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Vancouver, Canada
Photo: Mathew5000, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Kitsilano (or "Kits"), South Granville and Granville Island form most of the northern part of the Vancouver west side. In the 1960s Kits was a neighbourhood where hippies "tuned in and dropped out" but today it has some of Vancouver's most expensive properties. It is situated right on the beach and very close to downtown. Granville Island and the nearby neighbourhood of South Granville is a focal point for the arts community in Vancouver with a number of studios and theatre groups.
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The Space Centre is not unlike Science World, with most activities fascinating primarily to pre-teens. The planetarium, however, is a more interesting excursion, and will not be so fascinating to children. It is a small planetarium staffed by volunteers whose knowledge of all things space will stun and amaze you.
formerly the Vancouver Museum
The largest civic museum in Canada, with over 1 million items from Vancouver's history, only a fraction of which fit in the exhibit halls. Tucked away to the left off the Orientation Gallery is a series of rooms telling Vancouver's story from the 19th century to the 1970s. The museum makes an effort to tell many stories of Vancouver: English Canadian, First Nations, various immigrant groups, etc. Kid-friendly exhibits.
Canada's premiere western maritime museum. Covers the maritime history of Canada, includes artifacts, models and the St. Roch ship. The museum apparently has far more things than space to show them, so they frequently rotate their exhibitions in fascinating thematic arrangements. Previous exhibitions included such familiar topics as the history of the Vikings, to the less familiar "1500 years of Croatian sailors". Check for $2 discount coupons that you can print from the website.
Surrounds the Kits Peninsula, with trails for joggers and bikers paralleling it, and some green grass and trees. This unique location is famous as an ideal place flying kites and hosts a Kite Flying Festival every summer. Stunning views of English Bay, Stanley Park, and downtown.
Kits Beach
It's the sandy beach for the young to hang out and be seen at. Kits beach also features beach volleyball courts and a large public swimming pool. Popular in the summer, the salt water pool is 137.5 m in length and runs along the ocean's edge.
Bicycle rentals and sales.
Sailboat Racing. Offers drop-in Friday night racing for all comers. No skill or knowledge is required, in fact the sailing is strictly novice level.
Stanley Theatre
The main stage for the Vancouver Arts Theatre Company. Mostly shows Broadway musicals and other large theatre productions.
The Granville Island stage for the Vancouver Arts Club Theatre Company.
Long-running improv company in the Improv Centre on Granville Island.
Annual summer Shakespeare festival held in tents. Each year there are two mainstage productions and two productions for the smaller stage. Even if you have tickets, plan to line up at least an hour before the show to get good seats. Many people will bring a picnic lunch/dinner (purchased at nearby Granville Island) to enjoy while they wait to be admitted.
Greek Day is a family-oriented street festival that invites visitors to taste Greek food at its many kiosks while enjoying entertainment and activities for all ages. It is the culmination of the Hellenic Heritage Month that celebrates Greek heritage and culture. Greek Day takes place on the last Sunday of every June along West Broadway between Macdonald St and Blenheim St.
Vancouver, apart from the mountains and the ocean, is famous for its variety of trees, tree-lined streets and cherry blossoms in the spring. No area more so typifies this veritable tree heaven than Kitsilano. Walk down most of the streets in the neighbourhood and you will find yourself beneath one stunning canopy after another. As well as street plantings of the same species of tree, there are hundreds of different individual trees in front gardens, alleyways and public places. One of the most famous tree avenues in Vancouver is the Tulip trees on 10th Ave from Blenheim to Dunbar.
A truly amazing folk festival featuring spectacular views of the harbour and mountains. The Vancouver Folk Festival typically features several stages, and a wonderous mix of traditional and contemporary artists.
Every year, close to 100 theatre groups and performers from across Canada and around the world perform for 11 days in diverse venues, from theatres to garages to a moving Aquabus.
High-end organic grocery store featuring a veggie buffet take away or eat in. Also has a Robson Street location downtown.
Vancouver's first late-night dessert cafe. Opened in 1979, it is an authentic Vancouver cultural experience. Featuring the original "Vancouver-style", it is a light cheesecake with various toppings added.
An interesting concept that sometimes works with low shared tables and wailing Asian music in a carpeted room. Decent chai to go with Indian/Tibetan/Pakistani/Iranian food. Some say service is lacking and portions are small.
Vegetarian restaurant with organic options. Food taken from numerous cooking styles. Some love the Naam, some are disappointed by food, service and cleanliness. Wine and beer available.
A friendly cafe that uses locally-grown and organic ingredients with a first-class menu that's long on vegetarian and vegan dishes. The brunch on Saturday and Sunday is delicious or try the pie and chai combination. Service is sometimes slow, so expect a wait, particularly when crowded. Lunch and dinner on weekdays; no reservations. Pies to go can be purchased at the pie shop next door.
Malaysian food is a vibrant mingling of Chinese, Indian, Thai, Indonesian, and Malay, and it springs to life at Banana Leaf with rich flavours beautifully presented, yet in an efficient, low-key atmosphere. Many dishes can be prepared vegetarian. Other locations are on West Broadway (Mt Pleasant), Davie, Robson, and Denman.
A bright, airy, colourful space and an all-vegetarian menu with extensive vegan choices. They favour local and fair-trade ingredients. There is brunch menu F-Su 9AM-4PM (weekends).
A fusion Japanese restaurant. The food is anything Japanese with a North American twist to it. The crowd can best be described as your usual 20-something crowd. Be prepared for kitsch overload.
Serves innovative Japanese cuisine. Try the omakase menu, where you leave the details of your 5-course meal to the chef's discretion. The vegetarian omakase can have spectacularly realistic-looking sushi made from vegetables. À la carte menu also available — but why skip the chance to let the master delight you? Winner of the "Best Japanese Restaurant" awards from Vancouver Magazine every year since 1991.
Indian restaurant that combines Indian spices and cooking techniques with local ingredients. New York Times food writer Mark Bittman said that Vij’s was: "Easily among the finest Indian restaurants in the world."
The exotic decor and rich flavours justify this restaurant's pride in Afghan culture and cuisine. Try one of the platters for two people ($54-76). Numerous vegetarian options, and some vegan dishes too. Try to stay for the mesmerizing belly-dancer's performance.
Some of the best fish and chips in Vancouver, along with seasonal fish-based dishes all using fresh ingredients from local fishers. It's just a shack with some outdoor seating and may be a little hard to find; easiest to reach by foot or by bike. Look up driving directions if going by car – the route is not straightforward.
Enjoy a variety of fish and seafood while looking out over Granville Island and False Creek. Also has a number of tapas and meat dishes.
A local favourite, Darby’s is one of Kitsilano’s oldest neighbourhood pubs and has the best rooftop patio in the neighbourhood. Featuring live entertainment, comedy & karaoke nights, UFC, all broadcast & PPV Canucks games. With a classic pub menu focusing on quality.
Visit this local brewery and sample their brews in their taproom. Taster sleeves and full pints of this locally brewed beer.
Irish-themed pub with a good selection of draft beers and live music.
The only accommodation on Granville Island. Some of the standard rooms have a water view plus there are six executive suites and two penthouse suites. All rooms come with wireless and high-speed internet and there is a jacuzzi room on site.
A long-time mainstay of Vancouver's music scene, and focuses particularly on alternative and indie rock. Has a vinyl section and an outlet for event tickets, and frequent in-store performances.
Primarily skis, and mainly freestyle stuff, but does snowboards too.
Large snowboard and skateboard shop with a wide range of clothing and other apparel as well.
Snowboarding, skateboarding, wakeboarding, surfing. Has adjacent clearance stores where some good deals can be had.
Canada's only hammock shop has been operating on Granville Island since 1995. Specializing in hand made fair trade hammocks from Mexico, Bali & Brazil.
Lots of toys and activities for the children.
Stores and a museum for all things related to the sea.
Food stalls and small items. Make sure to bring your own reusable bag.
See Vancouver for options to get in the Vancouver area by plane, by bus, and by train, and by boat.
Read in the guideBy car
Burrard St, via the Burrard Street Bridge, links Kitsilano with downtown and Granville St links South Granville with downtown.
By boat
Two ferry operators provide similar service to Granville Island, Yaletown, Science World and the Olympic Village. Trips connecting with Kitsilano are only offered by False Creek Ferries.
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