From the Victorian Steampunk streets of Gastown to the enchanted old growth forests, sparkling crystalline skyline views, ochre and vermillion hues of Chinatown, and setting of Once Upon a Time’s Storybrooke—Vancouver truly is a magical realm unto itself
Written by Lauren
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Stories brought me to Vancouver.
Stories, adventure, and film sets.
Some of my favorite shows and stories take place and/or are filmed in the greater Vancouver area. Namely, Once Upon a Time and Supernatural. But also, The Flash, Arrow, Fringe, X-Men, iZombie, The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, The 100, Twilight, and Bates Motel.
My love for Vancouver and British Columbia’s cinematic attributes runs deep—So Weird (one of my all time favorite Disney Channel originals from my childhood) was also filmed here.
Kelley Armstrong’s Darkness Rising series also takes place in British Columbia.
If it’s got moody dark undertones and/or magic, odds are good it’s filmed here. Odds are also good it’s one of my favorites.
I’ll be honest, before going I had little context for Vancouver other than a general sense of the gothic moodiness of the Pacific Northwest and what I’d seen in establishing shots from some of my favorite shows.
And to be honest, I still don’t know much, except for now having a more broad understanding of Vancouver’s ties to the rich heritage of indigenous First Nations peoples and the large population of Chinese immigrants who have settled there.
What I do know, though, is that this place is magic.
So, if you’re a story lover like me, Vancouver is an absolute treasure trove of places waiting to be explored.
On this three day whimsical Vancouver itinerary, we’ll spend an afternoon in Once Upon a Time’s Storybrooke, walk the trails in old growth forests and cross rivers on suspension bridges, visit a beautiful independent bookstore filled with magical books, eat pie à la our favorite Winchester boys, wander a conservatory, and spend an afternoon walking the stalls and streets of Granville Island Market.
Plus, what I’d put on the itinerary if I had an extra day (or five). And where to stay.
The Itinerary
Vibe: whimsical, magical, all things supernatural and stories, urban exploration
What’s included: an afternoon in Storybrooke, hikes in old growth forests and over suspension bridges, a visit to a beautiful independent bookstore, pie, a conservatory, and Granville Island Public Market
Day 1 | Explore Storybrooke + Supernatural
On the itinerary:
Check in
Explore Storybrooke
Supernatural Film Tour
First things first, we’re heading to the wonderful, magical town of Storybrooke, Maine from ABC’s Once Upon A Time.
Iykyk, but if you don’t, several blocks of downtown Steveston—a small historic salmon fishing village and canning center in Richmond, British Columbia (about a 50 minute car ride from Downtown Vancouver)—were transformed into the fictional town of Storybrooke (filled with storybook fairy tale characters) for the filming of OUAT. Mainly, Bayview and Moncton streets between First and Third avenues.
And you can go there and visit it in real life!
Many of the store fronts were used on set and you can visit them. If nothing else, you’ve gotta eat at Granny’s (the Cannery Cafe) and walk along the Steveston Fisherman’s Wharf.
All in all, an hour or two is really all you need to explore Storybrooke.
Storybrooke
Granny’s Diner
➼ Cannery Cafe
Storybrooke Public Library
➼ Nikka Fishing Marine
Mr. Gold Pawnbroker
➼ It’s Posh
Storybrooke Post Office
➼ Tourism Richmond Visitor Center
Storybrooke Hardware & Paint
➼ Steveston Marine & Hardware
Steveston Fisherman’s Wharf
Jolly Roger, that you?
Small caveat here—you know that saying, never meet your heroes?
This was what happened for me here. It’s hard for me to fully put into words how powerful the magic of OUAT was for me during one of the darkest periods in my life, and visiting Steveston kinda broke the spell, if you will, of the magic of Storybrooke for me.
And this is mostly because the real life Steveston is much more urban than Storybrooke appears to be in the show.
If only I’d known about this then, Supernatural TV Show Walking Tour would’ve been the perfect way to end the first night in town! Tours take place Tuesday evenings at 7:30pm.
Day 2 | The Bloedel Conservatory, Banyen Books & Sound, and Pacific Spirit Regional Park
On the itinerary:
Breakfast at Jam Cafe
Queen Elizabeth Park and the Bloedel Conservatory
Banyen Books & Sound
Aphrodite’s Organic Pie Shop
Pacific Spirit Regional Park
After breakfast at the Jam Cafe, we drove over to Queen Elizabeth Park and the Bloedel Conservatory.
Wandering through the Queen Elizabeth Quarry Park outside of the Bloedel Conservatory
I don’t know if it’s just the steampunk Victorian in me, but I am obsessed with conservatories. To me they are pure magic. Is it the glasswork? The jungle inside of a dome/snow globe effect?
I’m not sure, but whatever it is, The Bloedel Conservatory’s got it.
The Bloedel Conservatory—a magical lush oasis wonderland of tropical plants, exotic birds, and koi fish.
Composed of 1488 dome panels, the Bloedel Conservatory, built over a former quarry and water reservoir, is the largest in Canada and the second largest in North America.
Grab an avian scavenger hunt sheet on your way in and see how many birds (and plants) you can cross off your list as you wander. Be on the lookout for the dozen or so resident macaws, parrots, and cockatoos.
After an hour or so wandering the gardens, inside and out, (and maybe going to find some lunch nearby), head on over to yet another magical destination, Banyen Books & Sound on 4th Avenue in the Kitsilano neighborhood.
“Canada’s most comprehensive Body-Mind-Spirit bookstore” is a treasure trove of books on spiritual and psychic development, indigenous culture, nature and plant medicine, science, and, of course, fiction.
They also have a large selection of journals, altar supplies, crystals, tarot and oracle decks.
I got my favorite oracle deck here.
After wandering the aisles, head next door to Aphrodite’s Organic Pie Shop to get your Winchester on with a slice.
They have gluten free and vegan pies!
After a treat, drive down the road to Pacific Spirit Regional Park and be transported to the Enchanted Forest as you stroll through the old-growth forest.
The 2100 acres encompasses forest, oceanside beaches, cliffs, and bogs with 35 miles of hiking trails, 21 miles of equestrian trails, and 23 miles of biking trails.
Day 3 | Hike Lynn Canyon with suspension bridge and Granville Island Market
On the itinerary:
Hike Lynn Canyon and cross a suspension bridge
Granville Island Public Market
Dinner in the West End
There are legitimately so many parks—provincial, metro, or otherwise—to choose from in the Vancouver area.
Capilano Suspension Bridge Park and Cliffwalk being, if not the most popular bridge and park destination, than one of the most popular.
But for whatever reason, we went to Lynn Canyon instead.
And I’m glad we did—it was nothing short of spectacular and otherworldly! Right outside a residential neighborhood, no less.
We crossed over the Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge and hiked (part of) the Baden Powell Trail.
That afternoon we drove over to Granville Island Public Market.
The Granville Island Public Market is composed of two main buildings.
The market itself houses the farmers and food market. Here you’ll find fish, cheese, meat, spice, and produce vendors along with deli, bakery, restaurant, and coffee stalls.
I highly recommend picking up a few snacks as you go to munch on as you browse through the aisles. It can also get packed in here, so you’ll need to bring your patience as well.
Across Johnston street is Net Loft, a stall-based shopping mall with some really fun and interesting boutiques, gift stores, studios, and galleries.
Some of my favorites were Paper-Ya (a stationary store) and Nooroongji Books.
I also found an iconic green felt hat here that I am still in love with to this day.
If you’re looking for a sit-down dining option, head along the creek by the ferry dock, to Tap & Barrel • Bridges, a seafood restaurant.
There is parking on site.
Head over to Robson Street in the West End for dinner to indulge in some amazing asian food—Korean, Vietnamese pho, Japanese sushi and ramen. Pick your (delicious) poison!
If I had an extra day (or five) …
Admittedly, I didn’t get to explore all the things I wanted to explore while I was in town.
So here’s what I’d add if I had more time (aka what I’ll be doing on my next trip to the storied city):
ON THE URBAN FRONT
More time exploring Chinatown, including the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Public Park and Classical Chinese Garden.
And like I mentioned above, I’d love to do the Supernatural TV Show Walking Tour.
The Haunting of Vancouver Film Tour also sounds fun.
I also plan on exploring more bars and restaurants next time.
ON THE NATURE FRONT
I’d like to explore VanDusen Botanical Garden and Stanley Park.
As well as some of the other parks in the Greater Vancouver area like Capilano Suspension Bridge Park and Cliffwalk, Cypress Provincial Park, Mount Seymour Park, and Say Nuth Khaw Yum Provincial Park.
On the adventurous side, there’s whale watching, kayaking, and seaplane tours I’d love to embark on.
… and thoughts for next time
In addition to covering the spots in the city mentioned above, I’m also dying to spend a good week or so out roadtripping on Vancouver Island and exploring more of the nature side of British Columbia, as well as Victoria and visiting Hatley Castle (the X-Men mansion!).
Where to stay in Vancouver
Gastown
Where old meets new, grit meets glam
12 blocks along the Vancouver Harbor, Gastown is Vancouvers oldest neighborhood. It is known for its whistling Steam Clock, trendy food scene, speakeasy-esque cocktail lounges, and historic Victorian buildings along cobblestoned streets.
It’s cool, it’s hip, it’s historic, it’s vintage.
Explore
Vancouver: Lost Souls of Gastown Tour
Great Fire, smallpox outbreaks, and unsolved murders—oh my!
Explore Gastown with an Outdoor Murder Mystery
Take a food tour
Stay
I rented a super cool studio loft in Gastown.
Victorian Hotel
Downtown Vancouver
Boutique hotel with historic roots in the Gold Rush era
Come for the exposed brick and Victorian architecture
Expedia
Expedia
Expedia
Expedia
Shangri-La Vancouver
Central Vancouver
Sleek sophistication meets luxurious and timeless elegance with Asian-inspired design and fusion cuisine restaurant on site
Expedia
Expedia
Expedia
Expedia
The Parker Hotel Vancouver
Downtown Vancouver
Decadent modern digs located right downtown
Come for the checkered floor of the rooftop cocktail lounge
Expedia
Expedia
Expedia
Expedia
X marks the spot
Pocket Guide to Vancouver
Whimsical Vancouver
STAY
Gastown
Victorian Hotel
Shangri-La Vancouver
The Parker Hotel
DO
Visit Storybrooke
Queen Elizabeth Quarry Gardens
Bloedel Conservatory
Banyen Books & Sound
Pacific Spirit Regional Park
Lynn Canyon + Suspension Bridge
Granville Island Public Market
Chinatown
Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Public Park + Chinese Garden
Stanley Park
Capilano Suspension Bridge Park + Cliffwalk
TOURS
Supernatural Film Tour
The Haunting of Vancouver Film Tour
Vancouver: Lost Souls of Gastown Tour
Whale watching
Kayaking
Seaplane
EAT
Cannery Cafe
Jam Cafe
Aphrodite’s Organic Pie Shop
West End
Tap & Barrel • Bridges
Frequently Asked Questions
Vancouver is especially magical in the fall, but spring and summer are also good times to visit. Summer is high season with warm weather and good for lots of outdoor activities. Spring has more mild weather and less tourists. Winter is good for winter sports.
Anywhere from three days to a week
Yes, especially if you want to explore outside of the city like Steveston (Storybrooke) and some of the outlying parks.
With its mild weather, stunning natural views, diverse city life, and atmospheric Victorian moodiness, Vancouver is a wonderful place to visit—especially for film and story lovers.
While you’re in town, explore the historic districts of Gastown and Chinatown, wander the quarry garden at Queen Elizabeth Park and under the dome at the Bloedel Conservatory, walk the trails in old growth forests, and cross rivers on suspension bridges.
Visit the magical fictional town of Storybrooke (real life town of Steveston) from Once Upon a Time and take the Supernatural TV Show or The Haunting of Vancouver Film tours.
Shop Banyen Books & Sound for your next mystical read and head over to Granville Island Public Market for a whirlwind afternoon through the kaleidoscope of stalls and vendors.
Grab breakfast from Jam Cafe and a slice of gluten-free pie from Aphrodite’s Organic Pie Shop. Head to Robson Street in the West End for your pick of asian fare—Korean BBQ, Vietnamese pho, or Japanese sushi and ramen. Also make sure to head to one of the speakeasy-style cocktail joints in Gastown if you’re feeling fancy.
And if you’re feeling the need for a little more action adventure, head out on a whale watching, kayaking, or seaplane tour to really get the adrenaline going.
Here’s to discovering the magical, enchanting storied city by the sea.
Until then,
Adventure Awaits!
About Lauren
Reader, writer, traveller, itinerary-creator & mapmaker extraordinaire
Detroit-born, Nashville-bent, everywhere-bound, some of her favorite things include drinking coffee, eating in roadside diners frequented by locals and truckers alike, reading entire guidebooks front to back, visiting local bookshops, spirit questing in New Mexico, watching wildlife documentaries, listening to unapologetic amounts of Taylor Swift, and sitting in aisle seats. To name a few.
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