Vancouver Yaletown Walking Tour (Self Guided), Vancouver

The Roundhouse Community Arts and Recreation Centre seamlessly combines history with art, craftsmanship, and leisure spaces, all housed within a venerable railway edifice nestled in the heart of downtown Vancouver, situated on Pacific Blvd between Davie and Drake streets. Erected in 1888, this intricate establishment stands as a testament to the city's past and remains steadfast in its original position.

Within the premises, a capacious hall offers an excellent venue for hosting diverse events. The Roundhouse encompasses a plethora of additional amenities, including a gymnasium, a theater, an after-school childcare facility, as well as art studios catering to dance, woodworking, and various other creative pursuits. Adjacent to the building lies an expansive plaza, serving as an outdoor venue for events. Catering to a wide range of age groups, the community center orchestrates an array of athletic, artistic, and recreational programs.

Historically, a "roundhouse" was commonly utilized to house and maintain locomotives. This was the Roundhouse Community Centre's original purpose, as it once sheltered CPR trains more than a century ago. In the 1980s, the site underwent renovation, transforming into an exhibit pavilion for Expo 86, eventually evolving into the vibrant community hub we know today during the 1990s.

Remnants of the train legacy persist within the Roundhouse, notably in the form of Engine 374, which famously marked Vancouver's inaugural passenger train arrival in 1887. While not an extensive exhibit, it remains open for free visits, representing one of the city's oldest and most cherished historic artifacts.

Engine No. 374 stands as a symbol of the Canadian Pacific Railway's historic journey. It was the locomotive that led the inaugural transcontinental passenger train to Vancouver, reaching its destination on May 23, 1887. A year prior, its counterpart, Engine No. 371, had accomplished the remarkable feat of being the first train to traverse Canada, arriving in Port Moody, about 20 miles (32 kilometers) to the east.

Crafted in the year 1886, No. 374 was among a set of eight akin steam locomotives meticulously crafted at the CPR Montreal workshops. Although No. 371 met its end in 1915, No. 374 underwent a comprehensive reconstruction in 1914 and valiantly served until 1945. Owing to its historical eminence, the locomotive found itself a new home in the City of Vancouver upon retirement. It was proudly put on view at Kitsilano Beach Park.

Unfortunately, exposure and lack of upkeep damaged the machine while at the park. In 1983, railway enthusiasts started restoring it for Expo 86. It was moved from the beach to warehouses across Vancouver. Dedicated volunteers restored it, and it was displayed at the CPR Drake Street Roundhouse for Expo 86, captivating all.

Today, the Engine 374 Pavilion stands at the heart of the Yaletown district's revitalization. It warmly welcomes the public for viewing, offering a captivating glimpse into the rich history it represents.

Founded in 1994, the Yaletown Brewing Company was the first brewpub to open in Vancouver, and is the largest and most famous such pub in the city. Vancouver's original and best brewpub, it came into being just as the former warehouse district of Yaletown was beginning to emerge as a destination for businesses and residents.

Set in the extensively and beautifully renovated original red-brick warehouse, this pioneer of the city’s craft beer scene helped a great deal in the revitalization of Yaletown. In essence, the YBC is the materialized vision of a true neighborhood pub - a welcoming gathering place, whether you arrived dressed in a suit or flip-flops.

Alongside a lively pub section with TVs, pool tables and a fireplace, where you can enjoy some great local beer, it has a 160-seat restaurant section, where you can sample some high quality food together with the same tasty beer. All of this makes the YBC a one-stop destination for everything, from large corporate events to quick after-work beers with the regulars. Sitting outside on its huge patios (converted original loading docks) are ideal to eat, drink and take in the neighborhood's atmosphere throughout the warmer season.

When it comes for a delicious meal, fine spirits and some fun maritime hospitality at its heartiest, you can always rely on Rodney’s Oyster House (ROH) in Yaletown – a serious oyster curation (but that’s about where the seriousness ends). This raucous establishment is the original ROH outlet, and has been entertaining seafood lovers and oyster aficionados from far and wide for over 20 years, offering freshest seafood fare for lunch and dinner on a daily basis. The vibe here is noisy and fun, with customers catching up with their go-to bartenders and enjoying life, Cape Cod–style (a.k.a. wearing boat shoes).

While Rodney’s does indeed offer an impressive selection of day’s raw oysters by the dozen (check out Royal Miyagi, Kusshi, and Raspberry Point) freshly sourced from the local waters and skillfully shucked by a team of very handsome men, the restaurant also serves up some old-school favorites, such as steaming bowls of New England clam chowder, shrimp cocktail, and crab cakes.

While here, you may also want to try their delightful steamed clams, garlic shrimp, wild sockeye or pan fried oysters, much as the Atlantic lobster, coco curry shrimp, potato crusted halibut and more. The scallop pasta and AAA rib-eye steak will have you coming back here time and time again all the same, rest assured. Also, in the late afternoons, guests are in for a special “low tide” treat brought to the restaurant during low tide for immediate freshness. To wash it all down, consider ordering British Columbian wine, like the crisp Burrowing Owl Pinot Gris, or a cup of grog or a glass of imported white or red wine to complement any dish.

The grassy 11-acre expanse of refreshing green space in the midst of the hustle and bustle of downtown Vancouver, David Lam Park embodies some of what the Concord Pacific beach neighbourhood dwellers value the most — art, fitness, and nature — all just a short walk away from the Granville Strip and the cobbled streets of Yaletown. Set practically on the seawall, this stunning park represents an intricate mix of active and passive recreation opportunities, complemented with skyline and truly great views.

As part of the chain of city parks along False Creek’s north waterfront, David Lam Park provides high-value open space that brings the public to the water’s edge, with environmental enhancements at the foreshore. There is an abundance of sports (tennis and basketball) courts and children’s playgrounds sheltered by lush plantings, large open lawns ideal for kite flying, volleyball, Frisbee or a lazy day out resting in the sunshine or picnicking.

Among other amenities here is a restful Chinese garden for quiet reflection, with plantings of Chinese origin for people to enjoy in memory of David Lam, BC Lieutenant Governor, after whom the park has been named, echoing his devotion to both landscape and uniting communities. At the northwest corner of the park, near the foot of Homer Street, there are imagery and materials recalling the history of the site — its former rocky shore edge reconstructed in granite — and glass-etched photographs displaying scenes from the industrial history of Yaletown. At the water’s edge, loading dock canopies were once a common fixture; today, a similar canopy of glass and steel serves a new function: shelter from rain or sun.

Each summer, David Lam Park plays host to several outdoor festivals, including the Vancouver International Jazz Festival and Yaletown Outdoor Movie Nights. It is also a local favorite for dog-walking and is a home to several intriguing sculptures nestled along the waterfront, making it a great art walk. Even the public bathrooms have been made into an art piece with a waterfall cascading down the side of the building.

The Vancouver Seawall stands as a protective stone barrier encircling the perimeter of Stanley Park, safeguarding the park's shoreline against erosion. Informally, the term also refers to the pathway designated for pedestrians, cyclists, and rollerbladers along the seawall. This scenic route has expanded well beyond the confines of Stanley Park and has evolved into one of the park's most frequented attractions, drawing both local residents and tourists alike.

James "Jimmy" Cunningham, an accomplished master mason, devoted a significant portion of his life, spanning from 1931 until his retirement in 1963, to the construction of this seawall. Even in his retirement years, Cunningham maintained a watchful eye on the wall's ongoing development, a commitment he upheld until his passing at the age of 85. While the entire route doesn't strictly trace the seawall's path, the combined journey from CRAB Park, encircling Stanley Park, and tracing False Creek to Spanish Banks measures approximately 30 kilometers (19 miles) in length.

In the face of recurring tensions between pedestrians, cyclists, and inline skaters, park-goers unanimously regard the seawall as the cornerstone of Stanley Park, reigning as the most utilized amenity within its grounds.

False Creek, a brief inlet nestled in the core of Vancouver, serves as a division between the downtown district and the remaining expanse of the city. This name was bestowed upon it by George Henry Richards during his maritime survey of the coastline from 1856 to 1863. While traversing the southern periphery of Burrard Inlet, Richards mistakenly believed he was navigating a creek. Upon realizing his error, he christened the waterway with its present designation.

Situated at its eastern terminus, Science World finds its location, with the Granville, Cambie, and Burrard (the westernmost) Street bridges spanning the expanse of False Creek. Just to the west of the Cambie Bridge, the Canada Line rapid transit tunnel delves beneath the waters of False Creek. Among the four prominent water bodies bordering Vancouver, False Creek stands alongside English Bay, Burrard Inlet, and the Fraser River. A significant event unfolded along its shores in 1986 when it served as the site for the Expo 86 World's Fair.

Highly favored for a multitude of aquatic pursuits, False Creek is a hub for diverse activities such as dragon boating, canoeing, kayaking, public ferries, chartered vessels, and recreational boats. The creek boasts ten marinas, accommodating approximately 1500 watercraft, and also houses various paddling clubs and boat rental amenities. Since 1986, the creek has hosted the Canadian International Dragon Boat Festival and other paddling-oriented gatherings.