Places to eat and visit in Vancouver, Canada.?

Question

My family and I will be visiting Vancouver, Canada in mid July. We will be staying about 3 blocks from Chinatown. Would someone who currently lives in Canada or who have been there provide me with some suggestions on places to eat and visit. Thank you.

Answer 1

Three blocks from Chinatown? I live in that very area.

I am guessing you are staying at the Patricia?

I don't want to freak you out, but you are going to be staying in the heart of the Downtown Eastside, one of the most notorious open air drug markets in North America. It is extremely rough around the edges - poverty, addiction, mental illness and prostitution abound.

Don't get me wrong - I live in and love this neighbourood - it embodies the true poetic spirit and history of this city, but if you are travelling with children, I feel compelled to give you a heads up. (The Patrica generally is a little vague about their location and the ralities of the area) It is pretty safe though, as long as you keep your wits about you, watch for petty theft though and don't leave anything of value in your car around there.

OK, so now that the "ugliness" is out of the way.. this is a great city. In around Chinatown - to eat : Hon's Wonton on Keefer is a good inexpensive legend around these parts, good Chinese for cheap. Floata has excellent dimsum, Phnom Pehn for Cambodian food, lots of good bakeries. The Sun Yat Sen classical Gardens are a must see! During summer weekends they have a really neat family oriented night market on Keefer West of Main.

Nearby Gastown has some nice walks, restaurants and a new museum called "Storeyum" which is supposed to be pretty good.
The Harbour Centre tower at the far end of Gastown offers a terrific view of the city and a good way to get you bearings.

Science World, walking distance from Chinatown (look for the giant "golf ball" on False Creek) is a great interactive educational museum that is extremely popular with kids.

East of Chinatown, where I live, is a very nice neighbourhood called Strathcona and beyond that is Commercial Drive renowned for its Italian coffee shops and bohemian cluture.


Granville Island is good to check out. travelling west from there a coupl of great museums and Kits Beach, where they have recently opened a resaturant offering a terrifc view. Downtown of course, shopping and lots of high end boutiques abound.

The north shore mountains are also a must.

ps. Don't bother looking for the Crime LAb as another poster suggested - as is the case with the pace of development in this city, they demolished that block to put up more condos.

pps. don't let my earlier warning shake you - this is a great city. You may email me if you'd like specific info.
[e-mail]

Answer 2

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Answer 3

Some great places to visit in Vancouver are Stanley Park, the Vancouver Aquarium, Telus Science World and Storyeum. Another suggestion would be to take in a BC Lions game at BC Place.

Answer 4

Check out The Crime Lab, which has a kind of "police" theme- 1280 W. Pender St. [phone].

For families, The Old Spaghetti Factory in Gastown is great (cheap, huge portions, great atmosphere). 53 Water Street, [phone]. http://www.oldspaghettifactory.ca/

Steamworks is a really popular brew-pub (they make their own beers) with a restaurant attached. 375 Water Street ( 604)689.2739 http://www.steamworks.com

For a quick snack, there is a strangely good pizza-by-the-slice place on Robson. It's a bit expensive, but the pizza is truly fantastic (I used to live in Italy, so I should know). Anyways, if you're coming from Pacific Center Mall, heading down Robson to all the stores, it's on your left beside Purdy's Chocolates (purple facade), near Aritzia (clothe store with red [brick?] facade).

Check the site below for comprehensive Vancouver restaurant reviews.

Answer 5

the Sears Tower is a must! The view is heavenly! Also on the north shore visit the Salmon House. both are fine dining