Explore Vancouver’s most famous heritage buildings – and their stories of murder, fame, jealous lovers, fortunes built and lost, corruption… and irresistible glamour. You’ll enjoy scrumptious delicacies at the city’s finest bakeries and chocolatiers and experience a private viewing inside Art Deco masterpiece, the Marine Building.
The Hidden History & Sweet Treats Tour in 30 seconds
The King of the Gamblers
Secrets of the Hotel Vancouver
Moral turpitude… then and now
Vancouver’s most notorious mayor
Rise of the city’s wealthiest families
Vaudeville dancers – and Fred Astaire!
The jealous murder of the city’s most loved architect
Private viewing inside the magnificent Marine Building
Decadent treats including gourmet macaron, delectable pastry, and award-winning chocolate
*IMPORTANT*
This tour is our newest and often sells out. To get your preferred date and avoid missing out, we highly recommend you book as soon as possible.
Please note, the treats served on this tour may contain gluten, eggs, dairy, and nuts and are prepared in kitchens where these and other common allergens are present. If you have allergies or dietary restrictions, attend at your own discretion. Get a taste of Vancouver history storytelling (without the treats) on any of our other walking tours!
You can cancel your experience for a full refund up to 24 hours before your tour start time. Less than 24 hours before the start of your tour, you can receive a full credit for future use. No questions asked! Prices exclude fees and taxes.
COLOURFUL HISTORY!
“What a great experience! Such colourful history presented in thoughtful, respectful and often humorous ways. Rob was a wonderful guide. We plan on taking the other tours too and bringing friends. The sweet treats were a bonus and a delight to our taste buds..”
– SABINE KEIL, GOOGLE
GREAT EXPERIENCE!
“We did this tour with Rachel as our guide. She obviously loved her subject, knew it well, and was a great storyteller. Never did you get the feeling that this was a rote recitation. Great tour and highly recommended guide.
– EVAN GATEHOUSE, GOOGLE
WINNER TRIP ADVISOR CERTIFICATE OF EXCELLENCE 2012 – 2024
WINNER LONELY PLANET “TOP CHOICE” 2024
WINNER CITY OF VANCOUVER HERITAGE MEDAL OF HONOUR
WINNER MUST DO CANADA FEATURED EXPERIENCES 2024
Every stop on this walking tour takes place under cover or inside, but on a warm day you’ll still want a sun hat, sunglasses, and a bottle of water. For the cooler months we recommend a rain jacket and sturdy footwear.
You’ll definitely want your smartphone charged so you can take photos of the incredible sites and views!
We carefully crafted this experience to suit the interests and preferences of adults, making it an ideal choice for teenagers seeking engaging and thought-provoking content. In fact, children as young as ten can really enjoy the tour. We don’t recommend the tour for children younger than 10.
The tour is a leisurely stroll through downtown Vancouver on flat, paved ground. Total distance covered is about 1.5 km, or 1 mile.
Absolutely! Our guides accept cash or cards (via a portable Square device). If you enjoyed your guide’s performance then a tip is greatly appreciated.
The tour starts at the corner of Robson and Granville Streets, in front of Old Navy. It ends at Mink Chocolate, 863 West Hastings in Downtown Vancouver.
We guarantee our website has the lowest prices for our walking tours. Beware reseller sites that display their prices in $USD to appear cheaper than they really are.
We aren’t able to cater to dietary restrictions at this time. Please note, the treats served on this tour may contain gluten, eggs, dairy, and nuts and are prepared in kitchens where these and other common allergens are present. If you have allergies or dietary restrictions, attend at your own discretion. Get a taste of Vancouver history storytelling (without the treats) on any of our other walking tours!
You sure could, and Vancouver is a very walkable city! But you’d miss out on hearing all the scandalous history behind our city’s most famous buildings, and the chance to enjoy treats from three of its most loved bakeries and chocolatiers!
Anyone aged 65 or older qualifies for a seniors ticket.
If you’re 18 or younger, or a full-time student of any age with valid photo ID, you qualify for a youth ticket.
You can! The start point is very close to both Granville Skytrain Station and Vancouver City Centre Station. Exit onto Granville Street and walk southeast 1-2 blocks towards Robson St. to arrive at Old Navy.
You can also take any bus that goes down Granville St., and get off at Robson St.
Hot tip: Use Translink’s online trip planner for options.
All minors must be accompanied by an adult.
We do not permit guests on the tour who are, or appear to be, intoxicated. Guests who are intoxicated or disorderly will be asked to leave the tour and no refund will be issued.
While the tour is not strenuous, walking is involved and guests will be on their feet for the duration of the tour. Guests are responsible for making sure they are able to complete the tour.
You and your party knowingly and freely assume all the risks with participating in this experience. We are not responsible for illness or injury of guests during a tour. By participating in this experience you release and hold harmless Forbidden Vancouver Walking Tours with respect to any injury, disability, death, or loss or damage to person or property whether cause by the negligence of Forbidden Vancouver Walking Tours or otherwise.
Yes, this tour is wheelchair accessible.
There are several parking lots near the start point. The closest ones are at 800 Robson St. at Robson Square, and 840 Howe St. at Robson Court.
Yes, there’s an opportunity for a bathroom break at Fairmont Hotel Vancouver about halfway through the tour.
You’ll receive three delectable treats! We recommend you have breakfast as normal before the tour, but you may well not need lunch afterwards, depending on your appetite.
I’m afraid we don’t permit dogs on our walking tours, as it might make other guests uncomfortable. The tour also goes inside a number of buildings where dogs are not permitted. Service dogs are OK though.
MEET YOUR WALKING TOUR GUIDES
Want to hear the story of the crooked police chief, his mysterious lover, and the brown paper bags stuffed full of dirty gambling cash. Or the tale of the city’s most famous architect, beaten to death in a “crime of passion?” How about the music hall star whose act caused such outrage the President of the United States had to intervene to help her leave Canada? Or the tale of “the most beautiful woman in the world,” who came from right here in Vancouver and went on to enjoy Hollywood stardom?
On this walking tour, you’ll visit the city’s most beautiful and famous heritage buildings. From the Vancouver Art Gallery and Hotel Vancouver to the Sinclair Centre and Hotel Georgia. You’ll even visit Art Deco masterpiece, the Marine Building, for a private viewing inside. You’ll uncover a world of jealous lovers, scandalous dancers, and powerful criminals…. And learn how they helped form the Vancouver of shining hotels and opera houses that lured the likes of Winston Churchill, Louis Armstrong, Marilyn Monroe, and King Georg VI, and became the city we love today.
Wait…there’s more! Do you want to taste the city’s very finest baked treats and chocolate while you discover it’s most scandalous history? Indulge yourself in award winning chocolate and decadent pastries. You’ll enjoy the finest sweet treats Vancouver has to offer!