The Forbidden Downtown and Gastown Walking Tour

Delve into the darkest tales of Prohibition-era Vancouver. This historical walking tour unveils the city’s hidden narratives, from gangsters and bootleggers to dishonest policymakers. The route trails through Gastown’s oldest roads and lanes, recounting its most forbidden histories.

Duration: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Cambie Bar & Grill - A Vancouver institution, now a lively local bar, hostel and restaurant. The Cambie has history dating back to the Gold Rush!
  • The Dominion Building - Hear about the tallest building in town in 1910!
  • Woodward’s 43 - Learn about the Historic Woodward’s building in Gastown. What role it had in the city over the last 100 years.
  • Gastown - The tour wraps up on the cobblestone streets of Gastown, the historic centre of Vancouver.
  • Water Street - Explore the main street in Gastown and learn about our Prohibition Commissioner - Walter Findlay.
  • Hotel Europe - Nestled in Gastown’s historic Maple Tree Square, there was once a near beer parlour in this location.
What's Included
  • Professional guide
What's Not Included
  • Gratuities
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
Additional Information
  • Children must be accompanied by an adult
  • Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
  • Please arrive at least 10 minutes before the scheduled start time
Location
356 Water St
Water Street
Meet outside 356 Water street at the entrance to historic Gastown at Water and Cordova Streets.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.9
(446 Ratings)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Beverly_s
Jul 6, 2024
Gastown tour - Our tour guide Will was friendly and enthusiastic. We learned some interesting things about the history of Gastown. We would recommend it.
Review provided by Viator
John_c
Jun 22, 2024
What it was really like in the time of prohibition. - Lenard’s enthusiasm and knowledge of the area was fantastic. He brought the place alive with stories of the characters from the past. A very pleasurable experience and well worthwhile. Thank you !
Review provided by Viator
Eunice_s
Jun 18, 2024
Thanks to Lenerd, we had a terrific tour. - Our guide Lenerd (no O) was great. He made it fun and educational. It is clear that he loves giving these tours and knows a great deal about the area.
Review provided by Viator
Paulrp7662pq
Jun 15, 2024
Learn about how Vancouver grew up to be the City it is today - Great tour and probably the first thing you should do when you get to Vancouver. Learn about the first settlers and how a little town grew into a major city
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jprcampos
May 30, 2024
An unmissable tour to discover the origins of Vancouver. - An unmissable tour of Gastoen, which starts outside the Monaco Cafe - it's worth joining. Our storyteller was Stuart Jensen, a formidable guy. For an hour and a half he took us through the streets of Gastown, to a hotel from 1899 that still works, while telling us facts about the time when Vancouver didn't yet exist and Gastown was a far-west city.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Merrylegs12
May 20, 2024
Great walking tour in Vancouver - An interesting walk and talk about the history and characters of the oldest part of Vancouver. Friendly, informative guide, great storing telling, and an interesting mix of info
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Katrina_b
Apr 29, 2024
Great fun - Rob was fantastic,entertaining and engaging. Recommend highly. Be sure to put on your walking shoes it is a hike.
Review provided by Viator
A6183haclarab
Apr 28, 2024
Wonderful and original tour of Vancouver Gastown - It was our 3rd tour with this company and they did not disappoint! Our guide Rob was an incredible story teller and we truly enjoyed learning more about Vancouver and the prohibition. Thank you again for a great experience.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Carolineeeee606
Apr 20, 2024
A unique and very very fun tour! - We took a tour last night, April 19th with the amazing character tour guide, Stewart! What a tour it was!! Stewart made the tour that little bit more special with his personal touches and very very funny additional jokes. Using the sounds of the surrounding traffic and moving vehicles or public as part of the tour show instead of allowing them to disrupt our experience. He took us around Gastown acting as a character which is something very unique to the tour and my friends and I have not experienced before. I am a tour lover and this definitely hit the tour spot for me! Honestly, worth every dollar and cent! We can't wait for the next one already. Oh, and if you're lucky, you'll get a few candies along the way :D
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jodimp2748uj
Apr 21, 2024
Great Prohibition Tour - We really enjoyed our tour with Lenard learning about prohibition in Canada. It was a great tour, felt informal but super informative was a lovely atmosphere. The only reason it doesnt get 5/5 is because there isnt a designated toilet opportunity/stop. Would definitely recommend and we will be trying their other tours.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Select Date and Tickets
up to 15 guests
1 Adult
September 2024
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Today