A Granville Bridge bench is now an unofficial high-rated Vancouver tourist spot
A bench on the Granville Bridge is reminding us of the times we shared with the English Bay Barge, which became a popular Vancouver tourist attraction.
It’s unlikely that the Granville Bridge bench will attract the same number of people that the English Bay Barge did, with some even deciding to propose to their partners in front of it. However, the bench is now listed as a tourist attraction on Google Maps, and is named “Granville Bridge Benchy McBench.”
Just to be clear, this isn’t an official designation, and likely the work of a cheeky Vancouverite who just wanted to have a bit of fun. However, the tourist attraction bench is now very well-reviewed, with many joining in on the fun.
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The bench is part of the new and improved Granville Bridge, which reopened to the public only recently. The new bridge is safer, especially for pedestrians.
A part of the new bridge is the “Granville Connector,” which consists of two vehicle lanes on the west side of the bridge that were converted into a continuous, two-way separated active transportation route between the northernmost end of the Arbutus Greenway at the intersection of Fir Street and West 5th Avenue and downtown Vancouver.
The bench listed on Google Maps is one of several on the bridge.
Google Maps
“Great Bench. Would sit again.”
Opening day, July 25, 2025, of the Granville Connector pathways on the Granville Street Bridge. (Kenneth Chan)
As of Aug. 26, Benchy McBench has 35 reviews, and the bridge has an overall score of 4.9 stars out of five. Most people rated it a five, with a few rating it a four.
These are just a few of the best reviews:
“It is worth every penny of our tax dollars. Thank you, City!”
“Peak urbanism. Suitable for all occasions. I proposed to my girlfriend here. Too bad she rejected me, I guess I should’ve chosen someplace else.”
“Best place to sit in the area.”
“The most benchiest of benches your cheeks may find. Worth the one-hour wait.”
“Before stumbling upon this hidden gem, the only bench I knew or cared about was the one in my gym. Now, when my friends ask me how much I bench, I say at least three times a week at the Granville Bridge.”
This reminds us of when a Metro Vancouver school was renamed “Vape City.”
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