City Guide: Vancouver
Brookes Boswell’s (Incomplete but Adoring) Vancouver City Guide
I recently made the long overdue trip to Vancouver, BC to visit some friends and finally check out the city that I've heard so much about. It's a Portland-meets-NYC gem. It has cosmopolitan density, snow-capped mountains, coastal rainforest city parks, delicious food, great shopping, and easy or hard hiking (your choice). I didn't have nearly enough time to see everything, so consider this incomplete guide as just a starting point for your own adventure.
Stay
at the Sylvia Hotel: Cute, old fashioned, affordable.
Hike
in Stanley Park: As a Portlander, I felt very at home walking out the front door of my hotel and into the forest for a quick morning hike. I loved seeing locals making good use of their outdoor nature space. If I had more time, I'd venture just a bit further outside of the city to see some old-growth trees. I heard the Lynn Loop Trail in North Vancouver is a good one.
Shop
in Mt. Pleasant and Gastown: There are loads of wonderful stores to browse in both neighborhoods. We made a pilgrimage to Sunja Link Body Shoppe, maker of our favorite hand wash. It’s a beautiful space, and we tested literally every product on the shelf. Gastown is loaded with lovely shops, including all four stunning Neighbour stores. Our favorite discovery in Vancouver was Alterior. Part community space, part shop, the vibe was extremely welcoming, and offered a selection of goods and clothing from local designers, a bouldering wall, a vintage store, a community library, a production space, and a hair salon. They sell really cute hats by Lloyd, and they even made us two custom-sized hats while we waited. Fun!
Eat
all the best Asian cuisine: I can’t emphasize enough how much good Asian food is in Vancouver. We had ramen, dim sum, sushi, and more in the short span of a few days. All was incredibly delicious and there was infinitely more to discover. Highlights were Dachi, Dinasty, Banana Leaf and Sushi by Yuji. Take this list as merely a starting point and show up ready to eat your way across the city.
Take a Day Trip
Vancouver is nestled so close to the mountains and the sea that both are visible from almost anywhere in the city. When it was time to plan a day trip, it was a tough choice because there were so many wonderful options that were easily accessible. We decided to go to Bowen Island, partly to visit Dana Lee Brown’s shop and partly to do some coastal hiking and tree gazing. Plus, I love a good ferry ride. (Dana Lee Brown is fairly new to Shop Boswell and it was incredibly special to get to meet Dana in person, see her space, and talk more about her products. Stay tuned for an interview with her down the road.) I also highly recommend the Roger Curtis area for hiking and Tell Your Friends Cafe for snacking and people watching. If you have more time, I hear that Riley’s Cider is delicious, Mist is super relaxing, and that Kitoki Inn is the place to stay overnight if that’s in the cards for you.
Next Time
I’d love to hit the Museum of Anthropology at UBC and ride the gondola to the top of Grouse Mountain. Maybe go skiing at Whistler, go to the night markets in Richmond, or bring my bike on the train to cruise around on two wheels.
