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Vancouver Prohibition Secrets: Gastown Walking Tour
4.9
460 Ratings
Vancouver
Delve into the darkest tales of Prohibition-era Vancouver. This historical walking tour unveils the city’s hidden narratives, from gangsters and bootleggers to dishonest policymakers. The route trails through Gastown’s oldest roads and lanes, recounting its most forbidden histories.
Delve into the darkest tales of Prohibition-era Vancouver. This historical walking tour unveils the city’s hidden narratives, from gangsters and bootleggers to dishonest policymakers. The route trails through Gastown’s oldest roads and lanes, recounting its most forbidden histories.
Duration:
1 hour, 30 minutes
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Cambie Bar & Grill - A Vancouver institution, now a lively local bar, hostel and restaurant. The Cambie has history dating back to the Gold Rush!
- The Dominion Building - Hear about the tallest building in town in 1910!
- Woodward’s 43 - Learn about the Historic Woodward’s building in Gastown. What role it had in the city over the last 100…
- Cambie Bar & Grill - A Vancouver institution, now a lively local bar, hostel and restaurant. The Cambie has history dating back to the Gold Rush!
- The Dominion Building - Hear about the tallest building in town in 1910!
- Woodward’s 43 - Learn about the Historic Woodward’s building in Gastown. What role it had in the city over the last 100 years.
- Gastown - The tour wraps up on the cobblestone streets of Gastown, the historic centre of Vancouver.
- Water Street - Explore the main street in Gastown and learn about our Prohibition Commissioner - Walter Findlay.
- Hotel Europe - Nestled in Gastown’s historic Maple Tree Square, there was once a near beer parlour in this location.
What's Included
- Professional guide
- Professional guide
What's Not Included
- Gratuities
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Gratuities
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
Additional Information
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- Please arrive at least 10 minutes before the scheduled start time
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- Please arrive at least 10 minutes before the scheduled start time
Location
356 Water St
Water Street
Meet outside 356 Water street at the entrance to historic Gastown at Water and Cordova Streets.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.9
(460 Ratings)
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503christiney
Jul 2, 2025
Fun Forbidden Gastown Adventure - I’m so glad I found this Forbidden Gastown tour. Glenn was informative and very entertaining. There were four of us in the group and we had a great time. A highlight of things to do in Vancouver.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jeannette_v
Jun 30, 2025
Interesting information... - Interesting information about the history of Vancouver through stories about prohibition and important persons, told on different places in the area of Gastown
Review provided by Viator
Ijsole
Jun 18, 2025
Fantastic and Informative - What an educational and entertaining historic tour of the area! Rob was very knowledgeable and had a great sense of humour. I would recommend this tour to anyone visiting Vancouver.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
X6122fqrt
Jun 17, 2025
Ashlyn means five stars in Irish - Ashlyn is a great guide and her energy brings another level to the stories. She is understanding of the environment around the group and positions everyone so we hear the stories. She also chats with people in the groups to get to know people and helps her craft the stories to the groups well worth the cost.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Anita_r
May 31, 2025
This was a lovely tour,... - This was a lovely tour, but I thought I was going on the haunted history tour with a guide dressed as a character, and instead, it was a Prohibition tour. Nonetheless, the tour guide was lovely and knew his subject.
Review provided by Viator
790chantelw
May 30, 2025
Entertaining, immersive, Interesting tour! - After many years of gazing longingly at the website, finally got a chance to experience this tour yesterday night! (May 28th) I sadly do not remember the name of the tour guide, but he was the male one for the 7 o clock tour, and he was very wonderful and engaging! The tour was entertaining and it gives a nice walk through Gastown. Even though I've lived here for years, It still felt like I was seeing it in a new way! I will say I wish maybe it included a little more direct historical stories, but it was still great! Reading older reviews I see it used to cover a bit more of the area, including Chinatown. Definitely sad that I was not able to experience that! Will definitely be trying the other tours, hopefully much sooner!!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Patricia_o
May 5, 2025
Highly recommend - Excellent, fun, and very informative tour. Our tour guide, Rob, was fantastic. You could tell that he really liked his job and he made the whole experience that much better! Reasonably priced and well worth it!
Review provided by Viator
Blueyespaz
May 2, 2025
Worth it - This was well worth the price! The owner was our tour guide. He was animated and engaging. We had a great time. The information and stories were captivating.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Marianmh6550nk
Apr 19, 2025
Very Informative and Engaging! - Glenn did an awesome job telling the story of Vancouver during prohibition. I like how he keeps you engaged by asking questions. I especially liked the candid view on racism and Vancouvers part in it. Would recommend to tourists and locals alike.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
O4903ifdaveb
Apr 6, 2025
Excellent Walking Tour! - My family really enjoyed the walking tour and Lenard was an excellent guide along the way. My kids were entertained the entire time.
Lenard was very helpful in relating to both the adults and the children and he also kept the information moving while still in depth.
Though it is a tour about prohibition and other taboo topics, the material was discussed in a manner that was age appropriate.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
