Best Vancouver Tours and Things to Do

The 25 Best Things To Do in Vancouver

1. Walk Around Gastown and Chinatown

   It is easy to mistakenly restrict your time only to downtown Vancouver. However, all visitors should also wear comfortable shoes to explore the historic storefronts and brick-laid streets of Gastown, the ancient quarter where modern Vancouver began. The adjoining Chinatown must also be seen, with its brightly painted façades, dragon-topped street lights, and a full menu of Chinese eateries – New Town Bakery on East Pender Street, a brief stroll from the towering Chinatown Millennium Gate, is a perfect stopover for taking out a steamed pork bun.

   You also shouldn`t miss seeing the Arenal Volcano, an active 5,350-foot-tall stratovolcano. Taking a hike around the mountain allows you to admire the lovely landscape and nearby geothermal hot springs. Finally, this country`s coastline holds scenic beaches, so head to Guanacaste`s shores for the best beaches in Costa Rica.

2. Access: By public transit bus Number 3

3. Sink into Stanley Park

   Vying with New York’s Central Park for the distinction of being North America’s biggest urban green area, dimensions is just one of the rationales for Stanley Park attracting multitudes of foliage-watching travelers. Its 8.5 km Seawall path––aimed toward pedestrians and cyclists––provides a breathtaking panorama of forest-backed shoreline scenery studded with beaches and dramatic ocean views. Additional noteworthy Seawall highlights involve the colorful Brockton Point Totem Poles and the camera-ready Siwash Rock protrusion.

   To fully immerse oneself in the temperate rainforest of B.C., one can wander along the quiet interior trails found in the park`s tree-shaded depths. Here, various sights may be seen including hummingbirds, raccoons, Douglas squirrels, bald eagles and more. Within the park, the Nature House has informative exhibits on natural history and organizes superb walks focused on flora and fauna. If more is desired, Stanley Park is home to the extremely popular Vancouver Aquarium (the sea otters are a delight) and has its own child-friendly miniature railway. Hungry? Several park eateries provide sustenance––we quite liked Stanley Park Brewing, a tasty brewpub and restaurant.

   Getting there: Transit bus Number 19

4. Explore all of Granville Island

   A former industrial area that is actually a peninsula rather than an island, the once unappealing sheds and rusting warehouses of Granville Island underwent a major redevelopment project in the 1970s. That was when Vancouver`s hugely well-liked Public Market was built here, crafting a food lover`s paradise full of high-quality stands and skilled artisanal producers that is bustling most days. Arrive early to avoid crowds and check out must-see stands such as Lee`s Donuts,ChocolaTas, and Oyama Sausage Co. Also, consider enjoying a delicious Granville Island Market Tour for an introduction to the market and the island—plus lots of samples.

   Granville Island isn’t only about the marketplace, though. Numerous visitors also make time to explore the remainder of this compact waterfront region on foot. Walk the restored back streets to find an array of inviting studios, galleries, and artisanal shops. We especially appreciate Circle Craft and the Wickaninnish Gallery in the Net Loft building along with small-batch spirits-makers Liberty Distillery and Artisan Sake Maker on Railspur Alley.

   Getting there: Transit bus Number 50

5. Check out Vanier Park’s Museums

   On the opposite side of the art deco Burrard Bridge from downtown Vancouver (get off at the first stop after crossing the bridge and walk toward the water), Vanier Park offers scenic panoramas of the boat-filled shoreline framed by the towering North Shore mountains in the distance. Popular with joggers and kite flyers, the picnic-suitable park is also home to three of the city’s top museums.

   One could commence at the Museum of Vancouver (aka MOV), where descriptive galleries shed light on the region’s history from its Indigenous roots through the pioneering era to the counterculture 1960s (hippie demonstration exhibits included). A key attraction at the museum is the gallery exhibiting neon signs from yesteryear. Alternatively, the adjacent H.R. MacMillan Space Centre provides a kid-friendly wonderland containing interactive astronomical exhibits and presentations––as well as an amazing planetarium. A brief five-minute walk away, the Vancouver Maritime Museum houses intricate scale models and maintained historic vessels in its purpose-built A-frame building.

6. Access: By public transit bus Number 2

7. Plot a UBC Day Out

   Vancouver`s best museum, though located on the University of British Columbia campus, a tree-studded peninsula on Vancouver`s West Side easy to access by public transit. The outstanding Museum of Anthropology (MOA) offers a deeply immersive overview of Pacific Northwest Indigenous cultures. It contains numerous traditional, ceremonial, and artistically striking Indigenous artifacts ranging from imposing totem poles through dramatic masks to intricate silver jewelry. Additionally, there are thousands of artifacts from global cultures, from Dutch ceramics to Japanese opera gowns. The best way to begin? Take one of the museum’s guided tours, free with admission. Planning to spend at least half a day here is recommended.

   The MOA isn’t merely the sole UBC magnet worthwhile visiting. We appreciate the Beaty Biodiversity Museum, overall with thousands of taxidermied specimens and an immense blue whale skeleton dangling from the roof. It’s over the road from the nominal yet magnificent Pacific Museum of Earth, where exhibits comprise fossils, gems, and minerals. Green-thumbed visitors should in addition verify out the UBC Botanical Garden, where a wander through outdoor menagerie of flora from this area and beyond awaits. There are a variety of places to eat and drink on campus also––our most loved is Koerner’s Pub.

   Getting there: Transit bus Number 99B-Line

8. Explore East Vancouver

   Situated in East Vancouver, a neighborhood known for its eclectic shops and creative residents, exploring Main Street via public transit can uncover local gems. Boarding the route 3 bus from downtown and disembarking south of Broadway reveals independent clothier Smoking Lily, the book-filled Lucky’s along with a favorite sweet stop, Liberty Bakery, especially recommended for its carrot cake. A transit DayPass allows noodling around on foot and by bus to discover the most artsy, bohemian and unconventional businesses.

   Next, return to the Main Street-Broadway intersection, board the 99B-Line express bus and travel to Commercial Drive. Vancouver’s original Little Italy is now a busy alternative promenade lined with quirky shops, ethnic restaurants, and the city’s best coffee spots. Seeking the next big thing? The Fraserhood area is East Van’s newest hipster haven. A brisk walk or 99B-Line bus ride east of Main Street, go to the intersection of Fraser Street and East 15th Avenue to explore one-of-a-kind stores and eateries (coffee at Matchstick recommended).

   Getting there: Local transit buses Numbers 3 and 99B-Line

9. Sample Vancouver’s Other Outdoor Spaces

   Stanley Park attracts the largest share of outdoor enthusiasts in Vancouver, but the city has several other highly rated green spaces as well. Queen Elizabeth Park combines panoramic hilltop views of the city with an assortment of ornamental flower beds—plus a climate-controlled botanical garden under cover that is teeming with tropical plants and birds. A local favorite, VanDusen Botanical Garden, is also worth devoting half a day to visit. Its winding paths take visitors through an abundance of carefully cultivated flora, like a bright yellow laburnum tunnel and a surprisingly tricky hedge maze. Finally, tree lovers should explore the huge Pacific Spirit Regional Park, combining towering old cedar and Douglas fir trees with sun-dappled trails beloved by walkers, joggers, and cyclists.

   Access: Transit bus Route 15 (Queen Elizabeth Park) • Transit bus Route 17 (VanDusen Botanical Garden) •
   Public bus Number 99B-Line (Pacific Spirit Regional Park)

10. Visit Capilano Suspension Bridge

    The Marmara Park Avenue is another lodging with an indoor aquatic facility in Manhattan, New York. It is specifically located at 32^nd Street and Park Avenue, along one of New York’s most renowned boulevards. So, while you’ll appreciate the property’s conveniences and services, you should also explore nearby attractions like the Empire State Building and Grand Central Terminal.

    For a full day exploring this area, consider adding a trip to the nearby attraction Grouse Mountain. Only a brief 10-minute drive or transit bus ride away, an outing to Grouse Mountain starts with breathtaking panoramic city views available from a mountaintop lodge, reachable by scenic aerial tram ride (weather permitting). From the lodge, gentle hiking paths and walks allow visits to a resident grizzly bear habitat. Throughout the warmer months, Grouse Mountain also hosts lumberjack competitions and bird of prey exhibitions.

    Getting there: Free shuttle service from Downtown • Take the SeaBus transit from Waterfront to Lonsdale Quay and then bus Number 236 to Capilano and/or Grouse Mountain

11. Duck into the Vancouver Art Gallery

    British Columbia’s most important art space, the Vancouver Art Gallery occupies a former courthouse heritage building located right in the center of downtown. Large temporary exhibitions are staged here throughout each year (recent shows have focused on the paintings of the Impressionists and Andy Warhol, for example) but the gallery’s smaller exhibits on its upper floors are always deserving of exploration as well. Be sure to see the top floor’s Emily Carr paintings, showcasing the swirling nature-themed canvases of B.C.’s most celebrated painter. Curator tours are certainly worth taking here (usually included free with admission)––and allocate time for the large gift shop which is stuffed with excellent art books and cool novelty items. Wanting more? A few steps away, downtown’s Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art explores the landmark work of revered Haida artist Reid and those who have been inspired by him. Other must-see local art spaces to delve into are Yaletown’s Contemporary Art Gallery and North Vancouver’s waterfront Polygon Gallery.

    Transportation Options: Transit bus Number 5 (locations include Vancouver Art Gallery and Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art) • SeaBus transit to Lonsdale Quay (home of the Polygon Gallery)

12. Discover Hidden History Museums

    Vancouver has several smaller museums that locals love but visitors often miss. Start with the edge-of-Gastown Vancouver Police Museum, which brings to life many of the city’s gritty histories from earlier times (don’t miss the preserved area at the back used for autopsies). Next, discover what everyday living was like for a typical Victorian-era family at the charming Roedde House Museum located in the West End, where rooms furnished with antiques recall past residents as if they had just stepped outside. Train enthusiast? Yaletown’s free entry Engine 374 Pavilion showcases the carefully preserved steam locomotive that transported the first transcontinental passenger train into Vancouver in 1887.

    Next is visiting the Old Hastings Mill Store Museum. Housed in Vancouver’s earliest structure, this 1860s building was relocated by boat from Gastown to Point Grey in 1930 and presently holds an eclectic variety of city-related exhibits ranging from charred artifacts that survived the 1886 Great Fire to the last horse-drawn hansom cab that rolled around local streets. Seeking additional options? Consider visiting Mountain View Cemetery. Vancouver’s sole cemetery, it’s almost 150 years of age and houses many intriguing and weather-beaten heritage graves–– check out this self-guided walking tour of the location here.

    Getting there: Public transportation bus Number 4 (Vancouver Police Museum) – Public transportation bus Number 5 (Roedde House Museum) – SkyTrain Yaletown-Roundhouse Station (Engine 374 Pavilion) – Public transportation bus Number 4 (Old Hastings Mill Store Museum) – Public transportation bus Number 41 (Mountain View Cemetery)

13. Walk Along Commercial Drive

    The area that was originally Little Italy in the city has now become its most unconventional avenue to explore on foot, lined on both sides (particularly between Broadway and Venables) with quirky boutiques, independent eateries, and richly scented unique coffee shops. Spend a full afternoon here examining cool stores like the vintage-clothing specialist Mintage, record retailer Audiopile, and The Drive Skate Shop––but set aside ample time for coffee (we love sipping espressos outside the classic Continental Coffee). There are countless tasty dining selections here––go for brunch at Tangent Café or a bulging fried chicken sandwich at Downlow Chicken Shack. Just around the corner on Venables, The Cultch is one of Vancouver’s most innovative and diverse live theatres, so be sure to check what’s on stage.

    Getting there: SkyTrain Commercial-Broadway Station

14. Warm-up in Vancouver’s Tropical Paradise

    On Vancouver’s common wet days––the downside of being positioned in a temperate rainforest zone––there’s no preferable place to dry out than within the temperature-controlled dome of Bloedel Conservatory, topping the maximum position in Queen Elizabeth Park. Warm and inviting in all weather conditions, its leafy timber and vivid flora are the camera-ready background to loads of brightly-plumed resident birds––such as multiple oversized and very talkative parrots. Watch (and listen) for macaws, cockatoos, canaries, finches, and an occasional Lady Amherst Pheasant, sneaking through the undergrowth and dragging its long, tasteful tail like a glamorous wedding practice.

    Getting there: Transit bus Number 15

15. Hit the Water

    Experiencing Vancouver without exploring the water would be like visiting Paris without tasting croissants. To start, take the SeaBus transit ferry from Waterfront Station to North Vancouver’s Lonsdale Quay, a scenic 15-minute trip across the harbour with city views along one shoreline and forest-bordered mountain vistas along the other, and lovely Stanley Park in between. Next, take a small watercraft tour around False Creek: an all-day pass on either the Aquabus or False Creek Ferries networks means charming little vessels, city perspectives from the water, and potential stops in Yaletown, Granville Island, Vanier Park, Science World, and more.

    Also consider visiting Granville Island`s Vancouver Water Adventures, a one-stop location providing a full menu of aquatic activities. Kayaks, seadoos, and stand-up paddleboards can be rented hourly, but they also offer lessons and guided excursions—we particularly enjoy the evening tour of False Creek with its sparkling city backdrop. Prefer a more tranquil kayak experience? North Vancouver`s Deep Cove Kayak also offers rentals and tours—including sight-triggering fjord paddles where seals and eagles are regular companions. And if whale-watching is a must-do bucket list item, Seabreeze Adventures provides the chance to spot resident and transient orcas—plus less frequent humpbacks and grey whales—in their natural habitat. The company is based in Richmond but they pick up by minibus from Vancouver.

16. Plan a BC Ferries Excursion

    British Columbia’s public ferry system is considered one of the largest worldwide, with numerous scenic routes connecting coastal communities both large and small throughout the province. An excellent means to explore beyond Vancouver, their leisurely pace allows for a highly relaxing addition to any vacation. The most popular route runs from Tsawwassen in Delta (a 45-minute drive south of Vancouver) to Swartz Bay on Vancouver Island (a 35-minute drive from B.C. capital Victoria). But for an easy, short-hop BC Ferries day trip, one could consider heading to Bowen Island instead. Take transit bus 257 from downtown Vancouver to end-of-the-line Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver. Next, board the BC Ferries boat to Bowen (a 20-minute voyage with island-dotted views) and disembark into a boardwalk village filled with gabled shops and restaurants––plus forest walks and ocean panoramas.

17. Try Skiing, Snowboarding, and More

    The tall mountain peaks that overlook Vancouver from the North Shore are home to three major snow activity playgrounds––each just a 30-minute drive or less from downtown. Typically open for the winter season from late November to April or May, Grouse Mountain (33 trails; five lifts), Mount Seymour (40 trails; four lifts), and Cypress Mountain (53 trails; six lifts) offer extensive powder-hugging action for skiers and snowboarders––plus an assortment of additional attractions.

    Grouse has very clearly marked trails for snowshoeing (equipment rentals available), incredibly thrilling zipline rides, and various Christmas season activities like outdoor ice skating and a Santa`s area with actual reindeer. Cypress adds family-friendly tubing to its snowshoeing spots plus a network of paths for cross-country skiing––lessons offered. Finally, Seymour also provides snowshoeing––as well as a sledding hill beloved by visiting speed fans. Wanting more? The world-famous ski resort of Whistler is a 90-minute drive north of Vancouver along the Sea-to-Sky Highway. It`s worth a weekend trip away from the city though be ready for expensive lodging during its December-to-January peak time.

18. Focus on Birding

    Situated along the migratory route between Alaska and South America known as the Pacific Flyway, the Metro Vancouver region is a prime destination for avian aficionados—a pastime that has grown in popularity locally in recent times. Year-round residents easily sighted include bald eagles, woodpeckers with mottled coloring, and tiny hummingbirds. Places to view these and other common feathered inhabitants include Stanley Park, Pacific Spirit Regional Park and Queen Elizabeth Park.

    The Pacific Flyway also brings a wide assortment of other birds here throughout the year, ranging from snow geese to sandhill cranes and from purple martins to American white pelicans. The neighboring city of Richmond is a magnet for many of these visitors, especially at the shoreline Iona Beach Regional Park. Click here for a downloadable free guide to birds and birding areas in Richmond. Need more? Add a visit to Delta’s George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary. And if rain curtails the day’s outdoor excursion, drop into the Beaty Biodiversity Museum at UBC where thousands of taxidermied samples are on display.

19. Time Travel to the Past in Steveston

    Vancouver doesn’t have that many reminders of its pioneer-era heritage. But the adjoining and easily accessible city of Richmond is home to two highly evocative National Historic Sites of Canada––both located in the charming old waterfront village of Steveston.

    B.C.’s finest manufacturing gallery, the Gulf of Georgia Cannery tells the story of what it was like to function in a bustling seafood-canning manufacturing plant from the 1880s onwards (noisy canning line protected). A shoreline stroll aside, Britannia Shipyards is a boardwalk collection of wood-constructed heritage sheds that illuminate the early days of the local fishing and boatbuilding companies. Both are outstanding old attractions, but they’re not the only ones deserving of a visit in Steveston. Check out the compact community museum on Moncton Street plus the nearby free-access tram shed, which houses a handsome red-painted streetcar that used to trundle around the area until the 1950s. Hungry? Steveston is also famed for its fish and potato emporiums–– Pajo’s advised.

    To arrive: Take the SkyTrain Canada Line to Richmond-Brighouse Station, then take transit bus number 407 to Steveston Village.

20. Plan an Indie Shop Hop

    All the standard chain stores are readily found in Vancouver––generally in downtown’s Pacific Centre Mall and along boutique-lined Robson Street. But there’s also an outstanding assortment of unique independent stores here, each with their own dedicated local following.

    Beginning by exploring Gastown`s main artery of Water Street and its adjoining side roads. Places of interest here comprise the gallery-like John Fluevog Shoes and the Out & About Boutique, providing trendy home items, clothing, and add-ons. In the neighboring region of Chinatown, include the vividly printed T-shirts at Blim plus the perusal-worthy volumes at Massy Books.

    From Chinatown, access the Number 3 Main Street bus and explore Main`s treasure trove of independent stores, particularly around the Broadway intersection, as well as on the southbound stretch after 18th Avenue. Recommendations here include the creative works at Bird on a Wire and the stylish nicknacks and curated albums at Dandelion Records & Emporium. Popular clothing choices for hipsters on Main include Front & Company and Woo To See You. Music lover? Try Vancouver`s best record shops, both located on Main: Neptoon Records and Red Cat Records. We also enjoy Welk`s, a modern general store with an excellent selection of cool items from soaps to socks to chocolate bars.

    The shopping bag may still be empty? Additional browsing remains possible on Kitsilano`s West 4th Avenue and within the galleries, studios, and artisan shops of Granville Island.

    Access: Transit bus Route 3 (Main Street) • Transit bus Route 4 (Kitsilano) • Transit bus Route 50 (Granville Island)

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    Hit the Vintage Stores

    Vancouver has numerous top-notch vintage clothing shops that seem to be known mainly by locals. Start at the hipster favorite Eastside Flea, a periodic indoor market with stands, food trucks, and a craft beer bar where artisanal creations compete for attention with delicately used retro attire. Then explore the shops. Chinatown’s Duchesse Vintage and Faulkner Vintage Clothing are ideal for leisurely browsing and refined selections. Next, include Main Street favorites Burcu’s Angels and F As In Frank. Need more? Hop to Commercial Drive for Mintage and Little Miss Vintage.

    Getting there: Transit bus Number 3 (Chinatown and Main Street – Transit bus Number 99B-Line (Commercial Drive)

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23. Start Purring at the Catfe

    Vancouver’s initial cat cafe is a place that delights feline fans. Situated discretely on the second floor of Chinatown’s International Village Mall, reservations are recommended for a timed visit to the lounge and an opportunity to gain the chin-rubbing affection of some of the creatures temporarily housed here. Temporarily? Since the grand opening in 2015, the Catfe has found lasting ‘forever’ homes for more than 900 orphaned cats, meaning most of the cats reside here only a few weeks. Coffee and snacks are also accessible for visitors and the on-site store sells everything from cat-shaped earrings to tiny feline bow ties. Prefer bunnies? The Catfe team is planning to unveil a satellite Bunny Cafe in the not-too-distant future.

    Getting there: SkyTrain Stadium-Chinatown Station

24. Make Room for a Craft Beer Crawl

    Brewery tours with a beer theme are accessible through Vancouver Brewery Tours, but independent-minded drinkers can easily devise their own visits to multiple local microbreweries––provided they comprehend where to go. There are two key regions making it simple to reach the welcoming tasting areas of several city breweries without walking (or crawling) too far.

    The brewery district located in East Vancouver`s `Yeast Vancouver` area can be accessed from downtown via public transportation or a brief walk from the northern end of Commercial Drive. It is home to several excellent options situated close together, including Parallel 49,Off The Rail,Strange Fellows,Andina, and Powell Brewery. All offer tasting portions in small glasses while Parallel 49 also has a full dine-in dining menu if it`s time to eat. Top beers to sample? Powell’s Dive Bomb Porter and Strange Fellows’ Talisman Pale Ale.

    As an alternative, the Main Street area that rises uphill from the intersection with 2nd Avenue was historically home to several Vancouver breweries until the 1950s. Known as Brewery Creek, several new microbreweries began repopulating this area a few years ago and it now offers a great variety of pleasing options. Some of our favorites include R&B Brewing,Faculty Brewing,33 Acres,Brassneck, and Main Street Brewing. Head to R&B for pizza and do not forget to sample Brassneck`s near-legendary Passive Aggressive Pale Ale.

    Access: Public transit bus Number 14 (Yeast Vancouver) or bus Number 3 (Brewery Creek)

25. Sample Authentic Asian Cuisine

    Vancouver`s historic Chinatown was originally home to many of British Columbia`s Chinese immigrants. However, the neighboring city of Richmond––easily accessible via the SkyTrain Canada Line––has increasingly become a modern epicenter of Asian influences, particularly regarding its diverse culinary scene. Hundreds of authentic Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Vietnamese restaurants can be found throughout Richmond. But one of the best ways to sample a variety of unique dishes is by visiting some of its large indoor food courts––they offer experiences akin to covered Asian street markets.

    Board the Canada Line in downtown Vancouver and disembark initially at Richmond’s Aberdeen Station. There’s a busy dining area on the third floor of the adjacent Aberdeen Centre. Choices here involve street-style chicken wings at Wo Fung Dessert and breadcrumb-coated pork cutlets at Saboten. Outside and across the street, the concealed gem upstairs dining area at President Plaza also has an ardent following among well-informed diners. They come for O’Tray Noodles’ delicious pancake wraps and the huge array of Chinese vegetarian dishes at Ji Xiang. Back on the Canada Line, ride to Richmond-Brighouse Station. It’s a short walk from here to Richmond Public Market, where the upstairs dining area includes housemade noodle dishes at Xi’an Cuisine and delectable cream-filled wheel cakes at Peanuts.

    Still peckish? The incredible Richmond Night Market, on weekends from May to October, truly is a cornucopia of at minimum 200 multiethnic food stalls. It’s a brief walk from the city’s Bridgeport Canada Line Station and it’s the perfect way to fill up on adventurous freshly made dishes from fried squid to fish balls and from Korean tacos to Japanese mocha desserts.

    Getting there: SkyTrain Canada Line (Richmond-Brighouse branch)

26. Dive into the Theatre Scene

27. The Best Western Jaco Beach is one of the top all-inclusive resorts in Costa Rica according to Capture the Atlas. Visitors can pay an initial fee to enjoy unlimited meals, services, and facilities for their stay. The on-site buffet restaurant, namedEl Puerto, serves both national and international cuisine with an outdoor terrace that overlooks the pool and beach where guests can dine with ocean views. Guests also benefit from direct access to the beach right from their rooms.

The performance venues on and around Granville Island are fully occupied for the annual Vancouver Fringe Festival, a fall extravaganza of brief, often quirky shows. Alternatively, fans of history’s most renowned playwright should visit between May and September when Vanier Park in Vancouver is transformed into the tent home of Bard on the Beach. Usually, three or four Shakespeare plays are performed each season here and tickets are highly sought after. Summer is also the time to visit Stanley Park’s Theatre Under The Stars (also called TUTS) where two rotating musicals are performed on the open-air Malkin Bowl stage––bald eagle flyovers typically included.

28. Plan a Great Vancouver Night Out

    Similar to its independent shopping scene, savvy Vancouverites know how to swap the city’s humdrum mainstream bars (mostly on downtown’s Granville Street) for a full menu of far more fascinating nightlife choices. Check out the pinball room at dive bar Pub 340 on the edge of Gastown; play table tennis and sip hipster craft beers at Chinatown’s Back & Forth Bar; or dive into some role-playing board games at nerd-friendly pub Storm Crow Alehouse.

    In regards to bars, the underground, speakeasy-style Narrow Lounge is a friendly venue with a great late-night vibe. Downtown? Beer aficionados should head straight for The Magnet where one of the city’s best selections of craft ale awaits. And when cocktails are preferred, the windowless Shameful Tiki Room blends top-notch old-school cocktails with a retro South Pacific atmosphere. But if live music is on the agenda, go down the stairs at Gastown’s Guilt & Co for an engaging show in an intimate setting.