With its beaches and bars, the West End is a vibrant place to hang out in Vancouver. Located between Vancouver Downtown and Stanley Park, the neighbourhood is packed full of funky cafes, trendy restaurants, and small local bars. It’s become one of the most densely populated areas in the whole of Canada, and there’s something happening at all times of the day. It’s within easy reach of wild forests and quiet beaches, ensuring there’s always somewhere for visitors to the West End to escape to.
Three buzzing central streets are at the hub of everything social in the neighbourhood. Robson Street is dominated by shops, from small boutiques to upmarket design stores. Davie Street has a local and homely ambience, with bakeries and cafes that reflect Vancouver’s eclectic population. Denman is the street to explore for restaurants. In general, the areas to the south of the West End, bordering Downtown, are dominated by high-rise apartment blocks. The areas on the northern side are less energetic, opening out onto the green Stanley Park. Sunset Beach and English Bay Beach are other popular places.
The West End is easily reached by travelling west on any of the streets through Downtown. Translink buses connect the two areas and continue all the way to English Bay Beach and Stanley Park. There’s a paved path that follows the coast from Canada Place, all the way along the West End to the park, passing a number of beaches. On a summer day, this is the nicest way to get around.
The West End stands on the site of the proposed city of New Liverpool. However, by the time Vancouver started to boom in the early 20th century, the dreams of a New Liverpool city had long faded into the distance.