123 Best Places to Shop in British Columbia, Canada

Filling three city blocks in the heart of Downtown, this mall is filled with mostly mainstream clothing shops, with some more sophisticated and pricier boutiques scattered throughout. There are several street-level entrances, as well as access via Holt Renfrew, Nordstrom, and Hudson's Bay, and both the Granville Street and Vancouver City Centre Stations—worth knowing about on rainy days.

Exotic fruits and vegetables, children's toys, wicker fans, fabric slippers, and other Chinese imports still give Fisgard Street a distinctive Asian flair, but increasingly lifestyle stores are adding a different feel, as in Scandinavian housewares and a schnitzel haus next to dim sum buffet. Fan Tan Alley, a narrow lane off Fisgard Street, has even more nouveau-hippie goods, with a record store and yoga studio tucked in among its tiny storefronts as well as a tiny museum on the area's Chinese-European influences.

The name says it all: here you'll find a colorful array of gifts, novelty items, souvenirs, housewares, furniture, and local arts and crafts.

These full-grain leather biker boots, handmade on-site since 1948, have a cult-like following, because they're durable and hip, too. Originally made for loggers in the British Columbia woods, they're now big with bikers, actors, and rock stars.

The Queen Elizabeth Theatre Plaza at Georgia and Hamilton Streets is the venue for this lively urban market. Baked treats, artisanal food, crafts, and local beer, wine, and spirits share space with fresh fruit and veggies. The market runs Thursday 3 to 7 pm, from June through October.

This tiny shop showcases a variety of wares by up-and-coming local designers. The creative selections target the hip twentysomething crowd.

The museum-style gallery showcases some of the finest and refreshingly contemporary First Nations and Inuit art in Vancouver. The collection is constantly changing and although several pieces are geared for the serious collector, others are more affordable. If First Nations art is of interest, then a visit here is a must.

Local fashionistas swear by this cozy little shop and its well-curated racks of clothing, shoes, and accessories for both men and women. Local and international designers are featured.

In winter you can buy off-the-rack skis and boots, as well as order custom-made boots. In summer the shop specializes in top-of-the-line mountain bikes as well as bike repairs.

Organized by Arts Whistler, Find Your Path is a free cultural map that helps you navigate Whistler's cultural venues, museums, galleries, and public art. Take a self-guided tour of the best the area has to offer. Maps can be picked up year-round from Arts Whistler and the Whistler Visitor Centre. Arts Whistler also hosts a free art gallery with constantly changing local exhibits.

It's hard to predict what you'll find in this pretty little shop—it's a fun spot to browse for cute women's clothing, jewelry, and accessories. 

Value-conscious fashionistas eagerly browse the consignment and vintage clothing in this smart shop. There's a small section of designer samples and new items, as well as eclectic gifts.

Sisters Sarah and Mary Schwieger, specialists in the art of handcrafted broom making, opened this small artisan studio after learning the craft growing up in British Columbia's Kootenay region. All handmade on-site, their brooms are woven in the traditional Shaker style and each piece is unique. Stop by to watch the brooms take shape, and learn the history of this rare craft.

Foot fashionistas make tracks to this Kitsilano shop that's jam-packed with trendy choices, including Camper, Trippen, Common Projects, and other international brands for men and women. Shoppers can complete their outfits with designs by Alexander Wang, Isabelle Marant, and Acne Studios right next door at gravitypope Tailored Goods (2203 West 4th Ave.).

Christmas wreaths, hot chocolate, food trucks, artisanal cheese, and more draw Vancouverites to this winter farmers' market. It runs Sunday 10 am to 2 pm, from early November through late April at Hastings Park.

This large, contemporary gift shop offers everything from soap and bath items to decorating, housewares, candles, women's clothing (some locally made), fashion footwear, jewelry, and novelty gift items.

A Canadian institution (though it's now American-owned), the Bay was founded as part of the fur trade in the 17th century. There's a whole department selling the signature tricolor blankets and other Canadiana. On the lower level, the Topshop and Topman boutiques carry imports from the trendy British retailer.

Only the works of more than 80 local artists and artisans are displayed in this gallery run by the North Coast Artists' Cooperative. Items include paintings, jewelry, weaving, beaded doeskin slippers, quilts, wood carvings, glass, and pottery.