Fortunately, I didn't read the bad reviews here before I went to visit Gastown. I enjoyed it a lot. I also noticed that like in any other big city, drugs are everywhere in Vancouver, and in every social class, so let's stop pretending. Homeless didn't bother me as much in Chinatown or Gastown as in other parts of the city,... more

We visited Gastown mid-evening. There were loads of touristy stores with all sorts of Vancouver merchandise. There were also quite a few street people as well, though most did not bother us for money. We walked from the Lookout Tower area down to Gastown, but would recommend taking a taxi from Yaletown/BC Place areas as the streets surrounding Gastown were... more

It seemed family friendly, touristy, yet nicer, more authentic and tastefully done than the Americans do their touristy streets with shops. perhaps the area has improved this year as it's scary only if you've never been outside of your living room. only a couple of blocks, some distance out of the way, had the "druggies and streetlife", but they were... more

Gastown is the oldest part of Vancouver. Great tourist shops and bars. Set up as a tourist area in the 1970s, it is currently being renovated and is a great place to see old Vancouver. Don't miss Storeyum, an excellent museum. Don't confuse Gastown with the Downtown Eastside, which is only a few blocks away. While there are many drug... more

I read all the hype about Gastown and Chinatown in the guidebooks but none of them mentioned the fact that they are surrounded by some of the worst areas of Vancouver. My wife and I walked to gastown once and didnt even get as far as china town because gastown is basically a couple of nice streets surrounded by drug... more

We drove through gastown, but didn't dare stop and get out of the car. My children were almost in tears, because they were so scared. Squalor, drug addicts, filth, graffiti - NO THANKS! more

As the birthplace of Vancouver Gastown is a must visit. Gastown is accessible from the Waterfront skytrain stop and is full of unique shops and restaurants. Highlights include the steam clock, blood ally, the statue of founder "Gassy" Jack found in maple tree square and Storyeum. Gastown has many historic buildings, including some very unusual triangular ones build because of... more

Like other reviews, many homeless and drug addicts, some aggressive. The buildings are worth seeng, but the rest is just t-shirt shops and a couple bars. Not a great tourist attraction. Do it in the daytime!!! more

Vancouver is certainly a beautiful city, and Gastown boasts some of the oldest architecture in the country. Unfortunately, this is also home to the one of the worst drug cultures in North America. There are drug addicts, homeless people, and all manner of vagrancy everywhere you look. I've never seen anything like it. It was so depressing that we could... more