What to do and see in British Columbia, British Columbia: The Best Neighborhoods

April 11, 2022 Myesha Cogley

Discover the best top things to do in British Columbia, British Columbia including Granville Island, The West Side, Vancouver Downtown, Strathcona, Harbour Quay, Ogden Point Terminal & Breakwater, Downtown Courtenay, Chinatown, Gastown, Yaletown.
Restaurants in British Columbia

1. Granville Island

Vancouver, British Columbia V6H 3S3 Canada +1 604-666-6655 [email protected] http://granvilleisland.com/
Excellent
55%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 19,545 reviews

Granville Island

Former industrial site has been transformed into an artsy, posh neighborhood with quaint shops, cafes and bookstores.

Reviewed By 643darenr - Burnham-On-Sea, United Kingdom

This was somewhere where we wanted to visit on our last trip but never made it. But glad we took the time on this trip and spend a very sunny Sunday afternoon on the Island. The public market is amazing, the sights, smells and colours are breathtaking selling everything from fruit and veg (all expertly displayed), to flowers, soaps, local crafts and the dessert counters WOW AMAZING. The food court area did get extremely busy but we were able to find a seat - the Chinese food counter was our preferred meal option and it was delicious, with us opting for the Lemon Chicken and the Honey Garlic pork. The food was that good that we actually visited again the following week. There are lots of other places to visit around the market, with shops and amazing houseboats + I believe there was a childrens play area. We then used one of the aqua buses to get a different view of the area back to Plaza of Nations. I would highly recommend Granville Market if you are in Vancouver

2. The West Side

Point Grey, Vancouver, British Columbia Canada
Excellent
43%
Good
50%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 14 reviews

The West Side

Shopping district known for its interesting upscale specialty stores.

3. Vancouver Downtown

Vancouver, British Columbia Canada
Excellent
55%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 6,555 reviews

Vancouver Downtown

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.

4. Strathcona

Hastings Street, Vancouver, British Columbia Canada
Excellent
50%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
25%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 4 reviews

Strathcona

5. Harbour Quay

Argyle St. and Harbour Road, Port Alberni, British Columbia Canada +1 250-723-1376 http://www.alberniheritage.com
Excellent
39%
Good
47%
Satisfactory
13%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 119 reviews

Harbour Quay

Reviewed By JennC1212 - Calgary, Canada

I come down every year to sit and relax and shop. Enjoy an ice cream and people watch. Pop up markets and some brick and mortar shops.

6. Ogden Point Terminal & Breakwater

Dallas Rd, Victoria, British Columbia Canada +1 250-383-8300 [email protected] http://www.gvha.ca/ogden-point-terminal
Excellent
57%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 910 reviews

Ogden Point Terminal & Breakwater

Reviewed By 600raynad

I walked the breakwater Easter weekend and it was lovely. Very cool. There is scuba diving available on the break water as well. Wish there was a garbage can/ Recycling at some point on the breakwater. The breakwater restaurant had coffee to go by donation which was nice.

7. Downtown Courtenay

Courtenay, British Columbia Canada http://www.downtowncourtenay.com/
Excellent
48%
Good
38%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 127 reviews

Downtown Courtenay

Reviewed By carolleeg856 - Sherwood Park, Canada

I always love the downtown area. I love the unique shops and places to eat. It's clean and since it's built on a hill, you get a leg workout.

8. Chinatown

Fisgard St., Victoria, British Columbia Canada http://chinatown.library.uvic.ca
Excellent
24%
Good
38%
Satisfactory
29%
Poor
7%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 1,054 reviews

Chinatown

Canada's oldest Chinatown is characterized by narrow, winding streets and lots of little shops and restaurants.

Reviewed By sharedvision - San Miguel de Allende, Mexico

Chinatown in Victoria is located on Fishgard Street between Government and Store Streets..It features many historic buildings with businesses providing artistic goods and products which provide tourist attractions, restaurants, grocery stores and other services.. our favorite place to visit is the Silk Road Tea Shop.. this Chinatown Has been designated A National Historic Site In Canada..just walking the area is an adventure...

9. Gastown

Waterfront between Granville and Main Sts. North of Hastings St., Vancouver, British Columbia V6B 2K7 Canada +1 604-683-5650 [email protected] http://www.gastown.org/
Excellent
38%
Good
40%
Satisfactory
17%
Poor
4%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 5,986 reviews

Gastown

The oldest commercial district in Vancouver, best known for its beautiful Victorian-style architecture.

Reviewed By CanadaAllan2019

Love the architectural designs and age period of the buildings and speciality shops in the Gastown area, which is accessible by the hop on hop off bus tours from Canada Place and the steam clock is impressive.

10. Yaletown

200-1226 Hamilton St, Vancouver, British Columbia V6B 2S8 Canada +1 604-683-7473 [email protected] http://www.yaletowninfo.com
Excellent
37%
Good
42%
Satisfactory
17%
Poor
3%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 650 reviews

Yaletown

Heritage meets modern describes the historic district of Yaletown. Yaletown provides the serenity of an oceanfront seawall, along with the largest selection of trendy patios and award winning boutiques. As a great escape within the big city, Yaletown offers an opportunity to explore acclaimed restaurants and eclectic shops set along heritage brick walkways with free area WiFi (#YaletownFree). Originally the 1886 western terminus of the Canadian Pacific Railway, today the warehouse district of Yaletown is both vibrant and walkable, making the gleaming residential towers surrounding the area some of the most coveted in the city.

Reviewed By tonyl255 - Vancouver, Canada

Yaletown is one of the Chicest neighborhood with down town Vancouver , a lot young people live here ,fun , hip place , ,fine dinning restaurants all around the area ,many out door terraces ,lot of old building ,Yaletown is bordered between Homer Street ,Robson Street and Flase Creak ,short walking distance to sea walk ,where great place for walking and Cycling ,also the David Lam Park , for family fun ,of course the B.C place ,Rogers arena ,and the 24 hours Casino ,lovely Parq hotel ,well unique shopping for fashion and boutiques ,

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