The Forbidden Downtown and Gastown Walking Tour in Vancouver
Vancouver, Canada

The Forbidden Downtown and Gastown Walking Tour

Outty Ranking 82 4.9 · 495 traveler reviews1.5 hoursFrom $36

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September 2026

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Adults

Age 13 and over

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Age 12 and under

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Outty Ranking

82/100

Exceptional. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.9/5

Based on 495 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is The Forbidden Downtown and Gastown Walking Tour worth booking?

The Forbidden Downtown and Gastown Walking Tour is a 1.5-hour experience in Vancouver, Canada, from $36 per person. It scores 82 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 495 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
82 / 100
Rating
4.9/5 (495)
Duration
1.5 hours
From
$36 per person

Explore Vancouver’s dirtiest Prohibition-era secrets. From mobsters and rum runners to corrupt politicians, this historical walking tour winds through Gastown’s most historic streets and alleyways – and most illicit stor

What you get

  • Professional guide

About this experience

Explore Vancouver’s dirtiest Prohibition-era secrets. From mobsters and rum runners to corrupt politicians, this historical walking tour winds through Gastown’s most historic streets and alleyways – and most illicit stories.

What's included

Included

  • Professional guide

Not included

  • Gratuities
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off

What you'll see and do

  1. Cambie Bar & Grill

    A Vancouver institution, now a lively local bar, hostel and restaurant. The Cambie has history dating back to the Gold Rush!

    10 minutes here

  2. Hear about the tallest building in town in 1910!

    2 minutes here

  3. Learn about the Historic Woodward's building in Gastown. What role it had in the city over the last 100 years.

    10 minutes here

  4. Gastown

    The tour wraps up on the cobblestone streets of Gastown, the historic centre of Vancouver.

    30 minutes here

  5. Explore the main street in Gastown and learn about our Prohibition Commissioner - Walter Findlay.

    10 minutes here

  6. Hotel Europe

    Nestled in Gastown's historic Maple Tree Square, there was once a near beer parlour in this location.

    10 minutes here

Where it starts and ends

Meeting point

Vancouver

Meet outside 356 Water street at the entrance to historic Gastown at Water and Cordova Streets.

Hotel pickup

No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.

Ends at

The walking tour ends at one of the most amazing views of the Vancouver Skyline. The start point is a quick 5-10 minute walk away, and the guide can provide a map and directions if needed.

Before you book

Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Languages
en
Ticket
Mobile Only
Runs on
Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun
Group size
Up to 15 travelers per booking
Operated by
Forbidden Vancouver

Know before you go

  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
  • All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
  • Children must be accompanied by an adult
  • Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
  • Please arrive at least 10 minutes before the scheduled start time

Photos

The Forbidden Downtown and Gastown Walking Tour in Vancouver, photo 2Birds eye view!What went down in the city's beer parlours? Find out on the tour!Spilling the beans on Vancouver's prohibition past on the Forbidden Vancouver Tour!Storyteller Lenard with a "then and now" moment.Visiting the Woodwards complex - one of Vancouver's most famous landmarks

What travelers are saying

Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 495 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

Knowledge and storytelling

9 mentions

Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

The guide

5 mentions

Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

Value for money

2 mentions

Travelers feel they got more than they paid for.

Traveler reviews

495 verified traveler reviews for The Forbidden Downtown and Gastown Walking Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

5 star
449
4 star
35
3 star
5
2 star
3
1 star
3
Sort
O2533NJpaulp · September 2026

If you are looking for something different

Lennard is a highly informative amusing and personable guide. The tour covers many aspects of history that you might not expect but when put into context seems exactly right

Response from the operator: Hi there, Thank you so much for your lovely review! So glad you enjoyed your time on tour with Lenard :)

via Tripadvisor

jessicasullivan2023 · September 2026

Gastown History Brought to Life

We had a great time on the Forbidden Vancouver Walking Tour! Marina was a fantastic guide—knowledgeable, engaging, and very entertaining. We learned so much about the history of Gastown, along with fun little secrets and stories we never would have discovered on our own. Marina really brought the history to life and kept the tour interesting from beginning to end. A fun and unique way to experience Vancouver. Highly recommend!

Response from the operator: Hi Jessica, Thank you so much for your wonderful review! So glad you had such a great time on the Forbidden Vancouver tour with Marina and that she could provide such a memorable experience :) Thanks for joining!

via Tripadvisor

Sophie_Y · August 2026

We really loved this tour...

We really loved this tour of Gastown! Our guide Ash was phenomenal, so informative, entertaining and kind. Would highly recommend!

Response from the operator: Hey Sophie, Thanks so much for the 5 star review. It's wonderful to hear that you had such a wonderful experience! We look forward to seeing you at one of our other tours sometime!

via Viator

Donoteach · August 2026

History Walk

Fun way to learn a little history about Gastown

Response from the operator: Hello Thank you for taking the time to write us a review. It's so nice to hear that you enjoyed learning about Gastown with us. We see that you gave us a 4 star rating, and we wish that it had been a 5 star experience, that's what we strive to provide to every guest! We'd love to know what we could do differently or better. If you have any feedback about your tour, your storyteller or your experience with Forbidden Vancouver, please let us know. You can email us at info@forbiddenvancouver.ca. We take feedback from our guests seriously!

via Tripadvisor

Nicole_W · August 2026

It was a very interesring...

It was a very interesring tour and taught us a lot about Vancouver. There is a bit of walking to be done but overall it was worth it

Response from the operator: Hi Nicole, Thanks for giving us a 5 star rating! So glad you got so much out of it. We hope to see you on another of our tours soon.

via Viator

Good to know

Duration
1.5 hours
Free cancellation
Up to 24h before
Minimum age to book
14+
Availability
Bookable today
Runs on
Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun
Price range
$36 to $39
Hotel pickup
No pickup, meet at start point
Booked in 30 days
173
Verdict
Exceptional

Who runs this experience

Operated by Forbidden Vancouver, who run 5 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 84.6 and 1 in the 90+ Club.

See everything Forbidden Vancouver runs

Why this scores 82

The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

Traveler sentiment (30% weight)92
Review evidence (18% weight)78
Booking momentum (14% weight)75
Value for money (12% weight)78
Listing quality (10% weight)64
Local standing (8% weight)71
Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

The Forbidden Downtown and Gastown Walking Tour: questions travelers ask

Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Vancouver.

How much does The Forbidden Downtown and Gastown Walking Tour cost?

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Prices start at $36 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Vancouver usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.

How long does The Forbidden Downtown and Gastown Walking Tour take?

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Plan for about 1.5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Vancouver is not rushed.

Is The Forbidden Downtown and Gastown Walking Tour worth it?

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It holds an Outty Ranking of 82 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 495 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Vancouver, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

Can I cancel or reschedule The Forbidden Downtown and Gastown Walking Tour?

+

Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.

Is The Forbidden Downtown and Gastown Walking Tour suitable for kids and families?

+

The operator sets a minimum age of 14. Older children generally do well here, and families should factor in the 1.5-hour running time when deciding.

How far in advance should I book The Forbidden Downtown and Gastown Walking Tour?

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Around 173 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Vancouver can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.

What should I bring or wear?

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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Vancouver and add a light layer if any part of the 1.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

Where does The Forbidden Downtown and Gastown Walking Tour start and how do I get there?

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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Vancouver within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.

What are the best things to do in Vancouver?

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On Outty we rank every Vancouver experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Vancouver City Sightseeing Tour: Capilano Suspension Bridge & Vancouver Lookout, Epic Electric Bike Tour of Vancouver, Whistler, Sea to Sky Gondola, & Shannon Falls Tour from Vancouver. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.

When is the best time to visit Vancouver?

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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.

How many days do you need in Vancouver?

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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.

Do I book through Outty or through the operator?

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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.

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