Granville Island: Food, Fun, Fine Art
When you think of Vancouver, what comes to mind?
The spectacular setting between snowcapped mountains and the Pacific Ocean? The abundance of flowers and trees? The egalitarian attitude of Vancouver’s 1.8 million multi-ethnic residents? The eclectic mix of chic boutiques and counter-culture shops? The daringly designed new public library? Stanley Park?
Yes, Vancouver has all that.
But within this delightful cornucopia of people and experiences is Granville Island - a magnet that lures visitors and residents alike with its vibrant combination of food, festivities, fine arts and specialty shops.
Granville Island isn’t an island at all; it’s a peninsula jutting into False Creek, the inlet that divides downtown Vancouver from the southern portion of the city.
Anchored by the Granville Island Public Market, the former sandbar is now home to boutiques, art galleries and crafts shops, a major art school, restaurants, boat-maintenance facilities, offices, two theaters and a hotel.
The Granville Island Public Market is a farmers’ market raised to its ultimate heights. The huge building is filled with booths heaped with the freshest, brightest, most luscious-looking fruits and vegetables to be found anywhere.
Several bakeries, scattered throughout the market, perfume the air with the tantalizing aromas of freshly baked bread, rolls and sweet confections. Other booths feature fish and seafood, meats, poultry, pasta, cheeses, herbs, wines, coffees, and armfuls of brilliant, fresh-cut flowers.
Inevitably, the visitor is drawn to the large food court, which offers fast, tasty meals with origins in Greece, Russia, Mexico, England, Canada, Japan and other places around the globe.
In good weather, you can dine at outdoor tables while enjoying the fresh ocean breeze and the view of the Vancouver skyline, the boat traffic, schools of fledgling kayakers, and the small ferries that shuttle passengers back and forth from downtown Vancouver and up and down False Creek.
In not-so-perfect weather, large windows allow you the same view from a protected perch inside.
Nearby shops feature high-quality wares, including ceramics, handwoven fabrics, fine art, hand-made crafts and jewelry.
xxxx If you go Parking is for only the few who are very lucky and very early, especially on weekends. The easiest way to get to Granville Island from downtown Vancouver is to take a shuttle ferry. The blue False Creek Ferries depart from a dock at the Aquatic Center at Beach and Thurlow streets; the multicolored AquaBus ferries leave from the foot of Hornby Street. Ferries depart every 5 minutes. You also can use public-transit bus or taxi. For more information, contact the Granville Island Information Centre, 1592 Johnston St. in Vancouver; (604) 666-5784. Open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tourism British Columbia can be reached by phone at (800) 663-6000, or on the Internet at http://Travel.vancouver.bc.ca