Points of Interest & Landmarks in Gastown

THE 5 BEST Points of Interest & Landmarks in Gastown (Vancouver)

Points of Interest & Landmarks in Gastown

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6 places sorted by traveller favourites
  • Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

What travellers are saying

  • milliegordon2
    Southbury, CT667 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    This was very fun to see. However, the crowds were ridiculous and the area had a few too many homeless for me. It said that it "blows" every 4-1/2 minutes, but it is inconsistent. We waited over 10 minutes to see it go off.
    Written 18 September 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • platypus150
    Melbourne, Australia27,759 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    It is a wonderful introduction to Gas Town and the port area. The station offers good transport connections and views to the port.
    Written 17 September 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Chris D
    New Westminster, Canada3,142 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Well, at least in the historical sense. It is said that this is downtown Gastown, where Gassy Jack's original saloon was located. From here you can see his statue, some original buildings (as in 100+ years old) and the cool looking Europe Hotel.
    Tourists interested in architecture and/or history should plan to spend a while here.
    Lots of food and drink available close by.
    BUT - don't wander to far to the south, especially after dark.
    Written 13 July 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • platypus150
    Melbourne, Australia27,759 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Most of the war memorials have a living soldier of something abstract, but the dead soldier being carried aloft by an angel is unusual. Most people seem to walk past not noticing it.
    Written 17 September 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • PookyCake
    Victoria, Canada13,887 contributions
    3.0 of 5 bubbles
    Ah, Byrnes Block! What more is there to say about this edifice that hasn’t already been said? Really, I think Chris D offers an apt summary of this attraction: “This building exemplifies Gastown as it was, long before the t-shirt shops and tourist traps.” I couldn’t have said it better myself. I mean, if you think about it, this building is basically a portal into Vancouver’s origins. The city was incorporated in 1886 and Byrnes Block was built between 1886 and 1887. As such, it’s been a part of Vancouver quite literally since “day one” and is currently recognized as the oldest building in the city still in regular use today.

    To those of us visiting Gastown, we just might simply remark that Byrnes Block is a nice old building suitable for a quick photo with the statue of “Gassy Jack” at the foreground. Indeed, from a practical perspective, that’s pretty much all we can do – unless we intend to patronize the resto housed within. Doing this, though, negates the historical significance of the building, which runs thick and deep through the arteries of the city.

    Consider: Much of Vancouver burnt to the ground during the summer of 1886. Construction of Byrnes Block started shortly thereafter. It thus became one of the very first fire-proof buildings developed in the city. And while that is significant in and of itself, the real historical value of this building comes in the form of its Victorian Italianate architectural style – the elaborate window hoods, arched corner pediment, cast iron windows (ground floor), and double-hung windows (second floor). Within the context of history, the overall look of Byrnes Block was that of relative luxury compared to what would’ve surrounded it at the time. In a sense, then, one could make a compelling case that this building is representative of Vancouver’s fledgling economy.

    As a tourist attraction, I’ll repeat what I’ve said of Gastown’s other historic buildings: Unless you’re a major architecture nerd, I wouldn’t make a special trip just to see ye olde Byrnes Block. Instead, I’d suggest making it part of a larger Gastown-themed itinerary. That way, you can take in the touristy aspects of the area while also gaining an appreciation of Vancouver’s unique history.
    Written 25 October 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.