There are shopping districts in Vancouver designed for all categories of shoppers, from funky trendsetters and fashionistas to fleece-wearing adventurers and souvenir hunters.
Take a peek at the different clusters of shops in pedestrian-friendly concentrations. Stroll down Robson Street, wander about Pacific Centre Mall, walk through the Kitsilano and South Granville neighbourhoods, explore Granville Island and saunter about Yaletown.
The place to see and be seen in Vancouver, energetic Robson Street boasts more than 200 shops, cafés and services. Spend a day on the strip to try on trend-setting, brand-name fashions. With a weekend average of some 80,000 streetgoers, there are plenty of people to watch! Finish the day with dinner at one of Robson Street's many fine restaurants.
Robson Street runs east-west through downtown, from Yaletown to the West End. Parking on Robson Street can be a challenge; there are several parkades located within easy walking distance of downtown.
Pacific Centre
Mall connoisseurs will appreciate Pacific Centre. This huge mall spans three entire city blocks, runs underground, and provides easy access to more than 140 shops (including the world's most popular brands). Pacific Centre is a city favourite and is located in downtown Vancouver. Convenient underground parking is available.
Kitsilano
Thirty years ago, "Kits" was more a hippies' zone than fashion centre. Today this friendly seaside area is considered one of the Vancouver's trendiest and eclectic neighbourhoods.
Shopping in Kits means a leisurely stroll along 4th Avenue or Broadway, taking in 300 shops and services. Funky cafés, charming boutiques, fine restaurants and popular sports shops line its streets. Day or night, this enclave boasts a lively and youthful vibe not found elsewhere. Kitsilano is a 10-minute drive from downtown Vancouver. Parkades and meter parking are available.
Yaletown
Once a gritty area of loading bays and brick warehouses, Yaletown has undergone a facelift and is now a stylish mix of the fashion-savvy and celebrities. It is the neighbourhood of choice for urban trendsetters - both as a nighttime destination and a New-York-loft-like place to call home. Yaletown's streets are surrounded by condominium buildings towering over renovated brick-warehouse lofts.
Some of the city's hippest destinations are here: high-end galleries, chic fashion and furnishings boutiques, high-concept restaurants, brew pubs, and salons share its narrow streets. Yaletown sits at the southeastern tip of downtown Vancouver. Parkades and meter parking are available.
Granville Island
An eclectic mix of shops, boutiques and galleries, Granville Island is perhaps most famous for its large and bustling Public Market, where local food vendors and artisans peddle their wares.
Browse the charming shops of the Net Loft, where retailers seem to offer everything: exotic stationary, beads of every shape and size, funky hats, First Nations gifts, books and locally-made fashions.
The Maritime Market clusters together retailers who specialize ocean related items, including kayaks, boat rentals, marine souvenirs and of course, seafood.
Kids adore the Kids Market. Here, independent sellers of atypical toys, books, games, clothing, candy and adventure offer a refreshing alternative to the usual.
Pop into La Baguette et L’Echalote, the French bakery located just outside the market, and bite into into one of Vancouver’s tastiest baguettes.
Granville Island is also dotted with an array of arts-and-crafts studios and galleries dedicated to local and regional work. Granville Island is located just under the Granville Bridge, across from downtown Vancouver. Parking on Granville Island can be difficult; consider coming by foot, public transit, bike, taxi or water taxi.
South Granville Rise
South Granville Rise and its array of approximately 25 art galleries welcome both the serious collector and fascinated window shopper. In fact, this area is such an art lover's haven that locals refer to the vicinity as "Gallery Row."
Small galleries showcase fine art, photography, First Nations' work and antiques. Galleries are interspersed between chic shops and eclectic restaurants, making it an enticing area to spend the day.
South Granville Rise runs from south of the Granville Street Bridge to 16th Avenue. Parkades and meter parking are available.
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