Tag: Discover Downtown

Monuments of Downtown Vancouver | March 2021

There are certainly silver linings to this past year of enjoying a little hometown tourism without the crowds and well, tourists!

Let’s take a self-guided Downtown Vancouver Walking tour and discover what exactly is up with the many unique statues and sculptures we’re so used to driving right by.

Gassy Jack 

1 Water Street, Gastown

Instagram @adventuresinmiddleagedt

This fellow holds the number one spot in his namesake neighbourhood for more than one reason! His statue is located where his saloon, Deighton House, used to be. Jack had a successful business and the gift of gab to boot (hence his nickname “Gassy” Jack)

Gastown Steam Clock

305 Water St, Vancouver, BC V6B 1B9

Instagram @celticcrusade

An old classic just metres from Jack is the famed Gastown Steam Clock. Many don’t know that  this steam power clock is mostly only antique in appearance having been built in 1977.

Angel of Victory

601 West Cordova Street

Instagram @seagrovephotography

We all know it, it catches any eye passing Waterfront Station — but what does it represent? Rectified in 1921, with the depiction of an angel carrying a fallen soldier its memorial to WWI seems to be a given, but why here? It was commission by the CPR (Canadian Pacific Railway) in honour of more specifically their many worker who tragically sacrificed their lives for both King and Country [Canada] 

Terry Fox

Terry Fox Memorial Plaza

Instagram @Vancouver.moments

National hero and icon Terry Fox is depicted as he runs his Marathon of Hope in an incredible and moving set of four statues which increase from life size to eventually a larger-than-life figurine, accurately representing what Terry became to the nation. The statues of this athlete are placed appropriately in front of BC Place in what is known as Terry Fox Memorial Plaza.

Terry lost his leg to cancer before beginning his cross country run in 1980, and tragically lost his battle with the disease in 1981, at the age of 23.  

Digital Orca

Jack Poole Plaza

Instagram @poonigroup

Erected in 2009 to commemorate the workers of Burrard Inlet and Coal Harbour this Orca marries the timeless nature our now digital and modern city is famously wrapped in. 

This aluminium and stainless steel killer whale was designed by artist Douglas Coupland and can be found next to the Vancouver Convention Centre.

Inukshuk 

English Bay (Bidwell and shoreline walk)

Instagram @seaside_signs

As with the rest of the list, there is more than meets the eye with this too. This very Canadian, Inuit symbol was built of granite in a traditional human likeness, standing 6 meters high and weights a cool 31,500kg.

When did it arrive? Just in time for Expo 86! Learn More.

Lord Stanley

Stanley Park, Vancouver BC

Instagram @rbrtlee

Stanley Park, the Stanley Cup… Who was Stanley!? Frederick Stanley, or  Earl of Derby and Lord Stanley of Preston,  was the Governor-General of Canada from 1888-1893.

Fun Fact: in honour of International Women’s Day we’d like to note that while Lord Stanley’s sons were hockey fans, his daughter Isabel broke the social norms of the day as both a fan and a player as well. It was Isabel Stanley who reportedly encouraged her father to award the top amateur team with the Stanley Cup award. Learn more.

With so many wonderful spots to stop we couldn’t get to them all! There are hundreds of monuments scattered across our beautiful downtown Vancouver.Tag us in your favourites at @stayvancouverhotels on Facebook and Instagram and let us know which ones we missed. 


Don’t get downtown enough? Head to our homepage to see the latest deals on Downtown Vancouver staycations! 

Posted on by Jennifer Osmann

Let’s Get Digital! Vancouver Virtual Events

Welcome to our Virtual Vancouver

Remember when you would rather stay in or play host rather than go out? In this age of social distancing, many are finding Skype and Netflix parties are keeping us more social than ever — however with that same old twist: the venue (and for some of us — the wardrobe) never changes; however in ever-innovative Downtown Vancouver Style  that hasn’t stopped these Vancouver based virtual social events from helping us stay connected!

Know of a virtual event you’d like to share? We want to hear from you! We’re all in this together, and we look forward to sharing your local events, or sending a shout out to businesses who have taken steps to innovate entirely and support their customers virtually. — so reach out to us in the form below, on any of our social channels, or simply #StayVancouverHotels to get our attention.

What’s Happening in our Virtual Vancouver?

Courtesy of Downtown Vancouver BIA (Facebook)

Missing the hustle and bustle of Downtown? Downtown Vancouver BIA is proud to present Part 1 of “Downtown Sounds”, easy listening to virtually showcase the buskers and musicians we work with in our placemaking & public space programs. Listen, support, and follow the new playlists, launching every Thursday. Learn More at  www.dtvan.ca

The Workout for Fitness Haters . Local actor and Instagram sensation Jason Sakaki is known for recently livestreaming his one-man production of Les Miserables. Advertised as a “workout/dance class for people who do not like to workout/dance”, make space for big moves and expect a lot of lighthearted fun! Learn more via Instagram

To be or not to be quarantined? Brought to you by the cheeky students of SFU’s School for Contemporary Arts, watch the online recreation of the iconic Shakespeare play.Learn more at sfu.ca

Dancing should be fun. Keep your feet moving and heart pumping in an energizing follow-the-leader style fitness class. You will dance to some of today’s hottest music and leave sweaty and energized. Follow the leader (Jared Byrne) style cardio dance in a sweaty dance party that you can have at home. Expect big queen energy pop hits from Beyonce and Lady Gaga. Learn more at popqueencardio.com 

Courtesy of @popqueencardio Instagram

Capture Photo Fest. Held every April, Capture is a photography and lens-based art exhibition in galleries and public spaces. Based in Metro Vancouver, you can browse the digital catalog from submissions all around the world and observe public art pieces (online!).Learn more at facebook.com/CapturePhotoFest

 

The Best Aquatic Screensaver Ever. You know who else is #stayinghome? Our aquatic pals at the Vancouver Aquarium!…That doesn’t mean they’ve stopped being ADORABLE though! If you want an uplifting backdrop, catch their virtual show for free and from the comfort of your home. See what our city’s Jellyfish, Penguins and Otters are up to right now

 #MuseumsAndChill Vancouver has joined the countless  International Council of Museums (ICOM) establishments around the globe offering virtual tours. Locally this includes the Vancouver Art Gallery and MOV Learn More 

The Best New Video Party App

 

Courtesy of VentureBeat.com

The new all-ages isolation app we hope is here to stay. You may have already heard of it but passed it up based on the assumption it was just another video call platform — we did at first! The House Party free app allows anyone with a smartphone to:

  • Jump in and out of a group video call
  • Play Heads Up  and Pictionary style games
  • Group or two-player trivia and more

Start the party at houseparty.com

Until next time, thank you to all who are doing their parts in healthcare, essential services and by staying home to prevent the spread of COVID-19. We’re in this together Vancouver and as we dream of travelling later, we look forward to discovering which clever indoor innovations our beautiful city will come up with next. #stayhomestaysafe

Looking for more? Check out Tourism Vancouver’s latest #VirtuallyVancouver post.

Posted on by Jennifer Osmann

Discover Downtown Vancouver and Beyond

When visiting Vancouver,  the downtown core offers plenty of perks: it’s incredibly walkable, and guests have the advantage of world-class restaurants, tourist attractions and shopping right at their doorstep. As an added bonus, Vancouver is also home to a number of diverse and vibrant communities located a short walk, bus or taxi away from the city centre. From hip Main Street to lively Commercial Drive, discover downtown and beyond through these unique Vancouver neighbourhoods.

 

Chinatown shop
Photo courtesy of Tourism Vancouver/ Nelson Mouellic

Chinatown. Chinatown is one of Vancouver’s most distinct and historic neighbourhoods, with a universal appeal to locals and tourists along with a growing number of emerging chefs and entrepreneurs. Ever since the first wave of Chinese immigrants settled around Vancouver’s Carrall and Pender streets between 1886-1920, the area has been teeming with life for over a century, featuring a myriad of Chinese-owned and operated shops, authentic markets and busy diners serving up mouthwatering dim sum. Several trendy new restaurants have popped up in recent years in the revitalized community, like award-winning Kissa Tanto and cocktail destination, Juniper. Meanwhile, Chinese eateries continue to thrive: be sure to taste some of the traditional pastries served at family-run New Town Bakery, such as egg tarts and chewy fried sesame balls (jian dui); and don’t miss the savoury lunch and dinner plates at Chinatown BBQ, which dishes out delicious barbecued meats in a warm, inviting setting.

Main Street shops and cafes
Photo courtesy of Tourism Vancouver/ Nelson Mouellic

Mount Pleasant. Deservedly named as one of the North America’s 15 coolest streets by Cushman & Wakefield in 2016, Main Street is the beating heart of Vancouver’s Mount Pleasant community. Over the past 20 years, the neighbourhood has transformed into a vibrant arts district – complete with quirky independent shops, innovative eateries and hipster cafes aplenty. Check out Front & Company, one of Vancouver’s most popular consignment stores, for both new and used fashion gems; and wander in to the variety of antique shops that line the street for rare vintage finds. Take a break from shopping at 49th Parallel Roasters Café, one of the city’s finest coffee establishments where you’ll find meticulously crafted pour-overs and lattes spiked with housemade, date-sweetened almond milk. Grab a bite at one of the many cool and casual bistros, like Asian-fusion hotspot East is East or contemporary vegetarian favourites, The Arbor and The Acorn.  

Image of Commercial Drive intersection
Photo courtesy of Tourism Vancouver/ Nelson Mouellic

Commercial Drive. Commercial Drive is applauded as Vancouver’s most culturally rich neighbourhood. Also known as Little Italy, The Drive proudly represents more than 60 years of Italian heritage in Vancouver – and is also home to a more widespread global community with residents from all over the world. Here, you’ll see an old school Italian deli sandwiched between a family-run Ethiopian restaurant and modest Salvadorian café, epitomizing the best of the city’s multiculturalism. The one-of-a-kind district boasts a full 22 blocks for visitors to explore, with more than 300 unique merchants open for business. During a day on The Drive, patio-hop between some of its best sun-splashed terraces, like those of Latin-influenced Havana and beer lovers’ paradise, Biercraft. In between stops, hit up eclectic vintage stores and quaint boutiques like The Found & The Freed and Doctor Vigari Gallery; and when night falls, take in a local slam poetry show at Café Deux Soleils or live jazz music at the Libra Room.

 

Visitors who book a stay at one of Stay Vancouver Hotels’ participating properties through the Discover Downtown Package will receive a $25 Amazon Card; free room upgrade; free parking; and free WIFI.

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