Gastown: A Self-Guided Tour of Vancouver’s Oldest Neighborhood

Gastown: A Self-Guided Tour of Vancouver’s Oldest Neighborhood

By VoiceMap Audio Tours

Free cancellation available

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Features

Free cancellation available
2h 30m
Mobile voucher
Instant confirmation

Overview

Explore Gastown’s historic cobblestone streets on this two-hour walking tour that reveals Vancouver’s complex identity as a Pacific port city.

Starting at Waterfront Station, you’ll see preserved architecture, confront issues like gentrification and houselessness, and visit key sites including Maple Tree Square, the Gastown Steam Clock, former Japantown, and the Astoria Hotel.

Key highlights include:

• Architecture saved by 1960s activists fighting urban renewal
• Contrast between upscale eateries like Ask for Luigi and vulnerable residents
• History of the Asahi baseball team and Japanese-Canadian internment
• Vancouver’s only legal tent city at CRAB Park at Portside
• Blood Alley’s transformation into a community space
• Strathcona’s evolution into a green neighborhood
• Vancouverism’s unique mixed-use urban planning approach

The tour offers a deep dive into the city’s history, activism, and ongoing development.

Activity location

601 W Cordova St
- 601 West Cordova Street
- V6B 1G1, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Meeting/Redemption Point

601 W Cordova St
- 601 West Cordova Street
- V6B 1G1, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Check availability

Gastown: A Self-Guided Tour of Vancouver’s Oldest Neighborhood in English

2h 30m
Opening hours: Mon 0:00-23:59
English

Travelers

Language options: English

Price details

P 708.66 x 1 AdultP 708.66

Total

What's included, what's not

Lifetime access to this tour in English before your booking date and after it
Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata
App for Android and iOS
Flexibility to explore at your own pace with a self-guided GPS tour
Directions to the starting point so that when you’re in the right place, the tour will start
Smartphone and headphones
Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour
Food and drink
Transportation

Know before you book

Suitable for all physical fitness levels
The total tour time includes walking the route and passing by the attractions

Activity itinerary

Waterfront Station (Pass by)

Start the tour at Waterfron Station, and admire its grand 1914 architecture, explore nearby attractions like Canada Place and Gastown, and enjoy views of the harbor. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.

Angel of Victory (Coeur de Lion MacCarthy, 1921) (Pass by)

Catch a glimpse at the Angel of Victory statue, a dramatic bronze angel lifting a fallen soldier, honoring Canadian Pacific Railway employees lost in WWI.

Gastown Steam Clock (Pass by)

Pass by and watch one of the world’s few working steam clocks release puffs of steam and chime every 15 minutes, a popular photo spot and a charming symbol of Vancouver’s old-town character.

Maple Tree Square (Pass by)

Stroll through the historic heart of Vancouver, where the city was founded, marked by a statue of “Gassy Jack” and surrounded by heritage buildings, cafés, and shops, it’s a great spot to explore Gastown’s roots and soak in its vibrant, historic atmosphere. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.

Alibi Room (Pass by)

Walk by and learn about its extensive craft beer selection and locally sourced menu. Set in a historic brick building near the railyards, a favorite spot for tasting BC brews and experiencing Vancouver’s laid-back food scene. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.

CRAB Park at Portside (Pass by)

Pass by and hear about this peaceful waterfront escape with stunning views of the mountains, harbor, and downtown skyline. Featuring a beach, walking paths, and a memorial for missing and murdered Indigenous women. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.

Ask For Luigi Restaurant (Pass by)

Walk by this popular and cozy, Italian-inspired dining in a charming, casual setting. Known for fresh, handmade pasta and warm hospitality, this small eatery near the rail tracks offers a local favorite experience. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.

Oppenheimer Park (Pass by)

Take a leisurely stroll through one of Vancouver’s oldest community parks, rich in local history and activism, hosting cultural events and sports, serving as a gathering place, reflecting the area's social challenges and strong sense of community.

Location

Activity location

601 W Cordova St
- 601 West Cordova Street
- V6B 1G1, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Meeting/Redemption Point

601 W Cordova St
- 601 West Cordova Street
- V6B 1G1, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

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