How to Spend an Artsy Vancouver Day

In Vancouver, there's always more to the eye. Sure, we’ve got mountains and towering trees, but our inner city’s offerings deserve the same hype. If you’re in town during a moody, cloudy day, why not turn it into an opportunity to explore Vancouver’s artsy side?

Grab Coffee at Cafe Portrait

First stop on your art crawl is on the colourful Davie Street in Downtown. Known as Vancouver's LGBTQ+ capital, the vibe shifts the moment you cross a rainbow crosswalk into a stretch of eclectic bookstores, bright storefronts, and heart-shaped bike racks. Keep walking and you’ll find yourself in the West End at Cafe Portrait, half coffee shop, half art exhibit. Duck in for a little Turkish coffee or settle in with Shakshuka for brunch. While you’re there, take in vintage portraits lining the wall.

And to keep you feeling inspired, just a 20-minute walk along Granville Street is Alley Oop. What used to be a drab grey back alley is now a splash of neon pink and yellow, complete with hopscotch and hoops. In the middle of downtown’s hustle, it feels like the city’s playful reminder to slow down and take in the art. And if your base is at the Rosewood Hotel or the Fairmont Hotel, you’re right in the heart of it all, including near the city’s best art galleries.

Explore an Art Gallery

Your next piece of art to devour is live-moving. Right in Robson Square, skateboarders fly down the Vancouver Art Gallery steps, and Mr. Shawarma shouts order numbers. It might feel like a scene straight out of New York City, but here it’s just another day where inspiration strikes on every corner (or skate ramp).

Step inside the Vancouver Art Gallery to turn down the volume on the world and immerse yourself in exhibitions that spotlight both international and local artists. The permanent Emily Carr collection anchors the gallery, with rotating exhibitions showcasing her work throughout the year. The art gallery is open every day, but be sure to visit on the first Friday of the month, when entry is free. And if you’re in the mood to keep exploring art galleries, the Bill Reid Art Gallery is only a couple of blocks away, showcasing Indigenous Northwest Coast art in a more intimate setting.

Neptoon Records

To tap into an artsy day, finding the perfect soundtrack is a must, and what's more fitting than carrying a piece of your day in a little paper sleeve? Head east towards Mount Pleasant to explore one of the coolest record shops in Vancouver. On 20th Avenue, you’ll spot a small blue house that’s home to Neptoon Records, the city’s longest-standing record shop. Inside, shelves are stacked floor to ceiling with vinyl spanning every genre imaginable.

If you’re lucky, you may even catch Vancouver's own Nardwuar filming in the basement! If time’s on your side, be sure to also check out Carson Books and Records to the list of best record shops in Vancouver.

Savour a Glass at La Fabrique

Be sure to chat with Neptoon staff; they might just point you toward La Fabrique St. George Winery just off Main Street. La Fabrique feels like you’ve stumbled into your friend's living room for wine night, only wine barrels line the walls here, and all wines are their own.

The wines are small-batches of Okanagan's own, BC’s sunny wine country, and made as naturally as possible. Add a charcuterie board in the candlelit space, and if vinyl happens to be spinning, you’ve found the perfect way to wrap up your artsy Vancouver day.

And when your art crawl winds down, you’ll have wandered through art galleries and flipped through record shops in Vancouver, heading home with a soundtrack under your arm. A day here reveals that Vancouver doesn’t just host the art; the city and its people are the heart of it.