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Vancouver, Canada
Photo: TimBray, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Commercial Drive-Hastings Park makes up part of "East Vancouver" (or East Van). Its main draw is Commercial Drive (known locally as The Drive), which is one of the most interesting areas of Vancouver in terms of ethnic and culinary diversity. There is also a strong artistic and activist community located in the Commercial Drive area. For the purposes of this guide, the district covers everything from Gore St in the west to Burnaby in the east, and everything from the Burrard Inlet in the north to King Edward Ave/25th Ave in the south.
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Good-sized park tucked on the shore of the Burrard Inlet between port facilities. It provides an interesting, grittier view of the North Shore mountains with the port facilities and Second Narrows Bridge in sight. Amenities include playing fields, a children's playground, a beach and a trail along the shore. There is also the New Brighton Pool, a heated outdoor pool that is usually open from the Victoria Day long weekend to Labour Day (late May to early Sept).
Horse racing on most weekends.
Small Japanese garden built as an apology for Japanese internment.
This artwork installed in 2010, looks like a Christian cross, and is a reference is to the city’s Eastern half, which is traditionally less wealthy and harder-edged. Ironically almost half of Greater Vancouver residents identify as not having a religion, a fraction that is higher than any other large city in North America. This artwork is easily seen when looking south, while taking the SkyTrain Expo Line between Main Street-Science World station and Commercial-Broadway station. It is also a located a block east of VCC-Clark station on the SkyTrain Millenium Line.
Pacific National Exhibition
Two week exhibition where extra rides and events are added to the usual Playland activities.
Playland is a medium-sized amusement park, like something you may find at a U.S. county fair, and activities include a wooden rollercoaster, games, shows for kids and perhaps 20 or so other rides that spin, throw and hurl you in various ways.
This might be the best deal on sushi in the city. $4.95 for an 18 piece combo (including yam rolls) with miso soup, or teriyaki box. Decent quality and decor.
Well known for having huge portions for small prices. Take out available. There is another location at 1108 Davie in the West End, which is open until midnight.
Bon's has a great atmosphere and excellent prices including $3 breakfast all day: 2 eggs, toast, bacon or sausage, and hashbrowns.
This gelateria is a little off the beaten path, but the over 200 flavours will reward you!
A Vietnamese sandwich shop that is rather out of the way for most tourists but it regularly wins local awards for sandwiches and has delicious Vietnamese subs (including a vegetarian one) for less than $8.
Small neighbourhood restaurant kind of like a country diner serving hearty portions of sandwiches, burgers and all day breakfast. It's probably best known for its pulled pork pancakes and sandwiches. Popular over lunch, so expect to wait for a table if arriving between noon and 1PM.
Taco chain that began in Tofino but now has locations all over Vancouver, the hastings branch offers a hip vibe and a large selection of craft-beer.
Authentic Cambodian restaurant which can attract large crowds.
Upstairs is a funky little coffee house with lots of comfy seating, downstairs is a friendly pub, popular with a lot of local sports teams. There is a patio adjoining, with heat lamps for those cooler evenings. Friday nights are almost always packed.
Microdistillery with their own cocktails. They offer a tasting with a sample of each of their different liquors as well as small tours.
A pub that takes its beer seriously. The two page beer menu features craft beers from across Canada and U.S. and there are live reports on how full each keg is. The food choices are pretty standard for a pub — burgers, sandwiches, pizza and finger foods — but it's well done. There are also a number of TVs for catching the game.
Microbrewery that offers flights, snacks and sells canned 6-packs of some of their beers. Offers small tours too.
Microbrewery.
Microbrewery that offers flights, snacks and growler fills.
Oldest microbrewery in Vancouver. They don't offer flights, but will give you tastings of anything one at a time for free (small donation suggested).
Microbrewery with a large number of beers and some snacks. They've begun offering pint cans of some of their beers and offer growler fills.
Standard motel room with wireless internet in each room and a complimentary continental breakfast. Located on a busy street so traffic noise can sometimes be a problem. Will provide complimentary shuttle service to downtown and some nearby attractions (although space is limited).
The Waldorf is a creative hub in the heart of East Vancouver where contemporary art, music, food and culture convene under one roof. The programming for the space will be both artistically expansive and thematically inclusive. The complex consists of thirty rooms, two restaurants (Nuba Cafe and The Leeteg Dining Room), a Tiki bar (restored and retrofitted with a vintage analogue audiophile sound system), a hair salon (run by Barbarella Hair), a gift shop, a nightclub and a live music venue. In the works are a multi-media theatre space and recording studio (tied to a residency program for visiting musicians).The Waldorf joins a new wave of Vancouver businesses that are conversing with the city, setting a benchmark for culture and hospitality.
Between Renfrew St and Clark Dr, especially east of Victoria Dr. Offers some of the best hidden delights in the city, including produce stores.
Sells outdoors supplies.
By car
Highway 1 (Trans-Canada Highway) passes through East Vancouver heading east from West Vancouver via North Vancouver, and heading west from Surrey via Burnaby.
By car
Driving is certainly doable, and likely faster than public transit, but it can be slow with the traffic and lights (remember, there are no expressways).
By bike
The Adanac bikeway (along Union St then Adanac St) goes from Downtown to the district, and connects to Burnaby's bike routes.
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