Local travel writer John Lee has put together a Vancouver guide consisting of Vancouver walking tours, 36 in all. But these aren’t run-of-the-mill “to your right is the Fairmont Hotel” or “to your left is a park.”
He delves into the quirky, the unbelievable and the unknown side of a city that, although relatively new, has some unusual history and humorous intrigues. A question put to many locals by this writer made it clear that they had no idea most of the architectural gems or hidden hotspots mentioned in the book even existed.
Vancouver Walking Tour
For locals who want to brush up on their own city or first time visitors who are eager to get past the tourist attractions (and see another side of them), Walking Vancouver by John Lee is an excellent book for either audience. Visiting Vancouver, it’s easy to get awed but the natural beauty, but digging deeper with this guide makes city walking so much more interesting.
Vancouver Neighbourhoods
Some of the areas that are covered in Walking Vancouver are:
- Downtown Vancouver: Stanley Park, Yaletown, Robson Street, Burrard Street, Denman Street, Gastown, Coal Harbour, Davie Street and the West End
- Kitsilano: West 4th Avenue
- Granville Island
- False Creek and Fairview
- Mount Pleasant
- Commercial Drive in east Vancouver
- West Vancouver: Dundarave Village, Hollyburn and Ambleside neighbourhoods
- North Vancouver: The Capilano Suspension Bridge and Lonsdale Quay
- Steveston in Richmond
- New Westminster
Every city has its own eccentric past, and Vancouver is no different. Some of the curious things that author John Lee unearths are:
- The best hotdog stand in the city serves Japanese-flavoured inventions and has been patronized by celebrities like Ice Cube and Anthony Bourdain.
- The spot where Greenpeace launched its “first action” protesting U.S. nuclear testing.
- The previous Klu Klux Klan office for their Canadian headquarters.
It’s always difficult to decide what the best way to see a city is. A culinary tour, perhaps? How about a wellness vacation? John Lee’s Walking Vancouver (ISBN: 978-1-894974-90-5, $19.95 CAD) is for those who want to keep things simple and learn things about the city that most people don’t know.
The interior photos by the author and Noel MacDonald showcase some of the most key attractions in the city and give the book a nice visual appeal. A clear index at the back breaks up the walking tours into themes (history, dining & shopping, parks & nature, nightlife, waterfront and arts, architecture & culture) as well as points of interest.
For locals or those familiar with the area, this is a terrific read with interesting tidbits about the most random of things.
Vancouver Travel
For those visiting Vancouver, get assistance from Tourism Vancouver (604-682-2222) or the Visitor Centre (604-683-2000) for accommodations and other trip ideas.
Lori Henry - A travel writer, Lori flits between exploring the world with incessant curiosity and huddling over her laptop writing.
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