Looking for something fun to do with a friend or sweetheart to get you out of the house?  What about a walking tour? Either led by a host or done at your own pace using recorded audio or online interpretive maps, a walking tour is a fun and fit outing. And why not end with snacks and beverage at a local eatery? Now that’s a perfect day -  

Really Gay History Walking Tour

Forbidden Vancouver's Really Gay History Walking Tour meets every Sunday, with extra tours added during peak months, at the Vancouver City Centre SkyTrain station entrance on Granville at Georgia in Vancouver. This ticketed, small groups. all-outdoors, human led, physically distant walking tour starts downtown and ends up in Davie Village. The tour promises highlights including - 

• A historic gay village

• The gayest beer parlour in town

• Drag queens who made a difference

• How a gay church clergy made history

• The famous “kiss-in” of Granville Street

• The site of an infamous bookstore bombing

• The bravest pioneers of the LGBTQ2+ community

• How a community defied police brutality and won

Longtime queer Vancouverites might recognize some of these places, but if you are newly out, new to Vancouver or are doing an in-BC Vacation and looking for some queer content, this tour looks fun. Tickets are $30 plus fees and taxes and can be purchased on the Forbidden Vancouver website. 

Lost Souls Gastown Tour

Everyone knows that Hallowe’en is a queer’s favourite time of year. To celebrate Vancouver has the Lost Souls Tour. (Editor’s note: I did a tour like this one last Hallowe’en in New Orleans and it was super.)

Meet a storytelling guide in the atmospheric Gastown neighborhood, where you’ll discover the unsolved murder of John Bray, who wandered these very streets for two weeks after being shot three times in the head. 

Enjoy a colorful mix of theater and history that’s designed for adult audiences, and firmly rooted in real Vancouver history. Visit the city’s oldest hotel, learn the real story behind the Gastown steam clock, and get a glimpse of how the great fire transformed Vancouver.

Tickets $33 and can be purchased here.

GPS My City

Self-guided Walking Tours in Vancouver. Be a tourist in your own city!

Follow these 14 expert-designed self-guided walking tours to explore Vancouver, Canada on foot at your own pace. You can also create your own self-guided walk to visit the city attractions which interest you the most.

How it works: Download the app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from iTunes App Store or Google Play to your mobile phone or tablet. Each walk comes with a detailed tour map as well as photos and background information for the featured attractions. The app's navigation functions guide you from one attraction to the next. The app works offline, so no data plan is needed when on your tour.

So grab your best friend or your new friend and Get Out!

More from the Lower Mainland

Here are some more walking tours in the lower mainland:

• New Westminster Self-Guided Historical Walking Tour: This tour allows you to explore the rich history of Downtown New Westminster at your own pace. Key stops include Hyack Square, the Canadian Pacific Railway Station, the Westminster Trust Building, and Irving House, one of the oldest homes in British Columbia. Each location offers a glimpse into the city’s past, making it a great way to discover the heritage of this historic area.

• Stanley Park Ecology Society Tours: These guided tours offer a chance to explore the natural beauty of Stanley Park, focusing on its ecology, wildlife, and the cultural history of the Indigenous peoples of the area. Visit their calendar to find out more.

• Vancouver Heritage Walking Tours: These tours explore the historical districts of Vancouver, including Gastown, Chinatown, and Strathcona. The tours provide insights into the city's early development, architectural styles, and significant historical events. Learn more here.