Colourful streets and trendy boutiques are at the heart of the visitor experience in Yaletown, an up and coming neighbourhood in Vancouver’s city centre. Formerly a decaying industrial area, Yaletown has been converted into an upmarket neighbourhood, where galleries fill old buildings and upscale stores stand beneath modern condos. The area received a huge boost during the 2010 Winter Olympics when the Athletes Village was built in False Creek just a few minutes’ walk away.

The Olympic Village is the area’s number one attraction and is free to visit, and from here there are great views over the city. Also in False Creek is Science World, a distinctive and interactive museum in a 1986 Expo building. Exploring Yaletown is mostly about the random places that can be uncovered, such as trending coffee shops or boutiques selling next season’s fashion.

There’s a lovely coastal walkway that winds along the edge of Yaletown, connecting it to Olympic Village and the birdwatching sanctuary of Habitat Island. Winding along the low rocky cliffs, it provides great views over the harbour. The neighbourhood is well connected on the SkyTrain, with three separate lines linking it to the rest of the city. Yaletown-Roundhouse is the most central station while Olympic Village station drops passengers next to the coastal path.

Much of Yaletown’s charm comes from the restored industrial warehouses. These have been cleverly converted into modern arcades and restaurants, yet have kept their old rustic grandeur.