A bit of a conundrum, but intriguing enough to lure me to the depths of downtown. The Gastown Steam Clock [305 Water St, Vancouver, BC V6B 1B9, Canada] looks like a relic from the Victorian Era, but really it was built in the 1970s. It’s touted as a steam clock, but it has three electric motors. Regardless of the anachronisms, it is really neat to see the inner-workings of this really cool clock.
The steam does in fact wind the weights and blow the whistles. If you visit on the quarter hour you’re sure to hear the chimes and on the hour a whistle sounds!
Other things to do downtown:
+Visit an art gallery: The Contemporary Art Gallery [555 Nelson St, Vancouver, BC V6B 6R5, Canada] is free to visit and quite popular, including multiple rooms with unique art, a gift shop, and had interactive make your own art component.
+Go architecture gawking
+Eat at a First Nations restaurant
+Stroll through Stanley Park