Gastown, Vancouver > Reviews

Advantages: cute heritage area
Disadvantages: lots of tourist stores

Way back in the early days of Vancouver (I'm talking the late 1800's) before it was even Vancouver there was a mill on the shore of the Burrard Inlet. Aside from the mill there was not much else around and the owner of this mill didn't allow alcohol on the premises. I'm betting those mill workers did a little dance of sober joy when Jack Deighton turned up. Jack had no money and not much whiskey but told the millworkers if they built him a saloon ... Read review

Advantages: Ineresting old buildings, historical background of city
Disadvantages: dirty, rubbish, unsafe atmosphere

Spent a few days in Vancouver and had set aside a day to wander the 'old town.' All guide books raved about this area. We like historical areas but we were rather disappointed. My advice is to seek a walking tour map and stick to it. One block off the beaten track and one feels very unsafe. Even in Gastown itself the streets seem to hold more than their fair share of homeless people, drunks and addicts. The streets are dirty with strewn rubbish. Sadly ... Read review

Advantages: Lively mix of retaurants, shops and history
Disadvantages: Can get busy at peak times in the summer

Any visitor to Vancouver should make time to see Gastown. It is easily reached, being a 5 minute walk east from Canada place and the Pan Pacific Hotel.No problem with traffic as all the crossings have pedestrian lights. A safe walk at any time but do not venture further east late at night. Gastown is an amazing mix of old streets, with the famous Steam Clock, tourist shops, specialist shops, and a wide range of restaurants. These range from very ... Read review