Where to Stay in Vancouver: A Neighbourhood Guide

Vancouver, Canada is British Columbia’s urban center. This bustling city sits on the west coast surrounded by mountains, beaches, and ancient forests. And if that wasn’t enough for you, it offers excellent city life. Each Vancouver neighbourhood is unique, each with their own charm so you have plenty of options on where to stay when travelling to Vancity.

Vancouver is almost completely surrounded by water making it quite a compact urban center. Making it very easy to navigate and explore. Most of the time you can walk to your destination. And if you can’t, just hop on a bus, Aquabus or Skytrain to get you where you need to go.

Vancouver is the perfect city to vacation in because it offers you everything you could want. You will be happy wherever you choose to stay in the city. We’re here to help you make the tough decision with our Vancouver neighbourhood guide. We will go over Vancouver’s most well-known and popular areas and lay out the pros and cons of each.

Best Areas to Stay and Visit in Vancouver, BC

If this is your first time visiting Vancouver, make sure to do some research before you go. There is so much to do and see in Vancity you won’t want to miss a thing. For a more thorough guide to Vancouver and its’ surrounding areas check out these awesome travel guides:

• Lonely Planet Vancouver
• The Glorious Mountains of Vancouver’s North Shore
• Best Hikes Near Vancouver

West End AKA ‘Best End’

The West End has it all. Here you are sandwiched between nature and city life as it is only steps away from Vancouver’s famous Stanley Park and the action of downtown.

Officially, this Vancouver neighbourhood covers the area west of Burrard Street, east of Denman Street, and south of West Georgia Street.

It is home to the LGBTQ heart of Vancouver and is known for its gay bars and rainbow coloured streets in Davie Village.

You will also find endless local restaurants serving up every type of cuisine you can imagine. Or grab a quick snack at one of the many food trucks in this area.

A major downside to staying in the West End is that your accommodation will be expensive. Due to its prime location, you will have to pay. It is also part of the downtown core so you can expect loads of traffic, crowds and loud nightlife.

Top Things to do in West End, Vancouver

Visit the Beaches: The southwest side of the West End sits along English Bay which has two unbelievable beaches. Sunset Beach and English Bay are extremely popular hangout spots. You will also see many of Vancouver’s Festivals taking place on these beaches and surrounding streets. The most noteworthy being 420, Vancouver Pride and the Celebration of lights.

Go Shopping: West End has Vancouver’s best shopping available. You will find all the most popular stores on Robson Street. And all of your high-end stores and hotels are along Alberni Street.

Go to Stanley Park: A no brainer. You can’t visit Vancouver without walking through this 400-hectare natural west coast rainforest. Stanley Park also has an 8.8-kilometre seawall that wraps around the entire park, allowing you to walk, rollerblade or cycle along the water with views of the downtown area and the mountains to the North.

Hy’s Steak House: If you are looking for the ultimate dinner out, you have to visit Hy’s. It offers the most authentic steak house experience you could ever dream of. It is known for its theatre of tableside service, respect for classic recipes, and impeccable service. Not to mention the drop dead gorgeous dining room of rich wood and stone. It’s pricy. But it’s worth it. And it’s our favourite restaurant in Vancouver.

Want to travel but have no money? Check out our posts on budget travel:

• ‘How to Travel the World for Free’
• ‘How to Find Budget Accommodation and Lodging Anywhere in the World’
• ‘Things to do for Free While Traveling’
• ‘How to Maintain Your Food Budget While Traveling’

Downtown Vancouver

Vancouver has an extremely lively and eclectic downtown city center. It’s a mix of low end and high end businesses, and people. Prepare to be exposed to it all.

The Downtown Vancouver neighbourhood is considered to be its own neighbourhood. Its borders are the Burrard Inlet to the north, the West End to the west, False Creek to the south, and the Downtown Eastside to the east.

But the heart of Downtown Vancouver is Granville Street. This street is the center of the downtown area and stretches along the length of the downtown core from north to south. It is the hub of all things nightlife, shopping, dining, hotels, and office towers.

One of the coolest things they do is shut off Granville Street to traffic on weekend evenings. The street is taken over by bar hoppers and nightlife. It becomes a neon-lit spectacle akin to Las Vegas.

The downside to staying in this Vancouver neighbourhood is that it will be loud, busy, dirty and a little sketchy in certain spots where drug dealers and the homeless gather. It is also extremely expensive due to it’s proximity to the action.

Top Things to do in Downtown Vancouver:

Cheap Restaurants on Granville Street: Granville Street is loaded with restaurants and there are tons of cheap options here. These are also some of our favourite restaurants in the city. Check out The Famous Warehouse for an entire menu of $5.95 meals, or The Pawn Shop for cheap tacos, killer nachos and all the tequila.

For a full list of the best and most delicious cheap eats in Vancity, check out our post “Best Budget Restaurants in Vancouver”.

Party at The Roxy: If you are anything like us and want to avoid the stuffy club scene at all costs, check out The Roxy. This iconic bar is packed every night of the week, always has great live music on stage, and attracts a more down to earth crowd. For country music fans, check out their country nights every Sunday.

Sip Cocktails at Prohibition: To experience the fanciest cocktail of your life, a visit to The Prohibition at Hotel Georgia is a must! In true prohibition style, the bar is unmarked, tucked away in the basement and super dark to create an ominous mood. Try out their absinthe experience for a truly unique night.

Knock Down Some Pins at Commodore Bowling: Walking along Granville Street, you can easily miss Commodore Bowling and Billiards. This basement bowling alley was opened in the 1930s and has seemingly been untouched since then. This is a truly authentic retro bowling alley with a seriousl cool vibe.

Watch Seaplanes and Cruise Liners at Canada Place: Take a walk up to Canada Place along the waterfront on Vancouver Harbour. You will see cruise ships and seaplanes arriving and departing daily. And you get a sick view of the North Shore Mountains from here (bring your camera!). It’s a lovely place to spend some time and get a true sense of what Vancouver is all about.

Get a 360-degree View of the City: Head over to the Vancouver Lookout to get the best 360-degree view of the entire city and its surrounding mountains. The 553-foot high panoramic observation deck is seriously impressive.

Are you planning your next vacation? Let us help make your next trip go smoothly with our travel planning posts:

• ‘Travel Planning Resources: How to Learn About Your Destination’
• ’10 Essential Items you Need for Long Travel Days’
• ‘How to Stay Safe While Traveling: 30 Tips That Could Save Your Life’
• ‘How to Save Money Every Day so You Can Travel More’

Gastown

Gastown may be super touristy but we think it is one of the cutest darn neighbourhoods Vancouver has. Especially at night.

This Vancouver neighbourhood lies along the north of the downtown area from Richards east to Main Street, and south to Hastings Street.

Gastown is Vancouver’s most famous neighbourhood and the city’s first downtown core. And its cobblestone streets and illuminated nights are extremely charming.

The areas vibe started way back when “Gassy” Jack Deighton, a steamboat captain and barkeep, arrived in 1867 to open the neighbourhoods first saloon.

The neighbourhood is also known for beautifully decorated high-end boutiques and highly acclaimed restaurants.

This is a very touristy area of Vancouver. It is where you’ll find the most souvenir shops per city block. And you can expect crowds, loud nightlife and high prices in this Vancouver neighbourhood.

Gastown is also right beside Downtown Eastside which has the highest rate of drug use, poverty, prostitution, and homelessness in the country. The area is roughly a six-block length of Hastings and Cordova Streets, between Cambie Street and Jackson Avenue. It is an area to avoid as a tourist and much of this area can spill over into Gastown.

Make sure you travel to Vancouver like a PRO with our ‘Top 5 Must-Have Items‘ for the city with endless views, and endless rain 😉

• J-Pillow Travel Pillow – Our FAVOURITE Travel Pillow
• Sony Noise Cancelling Headphones – The best budget headphones on the market (for noisy flights and public transportation)
• Repel Windproof Travel Umbrella – Compact, lightweight and durable
• Hunter Rain Boots – Are you even in Vancouver if you don’t have rainboots? 🤔
• Fugetek Selfie Stick – For the many Instagrammable Vancity spots.

Top Things to do in Gastown Vancouver:

Let off Some Steam: The most famous landmark in Gastown is the steam-powered clock on the corner of Cambie and Water Street. It was built in 1977 to cover a steam grate and is now an Instagram celebrity.

Party at The Blarney Stone: One of Vancouver’s largest and most popular bars is in Gastown – The Blarney Stone. This Irish-style party house is two levels and has killer live music on stage.

Check out Chinatown: Just south of Gastown is Vancouver’s enormous Chinatown, centred on Pender Street. Due to Vancouver’s high Chinese population, it has become Canada’s largest Chinatown. If you are craving authentic Chinese cuisine, head here.

Dine at The Flying Pig: The Flying Pig has multiple locations in Vancouver, but we like the Gastown location best. I am not sure what I love more. The warm and modern atmosphere or the west coast inspired farm-to-table menu. This is one of the best restaurants in the city and you can expect lots of pork centred dishes (Flying Pig, get it?).

Eat Free Wings at The Pint: One of the biggest sports bars in the city also offers the best happy hour going. Every day at The Pint, from 3pm to 6pm you get a free pound of wings when you buy a pint. Want another pint? Get another free pound of wings. And so on.

Devour a Famous Taco at Tacofino: The infamous Tacofino started in the back of a surf shop parking lot in Tofino (Canada’s surf capital). The beauty of this taco has now spread all throughout Vancouver, with a great location in Gastown. Trust us. Try one.

Listen to Jazz: Every summer, in early July, Vancouver hosts an International Jazz Festival. The events are spread throughout 35 venues all over the city but the excitement spills onto the streets of Gastown.

For a complete list of every festival in the city, check out our post “The Most Extraordinary Vancouver Events You Must See”.

Yaletown

Yaletown is another charming area and is Vancouver’s ‘yuppie‘ neighbourhood. There is lots of money to be spent here.

This Vancouver neighbourhood lies along the south side of the downtown core. It is bordered by Homer Street, Robson Street and False Creek.

Yaletown is definitely Vancouver’s trendiest neighbourhood and is known for its dining, nightlife and urban spas. It is a perfect neighbourhood to walk around in and has a distinct look with street after street of converted redbrick warehouses. These warehouses are now stylish restaurants, bars, year-round covered patios and breweries.

Technically Yaletown is part of downtown Vancouver, so you are close to all of the action. It is also located on the Canada Line Skytrain, so you will have no problem getting anywhere you need to go.

The biggest downside in this neighbourhood is the cost. All hotels, Airbnbs and restaurants will be pricier than other areas of the city. You are paying for the trendiness of the area. We think it’s worth it.

Top Things to do in Yaletown Vancouver:

Cheer on the Vancouver Canucks: For all you hockey fans visiting the city, you have to check out a Vancouver Canucks home game in the impressive Rogers Arena. The season begins in October and can grab a seat for as low as $50 ($30 for students).

Eat the Best Sushi in Vancouver: Vancouver is famous for sushi due to our access to all varieties of fresh fish and our large Asain population. But our favourite sushi joint is in Yaletown – Bistro Sakana. During regular hours you can expect to pay top dollar. But their happy hour menu is insane! If you go, promise me you will try their Smoked Saikyo Misozuke (Miso Black Cod).

Enjoy Nature: Yaletown is a waterfront neighbourhood and known for its parks. The seawall runs along the southern parts of Yaletown and connects two of the city’s biggest green spaces: David Lam Park and George Wainborn Park.

Catch an Epic Concert: Vancouver hosts huge names and it is a top stop for the best talents in the music biz. And Yaletown has the biggest concert venues in the city. During your visit check out the event calendars for Rogers Arena, BC Place and Queen Elizabeth Theatre.

Kitsilano AKA “Kits”

Kitsilano, or “Kits” to the locals, is one of the most cherished and loved neighbourhoods in Vancouver.

This Vancouver neighbourhood is bordered by the English Bay waterfront to the north and West 16th Ave to the south; Burrard Street to the east and Alma Street to the west.

Essentially the entire neighbourhood lies along the waterfront and is therefore known for its beaches. Most notably Kitsilano Beach and Jericho Beach.

Kitsilano is also known for its long streets full of shopping and restaurants. And it’s more laid back so you will find more budget-friendly accommodation and restaurants here.

It is also the birthplace of Lululemon. So the area is pretty trendy as well.

There is almost no downside to Kitsilano. And we would suggest it as the best neighbourhood to grab a hotel or Airbnb in. However, it is across the water from the downtown area, so you will have to grab a cab to cross the bridge.

Top Things to do in Kitsilano Vancouver:

Experience the Best Ramen in the City: Ramen is a big deal in Vancouver. You will find a ramen joint on every city block. But Kitsilano has the best one by far. Ramen Danbo has it all – the perfect thin and soft noodles, the all-day simmered and fatty broth, and great choices for toppings. Expect long lines here.

Swim in an Oceanside Pool: One of the most eye-catching spots in this area is the mammoth Kitsilano Pool. This is an outdoor saltwater public pool located right beside Kitsilano Beach. It is perfect to bring your family for the day with lots of space to lounge and picnic around the pool.

Visit Yew Street: Yew Street is our favourite area in Kitsilano. It is only two blocks long but it is super charming, packed full of great restaurants and bars, and is only steps away from Kitsilano Beach. Our top picks here are the Local Public Eatery, a trendy restaurant with a huge patio next to the beach; and Blue Martini Jazz Club, a swanky jazz bar with amazing live entertainment.

Go on a Shopping Spree: Kitsilano is made up of two long and busy streets: West 4th Ave and West Broadway. Both streets have some of the best shopping in the city. You will find loads of chain retail stores and small independent boutiques.

Watch a Sunset at Kits Beach: We are not exaggerating when we say Kitsilano Beach has the best sunsets in the world. Grab your picnic blanket and a bottle of wine and join the locals on the sand. Here you get views of downtown Vancouver where the pink sun reflects off the skyscrapers. And views of the North Shore Mountains as the sun sets behind them.

Take a Stroll Around UBC Campus: Kitsilano sits just east of UBC campus. The campus is situated on the western tip of the Point Grey Peninsula. There is so much to explore here, being 400 hectares in size and surrounded by forest and ocean on every side. Make sure to visit Wreck Beach – one of the largest nude beaches in North America. And you can’t miss hiking through the Pacific Spirit Regional Park – 763 hectares of natural forest preserve with 50 kilometres of trails.

Mount Pleasant

Mount Pleasant holds a special place in our hearts as this is where we called home a few years ago.

Officially the area stretches from Cambie Street to Clark Drive and from Great Northern Way and 2nd, to 16th and Kingsway. But for the sake of the post, we’ll call this Vancouver neighbourhood everywhere east of Kitsilano.

Mount Pleasant covers a large area of Vancouver and is full of hip and happening spots. Here you will find some of Vancouver’s best independent boutique shopping, with eccentric cafes, restaurants, and lounges.

Most notable is the Main Street area – which is very art school chic. Main street is Vancity’s “hipster” neighbourhood. It is full of vibrant and eclectic shops, heritage buildings, and artistic residents.

To the far west of this area, very close to Kitsilano, is Granville Island. An absolute must see in the city. Granville Island sits in the center of Vancouver and is completely surrounded by water (although not a true island). It houses an art university, improv theatres, art shops, restaurants and breweries. And the best market in the city.

Mount Pleasant is a great area to stay as it will have the cheapest options for accommodation. However, it is the furthest from downtown and you will need to grab a cab or Skytrain to reach the action.

Top Things to do in Mount Pleasant Vancouver

Sip a Mai Tai at a Tiki Bar: This is one of the most unique bars in Vancouver. The Shameful Tiki Bar transports you to an exotic world as you walk through a wall of grasses and listen to a live surf band or ukelele player.

Party the Night Away With Cabaret: Old porn theatre turned hipster music venue. The Fox Cabaret has a fun and unique event happening every night of the week. From disco parties, to nerd night, to 90s bands. This is your place for a funky night.

Shop it up at a Huge Market: The heart of Granville Island is the Granville Island Public Market. A huge market full of local produce stands, handcrafted products and every type of food you can think of. This is a great stop for a quick, cheap meal and some Vancity souvenirs.

Chill Out With the Dudes: One of Vancouver’s most iconic parks and top tourist stops, Dude Chilling Park is worth a visit. Located at the intersection of Main Street and East Broadway. You’ll find free yoga every morning during the summer, a community garden, and, of course, lots of dudes chilling.

It’s a tough choice when you are visiting this city. Every Vancouver neighbourhood has something exceptional to offer. But the good news is, you can’t make a bad decision. It’s all fabulous!

What are some of your favourite things to do in Vancouver? Do you have a favourite neighbourhood? Let us know in the comments below!

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