West End Travel Guide

Vancouver

West End featuring signage, a city and street scenes
West End which includes street scenes, food and signage
West End featuring street scenes and signage
West End which includes outdoor art, flowers and a city
West End showing a city, outdoor eating and street scenes

Home to Vancouver’s gay village, this neighborhood is one of the city’s most densely populated and liveliest, with popular cafés, shops and nightclubs.

West End is Vancouver’s cultural hub, featuring the city’s gay village, heritage buildings and an assortment of cafés and shops. With a population of over 40,000, the neighbourhood is quite densely populated for North America. If the crowds become too much, escape to one of the many parks and beaches in the area.

Start out on Robson Street, West End’s main thoroughfare. Here, visit an assortment of international restaurants and fashion boutiques. On a summer evening you’ll find this area filled with West End residents enjoying dinner or drinks on restaurant terraces. Robson Street also features the hotel district of Robson Slopes. Stay in this area for easy access to the beach, Stanley Park and downtown Vancouver.

Explore Davie Village, the heart of Vancouver’s gay community, which is one of the largest in western Canada. Cafés, designer fashion outlets and nightclubs fill the area. Visit in August to see the spectacular gay pride parade, which has been attracting thousands of visitors since 1978.

See one of the most beloved pieces of Vancouver public art in Morton Park on the southern edge of West End. Yue Minjun’s A-maze-ing Laughter is a series of tall bronze sculptures showing the artist in fits of hysterical laughter. Have your photo taken alongside the oversized statues.

West End is where Vancouver’s wealthy merchants once built their mansions. As a result, a heritage district of well-preserved Victorian manors sits in the middle of the neighbourhood today. Tour the Roedde House Museum to see a collection of late 19th-century artifacts in an impressive old house. Explore the Barclay Heritage Square surrounding the house to see more antique architecture.

Located in the northern section of downtown Vancouver, West End is served by several subway stops and many buses. If you are driving, be prepared to pay a steep fee to park on one of the neighbourhood’s main streets.


Popular places to visit



Other neighbourhoods around West End

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

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 BC Place Stadium 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
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
Granville Island featuring a bay or harbour, a high-rise building and a city

Granville Island

5/5(5 area reviews)

Granville Island is known for its ample dining options, and you can make a stop by Granville Island Public Market and False Creek while in the area.

Granville Island
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Crosstown

While you're in Crosstown, take in top sights like Island View Family Golf Centre and jump on the metro at Stadium-Chinatown Station to see more of the city.

Crosstown

West End Travel Guide