Gastown: Tours and Guided Visits

When you’re in Vancouver, make sure to visit historic Gastown, the city’s oldest neighborhood. Experience the district’s heritage charm and Victorian buildings, housing thriving fashion shops, boutiques, galleries and some of Vancouver’s best culinary spots.

Join a Gastown tour in Vancouver and head to Water Street, where you can admire the attractive collection of historic landmarks, its cobblestones, the famous Steam Clock, and vintage lamp posts. Explore Water Street down to the end and look at the site where tavern-keeper Gassy Jack Deighton started it all.

Here's all you need to know about Gastown, one of the most exhilarating sightseeing tours in Vancouver.

Where is Gastown located?

Gastown lies along the north of the downtown Vancouver peninsula, from Richards east to Main Street, and south to Hastings Street. Downtown Vancouver to Gastown takes about 10 minutes to walk. Expect to pay about US$10 for a taxi.

As for public transportation, the 10, 14, 19, 22, 4 and R5 buses pass near Gastown. You can also take the Canada Line and Expo Line Skytrain and get off at Stadium-Chinatown Station (2 minutes walk) or Waterfront Station (6 minutes walk).

What are the best things to see in Gastown?

The Vancouver Seawall

Construction of the Vancouver Seawall began in Stanley Park in 1917 and much of the continuing building was overseen by the Park Board master stonemason, James Cunningham. He was involved from the late 1920s until his retirement 35 years later. A plaque honoring his pioneer work was erected on the rock face at Siwash Rock above the Seawall.

On 21 September 1980, the final paving between Second and Third Beach was laid and the entire Seawall loop around Stanley Park officially completed. The Seawall has been extended outside of Stanley Park since 1980 and two portions of Stanley Park and English Bay were renewed in 2010/11.

The Steam Clock

The Steam Clock at the corner of Cambie and Water Streets is regarded as the most iconic landmark in the Gastown district. There are only a few steam clocks in the US, Canada and Japan, most designed by horologist Raymond Saunders for display in urban public spaces.

They are often designed to appear as 19th-century antiques, but more recent versions are inspired by this Gastown clock Saunders built in 1977. The clock isn’t actually steam-powered but electric, but it still does blow out steam. Every 15 minutes, the Steam Clock whistles and blows steam from the five whistles.  On the hour, the clock marks each hour, with a toot from each whistle.

Waterfront Station

Waterfront Station is located at 601 West Cordova Street in downtown Vancouver. The station was built in 1912-1914 and designed in the neoclassic style by the architectural firm of Barrott, Blackader and Webster.

The Station is the terminus of the SeaBus, SkyTrains and West Coast Express, and is undoubtedly the Lower Mainland’s most important public transit hub. It is central and close to major attractions near the station that are within walking distance. These include Canada Place, the Vancouver Lookout, FlyOver Canada and the Vancouver Convention Centre.

What are the best tours to visit Gastown?

Bike tour of Gastown, Chinatown and Granville Island

Discover Vancouver’s fascinating historical neighborhoods on this 3.5 -hour small group bicycle tour of the city.  Start your tour at English Bay and end your exhilarating bicycle ride on Granville Island and return via a water taxi.

Your tour kicks off on the sandy shores of English Bay. Follow your tour guide along the beach path and stop along the False Creek seawall and admire the colorful "Giants" mural by Osgemeos. Continue into the Yaletown district to the Roundhouse Community Centre and see the first trans-continental passenger train to cross Canada into Vancouver in 1887.

From there, return to the Seawall and cycle alongside BC Place, the Park Casino and Rogers Arena. Carry on to Gastown, Vancouver's oldest neighborhood and share the story of the legendary Gassy Jack. Stop at the iconic Vancouver Steam Clock and admire the impressive design of historic Woodwards Tower.

Cycle over to Chinatown to look inside the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Gardens and learn about the important role of the Chinese in the development of Canada. Pedal through Strathcona, Vancouver's oldest residential neighborhood. And stop at Nora Hendrix's house to hear about Vancouver's connection to the legendary Jimi.

Then have a tasty treat at La Casa Gelato, the ice-cream shop with 238 flavors to choose from. Pass through Olympic Athlete's Village to Granville Island to see the artisan shops and browse through the more than 100 stalls. Finish with a quick sea cruise across False Creek on the Aquabus ferry system.

Gastown Historic Walking Food Tour

Explore Vancouver’s historic Gastown quarter on this 2.5- hour food tour and share stories with your guide of the neighborhood’s wild past as you walk. Taste a variety of Canadian classics such as poutine and Japanese Kar-age style chicken and wash it down with local craft beer. Wander the cobbled streets, take in the unique atmosphere of Gastown and enjoy seven food tastings and three alcohol tastings as you go along.

Meet your guide at the Waterfront Station main hall, next to Starbucks. You will first visit the famous Steam Clock at the corner of Cambie and Water Streets, the Gastown district’s most iconic landmark. It was designed by horologist Raymond Saunders in 1977 in an antique style and is one of only a few steam clocks in the world.

Then stop at Maple Tree Square, the intersection where Vancouver originated and the site of John 'Gassy Jack' Deighton's first pub. It’s also the location where the city council’s inaugural meeting was held under a maple tree. See the former site of the statue of Jack Deighton and the nearby restored Byrnes Block. The statue was permanently toppled in 2022 by protestors where Deighton's Globe Saloon once stood. They saw 'Gassy Jack' as a symbol of oppression against indigenous people, who was 40 years old when he married a 12-year-old Squamish First Nation girl.  

For the next two hours, you will explore Gastown, Vancouver's oldest district and rich in heritage. Here you'll discover an old town with attractive historical brick buildings, many tourist shops and excellent restaurants. Your fascinating tour finishes at Trees Organic Coffee on Water Street.

What are the prices of Gastown tours?

Walking tours of about 1 to 1.5 hours' duration cost around US$30 per person, while 2 to 2.5 hour food tours cost around US$100 per person. There are also the odd Donut Tours lasting 2 hours at around US$50 per person.

Bike tours of Gastown, Chinatown and Granville Island are priced at about US$60 and include the Aquabus (water taxi) ticket. Typically, Gastown historic walking food tours cost around US$100 per person and include 7 food tastings, 3 alcoholic tastings and GST.

Where do Gastown tours start?

Gastown tours start from various locations in downtown Vancouver, such as the Waterfront Station on West Cordova Street, English Bay Bike Rentals near Beach Avenue, and Maple Tree Square.

When is the best time to visit Gastown?

The best time to visit Gastown is early in the morning or later in the afternoon to avoid most visitors. July and August are the best months if you want to plan your trip without worrying about the weather, as it’s the warmest of the year. Winter is the best time for better deals.

Travel tips

• Make sure to book your tour of Gastown in advance to get the best deal.
• The weather can be unpredictable, so dress in layers and pack for possible rain, even in summer.
• Plan your sightseeing before nightfall (especially in winter).
• Whales hang around Vancouver from March to October.