There’s usually a revolving door of the same names mentioned when publications release their best neighbourhoods, best cities, best small town-type pieces, but Maclean’s just named two lesser-known B.C. neighbourhoods among Canada’s coolest.
Maclean’s recently dropped its Canada’s Coolest Neighbourhoods piece, the best places to eat, drink and explore in Canada, and in B.C., North Vancouver and Victoria neighbourhoods got mentioned.
Toronto-based Maclean’s pointed to U.S. President Donald Trump as just part of the reason why the publication is celebrating Canadian neighbourhoods.
“Ever since Trump started bullying us like a pimple-nosed teenager from a John Hughes movie, we’ve quit the U.S. cold turkey, with Canadian travel to the States down by 42 per cent,” Maclean’s said, adding, “Instead of flying south, we’re exploring the delights within our own borders.”
Coolest Neighbourhoods in Canada
North Vancouver’s Lower Lonsdale
Shawn.ccf/Shutterstock
Locals know and love Lonsdale. There are always events happening, plenty of places to eat, shop, and, of course, drink, and it’s just a stunning area in terms of showcasing the region’s natural beauty.
Also, who doesn’t love a SeaBus ride?
“This idyllic waterfront community is a 12-minute ferry trip from downtown Vancouver,” it says.
It also threw a little bit of shade at Gastown.
“Gone are Gastown’s chaotic sounds (car wheels clamouring along the cobblestone streets, bikers anxiously dinging their bells, people yelling about who knows what) and smells (I won’t get into it; you don’t want to know),” Sara Horowitz writes.
Horowitz says Lower Lonsdale is “a neighbourhood that feels fully committed to building community: a place where people of all ages can find something to do, and where a night out won’t break the bank.”
Victoria’s Songhees Walkway
Rachel Pick | Maclean’s
“Songhees Walkway hugs the Victoria shoreline for three kilometres, interrupted occasionally by secluded pocket beaches. Westbay is on one end, in the township of Esquimalt; it hosts an annual celebration called Buccaneer Days where the dress code is ‘pirate,'” writes Jeni Gunn.
Gunn praises the area for being a great place to people-watch.
“Couples walking, moms with strollers, park-bench meetings, wedding photos and children with fists full of shells. I can’t think of another location that offers such delightful people-watching.”
“Come by foot, car, bike, boat or float plane. Stay for your lunch hour or for the weekend. Lean into history at Spinnakers, or sink into luxury at the Ocean Pointe Resort, steps from the Blue Bridge. Bring a friend, wander solo, snap photos, stop, sip, eat or power walk end to end. At Songhees Walkway, you’ll find a thoroughfare, a postcard, an invitation.”
Are there any B.C. neighbourhoods that aren’t often mentioned that you’d nominate as the coolest in Canada?