountain resort - take the gondola up for Vancouver views, skiing, and grizzly bears.
English Bay Beach
A popular downtown beach famed for sunsets and as the venue for the August Celebration of Light fireworks festival.
Vancouver Aquarium
Canada's largest aquarium, inside Stanley Park - home to over 70,000 marine animals including sea otters, beluga whales, and penguins.
Vancouver Lookout
A 168m observation deck at Harbour Centre with sweeping 360-degree views of Vancouver.