Granville Island is a famous attraction and a must see if you are wanting a day trip in Vancouver, B.C. It is located in the False Creek area which is on the south side and below the Granville Street Bridge heading into downtown. You can take a bus there from anywhere or drive as there is ample parking.
History
Granville Island used to be a mud flat but was created into a man-made island in 1916 where it housed warehouses, mills, factories and shops. Some of the historical buildings and crafts can still be seen there today.
Granville Island Market
The huge indoor market is a draw for tourists and locals looking to buy the freshest produce, flowers, baked goods and meats. There are many stalls with artisanal crafts, jewelry and food products. It is also a great place to get coffee or lunch because of the plethora of food stalls, ranging from perogies to sushi. The market is open 7 days a week and can get very busy.
Shops
You will not find any chain stores in Granville Island. The focus is on handcrafted and unique goods, clothing, art and jewelry. A favourite store is Crystal Ark Cottage, which has a variety of gemstone and jewelry for sale, as well as a polished rock garden where you can kick off your shoes, walk around and fill up a pouch with stones.
The Kids Market
This separate building has 25 shops, services and activities just for kids. It's the place to go for good quality clothing and toys. Kids love to play on the indoor climbing gym that also has a ball room. Additionally for kids, outside there is a playground with a huge slide and a water park to cool off in the summer.
Theatre
Granville Island is a hub for the arts. It has three theatres - The Arts Club, which presents well known plays and musicals as well as original, local works, the Improv Centre and the Carousel Theatre. The Arts Umbrella is a non-profit school that educates children in art, dance, acting and music.
Restaurants
There are a variety of places to eat in Granville Island, ranging from coffee shop casual to more upscale. Popular choices include The Keg, the Sandbar, and Dockside. Fresh seafood and healthy ingredients are the themes of most restaurants. Or you could sample a fleet of locally produced beer at the Granville Island Brewing Company if you're taking the bus or taxi home.
Marina
In addition to being a place to moor your yacht or sailboat, you can take a little sea-bus water taxi around the False Creek area. This is also the place to rent paddle boards or kayaks to cruise around the calm waters of the Burrard Inlet.
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