Gastown

Historic district where Vancouver first took root
Talk of the town: Gastown is named after sailor/gold prospector John "Gassy Jack" Deighton. In 1867, he founded a tavern around which a settlement formed.

With cobblestone streets and Victorian buildings, Gastown is the oldest part of Vancouver and one of its most charming. While you'll have to doge a few panhandlers, the compact layout of streets and commercial density makes it perfect for strolling shoppers and diners.
Browse in the artisan shops selling jewellery and crafts and stop to admire traditional arts in the museum-worthy First Nations art galleries. At Hill's Native Art, you can purchase or simply appreciate authentic masks, totem poles and bentwood boxes.

Happy-snappers tend to mill around the Gastown Steam Clock at the corner of Water and Cambie Streets, which whistles and emits steam every 15 minutes. While it's symbolic of Gastown, it's no antique - the attraction was installed in 1977. If you're after a solo shot with the intricate, curious structure, wait for the intervals to avoid crowded photos.