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An inviting seawall sepa- rates Yaletown high-rises from the north side of False Creek, where luxury yachts occupy prime mari- na slips. The paved, 28-km (17-mi) path encircles the downtown core and joins beach walks on Vancou- ver’s West Side tration of art and antiques galleries in the city. The art-deco Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage, home to the Arts Club, is a living piece of histo- ry and a great place to catch contemporary and classic shows (see feature, page 46). Luxurious home-decor showrooms and elegant boutiques greet guests with stylish products designed to soothe, inspire and excite, while the upscale grocery market and chic dining destinations provide memorable sustenance for every foodie. Cambie Village Sitting proudly at the highest point in the city, this neighbourhood is home to a collection of shops, landmarks and eateries as eclectic as its community. Whether you’re searching for well known national brands or obscure European- inspired lifestyle products, you’ll find them here. In the heart of the village stands the impressive City Hall, built during Vancouver’s Golden Jubilee (1936). To the south, the lush tropical biodome of Bloedel Conservatory at Queen Elizabeth Park invites visitors to stroll among hundreds of exotic plants and free- flying birds. At Nat Bailey Stadium, baseball fans watch the hilarious Sushi Mascots race each other (and cheat) while the Vancouver Canadians play. Multi-award winning restau- rants serve cuisine from all around the globe, while lively cafes and clubs deliver flamenco and stand-up comedy for the late-night crowd. Main Street Recently named one of North America’s 15 coolest streets by real-estate brokerage firm 70   E ss E n t i a l Va n co u V er 20 1 7/ 1 8 Cushman & Wakefield, this character-filled neighbourhood more than lives up to the hype. The independent shops, craft breweries and eclectic bistros that line the strip on the south side of False Creek are packed with hipster charm. Some of the city’s favourite consign- ment stores, local designers and lifestyle bou- tiques have put down roots here, making it the best place in town to hunt for one-of-a-kind treasures with a locally roasted espresso in hand. Strike a pose in front of gorgeous street art from the Vancouver Mural Festival, take your gelato over to Dude Chilling Park or step into the sparkling geodesic dome of Science World and rediscover your sense of wonder. Commercial Drive The capital of local counterculture, this vibrant strip of independent eateries, cafes, bars and specialty shops is known as The Drive. Owner- operated boutiques dominate the scene with vintage, ethical, locally made or internationally sourced wares for every global citizen’s needs. Edwardian and Victorian heritage homes wel- come artists, revolutionaries and young fami- lies, while organic cafes and alternative book- stores host open-mic nights and poetry read- ings. For art aficionados and theatre patrons, The Cultch is a great place to start, though exploring a nearby restaurant’s back room is likely to reveal hidden galleries or performance spaces. Dog-friendly Trout Lake is perfect for relaxing, and community events like Italian Day, Parade of Lost Souls and Verses Festival of Words keep the party going all year.