Day Trips

BC Place & Canada Hockey Place

By Vancouver Magazine /
SHOP | EAT & DRINK | WANDER | GET THERE

 

The opening and closing ceremonies at BC Place, and medal games at Canada Hockey Place, will draw visitors to one of Vancouver’s oldest buroughs. While there, take in an impressive slate of new stores and restaurants.

Olympic Schedule

Olympic hockey Canada Hockey Place is home to medal and non-medal Olympic hocky games. See a schedule of Olympic hockey events here. 

 

 

Bless the duo behind (212) for a store full of stylish, sexy clothes that are actually affordable. Lots of urban labels, like Doctor Denim for boys and Fenchurch for girls, but the minimalist house line is reason enough for a visit. 454 W. Cordova St., 604-685-2426. Twoonetwo.net

Find Erin Templeton’s gorgeous leather belts, strappy flip-flops, and signature hand-knotted bags at her Chinatown atelier. 511 Carrall St., 604-682-2451. Erintempleton.com

Obakki is a West Coast clothing collective showcased in a stunning retail space—all concrete, exposed brick, and wood. The clothing is manufactured locally and is distinguished by its muted colour palette and beautiful draping. 44 Water St., 604-669-9727. Obakki.com

Score reproductions of modern furniture like Saarinen dining chairs and Noguchi tables, at neighbouring stores Koolhaus and Parliament. (We like Koolhaus for massive statement mirrors and sleek patio furniture, and Parliament for well-priced tabletop and other sleek shabby-chic accessories.) Koolhaus: 1 Water St., 604-875-9004. Koolhausdesign.com. Parliament: 115 Water St., 604-689-0800. Parliamentinteriors.com

Those seeking authentic Eames, Platner, Aalto, et al. should proceed directly to Inform Interiors. Owner Niels Bendtsen’s locally manufactured furniture line, Bensen, holds its own, with modern lines and impeccable construction. 50 and 97 Water St., 604-682-3868. Informinteriors.com

The stark loft conversions in this neighbourhood are well served by Provide, a lifestyle store carrying striking home accessories like Dwell Studio table linens and Rina Menardi vases, plus artwork by local designer Martha Sturdy and David Keeler, the store’s co-owner. 529 Beatty St., 604-632-0095. Providehome.com

 

 

Start with weekend brunch at Café Medina, where Belgian waffles, topped with fig-orange marmalade or pistachio-white chocolate, are specialties—and a deal at $4 and change. Their hearty Moroccan-influenced egg dishes have people lined up for hours. 556 Beatty St., 604-339-9395. Medinacafe.com

A cocktail renaissance has blossomed in the city; at its heart is this Gastown boite devoted to the art of old-school drinks. The Diamond, overlooking Gassy Jack Square, serves Prohibition-era cocktails and Asian-influenced snacks (best are the Sloping Hills organic-pork gyoza)—weird combo,
but it works. 6 Powell St. Di6mond.com

Beer’s more your thing? Three outstanding pubs are in close range: The Irish Heather for Guinness et al and comfort pub grub; Six Acres for an imaginative (and lengthy) list of bottled beer; and the Alibi Room—our favourite, as much for the sexy room as the long list of craft beers on tap. Irish Heather: 212 Carrall St., 604-688-9779. Irishheather.com. Six Acres: 203 Carrall St., 604-488-0110. Sixacres.ca. Alibi Room: 157 Alexander St., 604-623-3383. Alibiroom.ca

 

 

The neighbourhood’s new landmark is the red-steel-latticed W Building. Part of the Woodward’s redevelopment, the tower references New York’s Flatiron Building and the mansard-roofed Dominion Building at Cambie and Hastings. 100 W. Hastings St., between Cambie and Abbott

An oasis in the inner city, the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden is designed in the Ming Dynasty tradition, all winding pathways, waterways teeming with koi fish, and lush stands of bamboo. 578 Carrall St., 604-662-3207. Vancouverchinesegarden.com

 

 

BC Place Numerous buses ferry passengers westbound, northbound, and eastbound.

Canada Hockey Place A short walk eastward on Waterfront Road  leads to a hub of transportation:  SkyTrain, Canada Line, SeaBus, West Coast Express Train–it’s got it all.