Insider Itinerary: Arts & Culture

Fuel up at Kafka Coffee & Tea
Head to the corner of Broadway and Main Street and get a caffeine fix at Kafka Coffee & Tea — it’s a popular hangout for the art crowd and the walls are adorned with work by local painters (you might even meet one of them there). Grab an espresso or try a pour over, syphon or nitro cold brew and hang out with the cool kids a little longer.

Explore East Van’s mural tour
Main Street hosts the annual Vancouver Mural Festival and the side streets between East 2nd and 12th are home to colourful creations by both local and internationally-renowned artists that were painted during the public art celebration or have been added afterwards. Download the online digital map, or take a free guided tour, to learn more about the meaning behind the murals.

Check out Chinatown’s galleries
Finish your mural tour in Chinatown and find some hidden galleries amongst the colourful stores and bustling restaurants. Check out Centre A (Vancouver Art Gallery for Contemporary Asian Art) on Keefer Street; the Rennie Collection at the Wing Sang — Chinatown’s oldest building, which features touring exhibits by international artists such as Yoko Ono; and Access Gallery and the Pollyanna arts reading room at 221A – both on the 200-block of East Georgia Street. Please check the galleries for opening details as capacity is still restricted.

Catch the symphony at the Orpheum
Step inside the opulent Orpheum Theatre and take a step back in time to an elegant era of entertainment. Opened in 1927, the Orpheum Theatre now hosts classic and contemporary concerts and is home to the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. Look out for their ‘VSO Pops’ series of concerts, where they play popular tunes from doo wop to rock ‘n’ roll. Best of all? It’s only a short stroll back to bed after the concert.

Walk an al fresco art trail
Wake up, put on your walking shoes, grab a bite to eat at Elysian Coffee in our lobby, and set out on a self-guided public art walking tour. As a partner of Vancouver Biennale’s BIKEnnale/WALKennale program, all our guests get free access to their 40+ route maps (ask us for a code when you check in). Or take the public art walk down the Burrard Street Corridor to see 17 eclectic outdoor pieces, from a digital orca designed by award-winning author and artist Douglas Coupland to a 65-foot raindrop by Coal Harbour.

Discover the best of BC art
Before exploring the Vancouver Art Gallery, grab a light lunch at the 1931 Gallery Bistro. If the weather allows, refuel al fresco on the gallery steps before heading to see the exhibits within. VAG hosts major touring exhibitions and the permanent collections include contemporary Asian art, Indigenous art from the region, and works by renowned BC artists such as Emily Carr. Note that you’ll need to pre-book a timed entry ticket for access to the gallery.

Enjoy dinner on Granville Island (then maybe a show!)
Take the tiny Aquabus ferry from the foot of Howe Street across to Granville Island to explore the food market, boutiques, artisan studios and restaurants. Pick up a casual dinner at Popina Canteen, right on the water, or dine on local seafood at The Sandbar. If you’re planning a visit after November 18, head just up Granville Street to Arts Club Theatre’s Stanley Stage and take in a post-dinner show.