In 1867, a gentleman known as Jack “Gassy” Deighton – so nicknamed because of his love for telling long, tall tales - arrived on the barren north shore of the Burrard Inlet and asked local mill workers to build him a saloon.  Having been deprived of drink for a long time, they obliged and completed it in less than a day!  Hence, Gastown was born!

Today, Gastown is far from a one-saloon neighbourhood!  Along Gastown’s beautiful cobblestone streets and amid its Victorian-style buildings, visitors can shop in trendy boutiques, go antique hunting, admire fine regional works of art at the neighbourhood’s many galleries, and grab a bite to eat at one of Gastown’s many diverse restaurants.

Don’t miss the statue of “Gassy” Jack himself and be sure to stop by the quirky Gastown Steam Clock, where 5 enormous brass whistles play Westminster Chimes every 15 minutes!