Granville Island Vancouver
When you see this, you’re here! The entrance is tucked underneath the Granville Street Bridge. The island never grows old, despite being a prime tourist destination for decades. I think the concentration of serious artists and a smattering of industry maintains the Island’s character, even with the hoards of visitors each year. I am one of those visitors very frequently. Free to visit, however the final cost when you leave depends on how disciplined you are at not buying everything in sight! The hardest part of Granville Island? Choosing which shops to go into… For Rainy Days I'm not sure why, but I always walk straight into The Umbrella Shop every time I come to Granville Island Vancouver. It must have something to do with the climate here. Too many options to choose from. A perfect shop for a rainy city like Vancouver, and these are so much more interesting than a standard black umbrella! Just imagine unfurling hot pink, or a giant ladybug print… These umbrellas are all made locally. There's a colour combination and pattern for every taste. Someday I will buy the perfect umbrella here. If I can ever decide which one that is! The Hangout Place My usual path when I hit Granville Island, Vancouver, takes me to the left along Duranleau Street.If it’s a sunny day or even if it's not, step into The Hangout Place to test out a hammock. Plants and bright colours all around – it feels like walking into a Caribbean hideout. Jen just relaxing. It took a wee bit of coaxing to get her out again. They are quite comfortable and perfect for a moment or two off your feet (and it’s air-conditioned inside too for those hot days). I was quite surprised by how much support these these Costa Rican "chair" hammocks have. Ten Thousand Villages A new arrival on Granville Island Vancouver, Ten Thousand Villages is one of the earliest fair-trade stores that I’m know of. From blue and white serenity to recycled bicycle chain décor.
This became an official Mennonite Central Committee program to assist those in developing countries to earn a living creating crafts. A great place to find unique gifts like a picture frame made from a bike gear chain, and pretty ones too, like delicate lotus candle-holders. Edie Hats  Paper, Paper, Paper Also in the Net Loft, Paper Ya, my favourite art paper supplies store in Vancouver, I go in just to run my hands over the luscious textured papers. The fibres are so thick and soft that it feels like fabric. And incidentally, the only place I’m aware of locally that sells bias hand-dyed silk ribbon – just scrumptious! “Je dessine” – literally “I draw”. A little notebook. With a unique sense of humour, they have journals and greeting cards that are a little pricey but are sure to amuse that “person who has everything” that we all must buy for. Like the “Savvy Converts Guide to Choosing a Religion”. Completely tongue-in-cheek and completely hilarious. Taglines include: “Compare and Contrast Before you Commit” and “Most Approved by God”. On the kitschy side, certainly, but no less fun for all that. Paper Ya is my favourite Granville Island store.
At Opus, you'll find paints and sketchbooks, frames and brushes, drop sheets and canvas. When they need professional art supplies, Vancouver students from Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design pop across the street to Opus. A Rainbow at Maiwa Maiwa Handprints is another of those Vancouver fair-trade stores. Begun in 1986, they commission traditional crafts from artisans around the world. A luxurious pile of silk embroidered cushions, beside a rainbow of colours and printed soft cotton sheets. The resulting block-printed bed linens, handwoven scarfs and naturally dyed tribal-y textiles are purchased for a fair price and sold here for a reasonable one.
And for those who want to do it themselves... Entering from outside the main Net Loft foyer, the Maiwa fibre art supplies is - for a Vancouver textile artist - close to heaven. I only dream… pre-dyed yarns, materials for dying yourself, block-printed fabrics, books about everything under the sun to do with textiles and little packages called “Bali Pops” of block-printed fabric strips of varying colours, just perfect for piecing a quilt. I’m now feeling very crafty! Granville Island Public Market And that means the Granville Island Public Market. There are good restaurants and food court options, but my favourite chow-break is to collect a picnic at the various stalls and eat outside by the water.
Hand-made bags at a Granville Island Public Market stall Food is not all there is in the Public Market. You will find many stalls of local artists selling their wares. Hand-made purses of vintage kimono fabric, beautiful print photography of BC landscapes, plants and animals, and delicate hand-crafted jewelry, among other things. Granville Island Vancouver Of course the very few shops I've mentioned here doesn't come close to covering every place on Granville Island in Vancouver. It's a great place to explore. Every visit is a choice– do I visit the shops I know and love or find some new ones? I try to do both and would encourage you to do the same. View of the Burrard Bridge from the back benches of the Granville Island Public Market. This is also the best place to find excellent live music outdoors, otherwise known as buskers: musicians, jugglers, magicians and other street performers. It's like an all-day open-air concert every day. Every tourist must visit Granville Island in Vancouver. Here on the Island and Stanley Park are the biggest tourist destinations and among the best – both are free to visit and both are definitely worth the visit. Return from Granville Island Vancouver to Vancouver Shopping
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Granville Island, Vancouver is a must-see. Fun, interesting and unique, all on a tiny peninsula in False Creek. 
Begun in 1946, when a charity worker visited Puerto Rico and brought back embroidery to sell. 
Of course if you're after more traditional “serious” art supplies in Vancouver, you'll want to hit up Opus on the east side of the Island as well. Paper Ya specializes in, you guessed it, paper supplies. 
I found two block-printed handkerchiefs to hide my helmet-ruined hair after a bike ride and a gorgeous cotton duvet cover for my bed. 
This trip: a few early cherries (yum), a small block of havarti cheese, sourdough buns from Terra Breads, and fresh brocconcini salad, with some delicious pastries to follow. So tasty.