A Feminist City Guide to Vancouver
I initially wrote this for somewhere else, as part of a series, but it never quite happened. So after polling friends back home in Vancouver, I am sharing local women-owned businesses to support on your next trip to Beautiful British Columbia. I didn’t want all of this valuable information to go to waste for my hometown!
Shop some of my travel essentials or my children’s travel book
*For more, visit official tourism pages Destination Vancouver and Hello BC
Surrounded by stunning ocean, epic mountains, lush greenery, and glassy towers, this coastal Canadian city nestled in the Pacific Northwest continues to attract visitors from around the world. Tourism has risen significantly through the years, with its draw of outdoor enthusiasts, a steady flow of arriving cruise ships, booming business as ‘Hollywood North’, and a global advertising campaign from the 2010 Winter Olympic games, seemingly all firmly cementing its top travel destination status for all seasons.. As Canada’s third largest city, its natural beauty is a significant magnet for travelers, but its diversity, art, indigenous history, food & wine scene, and more have created abundant opportunities for women entrepreneurs.
WHAT TO DO
Enjoy the great outdoors by walking, biking, hiking solo or with a women’s group
Given Vancouver’s extraordinary scenery, from the mountains to the ocean and abundant greenery, exploring nature through long walks or hikes are a must. While you can certainly walk or hike trails solo around the city (particularly in North and West Vancouver, see Vancouver trails or Alltrails BC for options), or try the popular Grouse Grind on Grouse Mountain, Quarry Rock in Deep Cove, Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, or attempt the Stawamus Chief in nearby Squamish, some may prefer company. Luckily there are many women-only groups to join to explore hikes together, like the Vancouver Outdoor Club for Women on the Groups app and various women’s hiking groups on the Meetup app. Of course, the seawall around Stanley Park is not to be missed either, and the best way around the 10-km (6.2 miles) loop around - which is Vancouver's most popular fresh-air attraction - is by bike which you can easily rent or join a tour by the park.
Explore the Art of First Nations communities or Emily Carr
Just arriving at the airport or walking around the city, you will notice First Nations art and totem poles in parks, on murals and more throughout Vancouver. To further dive into the history and art, visit the Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art,or the Museum of Anthropology at UBC with an extensive Haida art collection. (Be sure to visit the First Peoples Gallery at the Royal BC Museum if you stop in Victoria). Also, the British Columbia born Canadian artist and writer Emily Carr (1871–1945), was inspired by the coastal environment and Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest Coast, as well as a member of the famous ‘Group of Seven’ landscape painters. The Vancouver Art Gallery owns the largest group of paintings and works on paper by her.
Take a side trip tour
There are numerous side trips to explore near Vancouver by road, seaplane or ferry - such as Whistler, Victoria, Salt Spring Island, or the Okanagan Valley to name a few. Consider joining a women-owned company providing experiences like a women’s golf vacation, women-only ski clinic, Yoga workshop, or wine tasting & social events with companies like WineWomenWellbeing who create experiences around western Canada.
WHERE TO EAT & DRINK
Vancouver is a food lover’s paradise with a wide range of offerings, from local fresh seafood and farm-to-table concepts, local delights at places like Granville Island or the Richmond Night Market, and a wide range of global cuisines - especially an incredible Asian variety given the region's significant cultural influence on the city - and of course, incredible BC wines. Some women-owned favorites include:
Bao Bei: A Chinatown favorite, serving modern Chinese sharing plates and inventive cocktails owned Tannis Ling (who also co-owns Kissa Tanto)
The Burrow: A vegetarian restaurant serving Mexican inspired dishes on Commercial Drive in East Vancouver, owned by Jackie Avery and Aiyana Kane.
Kula Kitchen: An Afrocentric plant-based food for takeaway, prepared with whole foods everyday ingredients, owned by Asha Wheeldon.
Federal Store: A little luncheonette and grocer nestled away in Mount Pleasant, Co-owned by Colette Griffiths
Burdock and Co: A restaurant serving regional Canadian share plates and seasonally rotating wines in Mount Pleasant, owned by Chef Andrea Carlson.
Flourist: For fresh milled goods, this bakery offers unique and healthy products in East Vancouver, owned by Janna Bishop and Shira McDermott.
WINE: The province of British Columbia increasingly boasts incredible wines and is gaining recognition on an international scale, primarily producing in the regions of Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands, Fraser Valley, Okanagan Valley, and Similkameen Valley. There are several leading women winemakers in the area, and an excellent local favorite to begin with is JoieFarm by proprietor and winemaker Heidi Noble.
WHERE TO STAY
There are an abundance of excellent hotels, inns and Airbnbs in Vancouver to meet the demand of tourists, business travelers, and film crews filming in the city regularly, yet only one has a unique offering for its female travelers. The Georgian Court hotel offers a women-only ‘orchid floor’ in their downtown hotel for those more comfortable with the concept (which has been on the rise in recent years), which includes feminie products and amenities, like yoga mats and curling irons.
WOMEN-OWNED SHOPS TO SUPPORT
Vancouver offers world class shopping, and you will find every major retailer and luxury brand present both downtown and in West Vancouver. However, there are many local unique boutiques, designers and vintage shops that are well worth your attention and support. For emerging and well established designers be sure to visit One of a Few, Nouvelle Nouvelle featuring independent lines for women & men, Charlie & Lee for independent & ethically made quality clothing and home goods, Rebecca Bree for fashion-forward brands, The block for unique & classic clothing, shoes, bags & accessories, Community thrift + vintage for pre-owned clothing in support of community services, and for an incredible selection of shoes for everyone, look no further than Lord’s located on South Granville. Happy shopping!