ing rooms await those with an appetite for
adventure. Visit Maple Tree Square to tip your
cap to the statue of “Gassy Jack” Deighton, the
famously chatty barman who opened the area’s
first saloon in 1867 (see feature, page 50), then
step into a dimly lit lounge to find vinyl-loving
DJs and sample handcrafted cocktails by mod-
ern-day mixologists.
Yaletown
From the ashes of an industrial warehouse
district, a cosmopolitan phoenix rises. Every
shop and service, from organic grocers to fitness
studios and contemporary eateries, is designed
with the discerning urbanite in mind. Sleek
boutiques and spas cater to style-savvy shop-
pers and their designer pets by day, while brew-
pubs and sports bars serve up craft beers, signa-
ture cocktails and sommelier-selected wines by
night. For those who like a little scenery while
they sip, there are more patios in this water-
front marina neighbourhood
than anywhere else in the city.
The Roundhouse Community
Centre, once a theme pavilion at
Expo ’86, is a hub of arts and cul-
ture. It’s also right next to David
Lam Park, an outdoor venue for
the TD Vancouver International
Jazz Festival.
bished industrial buildings house studios and
workshops where visitors are invited to witness
artisans at work and take home treasures such
as handcrafted pottery, textiles, jewellery and
fine art. Dynamic venues deliver live shows
that run the gamut from improv comedy to
foot-stomping music, while street performers
entertain at the thriving Public Market and
beyond. Little ones love the Kids Market and
waterpark, not to mention the Rube Goldberg
ball machine near Ocean Concrete’s “Giants” art
installation.
South Granville
Puffs of steam and West-
A century ago, Vancouverites would row across
False Creek to refresh their spirits in untouched
woodland — now, they cross the bridge to
breathe in the quiet air of sophistication that
defines this area. Art connoisseurs and antiques
hunters find their happy place in Gallery Row,
locally famous for having the highest concen-
minster Chimes announce
the passing of time by the
Gastown Steam Clock,
built by Ray Saunders in
1977 to cover a steam vent
in Water Street, and now
an obligatory photo op
Kitsilano
Welcome to wellness central,
with more yoga studios than you
can shake a downward-dog’s stick
at, and enough healthy eateries,
spas and juice bars to keep every
body functioning at optimum
levels. Outdoor recreation is the
name of the game, and in the
summer months Kits Beach and
its massive outdoor saltwater
public pool teem with swimmers,
sunbathers, joggers, tennis play-
ers and — you guessed it — yogis.
For those seeking a more intellec-
tual workout, Vanier Park is home
to the Museum of Vancouver,
Vancouver Maritime Museum
and H.R. MacMillan Space Centre.
Refuel at any number of organic,
farm-to-table restaurants before
wrapping up the day with fair-
trade shopping at independent
boutiques and gift shops.
Granville Island
Decades of artists, craftspeople
and performers have trans-
formed this former industrial
area into a bustling hub of cre-
ativity guaranteed to intrigue
and inspire. The most enjoyable
way to reach the Island — really
a peninsula — is by hopping
aboard a mini-ferry from down-
town. Brightly coloured, refur-
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