Find the Best Things to Do in Granville Island

About Granville Island

Photo courtesy of PYONKO (flickr)

Granville Island is a popular tourist attraction, but it's also a regular spot locals go to when looking to kill a few hours, or indulge in some treats. Not to mention, there's a large number of residential buildings right outside of the market and elementary schools nearby for the many families that live in the area. Granville Market is the place to go when you're looking for market fresh fruits and vegetables, just caught seafood, artisan cheeses and meats, gourmet sausages and indulgent sweets. There are also a number of restaurants on the island that are open for much of the day, making for a perfect pit spot to grab a bite of lunch, a snack or dinner. The Kids Market will keep the children entertained, while the adults will love exploring all aspects of Granville Island.

See & Do

Granville Island is perched right on the water and the Seawall brings you right to this foodie haven. The Public Market is the main attraction, but there are plenty of shops that sell jewelry, clothing, pottery, art, crafts, and even artisan sake. The Kids Market will bring a huge smile to the youngsters in your group, while the boats for hire and fishing trips available will excite water enthusiasts.

Eat

The food hall in the Public Market is where you can grab a casual bite and you will find Mexican, pizza, sandwiches, fish and chips, freshly made soups, sushi, salads and perogies. If you would rather sit down, Bridges has a fabulous patio that overlooks English Bay; on a hot summer day, this patio is packed. For a truly Canadian experience, Edible Canada is the place to go. They source 90% of their food and drink from Canada, and each dish is well thought out, tasty and the service is fantastic. Over by Fisherman's Wharf is Go Fish! and on a warm day, the line up will stretch all the way around the corner and can be quite the wait. If you have the time and patience, their fish tacos and soups are amazing! The fish and chips are nothing to sneeze at either.

Party

The Backstage Lounge is right beside the Public Market and is lively bar where you can catch a new and upcoming band, or laugh the night away during one of their comedy shows. Vancouver Theatresports League is also on Granville Island and is a hilarious way to spend an evening of improv comedy. The shows are usually family friendly, except the late shows on a Friday and Saturday night tend to be a little more risque.

Stay

The Granville Island Hotel is on the far side of Granville Island and is a charming boutique hotel. The rooms are quite modern with clean lines and comfortable beds and some lovely views of the inlet and boats. The hotel is pet friendly and a great location to host a wedding or conference, as guests have everything at the Public Market at their fingertips. There's also a fitness room, jacuzzi, and you can rent bikes.

Shop

The Public Market is where you will find all sorts of baked goods, fresh meats, just-caught seafood, gooey cheeses and all the fruit and vegetables you could ever want. The Kids Market will delight kids with the stuffed animals, games, puppets, kites and crafts. There's also a play are there for them. The handcrafted pottery and wood carvings make the perfect gift for the person that has everything in your life. And, artisan sake is possibly one of the most unique things you will find on Granville Island. There are quite a few jewelers on Granville Island and the price ranges from very affordable to price points that could max out your credit card. Hat lovers will be in their happy place at Edie Hats, where you will find pretty much any shape, size and style to suit your noggin. The Gallery of BC Ceramics is filled with all sorts of beautifully crafted pieces, and you may just find that special something to take home with you.

Granville Island really is a special spot in Vancouver and the only place where you can find the most unique gift for any gender or age.