Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Waterfront Station
The station has been a
transportation hub since 1887,
when the original timber structure
welcomed the first cross-Canada
passenger train. The present
building was built in 1914. With
Vancouver Harbour as backdrop,
the station's white-columned
façade is impressive in a showy
way. Inside, murals on the upper
walls depict Canadian landscapes.
d
601 W Cordova St
•
Map L3
Five sails, Canada Place
Canada Place
When Canada Place opened
in 1986, it was greeted with
controversy. Critics commented
that its five “sails” were a poor
imitation of Australia's Sydney
Opera House. The complex is
now a key player on the water-
front, which has grown up
around it
(see pp12-13).
The Lookout !
The showstopper of the Har-
bour Centre complex is its 581-ft
(177-m) tower, home to The Look-
out! observation deck. The ride
up in the glass-fronted elevator
takes a thrilling 50 seconds.
From the enclosed viewing deck,
the 360-degree view is splendid.
On a clear day, you can see Van-
couver Island to the west and
Washington State's Mount Baker
to the south. In the evening, many
return to admire the intense
sunsets over the water.
d
555
W Hastings St
•
Map L3
•
604 689
0421
•
Open May-Oct: 8:30am-
10:30pm; Nov-Apr: 9am-9pm
•
Adm
Gastown
The cobblestone streets of
Gastown have been through many
reincarnations. The current one
is perhaps the most satisfying.
Since the 1970s, the area has
worked hard to better itself. The
plethora of tawdry souvenir shops
have largely been replaced with
boutiques selling the work of
local designers, a concentration
of excellent First Nations and
Inuit art galleries, restaurants,
and clubs.
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Map L3-M3
View of the sunset over Howe Sound, looking toward West Vancouver from The Lookout!
The SkyTrain and SeaBus terminals are located inside
Waterfront Station
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