Beyond the Steam Clock: Things to do in Downtown Vancouver

Tourists are frequent and welcome visitors on the busy patio I worked on in Gastown Vancouver. They always delight me with stories of all the other places they’ve been travelling the past couple weeks. As the meal wraps up, I always get the same question thrown my way, what do we HAVE to do in Vancouver?

Gastown is one of Vancouver’s premier tourist districts and for good reason. It’s brick roads, picturesque buildings, and famous steam clock create an impressive ambiance! However if the highlight of your Vancouver vacation is the steam clock, you definitely did something wrong. In my many conversations with travellers I realized that people were combing through mountains of bad advice and skillful advertising. 

You really don’t need to spend more than a day in downtown Vancouver. It boasts a lot in common with other big Canadian cities and many of the stores on Robson street and in the city centre are likely also in your mall at home. The only two places I really recommend seeing are Stanley Park and Gastown.

So, as someone who was born and raised in Vancouver, here’s how I would spend one day in the city centre

Downtown Vancouver

Downtown Vancouver is the relatively small peninsula between False Creek and the Vancouver Harbour. If you didn’t cross a bridge or pass Main Street you’re already in the wrong place. Characterized by her unique neighborhoods, plethora or bars, and incredible seawall Downtown Vancouver is a great spot to start your Vancouver visit, but it’s also a wonderful place to waste a lot of time.

Stanley Park

Start your morning by renting a bike from one of the many nearby rental spots, and set out on a tour of the famous Vancouver Seawall. The Seawall offers stunning views of the North Shore Mountains, the Vancouver Harbour, and the Vancouver coastline! The ride is flat and suitable for infrequent cyclists, but it can be busy. If possible, planning your trip in the off-peak season or on a weekday will help you dodge the crowds; but regardless of when you plan to visit, consider going early. While touring the walls, keep your eyes out for the Stanley Park Totem Poles and the mermaid.

If you’re in Vancouver, totem poles are a

must see. The Salish people who have lived on the land that is now Vancouver have practiced this art form for centuries. First practiced by the Haida of Haida Gwaii (an incredible archipelago off BC’s north coast), the practice proliferated amongst the coastal peoples of BC and Alaska and are used to signify family, commemorate events, tell stories, and record history. The poles on the north-east side of Stanley Park are some of the most accessible and are well worth a stop. But don’t exit through the gift shop, there are much better places to spend your money.

As you continue along the seawall towards Vancouver’s iconic Lion’s Gate bridge, keep your eyes peeled for the mermaid! This statue, located on a rock a short way into the water, known officially as ‘Girl in Wetsuit’ was sculpted by Elek Imredy and gifted to the Park Board in 1974. But to Vancouverites she will always be The Mermaid.

It takes about an hour to cycle the full 9km of the Seawall, so I recommend bringing a book, a blanket, and a bike lock and taking a moment to relax on third beach, read, and enjoy the scenery. It’s easy to feel the need to jump from thing to thing when you’re exploring a new city, but I’m a big proponent of taking a moment to bask in your surroundings! If you refuse to bask, head to the Vancouver Aquarium in the park to learn a bit more about our marine ecology on the west coast. Regardless, your want to make this activity last until around 1 - 2pm, at which point it’s time to return your bike and head down towards Gastown.

Gastown

You’ll likely enter Gastown onto Water street off Cordova. As you enter, there is a brewery to your left called Steamworks. Let me be clear, this is not a hidden gem by any measure, however it’s been a city favourite for years, and you’re probably pretty hungry, so I recommend stopping here for lunch. The lovely waitstaff will be more than happy to recommend you a beer. The classic west coast pick is an IPA, but Steamworks has something for everyone, including the beer-haters out there. 

After finishing your lunch, it’s time to immerse yourself in Gastown, one of several original townsites for what is today Vancouver. Founded by controversial figure Gassy Jack who built the first saloon in this area after paddling over with just a barrel of whisky.

Just one block down Water Street from the brewery, the clock is one of only seven working steam clocks in the world. Travelers from all over flock to see it put on it’s display every quarter-hour while judgemental Vancouverites sneer from nearby patios. It may be true that many Vancouverites are avid haters of the clock due to it’s eternal tardiness but we have to admit it sets a lovely moods. So if the clock in your video chimes a little off, embrace it, that’s the real Vancouver steam clock you’ve captured.

Water Street is the heart of Gastown, and it’s dotted with gift shops, local shopping and goods, artists, and bars. Like all touristy areas, some are worth your money, and some aren’t. As far as gift shops go, skip anything that looks to be full of t-shirts and gimmicks. If you’re looking for some inexpensive gifts for family and friends back home, I recommend MAKE Vancouver which features locally designed or made goods and is located kitty-corner from the clock. Another block down is Makers, another market full of local goods. 

If you really want to bring home an authentic piece of BC, keep your eyes on the staircase near Herschel Supply on the north side of the street (between Steamworks and the clock). Here, local indigenous carvers often set up and sell their work, often for less than a hundred dollars. I gifted my father one of these works for his birthday in 2023. The man who sold it to me was excited to tell me about the meaning behind the piece, and even smudged it for me. As far as value goes, I really couldn’t have done much better.

If you want to see more native art, keep your eyes out for the galleries. Beside the Water Street Cafe is the Arcade, which features the Coastal People’s Fine Arts Gallery. Now, unless you’re a big spender, you’re unlikely to find anything in your price range. However the gallery features art from top indigenous artists from around BC, so I recommend stopping in anyways and browsing shamelessly.

For those looking for a new wardrobe, there are tons of spots up and down waterstreet. Some must stops are The Latest Scoop and the John Fluevog Flagship. I hate to say it but I would avoid Little Mountain which will lure you in with cute window displays but ultimately offer terrible quality. Otherwise explore and have fun!

Gastown is also home to some of Vancouver’s best restaurants and bars! Cocktail lovers shouldn’t miss Pourhouse, whose skillful bartenders I would trust with my life and whose drink list is a collection of some of the most famous cocktails of the twentieth century. Make a reservation at L’Abattoir for pre-dinner cocktails and a selection of refined dishes. Then head over to Guilt and Co. for a night of live music and delicious food!

If you want to squeeze one last activity in, I recommend a Lost Souls of Gastown tour where you can learn a bit about Vancouver’s history with a spooky twist. Let’s face it, we all roll our eyes at these kinds of haunted tours but they’re just so much fun!

Whatever you do, don’t…

Go to Robson Street! It’s way too busy and filled with big box chains you can find anywhere in North America.

Bother with Yaletown! It’s all restaurants and frankly not the kind of hidden gems you’re looking for if you only have a few days in the city.

Drive! Downtown Vancouver is very walkable and has tons of transit. If you drive the traffic will be terrible and parking will be expensive and hard to find. The locals bus, you should too.

Go to Chinatown without talking to someone about the area! Vancouver’s Chinatown is located walking distance from Gastown, however it’s located in the center of Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, the epi-center of Canada’s drug epidemic. Those who want to visit, speak with your hotel concierge or other industry professionals before making the trip so you’re prepared.