Gastown Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Gastown which includes street scenes, café lifestyle and a city
Gastown showing a city
Gastown which includes outdoor eating, street scenes and a city
Gastown showing signage
Gastown
The birthplace of Vancouver is full of old-world charm with cobbled streets, Victorian buildings, and a unique steam-powered clock.

Gastown grew up around a tavern, which opened in 1867 to service thirsty sawmill workers and visiting sailors. The bar owner was John “Gassy Jack” Deighton, so called because of his talkative nature.

As the nearest pub was more than 20 miles (32 kilometers) away, Deighton’s establishment became the heart of the small town in what was mostly wilderness on Canada’s west coast. Both the fledgling town, which took it’s name from Gassy Jack, and the watering hole prospered thanks to the sawmill and the seaport, and would become the world-class city of Vancouver.

After the global Great Depression of the 1930s, the neighborhood hit hard times. The city had expanded westward and changed its name to Vancouver, and Gastown was largely forgotten. In fact, it became so rundown that there were calls for the neighborhood to be torn down. A large public campaign organized by property owners and local businesses managed to persuade the provincial government to spare Gastown from the wrecking ball in the 1970s.

The area has benefited from a major regeneration program and gentrification, and today is a happy confluence of old town history and modern day urban chic. It may not be the heart of the city anymore, but Gastown has retained its character with cobblestone streets and old buildings, many of which are more than a hundred years old.

Many of those original buildings are now home to bars and restaurants. Enjoy fine dining — from Italian, to French, to Asian-influenced — as well as tap houses with exceptional locally-brewed beer.

Explore this eclectic neighborhood by day and night. Your meandering will take you past nightspots, high fashion boutiques, antique stores and galleries. Several chic home design shops offer elegant, decorative fabrics and tableware from all over the world. Observe the statue of “Gassy Jack” perched atop a whiskey barrel in Maple Tree Square on the site of the area’s first tavern, and there’s a French restaurant on the site of Vancouver’s first jail.

One of the town’s best-known landmarks is its steam-powered clock, which stands on the intersection of Cambie Street and Water Street, and ‘toots’ every 15 minutes. The clock’s timepiece is partially driven by water vapor and while it looks like a Victorian antique, it was actually built in 1977. It was the first of its type ever built. Plaques with information on buildings and landmarks are scattered throughout the town.

Gastown is an easy walk from the surrounding hotel districts, and also accessible by bus or the Skytrain, Vancouver’s rapid transportation system. Parking can be tricky to find during the busy summer tourist season.


Popular places to visit

Activities


Our pick of the best Gastown Hotel Deals

Pinnacle Hotel Harbourfront
Pinnacle Hotel Harbourfront
4 out of 5
1133 Hastings St W, Vancouver, BC
The price is AU$274 per night from 25 Mar to 26 Mar
AU$274
includes taxes & fees
25 Mar - 26 Mar
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Vancouver. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (6,270 reviews)
"Incredible stay"

Reviewed on 22 Mar. 2025

Pinnacle Hotel Harbourfront
River Rock Casino Resort
River Rock Casino Resort
4 out of 5
8811 River Road, Richmond, BC
The price is AU$195 per night from 30 Mar to 31 Mar
AU$195
includes taxes & fees
30 Mar - 31 Mar
Stay at this 4-star luxury resort in Richmond. Enjoy a full-service spa, 5 restaurants, and a marina. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (8,575 reviews)
"Too expensive for what you get- added costs upon check out. Not terribly impressed overall."

Reviewed on 22 Mar. 2025

River Rock Casino Resort
Pan Pacific Vancouver
Pan Pacific Vancouver
4.5 out of 5
999 Canada Pl, Vancouver, BC
The price is AU$329 per night from 25 Mar to 26 Mar
AU$329
includes taxes & fees
25 Mar - 26 Mar
Book a stay at this spa hotel in Vancouver. Enjoy a full-service spa, 3 restaurants, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool ...
9/10 Wonderful! (4,342 reviews)
"Great views, spacious and clean rooms. Very convenient location right next to waterfront, and nice access to the rest of downtown. Did not like having to walk through parking garage to get to the fitness centre."

Reviewed on 22 Mar. 2025

Pan Pacific Vancouver
Fairmont Waterfront
Fairmont Waterfront
4.5 out of 5
900 Canada Place Way, Vancouver, BC
The price is AU$375 per night from 25 Mar to 26 Mar
AU$375
includes taxes & fees
25 Mar - 26 Mar
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Vancouver. Enjoy a rooftop terrace, breakfast (surcharge), and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,820 reviews)
"Great and convenient location in central part of town"

Reviewed on 22 Mar. 2025

Fairmont Waterfront
YWCA Hotel
YWCA Hotel
2.5 out of 5
733 Beatty Street, Vancouver, BC
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is AU$169 per night from 31 Mar to 1 Apr
AU$169
includes taxes & fees
31 Mar - 1 Apr
Stay at this hotel in Vancouver. Enjoy free WiFi, a fitness center, and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (2,167 reviews)
"Excellent location!"

Reviewed on 22 Mar. 2025

YWCA Hotel
Fairmont Vancouver Airport In-Terminal Hotel
Fairmont Vancouver Airport In-Terminal Hotel
4.5 out of 5
3111 Grant McConachie Way, Richmond, BC
The price is AU$397 per night from 25 Mar to 26 Mar
AU$397
includes taxes & fees
25 Mar - 26 Mar
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Richmond. Enjoy a full-service spa, breakfast (surcharge), and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (5,516 reviews)
"Convenient location. Friendly staff!"

Reviewed on 23 Mar. 2025

Fairmont Vancouver Airport In-Terminal Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Gastown

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Crosstown

While you're in Crosstown, take in top sights like Chinatown Millennium Gate and jump on the metro at Stadium-Chinatown Station to see more of the city.

Crosstown
Chinatown showing heritage architecture

Chinatown

Well liked for its restaurants and gardens, Chinatown is worth a visit. Check out the variety of things to see and do like Rickshaw Theatre and Main Street, and jump on the metro at Stadium-Chinatown Station to get around the city.

Chinatown
Downtown Vancouver showing a city, a high-rise building and modern architecture

Downtown Vancouver

4.5/5(406 area reviews)

Canada Place Cruise Ship Terminal and BC Place Stadium are a few top attractions in Downtown Vancouver. Hop around the city on the metro at Vancouver City Center Station or Granville Station and check out the area's captivating waterfront views, popular shops and acclaimed art galleries.

Downtown Vancouver
Yaletown showing street scenes, a city and night scenes

Yaletown

Take time in Yaletown to visit attractions like Robson Street and Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre. You might also appreciate the abundant dining options, and you can hop on the metro at Yaletown-Roundhouse Station to see more of the city.

Yaletown
Gastown showing outdoor art, a statue or sculpture and a city

Central Vancouver

3/5(1 area review)

If you're spending time in Central Vancouver, check out sights like Canada Place Cruise Ship Terminal or Rogers Arena and hop on the metro to see more of the city at Granville Station or Vancouver City Center Station.

Central Vancouver
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Coal Harbour

The captivating waterfront views and popular shops are a few things travellers love about Coal Harbour. Check out Vancouver Waterfront or Jack Poole Plaza while you're visiting, and jump aboard the metro at Burrard Station to get around town.

Coal Harbour


Gastown Travel Guide

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