Gastown begins in the western part of Downtown Vancouver along Cordova Street. The main street running through gastown is Water Street which forks off from Cordova. This area forms the historical heart of Vancouver itself. At the start of Water Street is the Vancouver Trolley ticket booth, which offers trolley tours that run throughout downtown. You'll also notice the Steamworks Bar & Restaurant beside the waterfront
Cordova Street continues past the fork and runs parallel with Water Street. It acts as a main arterial out of Vancouver's crowded commercial district during rush-hour. Recent urban renewal and gentrification have given rise to several new business in the area. Allot of clothing stores have located in the area. At the foot of Cordova lies the Woodward's building construction site. Once finished it will consist of high-rises.
The Water Street portion of Gastown is lined with several souvenir stores as well as cafe's and restaurants. This area is the most visited portion of the district, one which often attracts tourists from the Alaskan Cruise ships. Along this stretch you'll find two beautiful and distinct flat-iron buildings, one at Water and Cordova, the other at Water and Carrall Street. Art galleries have been popping up all over Gastown.
Gastown along with the East End of the city contain the majority of Vancouver's older building stock. As urban renewal continues to sweep eastward through both areas, a reclamation of sorts is happening. Slowly the city is regaining its heritage for both residents and visitors alike. While some areas of the neighborhood are still somewhat grungy it is nonetheless one of the top attractions in Vancouver.