Gastown Travel Guide

Vancouver
Gastown showing a city
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 kilometres) 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 neighbourhood 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 neighbourhood to be torn down. A large public campaign organised 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 programme 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 neighbourhood 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 whisky 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 vapour 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


Top hotels in Gastown

Moda Hotel
Moda Hotel
3.5 out of 5
900 Seymour St, Vancouver, BC
The price is ₹7,722 per night from 31 Mar to 1 Apr
₹7,722
per night
31 Mar - 1 Apr
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Vancouver. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants and breakfast. Our guests praise the restaurant and the bar in their reviews. Popular ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,886 reviews)
"Great location right across from Orpheum Theatre. Lots of shopping and restaurants within walking distance. The rooms are small but clean. Will stay again!"

Reviewed on 26 Mar 2024

Moda Hotel
Pinnacle Hotel Harbourfront
Pinnacle Hotel Harbourfront
4 out of 5
1133 Hastings St W, Vancouver, BC
The price is ₹11,739 per night from 31 Mar to 1 Apr
₹11,739
per night
31 Mar - 1 Apr
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Vancouver. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in their reviews. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (4,414 reviews)
"Easily accessible"

Reviewed on 27 Mar 2024

Pinnacle Hotel Harbourfront
The Sutton Place Hotel Vancouver
The Sutton Place Hotel Vancouver
4.5 out of 5
845 Burrard St, Vancouver, BC
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ₹11,785 per night from 7 Apr to 8 Apr
₹11,785
per night
7 Apr - 8 Apr
Stay at this spa hotel in Vancouver. Enjoy a full-service spa, breakfast and WiFi. Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (3,152 reviews)
"The staff were very friendly and the room service was delivered within 10 min!!"

Reviewed on 28 Mar 2024

The Sutton Place Hotel Vancouver
River Rock Casino Resort
River Rock Casino Resort
4 out of 5
8811 River Road, Richmond, BC
The price is ₹11,545 per night from 31 Mar to 1 Apr
₹11,545
per night
31 Mar - 1 Apr
Stay at this 4-star spa resort in Richmond. Enjoy 3 restaurants, a marina and a casino. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
8/10 Very Good! (4,794 reviews)
"Pool is very good to kids"

Reviewed on 26 Mar 2024

River Rock Casino Resort
The Burrard
The Burrard
3 out of 5
1100 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC
The price is ₹10,373 per night from 1 Apr to 2 Apr
₹10,373
per night
1 Apr - 2 Apr
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Vancouver. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast and free bicycles on-site. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,993 reviews)
Fun hotel but dont bring truck
"We make an annual trip together as a family yearly, to Vancouver. We like the location, cool vibe and price point of The Burrard. My only complaint is parking. My f150 truck is just too big for the indoor parking area. I barely get in or out each time. Will need another option next time we ..."

Reviewed on 25 Mar 2024

The Burrard
Rosedale On Robson Suite Hotel
Rosedale On Robson Suite Hotel
3.5 out of 5
838 Hamilton Street, Vancouver, BC
The price is ₹11,590 per night from 14 Apr to 15 Apr
₹11,590
per night
14 Apr - 15 Apr
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Vancouver. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast and room service. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,832 reviews)
"👍"

Reviewed on 27 Mar 2024

Rosedale On Robson Suite 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

Chinatown showing signage

Downtown Eastside

2/5(9 area reviews)

Travellers come to Downtown Eastside for its lively bars, and you can see top attractions like Port of Vancouver and Rickshaw Theatre while you're in town.

Downtown Eastside
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(354 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 street scenes, a city and outdoor eating

Central Vancouver

3/5(2 area reviews)

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

Central Vancouver
Default Image

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

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