Once the center of Vancouver’s industrial heartland, today, Granville Island is a thriving - albeit eclectic - community. It’s a people hot-spot that combines talented weavers, potters, paper makers, and other artisans alongside boat yards, a cement factory, iron-workers and glass blowers. Take in live free entertainment in the waterfront courtyard. Sample freshly made fudge in the Public Market that showcases extraordinary fresh produce, baked goods and more exotic items. Wander along beside the houseboats, or chat with authentic fisher folk.

As one of the most successful urban redevelopments in North America, the entire Island is an open gallery of artistic, commercial and industrial endeavor. Much of its continued success has actually been through regulation  which, translated, means that everything you find is unique. There’s not a big chain name in sight.

The Island’s also home to the Emily School of Art, live Theatre, and some of the city’s best eateries. Then there are its museums, found in a labyrinthine facility that sees the Sport Fishing, Model Ships and Model Trains Museums rolled into one.  Highlights include an 80 ft long train lay out depicting BC’s Interior, model ships made by BC craftspeople and the world’s largest, publicly-displayed collection of Hardy Brothers fishing reels.

This island of treasures is a must on any family’s list. An easy journey by car, bus, bike - or boat - from any part of the city. A favorite? The 9-person ferries that scoot about to and from other venues - Science World, the Maritime Museum and Yaletown, the very hip entrance to downtown Vancouver. It’s an area that’s fast becoming the city’s haven for ad agencies, photographers, trendy boutique, restaurants and studios. Whether you spend an hour or a day at Granville Island, we guarantee that you’ll want to come back. Open year round.