By Kristie Kellahan
Robson Street, Vancouver.
OFTEN compared with Hollywood's Rodeo Drive, central Robson Street is where you'll find Vancouver's trendiest shops, finest restaurants and cool cultural distractions. With weekend foot traffic exceeding 80,000 along its 10 blocks, you won't be disappointed with the people-watching potential. Have your camera ready to play paparazzo to the movie stars shooting on location.
BLUE RUBY
DOES your Christmas shopping list include question marks next to Princess Impossible Miss 16 and Has-Everything-Already stylish work colleague? Swing by Blue Ruby, one of the collection of stylish boutiques along Robson Street. Owned and operated by retail-savvy siblings Ross and Nancy Hill, the Blue Ruby chain of stores (seven at last count) are a Vancouver staple, showcasing handcrafted jewellery and glam accessories you won't find anywhere else.
1089 Robson Street; +1 604 899 2583; blueruby.com.
ROBSON SQUARE
DESIGNED in the 1970s as the premier gathering place of downtown Vancouver, Robson Square is an energetic civic centre and public plaza. Spanning three city blocks, this concrete and glass complex with waterfalls is huge. Stop by for a tour of the architecturally pleasing courthouse or enjoy free readings by local poets and authors in the atrium. An outdoor skating rink is no longer used for its original purpose, instead enjoying a second life during the milder months as the site of ballroom and salsa dancing, as well as skateboarding demonstrations.
On Robson Street between Hornby and Howe streets.
CINCIN RISTORANTE
VANCOUVER Magazine named it best formal Italian dining in the city and the celebrity diner roll call is impressive: Justin Timberlake, Janet Jackson, Ben Affleck, Michael Stipe and Naomi Watts have all slurped spaghetti sauce here. Call ahead to reserve a table, then stop in for a hearty meal peppered with regional delicacies even the Godfather couldn't refuse: tagliatelle with calamari ragout, wood-oven-grilled wild salmon and honey creme brulee.
1154 Robson Street; +1 604 688 7338; cincin.net.
VANCOUVER ART GALLERY
AS THE city's leading art space, the unfortunately named VAG (Vancouver Art Gallery, pictured above) could have gone down the dusty old path of displaying worthy but dull sketches. The clever curators have avoided that disaster, combining blockbuster visiting exhibitions with niche shows highlighting the talents of local and regional artists. Photography is a specialty and the ocean-and-mountains landscape of Vancouver a favourite subject.
Enter from Robson Street Plaza; +1 604 662 4719; vanartgallery.bc.ca.
CLOUD 9 REVOLVING RESTAURANT
FORTY-TWO levels above the city and with a spectacular 360-degree view of Vancouver, the revolving rooftop restaurant and lounge at the Empire Landmark Hotel has been wowing visitors since 1973. The menu may have changed a little (though, happily, prawn cocktails can still be enjoyed) but the ambience is as fun as ever. The buffet breakfast is a more affordable option than dinner.
1400 Robson Street; +1 604 687 0511; empirelandmarkhotel.com.
Sign up for the Traveller Deals newsletter
Get exclusive travel deals delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up now.