landmark
Stanley Park Totem Poles
Collection of First Nations totem poles in Vancouver's Stanley Park, one of the most visited attractions in British Columbia.
3 km · about 5 min drive
British Columbia, Canada · North America
Downtown Eastside works well as a base: 43km from Shannon Falls.
Downtown Eastside is a town located in British Columbia, Canada. With a population of 18,477, it is an important destination in North America.
On a road trip, Downtown Eastside sits in Canada, where you drive on the right. It's in the America/Vancouver time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Downtown Eastside to your route.
The Downtown Eastside (DTES) is a neighbourhood in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. One of the city's oldest neighbourhoods, the DTES is the site of a complex set of social issues, including disproportionately high levels of drug use, homelessness, poverty, crime, mental illness and sex work.
Around the beginningRead more
of the 20th century, the DTES was Vancouver's political, cultural and retail centre. Over several decades, the city centre gradually shifted westwards, and the DTES became a poor, albeit relatively stable, neighbourhood. In the 1980s, the area began a rapid decline due to several factors, including an influx of hard drugs, policies that pushed sex work and drug-related activity out of nearby areas, and the cessation of federal funding for social housing. By 1997, an epidemic of HIV infection and drug overdoses in the DTES led to the declaration of a public health emergency. As of 2018, critical issues include opioid overdoses, especially those involving the drug fentanyl; decrepit and squalid housing; a shortage of low-cost rental housing; and mental illness, which often co-occurs with addiction.
The population of the DTES is estimated to be around 7,000 people. Compared to the city, the neighbourhood is home to a significant Indigenous population, which reflects the ongoing impacts of colonial displacement and systemic inequities that have shaped the area’s demographics. Additionally, historical factors such as de-institutionalization, housing shortages, and limited access to mental health care have contributed to the concentration of poverty and substance use in the community. Residents experience Canada's highest rate of death from encounters with police, and there is mutual mistrust between police and many residents experiencing homelessness.
Since Vancouver's real-estate boom began in the early 21st century, the area has been increasingly experiencing gentrification. Some see gentrification as a force for revitalization, while others believe it has led to higher displacement and homelessness. Numerous efforts have been made to improve the DTES at an estimated cost of over $1.4 billion as of 2009. Services in the greater DTES area are estimated to cost $360 million per year. Commentators from across the political spectrum have said that little progress has been made in resolving the issues of the neighbourhood as a whole, although there are individual success stories. Proposals for addressing the issues of the area include increasing investment in social housing, increasing capacity for treating people with addictions and mental illness, making services more evenly distributed across the city and region instead of concentrated in the DTES, and improving coordination of services. However, little agreement exists between the municipal, provincial and federal governments regarding long-term plans for the area.
Compare prices across Booking.com, Airbnb, Expedia, and more. Select your dates to see availability.
Pick your must-haves once: provider links open pre-filtered. Each filter lists which sites it applies to.
Compare before you book!
Prices can vary significantly between platforms. We recommend checking at least 2-3 sites to find the best deal for your stay in Downtown Eastside.
Discover famous landmarks, scenic roads, and more near Downtown Eastside.
Downtown Eastside offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.
Plan your road trip to Downtown Eastside with Plan Your Road Trips! Add Downtown Eastside as a destination, and we'll help you find the best route and discover more amazing places along the way.
Downtown Eastside is located in British Columbia, Canada, North America. The coordinates are 49.2818 latitude, -123.0935 longitude.
Downtown Eastside has a population of approximately 18,477 people, making it a town in Canada.
Add to your itinerary
Start planning your road trip with Downtown Eastside as a destination. Create a custom route and discover more amazing places along the way.
Start Road TripDiscover destinations like Tinder
Swipe through stunning destinations near Downtown Eastside. Save your favourites and add them to your trip.
Essential numbers in Canada
CAA roadside assistance: 1-800-222-4357. Winter tyres mandatory in Quebec December–March.
Full driving guide for Canada7 notable places within an hour's drive.
landmark
Collection of First Nations totem poles in Vancouver's Stanley Park, one of the most visited attractions in British Columbia.
3 km · about 5 min drive
landmark
Canada's largest aquarium in Stanley Park dedicated to the conservation of aquatic life in the Pacific Northwest.
3 km · about 5 min drive
bridge
Vancouver's iconic 1938 suspension bridge spanning the First Narrows from Stanley Park to the North Shore, gateway to the Sea-to-Sky Highway with mountain and harbour views from its green towers.
5 km · about 10 min drive
bridge
A 137 m footbridge swaying 70 m above the Capilano River in North Vancouver, with treetop walkways and a granite cliffwalk: one of BC's most visited attractions since 1889.
7 km · about 15 min drive
scenic viewpoint
Stunning coastal and mountain highway from Vancouver to Whistler
36 km · about 40 min drive
waterfall
British Columbia's third-highest waterfall, immediately beside the Sea to Sky Highway near Squamish with a roadside car park.
43 km · about 50 min drive
scenic viewpoint
Gondola beside the Sea-to-Sky Highway near Squamish, rising 885 m above Howe Sound to a summit lodge, suspension bridge and sweeping viewpoints over fjord, forest and the Stawamus Chief.
44 km · about 50 min drive
Other places to explore near Downtown Eastside.
Create your perfect itinerary with our calendar-based planner. Add stops, discover attractions along the way, and share your trip with friends.
Start Planning