Once an industrial wasteland, Granville Island is one of the most visited tourist places in Vancouver today. In the early 1900s, this island was home to factories, plants and sawmills. Technically Granville Island is nothing but a sandpit located to the southern side of the downtown peninsula, right under the Granville Bridge. The island offers a variety of activities to do and also is home to the most amazing cultural shows, theatre, artesian workshops and craft studios. Granville Island is not just a place to see amazing shopping streets, art and culture it also houses more than 50 food outlets and can be called a culinary destination.
How to Reach Granville Island?
Image Source: https://granvilleisland.com/hours-maps-getting-here
Getting into Granville Island by Bus –
A bus number coded with #50 false creeks comes from Gastown in the downtown area and stops just at the Granville Island at the intersection of Anderson St. and west 2nd Ave. Another bus route to reach Granville is the route under Granville Bridge which is also an important interchange stop for many urban and suburban routes. Hope off your bus at 5th Ave at the south end of the bridge and walk 5-10 minutes northwards under the bridge to reach the island.
Getting into Granville Island by boat –
The Aquabus operates from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. in summers which changes to 8:30 p.m. in the winters. This rainbow aquabus travels around the false creek with stops in between – horny st., stamp’s landing, Yaletown and science world. Aquabus also has a bike-friendly boat – the Cyquabus – that allows bicycles to hop aboard from the dock at the foot of Hornby St., at an extra 50 cents per bike. Other than the Aquabus you can also hop on to the ferries which travel around the inlet and stop at the Maritime Museum (Western Granville), aquatic centre, stamp’s landing and science world (easternmost point of the false creek).
Getting into Granville Island by Car –
It is easy to reach Granville Island by Car since the Island has good connectivity and enough routes. The problem arises where the kids market is located, here; the streets are one–way. However, the parking space for private cars in the Island is limited and hence it is suggested to take a public boat, bus or bike.
What to See in Granville Island?
As said earlier Granville Island is famous for the public markets/shopping street, artesian workshops, theatre and cultural shops. Now the question arises Where to shop? What to shop for? Where to grab the seat for the best theatre show? Or where to get the best craftsmanship pieces? The answers to all these questions are summarized in the following paragraph.
Granville Island’s public market is open 7 days a week from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Housed indoors, there are endless rows of stalls that feature fresh produce, gourmet foods, baked goods, and seafood. For the food-focused, a walking tour of the market can be a great way to get an insider’s insight.
What to Shop? With a mixture of unique crafts, skilled artisans, outdoor outfitters and deluxe gourmet stores Granville Island is one of the best places in the city to purchase souvenirs back home. Pick up smoked salmon, B.C. Wines and exclusive teas; take a stroll around Railspur Alley where you can peek into artisan studios where glassblowers, potters, jewellers and even a broom maker ply their crafts. While walking on the streets experience the local culture showcased through the theatre shows throughout the day.
Granville Island’s public market is also called “Foodies Paradise. It’s a delight to see the vendors offering cheese, charcuterie, bread and other freshly prepared bakery products. If you are a restaurant person then this place has a plethora of options for you (don’t expect waterfront restaurants here) While sitting for dining don’t forget to fill your glass! The area is home to an artisan sake maker (the first in Canada), a spirits distillery, and two breweries.
Why to visit Granville Island?
Granville Island is undoubtedly a must to visit tourist place amongst the neighbourhoods of Vancouver City. It attracts hundreds of tourists and local visitors every day. Not only the island holds beauty and unique characteristics but also the journey to reach this island and its story of evolution is unique in itself.
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