Vancouver/Yaletown-False Creek
Yaletown-False Creek encompasses the established neighbourhood of Yaletown and the still developing area of Southeast False Creek (better known as the Athlete's Village from the 2010 Winter Olympics). Reclaimed industrial areas, both neighbourhoods are a mix of modern condo architecture and restored industrial warehouses. Yaletown, in particular, is considered the yuppie side of Vancouver. For sports lovers, Vancouver's two main sports arenas/stadiums are also located here.
Get in
Map of Vancouver/Yaletown-False Creek
By public transit
The area is well served by the SkyTrain and Canada Line. SkyTrain has connections with the City Centre and Commercial Drive-Hastings Park, while the Canada Line connects with downtown, Mount Pleasant and the airport/Richmond. Four stations provide easy access to the sights and restaurants in the neighbourhoods.
- Stadium-Chinatown (SkyTrain) is across the street from Rogers Arena and a couple of blocks from BC Place.
- Main St-Scienceworld (SkyTrain) is a couple minutes walk from Scienceworld and the Athlete's Village from the Olympics.
- Yaletown-Roundhouse (Canada Line) is in the heart of Yaletown.
- Olympic Village (Canada Line) provides access to the Seawall and is about a 5-10 minute walk from the Olympic Village.
By boat
Both Aquabus and False Creek Ferries provide service to Yaletown, Scienceworld and the Olympic Village, with connections to Granville Island and Kitsilano. Fares range between $2.50 and $6.50, depending on the distance traveled.
See
- 1 BC Place, 777 Pacific Blvd (off the Georgia St Viaduct at Pacific Blvd near the shore of False Creek), ☏ +1 604 669-2300. The home of the BC Lions CFL football team and, in 2011, BC Place will also become the home of Vancouver Whitecaps FC, the second Major League Soccer team in Canada. The building is also home to many conventions, tradeshows and concerts. The original roof, which had the distinction of being the largest air supported dome in the world, is being replaced by a cable-supported retractable roof (also claimed to be the largest of its type in the world). The BC Sports Hall of Fame and Museum is located within BC Place. The museum includes permanent galleries devoted to Terry Fox and Rick Hansen as well as displays of BC sports history from the early 1800s to present. Due to renovations, BC Place and the BC Sports Hall of Fame and Museum are currently closed. The BC Sports Hall of Fame anticipates reopening Nov 2011.
- 2 Olympic Village (The Village on False Creek), Manitoba St & Athletes Way (five minute walk west of Science World along the Seawall). The site of the Vancouver Athletes Village during the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. It's slowly being sold off as condos and becoming a community within Vancouver. The central plaza is distinctive with the deep red of the Salt Building and the giant sparrow statues. There is also a terraced slope leading down to False Creek that is lovely for sitting in the sun. Free.
- 3 Rogers Arena (formerly GM Place), 800 Griffiths Way (across the street from the Stadium Skytrain station), ☏ +1 604 899-7400. Home of the Vancouver Canucks, the local NHL hockey team, the building also hosts many of the big name concerts that come to Vancouver.
- 4 Roundhouse Community Center, 181 Roundhouse Mews (corner of Pacific Blvd and Davie St), ☏ +1 604 713-1800. M-F 9AM-10PM, Sa-Su 9AM-5PM. The restored roundhouse that used to work the railyard before the condos were built. Engine 374, which hauled the first passengers into Vancouver, is on display with some historical information. There is also a gym that can be used on a drop-in basis (for a small fee) and a small performing arts center.
- 5 Science World, 1455 Quebec St, ☏ +1 604 443-7443. This science centre is located in the distinctive building from Expo 86 at the end of False Creek. Has a wide range of participatory exhibits. Get off the Skytrain at the Main St/Science World station. The building is a unique shaped building that was constructed for Expo 86. Popular with the young and with those who like science. An Omnimax theatre is in this building as well. $8.50 per person.
Do
- Pro Sports. Vancouver Canucks hockey team season runs from October into the spring. Games are played at Rogers Arena and are usually good entertainment. However, tickets and food/drink are expensive, and tickets can be hard to get since all games sell out. The BC Lions play in the Canadian Football League during the summer and fall at BC Place. They share the facility with the Whitecaps, who are the city's entry in Major League Soccer. The MLS season also runs from spring to fall.
- A section of the Seawall passes through Yaletown and around the eastern end of False Creek, including Creekside Park, Science World and the Olympic Village. 1 Habitat Island., just off the path near Olympic Village, was built to restore some of the natural habitat for native birds. It's a nice place to stop and relax or take in the view (particularly in spring when the blossoms are out).
Buy
Yaletown, being rather yuppie, has many upscale and mid-range stores, including plenty of beauty shops and self-improvement facilities (such as cosmetic dentistry and plastic surgery). As an illustration of the neighbourhood's character, one cosmetic surgery office has valet parking in front. Start your tour at Davie & Hamilton, walk along Mainland St, Pacific, Homer and finish at the spectacular Marinaside Crescent.
Eat
- 1 Fuse Pan-Asian Express (合), 1078 Mainland St (entrance off Helmecken St parking lot of Yaletown Galleria), ☏ +1 604 687-3873, info@FuseExpress.com. Coffee & self serve 9AM onward daily; Full menu M-F 11AM-8PM; Sa Su Hols noon-6PM. A fusion of several Asian cuisines, and a fusion of the virtues of prompt service and good food. Except for the grab-and-go items, everything is made to order with house-made sauces. There is a respectable vegetarian selection. Free parking, and an easy walk from Yaletown offices or the Roundhouse. Phone in advanced orders. Tapas, salads $3-7, stir-fried to order $8, Grilled items $6-12.
- 2 Glowbal grill & satay bar, 1079 Mainland St, ☏ +1 604 602-0835. afternoon menu 3PM-5PM daily, dinner 5PM-Midnight daily; M-F lunch 11:30AM-3PM; Sa Su brunch 10:30AM-3PM. Glowbal is a trendy hit in the heart of the Yaletown restaurant row. Brunches are famous, but dinners are also outstanding. Don't be surprised if the chef stops by to offer some custom-made treat if the menu doesn't suffice, and expect the flavours to be marvelous. Attentive, friendly, and uniformly black-clad service. A top-notch operation in every way. Valet parking Thursday-Saturday nights. Brunch $10-16, Dinner $18-35.
- 3 Terra Breads Cafe, 1605 Manitoba St (corner of Manitoba & Athletes Way), ☏ +1 604 877-1183. M-F 7AM-7PM, Sa-Su 8AM-7PM. Bakery and cafe known for its artisan breads baked in a stone hearth oven. Serves a selection of salads, sandwiches and hot plates for lunch, plus a small breakfast menu. Sandwiches/paninis are made with their own bread, and include tasty options like roast lamb on fig and anise bread and roast turkey on cranberry pistachio bread. $6-10.
- 4 Yaletown Brewing Company, 1111 Mainland St (Mainland & Helmecken), ☏ +1 604 681-2739. Su-W 11:30AM-Midnight, Th 11:30AM-1AM, F Sa 11:30AM-3AM. Popular brewpub in the heart of Yaletown. Starters $6-16, Mains $12-23.
- 5 Blue Water Cafe, 1095 Hamilton St, ☏ +1 604 688-8078, info@bluewatercafe.net. 5PM-11PM (dinner); 4:30PM-1AM (bar). Arguably Vancouver's premier upscale destination for seafood, Blue Water offers fine dining, drinking, and a raw bar. The seafood preparations are direct, emphasizing fresh, flavorful ingredients over showy virtuoso techniques, and many are Japanese-influenced. The wine and cocktail lists are also exceptional. A few non-seafood items (including a couple of vegetarian friendly options) make it possible to bring a group that includes some who may not love what the ocean has to offer.
Drink
- 1 Opus Bar, 350 Davie St, ☏ +1 604 642-0557. Painfully ‘hip’ bar/lounge inside the much-hyped Opus Hotel in Yaletown. Beyond the fashionable clientele and contemporary décor there’s tapas, cocktails and an extensive list of imported and domestic wines and spirits. Signature small plates include 'O' Dim Sum, merguez corn dog and shish kebob, and Yuzu-spiced garlic wings.
Sleep
There is a small but diverse range of accommodation in Yaletown and nearby areas. Midrange and high-end hotels can be found in Yaletown, while there a couple of hostels on the other side of False Creek near the train/bus station.
- 1 C&N Backpackers Hostel, 927 Main St (two blocks north of Scienceworld/Main Street SkyTrain station), ☏ +1 604 682-2441, toll-free: +1 888-434-6060. Hostel with dorm rooms (3 or 4 beds) and double rooms. Also offers bike rentals, free Wifi and will arrange pub crawls. $25 for a dorm room, $55 for a double room.
- 2 C&N Central Station Hostel, 1038 Main St (one block north of the train/bus station at National Ave), ☏ +1 604 681-9118, toll-free: +1 888-434-6060. Second location for C&N. $25 for a dorm room, $55 for a private room.
- 3 Hampton Inn & Suites, 111 Robson St, ☏ +1 604 602-1008, fax: +1 604 602-1008. Rooms come with two queen beds or a king bed. Suite options are also available. Amenities include free hot breakfast, free Wifi, free bike rentals, a free shuttle service to downtown (operates between 7AM and 8PM) and gym/fitness center with sauna and whirlpool. From $249 (parking is an extra $19 + tax per night).
- 4 Opus Hotel, 322 Davie St, ☏ +1 604 642-6787. Stylish hotel in Yaletown that has made it to Conde Nast's gold list four years running. Reviewers like the modern decor and friendly staff but don't recommend it for families. Perks include free bike rentals, free in-room iPad and free Wifi. From $300 in summer, from $200 other times.
- 5 YWCA Hotel, 733 Beatty St, ☏ +1 604 895-5830, toll-free: +1 800-663-1424. A modern hotel with a range of room sizes and prices. Close walk to most attractions and near BC Place Stadium. All rooms are private but some have shared bathrooms. Summer rates range from $73-90 (single room) and $90-133 (double room).