A live theatre, market, food court, seaside view- Granville Island has it all. It’s quite a nostalgic place for me, since so many of my childhood memories were made there. My father used to take me to the arcade in the kids zone, where I would play the same game over and over again just to win as many tickets as possible. In high school, we had field trips to the Arts Club Granville Island Stage where I experienced some of the most incredible live theatre. The most memorable for me was a live rendition of Kim’s Convenience, I’m so glad that they are now a successful TV show.

The main attraction of Granville Island however is the extraordinary marketplace. There is almost everything you can think of from live seafood to chocolate confectionaries. My parents would spend hours wandering the market, bargaining for the best price on a baguette. After browsing the market, you can go enjoy the food court right in the same building. There are tables indoors, or you can take your food outdoors to the dock (beware of seagulls though!). Most of the time there will be an entertainer in the dock performing music to enjoy along with your food.

ArtTower. ‘Granville Island’ 2012. JPG file. / Pixabay

The rich culture and diversity of Vancouver is on full display at Granville Island, there are many different shops selling clothing, souvenirs, and artworks of all ethnicities. Sometimes, celebrities’ even have music video shoots at the beautiful locations and use the artwork on the walls of the buildings as a backdrop! Many Vancouver-born stars such as Ryan Reynolds are often spotted shopping or just taking a stroll in the plazas.

Today, Granville Island is still pretty much the same, despite a few restrictions due to the pandemic. There are new art pieces in the galleries, new shops in the markets, and many new performances coming to its theatre. I hope this iconic location stays for generations to come.