Gastown

Vancouver

Gastown featuring cafe scenes, street scenes and a city
Gastown showing a city
Gastown which includes outdoor eating, street scenes and a city
Gastown showing signage
Gastown

The birthplace of Vancouver is full of old-world charm with cobbled streets, Victorian buildings, and a unique steam-powered clock. 

Gastown grew up around a tavern, which opened in 1867 to service thirsty sawmill workers and visiting sailors. The bar owner was John “Gassy Jack” Deighton, so called because of his talkative nature.

As the nearest pub was more than 20 miles (32 kilometers) away, Deighton’s  establishment became the heart of the small town in what was mostly wilderness on Canada’s west coast. Both the fledgling town, which took it’s name from Gassy Jack, and the watering hole prospered thanks to the sawmill and the seaport, and would become the world-class city of Vancouver. 

After the global Great Depression of the 1930s, the neighborhood hit hard times. The city had expanded westward and changed its name to Vancouver, and Gastown was largely forgotten. In fact, it became so rundown that there were calls for the neighborhood to be torn down. A large public campaign organized by property owners and local businesses managed to persuade the provincial government to spare Gastown from the wrecking ball in the 1970s.

The area has benefited from a major regeneration program and gentrification, and today is a happy confluence of old town history and modern day urban chic. 
It may not be the heart of the city anymore, but Gastown has retained its character with cobblestone streets and old buildings, many of which are more than a hundred years old. 

Many of those original buildings are now home to bars and restaurants.  Enjoy fine dining — from Italian, to French, to Asian-influenced —  as well as tap houses with exceptional locally-brewed beer.  

Explore this eclectic neighborhood by day and night. Your meandering will take you past nightspots, high fashion boutiques, antique stores and galleries. Several chic home design shops  offer elegant, decorative fabrics and tableware from all over the world. Observe the statue of “Gassy Jack” perched atop a whiskey barrel in Maple Tree Square on the site of the area’s first tavern, and there’s a French restaurant on the site of Vancouver’s first jail.

One of the town’s best-known landmarks is its steam-powered clock, which stands on the intersection of Cambie Street and Water Street, and ‘toots’ every 15 minutes. The clock’s timepiece is partially driven by water vapor and while it looks like a Victorian antique, it was actually built in 1977. It was the first of its type ever built. Plaques with information on buildings and landmarks are scattered throughout the town.

Gastown is an easy walk from the surrounding hotel districts, and also accessible by bus or the Skytrain, Vancouver’s rapid transportation system. Parking can be tricky to find during the busy summer tourist season.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Top hotels in Gastown

Radisson Blu Vancouver Airport Hotel & Marina
Radisson Blu Vancouver Airport Hotel & Marina
4 out of 5
3500 Cessna Dr, Richmond, BC
The price is P10,791 per night from Jul 21 to Jul 22
P10,791
P12,642 total
Jul 21 - Jul 22
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star luxury hotel in Richmond. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a free airport shuttle. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (2,153 reviews)
"Very nice"

Reviewed on Jul 4, 2025

Radisson Blu Vancouver Airport Hotel & Marina
River Rock Casino Resort
River Rock Casino Resort
4 out of 5
8811 River Road, Richmond, BC
Stay at this 4-star luxury resort in Richmond. Enjoy a full-service spa, 5 restaurants, and a marina. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (9,250 reviews)
"It was lovely."

Reviewed on Jul 5, 2025

River Rock Casino Resort
Pinnacle Hotel Harbourfront
Pinnacle Hotel Harbourfront
4 out of 5
1133 Hastings St W, Vancouver, BC
The price is P12,882 per night from Jul 20 to Jul 21
P12,882
P15,545 total
Jul 20 - Jul 21
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Vancouver. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (6,865 reviews)
"Hotel is very nice and we enjoyed a member upgrade. Restaurant is quite expensive (drinks are very $$ so free drink ticket only gets you a beer). Though clean, hotel is in need of some renovations. Doors to rooms are all scuffed up etc and need replacing and could use new carpet. Beds were comfy ..."

Reviewed on Jul 5, 2025

Pinnacle Hotel Harbourfront
YWCA Hotel
YWCA Hotel
2.5 out of 5
733 Beatty Street, Vancouver, BC
The price is P8,878 per night from Jul 21 to Jul 22
P8,878
P10,714 total
Jul 21 - Jul 22
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Vancouver. Enjoy free WiFi, a fitness center, and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (2,521 reviews)
"Excellent place to stay. Better than many 5 star hotels when it comes to cleanliness and service. Quick walk to train station. Lovely rooftop lounge area. Great Value for money. Now that I know how fabulous the place is, I will book here every time I'm in Vancouver!"

Reviewed on Jul 6, 2025

YWCA Hotel
Hyatt Regency Vancouver
Hyatt Regency Vancouver
4.5 out of 5
655 Burrard St, Vancouver, BC
The price is P17,798 per night from Jul 20 to Jul 21
P17,798
P21,478 total
Jul 20 - Jul 21
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this spa hotel in Vancouver. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (2,356 reviews)
"Close to cruise terminal"

Reviewed on Jul 5, 2025

Hyatt Regency Vancouver
Sandman Hotel Vancouver Downtown
Sandman Hotel Vancouver Downtown
4 out of 5
180 W Georgia St, Vancouver, BC
The price is P13,981 per night from Jul 20 to Jul 21
P13,981
P16,872 total
Jul 20 - Jul 21
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Vancouver. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
8/10 Very Good! (3,328 reviews)
Perfect
"Hotel is in a great location, we had a beautiful view from our room. Central for shopping, dining out and taking in all the activities Vancouver has to offer. Clean and comfortable."

Reviewed on Jul 5, 2025

Sandman Hotel Vancouver Downtown
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Gastown

Default Image

Crosstown

While you're in Crosstown, take in top sights like Chinatown Millennium Gate and jump on the metro at Stadium-Chinatown Station to see more of the city.

Crosstown
Downtown Vancouver which includes a city, modern architecture and a skyscraper

Downtown Vancouver

4.5/5(2 area reviews)

Known for its captivating waterfront views, popular shops, and acclaimed art galleries, there's plenty to explore in Downtown Vancouver. Top attractions like Canada Place Cruise Ship Terminal and BC Place Stadium are major draws. Catch the metro at Vancouver City Center Station or Granville Station to see more of the city.

Downtown Vancouver
Yaletown showing a city, street scenes and cafe scenes

Yaletown

If you're spending time in Yaletown, you might enjoy attractions like Robson Street and Vancouver False Creek Seawall. You might also enjoy the neighborhood's ample dining options before hopping on the metro at Yaletown-Roundhouse Station to see more of the city.

Yaletown
Gastown featuring a statue or sculpture, a monument and a city

Central Vancouver

If you're spending time in Central Vancouver, check out sights like Canada Place Cruise Ship Terminal or Rogers Arena and hop on the metro to see more the city at Granville Station or Vancouver City Center Station.

Central Vancouver
Vancouver Waterfront which includes a bay or harbor and outdoor art

Coal Harbour

The captivating waterfront views and popular shops are a few things travelers love about Coal Harbour. Check out Vancouver Waterfront or Vancouver False Creek Seawall while you're visiting, and jump aboard the metro at Burrard Station to get around town.

Coal Harbour
West End featuring signage, a city and street scenes

West End

The stunning beaches and popular shops are just a few highlights of West End. Make a stop by Robson Street or Sunset Beach while you're exploring the area.

West End

Gastown