Find the Best Things to Do in West End
By Natasha John
Vancouver Local Expert
About West End
The West End in Vancouver is an eclectic mix of people, restaurants, views, shops and things to do, and will please a wide array of visitors to the area. It's Vancouver's Gay and Lesbian friendly neighborhood, but the friendly atmosphere makes it a great place for all walks of life to call home. There are schools, parks, shops and plenty of residential buildings, which is ideal for the large number of families that live here.
At night, take a seat and sit down to a Thai, Lebanese, Latin, Japanese, Korean, French or Italian meal in one of the many local favorite joints. From very casual hole in the walls, to more high end dining options, the West End will fill any appetite and budget.
Next to the friendly vibes people get here, English Bay beach and Stanley Park are two major draws that bring people from all over to the West End.
See & Do
The West End has a handful of beaches that line the shoreline around the downtown core. During the day, the beaches are filled with eager sun worshipers and water babies that enjoy a swim in the cool Pacific. Head down to English Bay Beach, where there's both sand and grass covered areas to throw down your towel.
Stanley Park is just a short bike ride along the Seawall from English Bay, and you can explore the park and all the attractions within it, or move from one beach to another. There's also a well kept swimming pool that's perfect for those days when the ocean is too chilly. Within Stanley Park is the Vancouver Aquarium and is not to be missed!
Eat
The West End has a vast array of restaurants that you will find along Davie and Denman streets, and even scattered throughout side streets. The best part of this area is that there are so many options to choose from, you could dine out for every meal for a week and never get bored by the options in this area.
Grab a quick bite of poutine (a classic Canadian treat) from Fritz, or sit down at Raincity Grill for a gourmet meal and excellent views of English Bay. Lolita's is a local favorite for those craving fresh ceviche, delicious tacos and other Latin delights in a funky Tiki atmosphere. Your culinary adventure isn't limited to one kind of cuisine and to name just a few, you will find Japanese, Greek, Italian, French, Korean, Thai, and Spanish restaurants in the West End.
Party
A night out on Davie Street isn't complete without a visit to Celebrites; an iconic Vancouver nightclub. Throughout the week they have various themed nights, all catering to different tastes, but equally as fun each night and the line up outside is a testament to that. Wednesday nights before the clubbers get dancing, they host a Bingo (dubbed "Bing-gay") to raise money for HIV and Aids. Two fabulous drag queens host the evening, supplying winners with fun prizes and hilarious banter. The Pumpjack, 1181 and the Fountain Head are other solid choices to check out if you're after a cold pint and friendly fellow patrons.
Stay
There are a handful of hotels in the West End that are great for those looking for a comfortable stay that's within walking distance of all major attractions in the downtown core of Vancouver, but without the big price tag other hotels charge. The Sandman on Davie St. is centrally located in Davie Village and restaurants, grocery stores and bus routes are all right outside your front door. English Bay Beach is a pleasant stroll down Davie Street and doesn't take long to get to by foot or bus. If shopping is the main priority on your agenda, the Blue Horizon Hotel is right on Robson Street, close to a dangerous amount of shops. Should you want something slightly more fancy, the Loden Hotel Vancouver is a beautiful boutique hotel in Vancouver's Coal Harbour.