city

Neighbourhood To Do List: False Creek and Olympic Village

By Allie Turner /

Eat, drink, explore—and repeat.

Since the 2010 Winter Olympics, the False Creek area has become a hot spot for trendy businesses, restaurants and plenty of green space. Get your snack on, wander the parks and galleries, and drink to your heart’s content—there are plenty of bars and breweries to choose from!—with the help of our neighbourhood to do list.1. Cross the Bridge at Hinge ParkWhere Cambie Street intersects with West 2nd, there’s a sewer-pipe bridge presiding over a natural wetland in the former Athletes Village. Take a stroll through the strange, industrial nature reserve that’s designed to remind people about the environmental impacts of infrastructure.2. Sip Brews at Craft Beer MarketLocated in Olympic Village Square, Craft Beer Market is a brew-lover’s dream with more than 100 beers on tap. They also host weekly Cask Nights and monthly Brewmaster Dinners (during which they team up with a local brewery to prepare special tasting menus).3. Raise Your Spirits at Long Table DistilleryFounded in 2010, Long Table Distillery was Vancouver first micro-distillery making small-batch gin, vodka and seasonal spirits. Stop by on a Friday or Saturday between 3 and 9 p.m. for craft cocktails at their communal Long Table (conveniently named, no?)—happy hour is in effect until 5 p.m.4. Take in the Action at Olympic Village SquareCoffee fix in hand—thanks JJ Bean—it’s time to people watch in Olympic Village Square (between Manitoba Street, Salt Street, Walter Hardwick Avenue and Athletes Way) with the giant bird sculptures from local artist Myfanwy MacLeod.5. Bike the SeawallGrab one of the city’s new bikes from the Mobi bike sharing program (just be sure to register online first) and chase the shoreline along the seawall via comfort-cruiser.6. Wander Granville Island Public MarketSummer (or any other season) isn’t complete without a stroll through Granville Island. Poke around the expansive Public Market with a treat from Lee’s Donuts in hand.7. Embark on a Self-Guided Studio WalkSpeaking of Granville Island, there are more than 40 gorgeous studios and galleries that feature everything from Indigenous wood carvings and sculpture to one-of-a-kind jewellery. Take a self-guided tour of each to find out just how talented Vancouver artists really are—they all gather here.8. Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth at Beta5 ChocolatesInsta-worthy confectionary awaits at Beta5 Chocolates. Indulge in their house-made chocolates, caramels or famous cream puffs—or try their daily patisserie menu that regulary feature new and exciting croissants. (Photo: Red Truck Brewing Company.)9. Hop from Brewery to Brewery…to BreweryMore beer! There are six breweries (Faculty, Red Truck, Brassneck, Main Street, 33 Acres, Big Rock) in the False Creek area alone—so why not make an evening of sampling from them all by walking, biking or stumbling?

False Creek & Olympic Village ▸▸▸