Gastown

Gastown is known for its cobblestone streets and Victorian era–style streetlamps; it's also joined Yaletown as one of Vancouver's trendiest neighborhoods, as überhip stores, ad agencies, high-tech companies, and restaurants take over refurbished brick warehouses. It's a relatively small area, bordered by Hastings, Richards, and Main streets and it was nicknamed for the garrulous ("Gassy") Jack Deighton who opened his saloon where his statue now stands on Maple Tree Square. This is essentially where Vancouver originated and it's the zero point from which all Vancouver street addresses start. By the time the first transcontinental train arrived in 1887, the waterfront area was crowded with hotels, warehouses, brothels, and dozens of saloons—you can still see place names such as Gaoler's Mews and Blood Alley, which hint at those early rough-and-tumble days.