Vancouver by Foot - Part I

I love the authenticity of exploring a city by foot. You discover places beyond tourists, joining natives in their daily lives.

We recently went to Vancouver, BC by train, for just a couple days around the U2 360 concert. I also have 4 GB of photos from the show to process! and I will have to share our trip over multiple photo posts.

This set begins on the train from Seattle, yes that was the view! and shows where we stayed in and around Gastown, downtown, and a bit of Yaletown. In the little time we were there, we also walked to Granville Island market, enjoyed Chinatown and a traditional park there, and of course U2, so I will share more soon. Hover over the shots to see their titles.


The early weekday train from Seattle to Vancouver is quiet, clean, and just a fun ride!


The skytrain bridge first noticed from the train.

It was exciting to see local papers about the band being in town.

The Vancouver Central public library has the look of a deconstructed Colosseum.

We were pleasantly surprised by the beauty and charm of this 1898 restored victorian
guest house, which we found thanks to this NY Times article.

It is called the Victorian Hotel & it stole my heart with the little details, great restoration and magnificent high ceilings.

Don't let anyone tell you that beauty, comfort and friendly service come only with the big bucks. This was the most beautiful, yet affordable hotel I've stayed in and with wonderful service! That bay window in the right shot below was ours :)

Yes, they even offered a modest breakfast, and 24hr hot tea or coffee to warm you up!

I wanted to take that chair home :)


We weren't in our room much, but when we were, we felt transported to a different place and time!

A few blocks from the Victorian, Brian found the perfect place, Brioche, to get breakfast at any hour. They make beautiful pastries, eggs, pastas, sandwiches, you name it. We had first noticed a rush during the lunch hour. You know it's good when the locals line up!

They display good art in there, too I wish I had time to shoot, but I was too busy eating.


At one point, Brian joked that he would get chocolate mousse in a flute for breakfast, then the person after us in line just did that. The life!

Brioche is the perfect way to start your stroll around Gastown. Slow it down and see details of the old city everywhere. My favorite was the brick and iron work.

We even happened on a photo shoot of a model clad in vintage garments, outside of Uniques antiques store.












This is Gassy Jack, the founding father of Gastown.


We had a small, sweet dinner at the Water St. Cafe, whose windows invite people watching while you eat in Gastown, right across from the steam clock.


This cat was a character and it greeted us a few times we passed by its building. I loved the fact it hung out with all this good reading :)



I'm waiting to see his result of that shoot-off.


As you can see we wandered into a few alleys. Get out there and find the details you won't see from a car or bus.




Of course I was in love this cafe & its tables. Too bad I don't recall its name, please let me know if you happen to.




Brian would like you to know he is posing with that "sounder" whale in honor of the Seattle Sounders FC.

You can see the 2010 Winter Olympics excitement everywhere in town.

Yaletown was not on our agenda, but when you walk as much as we do, you stumble upon things. We actually had walked into a generic-feeling, large coffee chain nearby, when we realized what it was and walked back out in search of something more independent. We were rewarded with this French and Lebanese bakery and cafe ~ charming with delicious pastries and for coffee and espresso, they served Intelligentsia and Umbria.




Yale Hotel is one of those things that is on our do this next time list. We found out it has so much history as reflected on its outsides. This was the last thing we saw before continuing on our walk to Granville Island.


I hope you come back for more!