City: Downtown
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10 Sights & Landmarks in Downtown That You Shouldn't Miss
Vancouver was founded as “Gastown” by an Englishman with a penchant for beer and storytelling. Today Gastown is a historic section of the Canadian metropolis, and the lively pubs still reflect the area’s former status as a sort of community drinking center. The city’s forests, grand parks, and impressive suspension bridge beckon travelers to explore them, as do the city’s shops and museums. Relive the glory of the 2010 Winter Games with visits to Olympic venues and the marvelous Olympic Cauldron.
Restaurants in Vancouver
1. Cathedral of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 193 reviews
This downtown gothic-style cathedral is known for its beautiful set of bells.
Reviewed By almeidaalex - Sao Paulo, Brazil
The church is near of Granville Station, a beautiful building and a peaceful place to connect with God!
2. Christ Church Cathedral
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 124 reviews
This gothic-style cathedral has 29 beautiful stained glass windows.
Reviewed By ian_dempster - Wigan, United Kingdom
This cathedral was built by shipbuilders and the roof inside looks like the hull of a ship. Cathedral as some beautiful stained glass windows.
3. Roger Neilson Statue
4. Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 41 reviews
Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre is located in Yaletown on Pacific Blvd between Davie and Drake. Open 7 days a week (except statutory holidays) and always hopping: courses and programs for all ages, a black box theatre, galleries, an exhibition hall, and the restored historic steam engine, Engine 374.
Reviewed By crosis - Whanganui, New Zealand
This locomotive is a beautiful example of the steam age. Being located at the roundhouse was smart thinking by the creators of the exhibit as this is the old turntable for the railway. The roundhouse is fairly central and just near the hop-on hop-off bus stop The train was the first scheduled train to cross Canada from sea to sea. The locomotive was donated to the City of Vancouver as a memento.In fact it is such a beautiful attraction it should really merit its own TripAdvisor listing in my opinion. I visited 374 the day before heading off on the Rocky Mountaineer and was a nice substitute as I was still kicking myself for missing the railway museum at Squamish that I had been so near the day before without realising. Run by very enthusiastic, very knowledgeable and very friendly volunteers, this is a great place to visit and to see a loco close up. It is free to see and you can climb on board. I happily made a (very optional - no pressure to do so) donation on the day to support the friendly and informative team who are all volunteers and just passionate about their train and Canada's railway history.
5. B.C. Place Stadium
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 564 reviews
BC Place is the largest sports, exhibition and entertainment venue of its kind in British Columbia, hosting the province’s most notable events including the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games. An all-new BC Place reopened in September 2011 after completing a major revitalization that included the installation of the largest cable-supported retractable roof of its kind in the world. BC Place has a seating capacity of 54,500. Today, BC Place is home to Vancouver Whitecaps FC, the BC Lions Football Club and the BC Sports Hall of Fame. BC Place is an important generator of economic activity in British Columbia, hosting world-class entertainment events, professional and amateur sport, community gatherings and exhibitions.
Reviewed By KeithR75 - Greendale, United States
We were fortunate enough to attend the HSBC World Series of Rugby at the BC Place Stadium. The event was outstanding and a pleasant mixture of sport and festival. It was like attending the World Cup and Mardi Gras in one weekend.
6. Vancouver Lookout
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,335 reviews
Your Vancouver sightseeing experience starts at the Vancouver Lookout!!! Where else can you enjoy a 360-degree aerial view of Vancouver, "the most beautiful city in the world"? Your adventure starts with a 40-second glass elevator ride, whisking you 170metres (450ft) skyward to our panoramic observation deck. Enjoy views of cosmopolitan Vancouver, historic Gastown and bustling Coal Harbour. Past. Present. Future. Our multi-lingual team provide complimentary guided tours with fascinating facts about Vancouver's history, infrastructure, local community, current trends and future expansion. Our iconic Vancouver attraction tops the Harbour Centre complex, a recognizable landmark in the heart of downtown.
Reviewed By Sami473 - Kuwait, null
Vancouver look out is almost 550 ft high observation tower right in the heart of the Downtown. Ists location is fantastic as it is near coal harbour in the old Gas town. The humming sound of downtown you can feel while coming from Robson street to port side. The journey starts from the elevator and you go up to observe a 360 degree view of the city. More you can enjoy to go more up in the revolving restaurant and enjoy meal revolving and seeing the beautiful city.
7. Vancouver Downtown
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6,555 reviews
More residential than business.
Reviewed By kathybK5890JG - Tucson, United States
If you are even a moderate-ability walker, you will be able to visit many interesting sections of the city on foot. We stayed at the Georgian Court Hotel on Beatty Street, and it was 2.5 easy miles up Robson Street, a terrific shopping district, to Stanley Park with the horse-drawn carriage tours and aquarium. That's about as far as you need to go -- the Vancouver Lookout, Gastown with its steam clock and shoppes, and Chinatown and sports venues are all closer in. There are literally hundreds of restaurants on your doorstep. If you get tired, stop at any of the many sidewalk cafes that sell bubble tea, an oddly tasty concoction of a milk and flavor combination (your choice of flavors) that has some sort of gastronomical "bubbles" on the bottom that you drink up through a wide straw. Or there is a Starbucks every third block.
8. Library Square
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 269 reviews
Reviewed By on_the_go_98765
It was completed in 1995 (pretty close to 2000) and fulfilled the architect's design mission of creating a multi-use hybrid structure combining retail, dining, an atrium, entertainment, and (of course) a library (but not in the traditional sense). The library is a 9-floor structure with a roof-top garden. This was (and is) a highly innovative approach to public spaces; it is practical but still remains inspiring. We found the best view of the crumbling coliseum from across the street, down an alley. The outside walls, as well as the color, evoke ancient Rome's influence. We stopped on every floor, did some exploring, appreciated that there were places for people to bring their lunch and eat in spaces designed for that purpose, and had children's areas for postcard making. In the days of ancient Rome, the coliseum was built for the people and today, so too, is his treasure of a building (and its atrium-covered interior mall space). This unique design is a real head-turner!
9. Marine Building
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 458 reviews
Reviewed By APP06 - Cambridge, United Kingdom
With so many new highrise buildings going up in Downtown Vancouver you could be forgiven for missing this architectural gem. In fact we nearly did but we were drawn by the impressive entrance (see photo) containing such intricate detail. Once there we read the informative plaque and then went inside to be greeted by a most impressive Art Deco interior. Completed just before major recession hit there is so much impressive detail inside the building including the airy windows and the lifts. We spent a pleasant 20 minutes or so looking around and there is no charge so why not have a look? A pleasant oasis of Old Vancouver amidst so much of the new!
10. Engine 374 Pavilion
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 9 reviews
The Engine 374 Pavilion houses CPR Locomotive No. 374 which arrived in Vancouver in 1888, hauling the first transcontinental passenger train in Canada. The Pavilion is free to the public and open 7 days a week, 10am-4pm in summer and 11am-3pm in winter.
