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North America Canada Vancouver Shopping Commercial Drive

Overview

Commercial Drive

The guide was updated: 2024-08-29

Generations of immigrants and an artistic counter-culture scene have made “The Drive” one of the most diverse areas in Vancouver. After World War II the northern part of Commercial Drive came to be known as "Little Italy". The Drive is also home to sizable Portuguese, Asian and Latino communities. Today, it is the spot to score vintage clothing, vinyl records, smoking paraphernalia and unique books — not to mention, it is the ideal neighbourhood for sampling ethnic and vegetarian cuisine. Commercial Drive is where Vancouver's Car Free Day first took place in 2005. The initiative grew, and now regularly busy streets are closed to car traffic and used for day-long community festivals to promote active transportation, sustainability, and public spaces.

Useful Information

Website: www.thedrive.ca

Our travel guides are free to read and explore online. If you want to get your own copy, the full travel guide for this destination is available to you offline* to bring along anywhere or print for your trip.

*this will be downloaded as a PDF.

Price

€4,95

Purchase

Mink Chocolate Café

Mink Chocolate Café

Mink Chocolate Café is heaven for every chocolate lover, all year round you can indulge in hot and cold beverages. Thick, rich, ultra luxurious.

Granville Island Public Market

Granville Island Public Market

Granville is an island in the middle of the city, a centre for dining, the arts and shopping, and home of the famous Granville Island fresh food market. Wander through colorful stalls displaying homemade products and fine gastronomic delights.

CF Pacific Centre

CF Pacific Centre

CF Pacific Centre is downtown Vancouver's premier shopping mall, with tons of shops and major brands represented, as well as a vast selection of restaurants, cafés, entertainment venues, and even the Four Seasons Hotel.

Coastal Peoples Fine Arts Gallery

Coastal Peoples Fine Arts Gallery

Established in 1996, Coastal Peoples is a leading Gallery showcasing museum-quality Pacific Northwest Coast and Inuit artwork for curious newcomers as well as seasoned collectors. Recognized for representing First Nations' master artisans, the Gallery has earned a reputation for discovering a new generation of gifted talent who push the boundaries of this legendary art form. Ideally situated in the prime downtown location of Gastown by the waterfront — the Gallery is set in a historic warehouse space and focuses on representing an unparalleled collection of contemporary art identifying the distinct styles and diverse nations inhabiting both the communities of the Northwest coast and Arctic regions of Canada.

Fazakas Gallery

Fazakas Gallery

The Fazakas Gallery specializes in Contemporary Art, featuring work by Northwest Coast Native artists to more eclectic pieces from around the world. They offer a comprehensive approach to helping clients build their portfolios while reviewing existing collections to identify ways of bringing such work to a broader audience.

Treasure Green Tea Company

Treasure Green Tea Company

Treasure Green Tea Company has a bewildering selection of premium speciality teas, including Pu-erh Tea Cakes, Iron Buddha and Treasure Green's Emerald Silver green tea, most of them sourced all the way from China, celebrating an ancient tea culture.

Chinatown

Chinatown

Vancouver is home to Canada’s largest Chinese population and a thriving Chinatown, full of authentic shopping experiences, leisure activities, and culture. During summer evenings, shoppers can browse handmade goods and authentic Chinese food stalls lining the streets of the Chinatown Night Market. This unique neighborhood is also a great place to stock up on inexpensive gifts and exotic ingredients.

Commercial Drive

Commercial Drive

Generations of immigrants and an artistic counter-culture scene have made “The Drive” one of the most diverse areas in Vancouver. After World War II the northern part of Commercial Drive came to be known as "Little Italy". The Drive is also home to sizable Portuguese, Asian and Latino communities. Today, it is the spot to score vintage clothing, vinyl records, smoking paraphernalia and unique books — not to mention, it is the ideal neighbourhood for sampling ethnic and vegetarian cuisine. Commercial Drive is where Vancouver's Car Free Day first took place in 2005. The initiative grew, and now regularly busy streets are closed to car traffic and used for day-long community festivals to promote active transportation, sustainability, and public spaces.

Gastown

Gastown

You can see glimpses of Vancouver’s origins preserved in the Victorian buildings and cobblestone streets of this once bawdy frontier post. Today it’s an official historic area with antique street lamps, shops and bars, First Nations art galleries, and the famous 2-tonne Gastown Steam Clock, and it is packed with quaint boutiques and cutting-edge fashion.

Granville Street

Granville Street

Cutting right through downtown is Vancouver’s main entertainment district, featuring bustling shops during the day and happening clubs and bars at night. Spend some time in the Pacific Centre, where you’ll find more than 100 brand-name shops and services. For a sampling of authentic Vancouver fashion, visit the trendsetting shops dotting the blocks between Robson and Drake streets, where you can find the latest styles in apparel, club gear and accessories.

Kitsilano

Kitsilano

Bordered to the north by two popular beaches, “Kits” is an artsy upmarket neighborhood on the West Side, full of yoga studios, independent bookstores, organic coffee shops and natural grocers. During the warmer months, this area is ideal for checking out one of Vancouver’s Farmers’ Markets before heading to the beach.

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