City: Downtown
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What to do and see in Downtown, Canada: The Best Traveler Resources
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. Vancouver Public Library (Central Library Branch)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,283 reviews
A striking modern building contains over 130 photo albums on the history of the city.
Reviewed By PookyCake - Victoria, Canada
The Vancouver Public Library (Central Branch) is an architectural marvel. Completed in 1995, this snazzy postmodern structure represents everything a good book emporium should be: It is stylish yet practical in design and execution; it is well maintained by the on-site staff; it is well stocked in books and reference materials (1.3 million texts and counting); it is multi purpose; and it is pleasing to both the eye and the soul. Moshe Safdie’s unique design is surely the first thing that catches everybody’s eye. Designed to resemble the Colosseum in Rome, the Vancouver Public Library (VPL) is able to bring together classical and contemporary elements into a beautiful architectural gestalt. The building’s exterior harkens back to the ancients while its interior – part of Library Square – looks towards the moderns and the future. In this way, the VPL is able to function as an important emporium of knowledge while always being cognizant of the fact that the future is fluid, always moving. The VPL’s internal glass façade exemplifies this in a very apt way. It is lively, yes, but it also allows for vita contemplativa. It is only once you enter the actual library that you realize the leviathan you’ve stepped into. At 9 levels and well over a million books and resources, the VPL is a definite monolith of knowledge. It is also one that I’ve made use of a fair amount over the years. When I was doing my Masters Degree research, the VPL infrequently figured into my research time. I’d use the computer room, access the library stacks, sit, read and take notes. Later, even after I’d finished my degree, I’d still visit the VPL to calm and relax my mind. There’s been more than one occasion where I’ve come in during late morning, found a classic book (Robertson Davies’ “Question Time” or Robin Mathews’ “Air 7,” for example), and read it from cover to cover before leaving. I’ve just found the VPL to be an oasis of calm in the heart of our bustling City of Glass. Of course, the VPL is much more than just a library. It is a multi-purpose venue. Here, you can hold meetings, chat with friends, browse the web, borrow musical instruments, partake in artistic modes of expression in Library Square, dine and, yes, even enjoy the cityscape of Vancouver amongst the plants on the VPL’s rooftop garden (opened in 2018). While I’ve only visited the garden once, it proved to be a serene space that offered beautiful contrasts: Urban and rural; traditional and postmodern. Taken together, each of these elements make for an experience just as unique as the city itself. Architecture, history, technology, and the arts combine to show us why the Vancouver Public Library (Central Branch) is more than the sum of its parts. It also demonstrates why I, and many others, return time and again.
2. Canada Place
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,706 reviews
Waterfront complex containing hotels, a cruise ship terminal and an IMAX theater.
Reviewed By diannes40
We came into this area from our cruise ship and found it to be huge but not crowded despite the number of people moving about. We were delighted that we didn't even need to go outside with our luggage since we were staying at the Pan Pacific in part of the complex. There are great views and lots of activity and restaurants and it is close to the convention center (with its grass on top of the roof) and the waterfront walkway.
3. Tourism Vancouver Visitor Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 340 reviews
The Visitor Centre is your one stop shop. Our professional, multilingual, highly trained staff can help you make the most of your Vancouver experience and plan your journeys into British Columbia and beyond. We are open year-round via email, live chat, and over the phone.
Reviewed By beegal - Iowa City, United States
The staff is incredibly helpful with supplying maps, brochures, suggestions, transportation hints and more (discount tickets to various sites, including the Vancouver Lookout). We spent at least 45 minutes getting the information we needed for our 6-day visit. Highly recommend stopping here!
4. Vancouver Convention Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 750 reviews
Located on the downtown waterfront with a dramatic mountain backdrop, the Vancouver Convention Centre’s two connected buildings feature 466,500 ft2 (43,340 m2) of flexible meeting, exhibition, ballroom and plenary space. As the world’s only LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Platinum certified convention centre, the facility is committed to environmental sustainability as well as unparalleled service, technology offerings and culinary excellence. Recognized globally in the industry, the Centre is the only two-time winner of the International Association of Congress Centres’ (AIPC) APEX award for “World’s Best Convention Centre”, and the recipient of the AIPC 2011Innovation Award and International Association of Venue Managers’ 2011 Venue Excellence Award.
Reviewed By linadouglas - Vancouver, Canada
It is always such a trill to go to the Vancouver Convention Center! Right in the middle of Downtown! Beautiful Building with Huge Windows and Amazing Scenery!!!
5. Vancoupon
6. Catfe
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
