All kinds of shopping, from big-box outlets to intimate boutiques, can be done in West Vancouver.
Purchase First Nations art, home accessories, children's books, and whatever else comes to mind in the shopping malls and cozy neighbourhood districts of Vancouver's North Shore. Many retailers are into sustainability, promoting locally made products and offering reusable shopping bags.
Receiving an estimated 15 million customer visits a year, West Vancouver's Park Royal Shopping Centre (2002 Park Royal South) is both the largest shopping centre on the North Shore and the oldest in Canada, as it opened in 1950. It's just over the Lions Gate Bridge from downtown Vancouver, and is easy to access via public buses.
The Village at Park Royal
Today's incarnation features the North Mall and South Mall on opposite sides of Marine Drive, and has close to 300 stores with brand-name sporting goods, beauty products, home electronics, and restaurants. The Village at Park Royal is a "lifestyle centre" with high-end boutique stores within the South Mall, and has a chilled-out vibe, reminiscent of that of The Grove in Los Angeles.
Lonsdale Quay
For many travelling to the North Shore, Lonsdale Quay (123 Carrie Cates Crt) is the first attraction they encounter, since it's located right next to the SeaBus terminal, which offers 12-minute catamaran ferry rides to and from downtown Vancouver's Waterfront Station.
Fresh Produce
Lonsdale Quay is similar to Vancouver's Granville Island, but has a bustling flair of its own. Foodies can scoop up fresh produce, baked goods and seafood at the lower-floor market, and an outdoor farmers market operates on Saturdays between May and October. With 90-plus shops and services at the quay, shop for women's fashions, hand-crafted jewelry, authentic Canadian souvenirs, or children's games and toys in Kids Alley.
Other Shopping Centres
Capilano Mall (935 Marine Dr) features more than 80 shops and services, with two major department stores. Fashions, jewelry, home accessories, and books are among the offerings.
Park & Tilford Shopping Centre (333 Brooksbank Ave), founded in 1988, has more than 35 outlets, including a major grocery chain and a six-screen movie theatre. Another on-site attraction is the Park & Tilford Gardens, which includes eight themed gardens such as the Oriental Garden and the Rock Pool.
North Shore Shopping Districts
Numerous shops and restaurants, including ethnic outlets that reflect the large Iranian community on the North Shore, can be found along Lonsdale Avenue, not far from Lonsdale Quay. And the North Shore's various neighbourhoods offer great boutique shopping too.
Antiques, Bookstores, & Bakeries
Close to the waterfront, stock up on flowers, antiques, or baked goods in West Vancouver's Dundarave Village (2400-block Marine Dr). Edgemont Village, located near the bottom of Grouse Mountain, is home to funky boutiques like Giftworks (3080 Edgemont Blvd), culinary delights like The Bakehouse (1050 W. Queens Rd), and acclaimed independent bookstores such as 32 Books Co (3185 Edgemont Blvd) and Kidsbooks (3040 Edgemont Blvd).
Horseshoe Bay & Deep Cove Shops
Grab an ice cream or pizza at one of Horseshoe Bay's eateries, and peruse the First Nations carvings and paintings at Spirit Gallery (6408 Bay St). In Deep Cove, LaLa Home Décor (4381 Gallant Ave) puckishly claims to have been "Saving Marriages Since 1996" with its bath and kitchen products, and Room6 (4389 Gallant Ave) burgeons with bamboo clothing, handmade necklaces, and child-safe toys. Lynn Valley Centre offers a mix of chain and locally owned eateries, hair salons, jewelry stores, and so on.
Arc'teryx Factory Store
A homegrown North Shore success story is Arc'teryx, whose high-performance clothing and sporting goods can be purchased at their factory store (100-2155 Dollarton Hwy).
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