GASTOWN

Description

Essentials about Gastown in brief

A stroll through Gastown is a charming journey back in time to historic Vancouver. In the small neighborhood just behind Waterfront Station, the city’s oldest buildings line cobblestone streets with old, flower-decorated lanterns. Gastown’s unique flair, however, is its combination of historic architecture with a vibrant dining, fashion and gallery scene. Here, locals and tourists alike gather every day to sip craft beer in beer pubs, enjoy European-Asian crossover cuisine in restaurants, try on the latest collections from young Canadian designers in fashion boutiques, and search for First Nations art objects in galleries.

The history of Gastown

The Gastown district is the historic nucleus of today’s Vancouver. In 1867, British settler John “Gassy Jack” Deighton opened the first pub here. Today, a statue still commemorates Gastown’s founding father and namesake. The town grew rapidly as a sawmill and seaport settled. Gastown quickly developed into a commercial and financial center. In 1886, Gastown was granted city charter and became the City of Vancouver. That same year, the city fell victim to the Great Vancouver Fire, which only two buildings in Gastown survived. It took until the 1920s before the town was fully rebuilt.

The architecture of Gastown

Due to its “long” history, Gastown is the part of Vancouver with the most historical flair. A walk through the streets of Gastown with its Victorian architecture is definitely a must when visiting Vancouver. Especially Water Street with its picture-book ensemble of historic buildings, cobblestone streets, old lanterns with floral decorations, the famous gas clock (one of the few steam-powered clocks in the world) and the statue of “Gassy Jack” is a must-see. Those interested in the historical and architectural details of Gastown can also take a guided tour of the district.

The shopping, art and gastronomy scene of Gastown

Gastown is worth a visit, however, not only for its special historical and architectural atmosphere, but especially for its vibrant and thriving gastronomy, fashion and gallery scene. Here, locals and tourists alike gather to enjoy their physical well-being in the countless restaurants, cafes, wine and cocktail bars, and beer pubs.

If you’re looking for fashion, art and souvenirs, be sure to wander the streets of Gastown. In fact, the district has an excellent range of trendy fashion boutiques, souvenir and gift stores, and galleries that sell First Nations art in particular.