Navigate
top of the world . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N2
phoNe Numbers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .N6
this directory includes useful information
for navigating the city and nearby areas.
map coordinates refer to the maps on
pages N8-N14.
Neighbourhoods & towNs . . . N2
useful iNformAtioN . . . . . . . . . . . N5
trAvel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N6
neighbourhoods
& towns
CHINATOWN the millennium gate
marks the entrance to canada’s largest
chinatown. canadian-chinese memo-
rials, traditional herbalists and souvenir
shops mingle with trendy fusion food
and edgy nightlife. this neighbourhood
is also home to the world’s narrowest
commercial building, the sam Kee
building, just 1.8 m (6 ft) wide at its
base. sample a traditional dim sum
brunch or artisanal cocktails, then stroll
through the tranquil dr. sun yat-sen
classical chinese garden for a moment
of introspection. www.vancouver-china
town.com map 1
COAL HARBOUR A marina-side oasis
of calm amid the bustle of downtown,
this area is paved with seawall paths
and filled with the sort of glittering resi-
dential towers that gave vancouver the
nickname city of glass. Joggers and
cyclists breeze past luxury cruise ships
and seaside restaurants. go flightsee-
ing in a floatplane and soar above the
olympic cauldron, or get the 4d virtual
tour with flyover canada. map 1
COMMERCIAL DRIVE locals refer
to this vibrant strip of independent
eateries, cafes, bars and specialty
shops as the drive. heritage buildings
Top of the World
two hours of scenic driving on the sea to sky highway
gets you to whistler, a breathtaking mountain village
670 m (2.2 mi) above sea level. this 2010 olympic
winter games venue is internationally recognised as a
top snowboarding and skiing destination, but fine dining,
lively nightlife and once-in-a-lifetime activities await the
adventurous all year long. ride horses, mountain bikes
or Atvs, bungee jump over glacier-fed rivers, or skydive
into pemberton valley. looking for something more
relaxing? unpack a lakeside picnic, explore local art gal-
leries, designer golf courses and the squamish lil’wat
cultural centre, then soak up the serenity at scandinave
spa. with activities for all ages and abilities, there’s
room for everyone at the top.—Chloë Lai
and generations-old family businesses
thrive alongside a lively counterculture
scene. Knock back an italian espresso,
fill up on organic fare, then meet local
poets and performers at an open-mic
night. cornerstones of the community
include the cultch theatre and dog-
friendly trout lake. www.thedrive.ca
map 4: d4/e4 awestruck at the historic orpheum
theatre (home of the vancouver
symphony orchestra) or the vancouver
Art gallery, and relax with 360-degree
views of the city lights at the vancouver
lookout. Keep the party going late into
the night at one of the lively bars and
nightclubs on granville street. www.
downtownvancouver.net map 1
DOWNTOWN this is the cosmopoli-
tan and commercial heart of the city,
with more than 1,000 stores offering
everything from souvenirs to designer
fashions. spend the afternoon at the
colossal vancouver public library, get GASTOWN heritage meets hip in
the oldest part of the city, a National
historic site beloved by locals and visi-
tors alike. explore the cobbled streets
and grand late-victorian buildings,
filled with designer fashions, Native
TRANSIT TIp Ride the rails on three SkyTrain lines. The Canada Line connects downtown to
the airport, while the Expo and Millennium lines head east to Main Street and beyond.
N2
where.ca
CAMBIE VILLAGE this busy, eclectic
area has everything from Nat bailey
stadium, home of the vancouver ca-
nadians baseball team, to the bloedel
conservatory, a lush tropical biodome
with hundreds of exotic plants and
birds. get nostalgic at the single-screen
park theatre or laugh the night away
at yuk yuk’s comedy club. Just across
the cambie street bridge from the
downtown core, with three skytrain
stations for easy access. www.cambie
village.com map 4: d4/e4