West End Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
West End which includes street scenes, food and signage
Home to Vancouver’s gay village, this neighborhood is one of the city’s most densely populated and liveliest, with popular cafés, shops and nightclubs.

West End is Vancouver’s cultural hub, featuring the city’s gay village, heritage buildings and an assortment of cafés and shops. With a population of over 40,000, the neighborhood is quite densely populated for North America. If the crowds become too much, escape to one of the many parks and beaches in the area.

Start out on Robson Street, West End’s main thoroughfare. Here, visit an assortment of international restaurants and fashion boutiques. On a summer evening you’ll find this area filled with West End residents enjoying dinner or drinks on restaurant terraces. Robson Street also features the hotel district of Robson Slopes. Stay in this area for easy access to the beach, Stanley Park and downtown Vancouver.

Explore Davie Village, the heart of Vancouver’s gay community, which is one of the largest in western Canada. Cafés, designer fashion outlets and nightclubs fill the area. Visit in August to see the spectacular gay pride parade, which has been attracting thousands of visitors since 1978.

See one of the most beloved pieces of Vancouver public art in Morton Park on the southern edge of West End. Yue Minjun’s A-maze-ing Laughter is a series of tall bronze sculptures showing the artist in fits of hysterical laughter. Have your photo taken alongside the oversized statues.

West End is where Vancouver’s wealthy merchants once built their mansions. As a result, a heritage district of well-preserved Victorian manors sits in the middle of the neighborhood today. Tour the Roedde House Museum to see a collection of late 19th-century artifacts in an impressive old house. Explore the Barclay Heritage Square surrounding the house to see more antique architecture.

Located in the northern section of downtown Vancouver, West End is served by several subway stops and many buses. If you are driving, be prepared to pay a steep fee to park on one of the neighborhood’s main streets.


Popular places to visit

Activities


Our pick of the best West End Hotel Deals

Divya Sutra Suites on Robson Downtown Vancouver
Divya Sutra Suites on Robson Downtown Vancouver
2.5 out of 5
1431 Robson Street, Vancouver, BC
The price is NZ$330 per night from 5 May to 6 May
NZ$330
per night
5 May - 6 May
Stay at this hotel in Vancouver. Enjoy free WiFi, onsite parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
7.8/10 Good! (139 reviews)
"Can’t get anything better in Vancouver downtown for this price."

Reviewed on 27 Apr. 2024

Divya Sutra Suites on Robson Downtown Vancouver
The Sutton Place Hotel Vancouver
The Sutton Place Hotel Vancouver
4.5 out of 5
845 Burrard St, Vancouver, BC
The price is NZ$455 per night from 5 May to 6 May
NZ$455
per night
5 May - 6 May
Stay at this spa hotel in Vancouver. Enjoy a full-service spa, breakfast, and WiFi. Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (3,261 reviews)
"Beautiful hotel. Friendly, helpful staff. Super clean. Great location. Will definitely stay here every time in in Vancouver"

Reviewed on 1 May 2024

The Sutton Place Hotel Vancouver
Century Plaza Hotel
Century Plaza Hotel
3.5 out of 5
1015 Burrard St, Vancouver, BC
The price is NZ$474 per night from 5 May to 6 May
NZ$474
per night
5 May - 6 May
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Vancouver. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour fitness center, and onsite parking. Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,146 reviews)
"Okay location - close to Robson street and a lot of eateries. However, it was also next to a hospital so we heard sirens go off very early in the morning."

Reviewed on 30 Apr. 2024

Century Plaza Hotel
Best Western Plus Sands
Best Western Plus Sands
3 out of 5
1755 Davie St, Vancouver, BC
The price is NZ$368 per night from 19 May to 20 May
NZ$368
per night
19 May - 20 May
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Vancouver. Enjoy breakfast, room service, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant in ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,028 reviews)
"Such a great location that we're always happy to come back to. On this trip, I left behind a small bag that contained some valuable items in our room. Housekeeping and Guest Services, in particular Tony, were just fantastic about holding onto it, and arranging for tracked shipping to our home. Outstanding ..."

Reviewed on 24 Apr. 2024

Best Western Plus Sands
Shangri-La Vancouver
Shangri-La Vancouver
5 out of 5
1128 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, BC
The price is NZ$840 per night from 12 May to 13 May
NZ$840
per night
12 May - 13 May
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Vancouver. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and breakfast. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,002 reviews)
"Lovely hotel, lovely staff"

Reviewed on 25 Apr. 2024

Shangri-La Vancouver
Sylvia Hotel
Sylvia Hotel
3 out of 5
1154 Gilford St, Vancouver, BC
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is NZ$431 per night from 7 May to 8 May
NZ$431
per night
7 May - 8 May
Stay at this 3-star beach hotel in Vancouver. Enjoy free WiFi, a beach locale, and breakfast. Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant in our reviews. ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,288 reviews)
"Such a beautiful location, close to shopping, restaurants and the beach. The room was clean, the bed comfortable and quiet. The staff was friendly and helpful. I love the history of the building and the common areas were clean"

Reviewed on 28 Apr. 2024

Sylvia Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around West End

Gastown showing street scenes, a city and outdoor eating

Central Vancouver

3/5(1 area review)

If you're spending time in Central Vancouver, check out sights like Canada Place Cruise Ship Terminal or Port of Vancouver and hop on the metro to see more of the city at Granville Station or Vancouver City Center Station.

Central Vancouver
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Coal Harbour

The captivating waterfront views and popular shops are a few things travellers love about Coal Harbour. Check out Vancouver Waterfront or Jack Poole Plaza while you're visiting, and jump aboard the metro at Burrard Station to get around town.

Coal Harbour
Downtown Vancouver showing a city, a high-rise building and modern architecture

Downtown Vancouver

4.5/5(406 area reviews)

Canada Place Cruise Ship Terminal and BC Place Stadium are a few top attractions in Downtown Vancouver. Hop around the city on the metro at Vancouver City Center Station or Granville Station and check out the area's captivating waterfront views, popular shops and acclaimed art galleries.

Downtown Vancouver
Yaletown showing street scenes, a city and night scenes

Yaletown

Take time in Yaletown to visit attractions like Robson Street and Vancouver False Creek Seawall. You might also appreciate the abundant dining options, and you can hop on the metro at Yaletown-Roundhouse Station to see more of the city.

Yaletown
Granville Island featuring a bay or harbour, a high-rise building and a city

Granville Island

4.5/5(3 area reviews)

Granville Island is known for its ample dining options, and you can make a stop by Granville Island Public Market and False Creek while in the area.

Granville Island
Gastown which includes a city, café lifestyle and street scenes

Gastown

3.5/5(10 area reviews)

Gastown is popular for its abundant dining options, and if you're looking for more to see and do, you might think about a trip to Gastown Steam Clock or Hotel Europe.

Gastown

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