The Area - Downtown

The Downtown core is a virtual forest of glass and steel, an urban centre so livable that Vancouver’s city planners have been sought out to export their “Vancouver Model” of mixed-use, high-density design to international cities. Robson Street, crammed with restaurants and brand-name chain stores, and Granville Street, a pedestrianized thoroughfare lined with pubs, clubs, cinemas and music stores, form the crossroads of the downtown core. Both offer a range of evening entertainment as well: dance clubs and casual live music venues, as well as opera, ballet and theatre at the Centre in Vancouver for Performing Arts, 777 Homer St., (604) 602-0616; and the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Hamilton and Dunsmuir St., (604) 665-3050. Students from university satellite campuses and ESL schools mingle with the power suits, street vendors and shoppers at Robson and Burrard Streets, one of the busiest intersections for foot traffic in Canada.

Eat:
Sample innovative Latin cuisine like the braised oxtail, rabbit and short rib taco while toasting the giant mural of Che Guevara at Century. 432 Richards St., (604) 633-2700.

Drink:
Sip award-winning espresso at Caffè Artigiano, surrounded by writers, struggling actors, jewellery designers and young office workers escaping their cubicles. 763 Hornby St., (604) 694-7737.

Browse:
Oqoqo on Robson for casual clothing, workout wear and yoga gear made from soy-based sustainable fabric. 1100 Robson St., (604) 681-4941.