Where Vancouver Began
Gastown is Vancouver’s oldest neighbourhood — the original townsite (established 1867, named after “Gassy” Jack Deighton, a Yorkshire-born steamboat captain and saloon keeper), with cobblestone streets, heritage brick buildings, the Gastown Steam Clock (a steam-powered clock that whistles on the quarter hour — one of Vancouver’s most photographed landmarks), and a concentration of independent boutiques, galleries, restaurants, and bars that have made Gastown the city’s most atmospheric walking district.
A Gastown walking tour covers the neighbourhood’s history (the founding, the Great Fire of 1886 that destroyed the original townsite, the rebuilding, the decline, and the revitalisation), the architecture (Victorian and Edwardian commercial buildings, many with original facades), and the contemporary food-and-drink scene (cocktail bars, third-wave coffee, and the restaurants that have made Gastown a dining destination).
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a Gastown walking tour take?
Approximately 1–2 hours for the historical walk. Gastown is compact — approximately 6 blocks long.
Is the Steam Clock real steam?
Partly — the clock uses steam to power the whistle mechanism (which plays the Westminster chimes on the quarter hour), but the clock’s timekeeping mechanism is electric. The steam is genuine; the timekeeping is not.