City: West End
Top Things to do in West End
Top 10 Things to do in West End, Canada
Vancouver was founded as “Gastown” by an Englishman with a penchant for beer and storytelling. Today Gastown is a historic section of the Canadian metropolis, and the lively pubs still reflect the area’s former status as a sort of community drinking center. The city’s forests, grand parks, and impressive suspension bridge beckon travelers to explore them, as do the city’s shops and museums. Relive the glory of the 2010 Winter Games with visits to Olympic venues and the marvelous Olympic Cauldron.
Restaurants in Vancouver
1. Vancouver Bike Tours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 279 reviews
Vancouver Bike Tours is an interpretive guiding company that offers daily bicycle tours of beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia. Our tours make use of Vancouver's seawall, Stanley Park's forest trails and the City's bike lanes. Along the way you will hear local stories, receive historical information and view a number of the city's famous landmarks.
2. Bee's Knees eBike Tours and Rentals
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 110 reviews
Riding an ebike unlocks boundaries and sets you free. Rent one of our e-bikes and pedal off on your very own self-guided tour, at your pace. Explore the countless attractions, viewpoints, and Vancouver’s distinctive neighbourhoods in half the time!
3. English Bay Bike Rentals
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 169 reviews
English Bay Bike Rentals is a family owned and operated bicycle rental shop conveniently located just steps from the world famous Stanley Park and Vancouver's incredible network of bike routes. We at English Bay Bike Rentals know that biking is the best way to discover all of Stanley Park and Vancouver. Visit our rental shop to pick up one of our quality Specialized bicycles and start exploring at your pace.
Reviewed By 29philp - Welwyn Garden City, United Kingdom
Stopped in here to hire bikes for a day to ride around Stanley Park and over the Lions Gate bridge through North Vancouver to lighthouse park (a slightly more serious undertaking than we anticipated!). We received fantastic advice on where to go / what to see along the way and the bikes loaned to us were some of the highest quality bikes we've rented anywhere. They really are taken care of well - perfect brakes and smooth gearing. Pretty good value too!
4. Photo Tours Vancouver - Private Tours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 37 reviews
Private, customized tours for photographers at any skill level who want to take better photographs. Whether you are visiting Vancouver for just a few hours or for a few days, your local photography expert will deliver a truly unique sightseeing experience. Highlights: Customized tours means that we focus on your area of interest - from city scapes to funky neighborhoods to nature to street photography and more. Your local photography expert has years of teaching and touring experience and will offer inside tips on locations and the best light. Private tours are customized to your photography skill level - from newbie to experienced, every photographer can improve.
5. Into The Wild Cycling Tours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 259 reviews
Embraced by the mountains to the North and the Pacific Ocean to the West, Vancouver is a city that has cherished its close relationship with nature. Leave the hustle and bustle of the crowded city behind and embark on an adventure Into The Wild. Return to Mother Nature and enjoy an unforgettable experience in the wilderness of BC with a guided tour on man's most efficient machine, the bicycle. We are delighted to be the sole tour operator with access to the stunning Trans Canada Trail located at Pitt Meadows, BC.
6. English Bay
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,795 reviews
Beautiful vibrant beach that comes alive when it's sunny and warm out. Various activities such as scuba diving, kayaking and others.
Reviewed By PookyCake - Victoria, Canada
I was initially a little hesitant to write reviews for “English Bay” and “English Bay Beach,” thinking of both as one and the same, but I suppose on a technical level they’re different. For example, one could say that the latter is but a small component of the former. A beach versus the general area. It’s kind of like “Inner Harbour” and “Victoria Pier” in, well, Victoria. The Victoria Pier is but a small segment of the beautiful Inner Harbour. Thus, this review won’t focus so much on the beach (that’s a separate review) and instead will comment upon the general area known as English Bay. What we know as English Bay basically consists of the south side of Burrard Inlet, extending from Point Grey to Prospect Point. Vancouver’s Best Places puts this within the context of nice, flowery language when they say English Bay is “the body of water where the shores of Vancouver meet the Pacific Ocean.” Beautiful! But did you ever wonder where “English Bay” gets its name? Well, the name harkens back to the days of the British Empire and celebrates the “meeting” of captains Vancouver, Galiano and Valdes in the area (1792). I’m actually surprised there’s been no social movement, or discussion at the city level (that I’m aware of, anyway), to have the “colonial” name changed to something more reflective of this place and space. But then, time has to take its time ;) Even though English Bay is very much an urban setting, it remains one of my favourite places in the city. With its picturesque views, palm trees, lovely beach and desirable amenities, there’s plenty to keep you coming back for more. Indeed, as part of Vancouver’s West End (see my earlier review), it is home to a literal mosaic of people and restaurants – cultural diversity at its best. For my part, I’ll readily admit that English Bay Beach, while lovely, has never really been my focus whenever I’ve visited this area. Instead, I’ve been more interested in the shops and restaurants. There’s Cactus Club on the beach; Three Quarters Full in bustling Denman Place Mall; the newly opened and fantastically named Chicken World; good eats in the historic Sylvia Hotel and a whole host of others. I’m still sad that the Boathouse Restaurant – their flagship location at the time – closed up shop in the Fall of 2018. Many a beautiful sunset, meal and memory were had there. Beyond good eats, English Bay has much culture and art to offer us. As you walk along the Seawall from Stanley Park, you’ll inevitably come upon the Expo ’86 Inukshuk and, a short distance further, Oppenheim’s interesting “Engagement” sculpture. Just across the street from English Bay Beach, in Morton Park, you’ll come across Minjun’s “A-maze-ing Laughter” sculpture which is sure to make you smile . . . before you “awake” to its more serious message and undertone. For much of November, you can also experience the lovely Lumiere at night. The installations help to provide moments of “light” in these challenging times. My personal favourite from this year’s exhibit was the “Eugenia” tree. I’m sure “Davie” the grizzly would’ve been impressive, but he wasn’t lit during the two evenings I visited (boo). There’s also the Celebration of Light fireworks in July and August . . . In short, English Bay is so much more than a popular beach. It’s a place rife with history and culture. In many respects, I’d say it demonstrates – along with the West End – some of Vancouver’s best qualities.
7. English Bay Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 513 reviews
Conveniently located near downtown, this beach is a popular place for sunbathing.
Reviewed By dlmerrill55
Start at the Sylvia Hotel ...walk west on the sea wall .! Notice the many languages around you ....very good people and dog watching ... Cut north and walk around the pond ...then east to Denman Street.. Walk down Denman st back to the Sylvia ...Enjoy a breakfast , brunch and snack in their beautiful restaurant or lounge with the best view
8. Roedde House Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 75 reviews
Welcome to the Roedde family's home. Gustav and Matilda Roedde settled in Vancouver in 1888. Gustav opened the first bookbinding business in Vancouver and by 1893 was successful enough to afford to build a house in the new West End neighbourhood. Roedde House, attributed to famed architect Francis Rattenbury, is a City of Vancouver-designated Class A Heritage House. Since 1980, the Roedde House Preservation Society has taken painstaking care to renovate and furnish the house to reflect the ambience of late Victorian family life. Feel free to walk into every room; you will even be invited to touch some artefacts. Come in and experience life in the late 19th century for yourself.
Reviewed By SeanF222
Jen was a great tour guide and the history of the family was amazing. The house was beautifully restored and full of interesting artefacts. My wife and I couldn’t recommend it more
9. Sunset Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 138 reviews
Reviewed By TV2451
You need very warm weather to take a dip here, a rare occurrence. It's a beautiful beach offering great views of the city and the waterfront, and along the great waterfront walkway.
10. Spokes Bicycle Rentals
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 552 reviews
Spokes Bicycle Rentals is your gateway to world famous Stanley Park. Spokes offers a variety of rental bicycles for a truly unique way to sightsee in Vancouver. Visit Spokes to start exploring Stanley Park and Vancouver by bike
Reviewed By Ottosanchez
My wife and i visited Vancouver this sept 2019-we decided to rent a bike to explore vancouver,we start to struggle with the rental offices because they need you to leave the credit card(which we dont have becuase we are Cubans) and they were not even accepting a cash deposit from us,after checking 6 bike rental and very desappointed we found Spokes,they were very friendly since the biggining,and Matt one of the guys that works there made all happen for us-we came to a mutual point and they were happy to rent us the bikes-we had them for almost 4hours and it was awesome to explore Stanley Park and drive around downtown-all thanks to Spokes and Matt-Super frienly team all the time-helpful-great service-Strongly recommend them
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