13 Things to do in Gastown: Downtown Vancouver’s Trendy, Historical Neighborhood
Situated in the heart of Downtown Vancouver, Gastown is a fun, buzzing neighborhood steeped in history. It was the oldest neighborhood and the beginning of modern-day Vancouver.
Gastown is also steps away from the waterfront, making it a fantastic place to stay before a cruise (Canada Place, the cruise terminal). From Gastown, you can also go on a seaplane tour, walk, or bike to Stanley Park along the seawall.
Whether you’re admiring the famous steam clock, strolling through historical landmarks, sampling bites and drinks from the best eateries and cafes, or shopping for clothes and gifts, you’ll find endless things to do and see in Gastown.
If you’re going to Vancouver in the future, make sure to read and bookmark this guide for the best things to do in Gastown!
Disclaimer: This post uses affiliate links, which means I make a commission if you book through this post. If you do decide to book using my links, thank you so much for your support!
Gastown: A brief history
John “Gassy Jack” Deighton, an English prospector and bar-owner, opened a saloon in 1867 in Gastown after suffering from health issues after searching for gold from California to New Caledonia (which is now known as the province of British Columbia). He became some sort of local celebrity, known for his nonstop chatter, or “gassing”, giving him the nickname Gassy Jack. Gastown was named after him.
As the neighborhood developed, Gastown became a center of trade and commerce, and a playground for loggers, fishermen, and boat crew members, where they could have a few drinks after long, laborious hours.
Later in the 1960s, nearby neighborhoods such as Chinatown and Strathcona were set to be demolished so that the city could build a freeway in downtown, which led Gastown residents and business owners to campaign to protect the area and architecture.
Henk F. Vanderhorst, a Dutch-Canadian immigrant, opened an art gallery on Water Street, which helped save Gastown and snowballed into a thriving district with modern restaurants, galleries, and shops while preserving its history. In 2009, Gastown became a National Historic Site of Canada.
13 Things to do in Gastown
1. Watch the iconic steam clock
You’re probably wondering, “But Hannah, what is so special about some clock?”
While this vintage-looking steam clock looks like it blends in with Gastown’s Victorian architecture, it was actually designed in 1977 by Raymond Saunders, a clockmaker, to hide an existing steam grate on the ground and to prevent the homeless from sleeping in the streets. It was also an ode to Gastown’s past and how it formed and expanded into modern-day Vancouver.
Every 15 minutes, the clock blows puffs of steam and makes a whistling chime noise that plays the Westminster Quarters in London’s Big Ben. You can see the time from all four quarters.
While it’s still known as the steam clock, as it used to be powered by steam, today, it is powered by electricity.
The clock is also a cultural icon. It’s the starting and finishing mark of the annual Gastown Grand Prix, and is photographed in Nickelback’s Here & Now album cover.
2. Catch views from the Vancouver Lookout
The Vancouver Lookout is an observatory deck on top of the Harbour Centre. It is 553 feet (168 meters) above ground, and you can get gorgeous, 360° views of Downtown Vancouver, Stanley Park, and the North Shore Mountains.
The lookout is Vancouver’s version of Seattle’s Space Needle. Except that there are no restaurants.
You can only reach the top through the elevator, making it an accessible activity for all visitors.
Vancouver Lookout is open everyday from 10 am–6 pm, and the elevator brings guests 30 minutes before closing.
You can either purchase a single ticket to the lookout or go on a guided tour that includes a ticket to go inside.
3. Stroll through Maple Tree Square
Crossing Carrall, Powell, and Water Streets, Maple Tree Square is a little area where a large maple tree once stood.
It was also home to the Gassy Jack statue, which is no longer there since it was toppled over during a protest in 2022.
While Maple Tree Square’s two most iconic landmarks are no longer there, you can take in a piece of history by strolling through the Victorian architecture and flatiron building, mixed with modern developments and restaurants.
4. Brunch at Twisted Fork
Right next to Maple Tree Square lies Twisted Fork, a French-inspired Canadian bistro that serves fantastic brunch with dishes such as Croque Monsieur and eggs Benedict. There are also classic non-French staples like scrambled eggs, banana-stuffed French toast (let’s be real, that is not a French dish), cinnamon buns, and asiago scones.
After disembarking from our cruise, Cecilio and I ate at Twisted Fork after dropping off our luggage for a few hours before heading to Steveson Village and checking into our hotel there.
I had the scrambled eggs, which were topped with feta cheese, corn, and chili. The eggs were hot, creamy, with a hint of spice from the chili. It was also served with sourdough bread and jam, which helped keep me full for hours. Cecilio had the Croque Monsieur, his go-to when we go to brunch restaurants.
We also ordered some cinnamon buns, which were freaking amazing; fresh from the oven, moist, and had A LOT of cinnamon (there can never be too much cinnamon for me).
And no brunch is complete without drinks; we shared a bottomless French press, and I ordered a mimosa.
5. Coffee at Monaco Cafe
Monaco Cafe is a cute coffee shop across the street from some of Gastown’s gift shops, with airy interiors, wooden tables, and plants strewn around. It makes for an easy, casual date location. The floor-to-ceiling windows make it easy to people-watch.
They have a selection of coffee, matcha, and lemonade (which is actually delicious and refreshing on a hot day), and a variety of pastries and desserts such as cheesecake, croissants, muffins, cookies, and tarts. They even serve brunch like eggs Benedict, sandwiches, soup, and pancakes!
Locals visit Monaco Cafe to relax, get work done on their laptops, or order their signature drink before tackling the day. And of course, tourists like Cecilio and I love going there. We’ve been to Monaco Cafe twice, and even saw someone from our cruise after we disembarked!
The only drawback about Monaco Cafe is that it’s pretty small. So on a busy day, it is difficult to find a seat, and you may need to eat and drink outside (thankfully, there are some benches along the streets).
6. Go on a murder mystery adventure
One of the most fun and unconventional things to do in Gastown is to go on this murder mystery adventure, which is basically a scavenger hunt.
You’ll meet your group at Waterfront Station and divvy up into small groups, walk through Gastown, and stop at famous landmarks like Vancouver Lookout, the steam clock, Maple Tree Square, Victory Square, and Gaoler’s Mews. The Gassy Jack statue was previously one of the stops before it got toppled over during the 2022 protest.
At each landmark, you are given a clue and are expected to solve it to bring the killer to justice.
For this game, each team gets a detective kit and a certificate of completion. Each guest receives a souvenir sticker.
This is a fun and interactive way to learn more about Gastown’s history, and it’s a perfect activity for families with older children (it’s recommended that they be at least 12 years old to participate and understand the games).
7. Support local artists at Shop Makers
As an artist, I love to support my fellow people and appreciate the blood, sweat, and tears they put into making their works. Marketing and selling them is a whole different beast (which is what I hope to do one day myself).
Shop Makers is a Canadian retailer that helps support local artists and business owners in making their dreams come true by displaying their work for sale. This includes art prints, postcards, stickers, jewelry, lotion, soap, and pottery. I even saw a business owner selling dog collars!
While I know that there is a row of souvenir shops across the street, I would reconsider going there and instead buy from a business owner at Shop Makers. The artists produce beautiful work that includes Vancouver themes (which include the steam clock, Lions Gate Bridge, and Stanley Park’s seawall). Not only will it keep the artists’ dreams alive, it will make for a thoughtful and not-cheesy gift to a loved one back home!
8. Go on a guided food tour
One of the best things to do in Gastown is to eat your way through the neighborhood!
Just like Granville Island (my favorite part of Vancouver, 20 minutes away), Gastown is a foodie haven. There is an abundance of restaurants, international eateries, kiosks, cafes, and bars (some of which were once saloons during the Gold Rush era).
If you want to try all of the delicious-looking places to eat but have little time (or money) to try them all, consider going on a guided food tour! While it may seem pricey up front, you save in the long run because it is cheaper than eating at each restaurant. Granted, they aren’t full meals, but the restaurant owners will only give you the best and most popular dish in their establishment.
Some food tours include a stop at Twisted Fork, too!
Here are a few food tours to book that are based in Gastown:
- Gastown Walking Gourmet Tour: Food, Drinks & Local History (⭐ 4.9)
- Experience Gastown Vancouver’s Elite Walking Food Tour (⭐ 4.9)
- Gastown Historic Walking Food Tour (⭐ 4.8)
9. Shop for a cause at Community Thrift & Vintage
Gastown has a bunch of clothing stores, but they are very expensive. If you’re looking to go shopping, you can find some stylish pieces at Community Thrift & Vintage for a reasonable price. It’s also much more environmentally friendly to go thrifting!
When you shop at Community Thrift & Vintage, proceeds go to PHS Community Services Society, a nonprofit that helps provide housing and health services to the underserved population in Vancouver and Victoria.
10. Go art gallery hopping
From contemporary art to indigenous pieces, Gastown is a hub for galleries and museums. There are even some signs highlighting a neighborhood’s best art galleries.
Cecilio and I walked into Coastal Peoples Fine Arts Gallery, a gallery dedicated to artists from the First Nations and Inuit tribes showcasing their pieces. These pieces include totem poles, wooden masks representing different animals, bowls, dishes, sculptures, paintings, and jewelry, and they are made with top-notch craftsmanship. The artists honor their heritage and history by continuing to create works deeply ingrained in their heritage.
Centre for Contemporary International Art (CICA) is a new non-profit art organization founded in 2021, and they are women and BIPOC-led. They host 3–4 exhibitions every year, showcasing and empowering underrepresented, emerging artists. They also offer educational activities for children going on field trips or touring with their families.
11. Get pampered in a float bath (and more)
If you’re staying near Gastown, you can easily walk from your hotel to Floathouse for the ultimate pampering sesh!
You can laze in the bathtub, which has water with 1,000 pounds of Epsom salt, allowing you to float. Float therapy helps with pain relief, increased circulation, relaxation, and improved sleep.
At Floathouse, it’s $75 CAD to float in a tub for 75 minutes.
There is also a cold plunge and a sauna, and you can purchase a package to cycle between them, circuit-style (Strom Spa in Quebec City also adopts this style), for $75 CAD for a 60-minute session. These hot-cold cycles are also known to improve circulation, increase energy levels, and help your skin glow.
You can also get a massage after your float or hot-cold session, which is just the extra cherry on top and the best way to relax and loosen up those muscles.
12. Bar hop at the local breweries
Gastown has some hip, fun breweries that you don’t want to miss; not surprisingly, since Gassy Jack (whom Gastown is named after) opened a few bars after developing health problems during the Gold Rush.
Here are some bars, pubs, and breweries in Gastown for your next pint:
- The Lamplighter: Established in 1925, The Lamplighter is one of Vancouver’s oldest pubs and the first to serve women (though they initially needed a male escort). Today, they serve beer, wine, cocktails and bites like wings, fries, calamari, and sandwiches. They have daily Happy Hour, pub trivia on Tuesdays, Bourbon and Bingo on Wednesdays, and DJs playing on Friday and Saturday nights (with $2 beers!).
- Steamworks Brewing Co.: This is one of Gastown’s most popular breweries, well-known for its steam-powered method, just like the clock (which is a 3-minute walk). Steamworks is known for having a variety of beers on tap along with a few seasonal ones. The location is immaculate, overlooking the waterfront (perfect for a pre-cruise brunch or lunch!).
- The Cambie Pub: If you’re a young, budget-conscious backpacker or a student, The Cambie is the pub for you. The pub prides itself on having the cheapest beers in town, with $3.50 beers (including tax) every day from 3–9 pm. They are also one of Vancouver’s oldest pubs, as they were established in 1897.
- The Blarney Stone: Right next to Maple Tree Square, The Blarney Stone calls themselves the closest thing you can get in Vancouver to Dublin’s Temple Bar without hopping on a plane. They are also the most well-known Irish pub in British Columbia. If you like Jameson, Guinness, and you’re craving halibut and chips or Shepherd’s pie, you’ve got to stop by The Blarney Stone!
You can also go on a bar crawl, where you can stop at four bars (which includes The Lamplighter). At all four bars, you can get a free shot for every drink you purchase. This is a fun way to explore the best of Gastown’s pub scene!
13. Get your laughs on at Little Mountain Gallery Comedy
Vancouver is known for its fair share of comedy shows, and the award-winning Little Mountain Gallery is no exception.
Little Mountain Gallery’s original location was in the Riley Park–Little Mountain neighborhood since 2001 under a few different names, before they got demolished in 2021 and relocated to Gastown in April 2024 (while keeping the name).
They host experienced comedians along with empowering emerging ones to get in on Vancouver’s comedy scene. All shows are independently produced, with an open-mic stand-up comedy on Wednesdays at 9 pm and improv on Tuesdays.
If you’re looking for something to do in Gastown at night that doesn’t require copious drinking, book tickets at Little Mountain Gallery for endless laughs and entertainment, but you have to book them right away because the tickets sell out quickly!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Gastown known for?
Gastown is Vancouver’s oldest neighborhood, and best known for its steam clock and its location near the waterfront (and it’s the perfect place to stay before a cruise). Gastown has incredible restaurants, cafes, breweries, and art galleries, so you’ll never get bored no matter how long you stay!
When does the Gastown Steam Clock go off?
Every 15 minutes, the Steam Clock puffs steam and makes the chiming sound, playing the Westminster Quarter.
How do you get to Gastown?
Getting to Gastown is easy, especially if you don’t have a car (you don’t want to drive around Downtown Vancouver, trust me). All you need to do is look for the closest station and take the SkyTrain on the Canada Line, stopping at Waterfront Station. Gastown is a 5-minute walk away.
If you’re coming from North Vancouver, you can take the SeaBus from the Lonsdale Quay Station to Waterfront Station.
Wrapping up the best things to do in Gastown
No trip to Vancouver (especially Downtown Vancouver) is complete without stopping by Gastown for a few hours. And if you are staying nearby before a cruise, then you have no excuse! You’ll walk through buildings and landmarks that take you back to the 19th century, sample delicious foods, and admire up-and-coming artists featured in galleries and comedy shows.
Whether you’re going with your partner, a group of friends, a family with small children, or even solo, you will have a fantastic time in Gastown!
Looking for more Vancouver guides and resources?! I got you below!
- 12+ Things to do in Granville Island (Vancouver’s other cool spot)
- Summer Guide to Grouse Mountain
- Your 4-Day Vancouver Itinerary
- 9 Epic Vancouver Seaplane Tours
- Where to Stay in Vancouver Before a Cruise
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Hannah is a travel writer, graphic designer, and the founder/editor of Hannah on Horizon. She is based in Sacramento, California, living with her husband and two adorable dogs. She shares tips on how to experience luxury travel on any budget, and how to maximize time at each trip or destination, no matter what your budget or amount of vacation time at work. She enjoys making you feel like you have visited each destination with her through her storytelling and informative writing style.