Vancouver Walking & Biking Tours
Gastown & Chinatown Walking Tour $25 CAD
During this walking tour, you get to soak in stunning waterfront views from Waterfront Station. Visit historic Gastown with its cobblestone roadway, Steam Clock and heritage buildings. Try some ciders and ales at a local Irish Bar. North America’s 2nd largest Chinatown features cultural enlightenment, interesting tastes and the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Park. (See below for detailed description)
An easy bicycle ride passing by Vancouver’s best beaches and local hot spots. The tour takes adventurers through the beautiful Stanley Park along the sea wall. We bike past English Bay, over the Burrard Street Bridge to Granville Island Market, where we stop for a delicious lunch. The bicycle ride continues past the 2010 Olympic village, Science World, Chinatown, Gastown and the brand new Convention Center. (See below for detailed description)
Gastown/ Chinatown Walking Tour Detailed Description
Explore Gastown and Chinatown, two to Vancouver’s most unique and diverse districts, on foot. An expert tour guide filled with anecdotes and insider information will enlighten you on the history, culture, and modern excitement that these fascinating areas can offer.
Guests will gather at Starbucks Coffee inside the main lobby of Waterfront Station, 601 Cordova Street. Experience the amazing architecture and site of the train, Seasbus, and subway transit hub along the country’s largest harbour.
Walking into Gastown, Vancouver’s birthplace, guests will experience cobbled streets, Native Art Galleries, and commercial activity unlike anything you’ve seen before. Explore various sites like “Blood Alley,” a beautiful side-street with an infamous legend and the famous Steam Clock. Whether it’s the tale of Gassy Jack, the inspiring architecture or the diverse window-shopping, you will love Gastown’s mix of old and new. A surprise tasting at the Irish Heather marks the half way point of the tour.
Walk through the new Carrall Street pedestrian zone to Chinatown to get an up close view of the fascinating culture. Guests will be guided through the lively Chinese market, herbal medicine shops and historical alleys. Marvel at the Asian traditional tea tasting at Ten Ren Tea adds to the Chinatown experience. Take a peaceful break at the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden.
Chinatown, with a history of hardship and amazing tales, has a unique and vibrant atmosphere that gives an authentic Chinese experience in a North American City.
Located on the edge of the downtown Eastisde getting to Chinatown will give you a glimpse into Vancouver’s colourful, grittier side.
Highlights:
- Historic Gastown
- Steam Clock
- Tasters of local flavours
- Indigenous galleries
- Dr. Sun Yat Sen Chinese Garden
Vancouver by Bike Detailed Description
Explore Vancouver’s bike friendly city the way locals do – on a bike! This bike tour covers everything a bus city tour covers and more! The leisurely ride accommodates all fitness levels to explore Vancouver in style.
The tour begins along Vancouver’s famous Stanley Park Sea Wall. Make sure to bring a camera for the various lookout stops showcasing the downtown and North Vancouver. After the cycle through Stanley park the tour guide will lead you through the West End, a central hub for the laid back lifestyle of Vancouverites. Beaches, old apartments, and on occasion, Grey Whales can be seen as you ride along the sea wall of this interesting area!
Enjoy a ride over False Creek to the wonders of Granville Island. Free time to explore and grab a bite to eat at the legendary public market allows for a short rest and a stimulation overload. After this artistic break the ride continues along False Creek where guests experience a piece of history at the LEED gold-rated Olympic Village and the heart of the 1986 Worlds Fair, Science World.
Turning right onto the new “pedestrian corridor,” Carrall Street, paves the way to catch a glimpse of Vancouver’s Chinatown. After the colour and culture of Chinatown is unveiled, guest will get a brief taste of the real world by skirting the Downtown East-Side on the way to Gastown.
Gastown, the historic birth place of Vancouver, houses trendy restaurants, unique shops, and an old town atmosphere with infamous legends. Cycling through Gastown leads guests to Coal Harbour. This final stretch passes new apartments, waterfront patios and various other Vancouver icons including the 2010 Olympic Cauldron.
Finally the tour ends back at the Bayshore Bicycles completing a day that makes unique look average.
Highlights:
- Stanley Park Sea Wall
- English Bay
- Granville Island (1 hr lunch stop)
- Olympic Village
- Gastown
- Chinatown
- Canada Place
