An inviting seawall sepa-
rates Yaletown high-rises
from the north side of
False Creek, where luxury
yachts occupy prime mari-
na slips. The paved, 28-km
(17-mi) path encircles the
downtown core and joins
beach walks on Vancou-
ver’s West Side
tration of art and antiques galleries in the city.
The art-deco Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage,
home to the Arts Club, is a living piece of histo-
ry and a great place to catch contemporary and
classic shows (see feature, page 46). Luxurious
home-decor showrooms and elegant boutiques
greet guests with stylish products designed to
soothe, inspire and excite, while the upscale
grocery market and chic dining destinations
provide memorable sustenance for every foodie.
Cambie Village
Sitting proudly at the highest point in the city,
this neighbourhood is home to a collection of
shops, landmarks and eateries as eclectic as its
community. Whether you’re searching for well
known national brands or obscure European-
inspired lifestyle products, you’ll find them
here. In the heart of the village stands the
impressive City Hall, built during Vancouver’s
Golden Jubilee (1936). To the south, the lush
tropical biodome of Bloedel Conservatory at
Queen Elizabeth Park invites visitors to stroll
among hundreds of exotic plants and free-
flying birds. At Nat Bailey Stadium, baseball
fans watch the hilarious Sushi Mascots race
each other (and cheat) while the Vancouver
Canadians play. Multi-award winning restau-
rants serve cuisine from all around the globe,
while lively cafes and clubs deliver flamenco
and stand-up comedy for the late-night crowd.
Main Street
Recently named one of North America’s 15
coolest streets by real-estate brokerage firm
70
E ss E n t i a l Va n co u V er 20 1 7/ 1 8
Cushman & Wakefield, this character-filled
neighbourhood more than lives up to the hype.
The independent shops, craft breweries and
eclectic bistros that line the strip on the south
side of False Creek are packed with hipster
charm. Some of the city’s favourite consign-
ment stores, local designers and lifestyle bou-
tiques have put down roots here, making it the
best place in town to hunt for one-of-a-kind
treasures with a locally roasted espresso in
hand. Strike a pose in front of gorgeous street
art from the Vancouver Mural Festival, take
your gelato over to Dude Chilling Park or step
into the sparkling geodesic dome of Science
World and rediscover your sense of wonder.
Commercial Drive
The capital of local counterculture, this vibrant
strip of independent eateries, cafes, bars and
specialty shops is known as The Drive. Owner-
operated boutiques dominate the scene with
vintage, ethical, locally made or internationally
sourced wares for every global citizen’s needs.
Edwardian and Victorian heritage homes wel-
come artists, revolutionaries and young fami-
lies, while organic cafes and alternative book-
stores host open-mic nights and poetry read-
ings. For art aficionados and theatre patrons,
The Cultch is a great place to start, though
exploring a nearby restaurant’s back room is
likely to reveal hidden galleries or performance
spaces. Dog-friendly Trout Lake is perfect for
relaxing, and community events like Italian
Day, Parade of Lost Souls and Verses Festival of
Words keep the party going all year.