The best things to do in Gastown are a great reflection of the area’s vagrant past and trendy, sophisticated present.
This historic charm and pioneer spirit make it Vancouver’s answer to New York City’s Lower East Side or London’s Shoreditch.
Here’s what to see in Gastown in Vancouver, living the charm and the grime like a local.
Best Things to Do in Gastown Vancouver
See the Gastown Steam Clock
A must on any Vancouver itinerary, the gold medal of things to do in Gastown goes to this famous landmark.
Built-in 1977 to signify the completion of the Gastown Vancouver revitalization project, the clock steams away every quarter hour.
And what’s that distinctive whistle chime? It’s the Westminster Quarters, the same chime heard at London’s Big Ben.
The clock is on top of a steam grate that is part of Vancouver’s downtown steam heating system.
Take the Lost Souls of Gastown Tour
Take a quick trip back into Vancouver’s gritty past with this unconventional 90-minute walking tour that recounts Gastown’s rough and tumble history.
Equal parts Gothic theatre adventure and walking tour, the Lost Souls of Gastown allows you to visit the neighbourhood’s most important sites while your guide reenacts tales of the vagabonds, beggars, and thieves that once called it home.
Intended for adult audiences, this Gastown tour recounts dramatic personalized tales of boom and bust. From gold rush fever to smallpox outbreaks and the Great Fire of 1886 that nearly destroyed the entire neighbourhood.
Hands down, this is one of the best things to do in Vancouver.
Eat Vancouver’s Best Food
No Vancouver neighbourhood goes to bat for the local food scene like Gastown, so it’s only fitting that one of the most fun things to do in Gastown involves eating.
The area is well known for some of the best restaurants in Vancouver, including:
- L’Abattoir: French-inspired West Coast cuisine.
- St. Lawrence: Classic French with a Quebecois tinge.
- Ask for Luigi: Homestyle Italian to make Nonna proud.
- Moltaqa: Authentic Moroccan food.
- Meat and Bread: Vancouver’s best sandwiches.
For a full list of options, check my post on the best restaurants in Gastown.
Wanna stay local? Check out the Best Hotels in Gastown
The Vancouver Lookout
Located at the top of the Harbour Centre, a 5-minute walk from the Gastown Steamclock, Vancouver Lookout is an observation deck located 553 feet (168 metres) above sea level.
Here you get stunning panoramic views of the North Shore Mountains, The Pacific Ocean and Vancouver’s skyline.
There are also other faves like Stanley Park, the Lions Gate Bridge, and Canada Place.
Take advantage of the interactive displays or even a multi-lingual tour from a knowledgeable local guide to learn more about the city’s past, present and future.
The best part is that admission is valid all day! So you can head up in the morning and return at dusk for the breathtaking views of the sun setting over the Pacific Ocean.
See the Vancouver Police Museum
The Vancouver Police Museum offers an in-depth look at the city’s history of crime and punishment.
Located in the former home of the city’s morgue and coroners court. This one-of-a-kind museum was opened in 1986 to celebrate Vancouver’s centennial and the Expo ’86 World’s Fair.
Operated by the Vancouver Police Historical Society, a non-profit organization, the museum houses over 20,000 objects, photographs, and memorabilia.
Learn about notable historical crimes, the history of forensic science, and the evolution of crime scene investigation techniques. It is undoubtedly a must-see destination for fans of murder, mystery, and intrigue.
Drink Vancouver’s Best Drinks
Of all the things to see in Gastown, the sight locals see most often might be the bottom of a glass. This is because the Gastown area is home to many of Vancouver’s best bars.
I love hitting up the happy hours here, and you’ll usually find me on a stool at:
- The Diamond: Epic hand-crafted cocktail bar at Maple Tree Square
- Guilt and Co: Live music lounge with epic food
- Clough Club: Speakeasy vibe cocktail bar with great bar snacks
- The Irish Heather Shebeen: Great place for whiskey flights and pub grub
- Local Gastown: Craft beer spot that’s great for meeting people
Heading out for drinks? Check out our article on The Best Bars in Gastown.
Walk Around Water Street
Water Street is Gastown’s beating heart.
I recommend embracing your inner sense of spontaneity by spending an afternoon tripping over the area’s signature cobblestone streets.
Named for its close proximity to Burrard Inlet, Water Street contains a wide variety of trendy cafes, independent boutiques, and stylish eateries. These predominantly independent businesses channel the energy of the neighbourhood’s rugged beginnings.
Start your journey at the historic street’s outset, located at 375 Water Street, a short walk from Waterfront Station. Then head East, stopping to check out Gastown’s marquee attraction, the Gastown Steamclock, located at Water and Cambie.
Make sure to time it right and arrive at the top of the hour! You’ll hear the clock play the Westminster Quarters.
Buy Some Unique Souvenirs
Yes, many locals will complain about the cheesy souvenir shops in Gastown. Think stuffed beavers and t-shirts that say Canada, Eh? – but that’s not all that’s there.
Gastown is home to amazing spots for unique First Nations art, like the Coastal Peoples Gallery.
You can also get great British Columbia gem jade at spots like Cavalier (inside the Dominion Building).
Check Out Blood Alley
Blood Alley is said to have received its ominous name from bloodstains left by the numerous butcher shops that formerly called this area home.
The now blood-free alley offers visitors a myriad of unique Vancouver shopping and dining opportunities.
It’s also home to Tacofino: on my list of Vancouver’s top things to eat.
Blood Alley terminates at Carrall Street, the ex-site of the Gassy Jack Statue (which was toppled and removed in 2022) in Maple Tree Square. This area is now the social hub of the neighbourhood that bears his name.
Maple Tree Square is home to numerous bars, restaurants and cocktail lounges that are sure to offer something for every palette.
Take A Gastown Historic Walking Food Tour
A must for foodies, The Gastown Walking Food Tour allows travellers to wander the alleys and streets of Gastown while eating like there’s no tomorrow.
With an improv comedian as your guide, you’ll visit Vancouver and all of Gastown’s major attractions. You’ll learn about the area’s dramatic transformation from its Wild-West outpost beginnings to the sophisticated urbane we see today.
The tastings vary by season. But typically, they’ll include beer-battered fish and chips, hand-made chocolates and the best cheesecake in the city!
All washed down with a sampling of local wines and craft beers!
Vancouver Highlights Bike Tour
Discovering the beauty and culture of Vancouver while getting a little exercise is always good
The Vancouver Highlights Bike Tour allows you to cycle the city’s main attractions. You’ll use the famous Vancouver Seawall and a variety of dedicated bike lanes as a conduit to explore.
It starts with a trip to Stanley Park. Then you and your new friends will take a quick ride along the Seawall before jumping on an Aquabus to Granville Island to explore the market.
Once you’ve had a nice lunch (not included), it’s back onto the Seawall through Olympic Village towards Chinatown. Here, you’ll visit the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Garden.
It ends in Gastown, where you’ll learn the origins of the city.
Gastown Things to Do Nearby
Chinatown
Canada’s largest Chinatown is located a 10-minute walk from Gastown.
Here you can wander the historic streets, do a little shopping, or sample authentic Chinese cuisine at Chinatown’s best restaurants.
Be sure to check out the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Garden, the largest Chinese scholar garden outside of Asia.
This neighbourhood highlight has been deemed the best urban garden in the world by National Geographic.
Downtown
Downtown is about a 15-20 minute walk or one stop on the Canada Line from Waterfront station.
Here there’s shopping at Pacific Centre or the Robson Strip. You can also get a little culture at the Bill Reid Gallery or the Vancouver Art Gallery.
Looking for parties? The Granville Strip has no shortage of activities on offer.
Stanley Park
Vancouver’s legendary Stanley Park is a 30-minute walk, or a short bike ride from Waterfront Station, along the world-famous Sea Wall.
Get in a little exercise and check out the stunning views of Burrard Inlet, the North Shore Mountains, and downtown Vancouver’s skyline. All while visiting one of the premier urban parks in the world and the home to the Vancouver Aquarium.
Vancouver Gastown How to Visit
1) Visit Gastown’s Famous Steam Clock
Visiting the area’s famed steam clock is one of the best free things to do in Gastown. So, we recommend showing up 10 minutes before the top of the hour.
This will allow you to grab a valuable piece of real estate right next to the clock when it blows its top at the top of the hour.
2) Visit Gastown as Part of a Tour
Numerous walking tours are available while visiting Vancouver, providing additional insight into Gastown’s unique history.
Whether it is a culinary tour, a historical Gastown tour or the popular Vancouver Hop-On Hop-Off Bus, something is bound to be catering to your interests.
3) Check out the Views at the Vancouver Lookout
Vancouver is universally regarded as one of the most beautiful cities on earth. So why not see all of it in one shot?
The Vancouver Lookout is located 553 feet up at Vancouver Lookout at Harbour Centre.
Consequently, it provides some of the most stunning views in the city. You’ll receive panoramic 360° views of the Vancouver skyline, the Pacific Ocean and the North Shore Mountains.
4) Stay safe
Many people wonder if Gastown Vancouver is safe. While it is considered a safe area, it is located next to the Downtown Eastside (DTES). Unfortunately, the DTES has considerable poverty, homelessness, and drug addiction that occasionally spill into Gastown.
Despite its gritty appearance, we don’t find the DTES dangerous. However, visitors without local knowledge are recommended to heed the following instructions;
- Avoid going east of Columbia Street while in Gastown except along Alexander Street
- Avoid Hastings east of Abbott Street
5) Pair Gastown With a Trip to Chinatown
Canada’s largest Chinatown is located a mere 15-minute walk away. So many visitors choose to visit the two historic neighbourhoods together.
However, keeping the last point about the DTES in mind, if you intend to walk between Gastown and Chinatown, we recommend using the following route;
- Walk South on Cambie Street (away from the mountains) for two blocks until you reach W. Pender Street.
- You can then follow Pender East for two blocks until you find the Millennium Gate, which signifies your entrance to Chinatown.
- Continue East on Pender Street into the heart of the neighbourhood.
Vancouver Gastown History
Located on the South shore of Burrard Inlet, Gastown was the home to the first settlement in what would come to be known as the City of Vancouver.
In its infancy, the area housed the Hastings Mill Sawmill and was the Western terminus of the Canadian Pacific Railway.
The neighbourhood received its name from “Gassy Jack” Deighton, a Yorkshire seaman, miner, and steamboat captain who arrived in 1867 to open the Globe Saloon: the area’s first bar.
Initially christened “Gassy Jack” due to his loquacious nature and penchant for storytelling, the name stuck, and the area around the popular saloon was soon dubbed Gastown.
In his honour, a statue of Gassy Jack stood until recently in Gastown’s Maple Tree Square. However, the controversy surrounding colonialism and the true nature of his so-called “loquaciousness” led to its recent removal.
As Vancouver grew in the early 20th century, the city’s centre gradually shifted West towards Granville Street. This led Gastown to a slow decline, which was further compounded by the Great Recession.
As a result, Gastown became the city’s skid row, housing a variety of cheap beer parlours, brothels, and low-end hotels.
? Big on beer? Check out the best brewery tours in Vancouver.
The Revitalization of Gastown
In the 1960s, Vancouver Mayor Tom Campbell hatched a plan to develop a major freeway along the city’s waterfront.
Construction of the proposed development would have required the complete demolition of Gastown, Chinatown, and Strathcona.
Enter a grassroots citizen initiative led by business owners, Chinatown residents, and members of the city’s nascent hippy movement.
Because of this determination, downtown Vancouver’s two most historic neighbourhoods remain intact for visitors like you to enjoy today!
After the proposal’s defeat, the government invested in a revitalization campaign that restored Gastown Vancouver’s historic buildings. This also attracted a variety of new businesses to the area.
The culmination of this revitalization project was the 1977 installation of the neighbourhood’s most famous landmark: the Gastown Steam Clock.
Today it’s one of the top things to do in Gastown.
What is Gastown Like Today
Gastown Vancouver has dramatically transformed from its rugged beginnings as a pioneer outpost in the late 19th century.
It is now home to trendy cafes, fashionable art galleries and swanky eateries that rank amongst the best in the country. In addition to being one of Vancouver’s busiest nightlife districts, the area has also become the centre of the area’s booming tourist trade.
Gentrification has also led to a demographic shift among the neighbourhood’s residents. You’ll now encounter increasing numbers of young urban professionals moving into the area’s new upscale condominiums and apartments.
If Gassy Jack were to take a stroll through Gastown today, he’d likely think he’d had one too many whiskies!
Looking for Things to Do in Gastown?
I’ve dusted off what to see in Gastown Vancouver. So, maybe you’re an expert – but maybe I missed something.
Is there anything else you need to know about the best things to do in Gastown? Or how about Vancouver in general? Well, don’t be afraid to ask me in the comments below.
Safe travels?
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