Canada Place / Gastown Walk

Date of Walk: August 26, 2001

Length: 3/4 mile each way
Time to Walk: 20 minutes each way, with no stops
Type of Walk: Cruise Ship Terminal/Upscale/Hotel/Shopping
Location: Downtown
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Parking and Getting There
We started from Canada Place, walked to and through Gastown, then back again. If you are staying in a downtown hotel, you may already be close to the walk. Otherwise, we recommend you consider using the transit system to get to the walk, as the SkyTrain and SeaBus stop at the Waterfront station where the walk begins. If you drive, parking is available, but it may be pricey.

Let's Go!
Our walk starts with a beautiful view of the cruise ship terminal at Canada Place. This is also the location of the Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre. The upscale Pan Pacific Hotel is part of Canada Place. The World Trade Center Vancouver has its home here - it is affiliated with 320 World Trade Centres in 97 countries around the globe. Canada Place features a large IMAX theatre. David stopped to admire the sign at the entrance.

Walking east from Canada Place, almost next door is the very tall office tower at Granville Square (at the north end of the Granville Street Walk). There are wonderful views over the water, and places to sit. The Port of Vancouver Authority is headquartered here - they offer live views of the harbour via Webcams. Bill contemplated climbing on one of the large wooden structures celebrating British Columbia's large forest industry.

Walking further east, we go under an overpass marking our entrance into Gastown. Just on the other side is the SkyTrain and SeaBus Waterfront Station building.

Gastown is a very distinct part of the city. It's Old World charm is a major tourist attraction. The area is named for 'Gassy' Jack Deighton, a saloon owner and original settler. Here you will find attractions ranging from the banal to sublime. Important galleries with superb Native art and sculpture can be right next to a shop hawking colourful T-shirts and postcards. Several shops feature Cuban cigars, readily available in Canada.

We walked back to Canada Place and slaked our considerable thirst at the wonderful Steamworks Brewing Co. - casual pub style upstairs, a little fancier for dining downstairs.