Discover Vancouver

Shopping in Vancouver’s Gastown

Built to meet the commercial and accommodation needs of 19th Century loggers, miners and mariners, Vancouver’s historic Gastown district is steeped in cobble stoned streets, brick buildings and other reminders of a time gone by.This renovated and gentrified area, fronting part of Burrard Inlet at the north end of the Downtown core, is now home to many small tourist shops and boutiques, pubs, restaurants and loft apartment studios.

Named after saloon owner “Gassy Jack” Deighton, Gastown combines Victorian architecture and courtyards with new businesses and retail shops.Most of the higher profile venues are located on Water Street.Throughout Gastown, visitors can find close to 150 outlets offering Native art, antiques and collectables, art, fashion and jewellery and gifts.The area also has 10 nightclubs offering anything from blues and jazz to pop and techno music.

Shoppers are also able to relax in one of Gastown’s 30 restaurants and bistros.Many of these locations have won awards for their high-quality food.Most have close ties to the area’s historical routes.

History buffs can visit the Packing House where butcher George Black prepared meats for the Swift Canadian Company back in the 1870’s.This is also the site of the Sunnyside Hotel, rebuilt in 1880 after the Great Fire.The First City Hotel was built nearby in 1890, offering room in its three-story frame building to those working in the resource sectors.Walking tours of this area are provided by the City of Vancouver.