This is the 2023 Guide to the West End in Vancouver, BC, Canada.  The West End is one of the most densely populated areas in all of North America.  It is a vibrant neighbourhood located next to Vancouver's crown jewel Stanley Park and downtown Vancouver.  It is home to a diverse group of people and hosts Vancouver's largest events!

The West End is focused around 4 streets which form a square: Davie St., Denman St., Robson St., and Thurlow St.  Davie, Denman, and Robson Streets are retail focused with many stores, restaurants, and bars.  This makes the West End very walkable!

The West End is home to a large gay community which is centred around the Davie St. Village.

Please check out the our guide to Attractions, Activities, Events, Beaches, Parks, Statues/Monuments/Memorials, Restaurants, Hotels and General Information in the West End

If you come to Vancouver you must visit the West End!

English Bay is the main attraction in the West End of Vancouver, BC, Canada.  Here there are stunning views out over the ocean.  You can see the south pennisula of Vancouver including the University of British Columbia.  On a clear day, you can see Vancouver Island!  There are always bulk ships moored in English Bay and sailboats sailing by!  It is also a great place to watch the sun set!

Other attractions at English Bay are the Inukshuk Monument, English Bay Beach and the English Bay Seawall!

Another attraction is the Roedde House Museum which is a victorian-era heritage house museum.

English Bay Beach is Vancouver's first and main beach.  It is where thousands of Vancouverites have learned to swim.  The view from the beach is spectacular such that people just come to sit and enjoy the view.

You can also enjoy the normal beach activities such as swimming, laying in the sun, volleyball, kayaking, and stand up paddleboarding.

The water is ocean salt water and is normally cold, but is bearable to swim during the summer months.  They even put out a slide to use during the summer.

English Bay beach is also one of very few beaches that is wheelchair accessible!

English Bay Beach Info...

The Roedde House Museum is a house built in 1893 for the family of Vancouver's 1st bookbinder.  The house was designed by Francis Rattenbury, the architect who designed British Columbia's legislature building in Victoria.

The house has been restored and sits within a park with other heritage houses and a gazebo where there are summer concerts.  The house is populated with items from the Victorian era.

You can walk through the house to see what it would have been like to live in the Victorian era in Vancouver.  Note that the house has multiple levels with stairs only so it may not be fully accessible for all.

The tours are self-guided with the option of audio features on your phone.

They hold concerts and presentations in the parlour

Website: Roedde House Museum website
Address: 1415 Barclay Street, Vancouver
Phone: 604-684-7040
Email: info@roeddehouse.org Hours: Wed through Sundays 1pm-4pm Cost: General Admission: $10, Youth(6-18): $5, Wheelchair accessible(ground floor only): $5, Child(0-5): Free, RHM Members: Free

There are some fantastic murals in the West End.

'Drifter' is a mural painted by Drew Young in 2018.

It is located on the side of the building at 1015 Denman St.

'Proud Together' is a mural painted by Mandy Tsung

It is located on the back of a building at the back of 1022 Davie Street in Pantages Lane.

There is a landscape mural painted by Bonnie Ackland.

It is located on the side of the building at the corner of Robson Street and Bidwell Street.

Each year on January 1, English Bay is host to one of the world's largest polar bear swims.  Thousands of people go swimming in the cold waters of English Bay to celebrate the New Year.

This is one of Vancouver's longest running traditions.  2019 was the 100th annual polar bear swim!

This event was back on in 2023 after being held online for 2 years due to the Covid pandemic!

Polar Bear Swim Info

Each summer at the end of July/beginning of August, there are 3 nights of music-syncronized fireworks displays at English Bay.

During the day there is an associated festival at Ceperley Park in Stanley Park with live music, food, and beer gardens.

This is Vancouver's largest event of the year!

IMPORTANT NOTE: There are NO fireworks at English Bay on Canada Day(July 1) and New Years' Eve(December 31).  Fireworks on these days are held elsewhere.

Celebration of Lights Fireworks and Festival info...

The Vancouver Pride Parade is the largest annual parade in Vancouver and celebrates Pride!

It normally occurs on the Sunday of the 1st weekend in August each year.

This event will take place on Sunday, August 6, 2023.

The parade goes along Beach Avenue and Pacific Avenue from Denman Street to Cambie Street.

There is a free event.

There is also an associated 2 day festival that takes place at the end of False Creek.

more information...

Each year late in the year statues appear in Morton Park across Beach Avenue from English Bay.  These statues are lit up at night!

There is a Mobi, city-owned bicycle sharing, station on Davie Street right in front of English Bay.  These bicycles have time restrictions on them.  There are also some bicycle rental shops just up Davie Street that rent by the hour, half-day, and day.

More info on Bicycle Rentals...

Sunset Beach is actually a couple of small beaches on the north side of False Creek near the Vancouver Aquatic Centre .  These beaches tend to be less busy than English Bay Beach.

Info and Photos of Sunset Beach...

There is a small off-leash dog beach located just next to the Burrard Street Bridge.

Morton Park is a small park area across the street from the centre of English Bay beach.  It is home to the A-Maze-Ing Laughter statues and some beautiful palm trees and flowers.

Alexandra Park is a small park area across the street from the English Bay Bathhouse.  It is a large grassy area that has many huge trees which give it lots of shade.  It is home to the Haywood Bandstand and the Joe Fortes Memorial Fountain.

Sunset Beach Park is a large grass field park area directly in front of Sunset Beach in English Bay.

This is a large flat field that anyone can use.

Every year, the unauthorized Vancouver 420 day Cannabis protest festival, Free Vancouver Symphony Orchestra Concert, and Pride Festival events take place here.

Located across Beach Avenue from English Bay in Morton Park is A-maze-ing Laughter art work.   A-maze-ing Laughter is a series of giant men in various states of laughter!  It makes everyone who sees it smile!

It is popular to take your photo with these friendly giants!

More Info...

The Inukshuk monument at English Bay was put up just prior to the 2010 Olympics.  It is a distinctive Canadian monument traditionally found in the Arctic north of Canada.

Inukshuk Info and Photos...

Located in Alexandra Park across Beach Avenue from English Bay is a fountain dedicated to one of Vancouver's Favourite people: Joe Fortes.  Joe lived near this spot and was responsible for teaching thousands of Vancouverites to swim in English Bay!

The Vancouver Aids Memorial is a memorial to the many people in Vancouver who died from Aids.

Vancouver Aids Memorial Info...

The English Bay Sundial is an often overlooked monument at English Bay.  It is located right just off of English Bay Beach near the Cactus Club restaurant.

There are a number of art works and artists along English Bay.  Here are some of them that you should check out!

The Engagement art work is located in a field above the English Bay Seawall just off of Beach Avenue.

More Info...

The 217.5 Arc X 13 is a piece of art located on the beach just off of the English Bay Seawall just west of Sunset Beach.

The Swimmer is a piece of art located in front of the Vancouver Aquatic Centre.

There are a number of restaurants and bars in the West End where you can have some great food and drink!

Craft Beer Market is a large casual restaurant that serves craft beers.

It is new as of 2021.  It was formerly the English Bay Cafe.

It is located directly across the street from English Bay.

It has a large patio that opens up in the summer.  The patio has a Volkswagon van as a bar!

Located right on the English Bay Seawall at English Bay Beach is the Cactus Club.

This is a upscale casual chain restaurant.  They serve lunch and dinner.

This location has a fabulous outdoor patio that has great views of English Bay.

During the summer, The Cactus Club operates a seasonal concession stand on the outside of their restaurant.

Papi's Seafood and Oyster Bar Restaurant is located on Denman St. close to English Bay.

They obviously serve seafood.  Some seats have views of English Bay.

Papi's also does takeout.  Many people will buy from here and take the food down to English Bay to eat it.

The Sylvia Hotel has a fabulous full service restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  Some of the seats have views of English Bay.

They also have a bar.  Some of the window tables also have good views out over English Bay.

Hook Seabar is an upscale casual restaurant across the street from English Bay.

The Hook Seabar is a new restaurant as of 2018.  It is in the same location where Milestones used to be.

The restaurant is located across the street from English Bay but still has a decent view.  They have an outdoor patio which is nice to sit at when the weather is good.

They are open for dinner weekdays and brunch/lunch/dinner on weekends.

Address: 1210 Denman St, Vancouver, BC, V6G 2N2
Phone: 604-620-4668
Email: info@hookseabar.com

This is a pub located at the corner of Davie St. and Denman St.

This is a funky lounge located on the 2nd floor at the corner of Davie St. and Denman St.  It is a lounge, but has a full food menu available.

There are many hotels in the West End.

Located right next to English Bay is this beautiful old historic hotel.  It also has a bar and restaurant that have amazing views out over English Bay.

There is also some interesting history that may have happened in this hotel.

Sylvia Hotel Info...

This was a temporary art work that was located on the hill above Sunset Beach in the West End.  It is no longer there.

General information about the West End and Frequently Asked Questions.

Yes, there are public washrooms in the west end.  There are public washrooms at the English Bay Bath House.  Additionally, there are public washrooms on Bute St. at Davie St. and on Bute Street between Nelson and Comox streets.

The West End is located in Vancouver, BC, Canada.  It is located next to downtown Vancouver and Stanley Park.

There are parking meters on the main streets, e.g. on Davie St. Robson St.and Denman Streets.  Most of the parking on residential streets in the West End is resident only pay parking.  Most blocks have some non-resident pay parking.  There are only a few parkades in the West End located at the West End Community Centre and Denman Mall.  There are only a few parking lots also.  There are a few parking lots scattered around the West End.

Coming soon...more info about...

• accomodations, apartments for rent, apartments for sale, funished apartments for rent
• condos for rent, condos for sale, furnished condos for rent, properties

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