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Tour Guys Vancouver
Category: Hotels & Travel Tours Tours [Edit]
1207-1111 Beach AveVancouver, BC V6E 1V1
Neighbourhood: West End
(604) 690-5909
- Hours:
Mon, Wed-Sun 11 am - 5 pm
8 reviews for Tour Guys Vancouver
8 reviews in English
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Review from Tamara S.
5/16/2012
Tour Guys Vancouver is a very impressive walking tour company. I had the pleasure of working directly with Steve to create a custom 4 hour tour/team building event for a recent trip to Vancouver. Steve listened to my request and crafted a custom tour blending together several of the standard tours while building in several team challenges. My group of 9 truly enjoyed the afternoon exploring Vancouver. Though we make the trip each year this was our first time making time to learn about the history of the city. Steve's easy going style had the group captivated by the illustrious history of Vancouver. Steve was a gracious host throughout the day even personally escorted us to Granville island at the conclusion of the event to ensure we were on time for our team dinner.
We actually started the tour with Jessica who led us on a team based food challenge. This was definitely a fun way to dive deep into the Food Truck scene of Vancouver. While still being sensitive to food allergies, we were able to have a fun time exploring and bonding as a team with a healthy level of team competition. Jessica's level of enthusiasm kept the team engaged as hunger levels started to rise.
As for pricing, Tour Guys were by far the most competitive in the Vancouver area. We reached out to a number of similar companies and most would not accommodate groups of less than 20. Tour Guys not only were willing to work within our budget but they were willing to customize to meet the need our specific team without charging a significant premium. I would hesitate to recommend to anyone looking to take a standard tour or custom. -
Review from S R.
5/24/2012
other tour companies will charge you $25 for the tours these guys give for free. they ask for a small donation. we went on three. friendly, informative, engaging, a good selection of tours. julia was a particularly good guide.
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Review from Nicole F.
11/1/2011
I've been on 2 tours with Tour Guys and they've both been great!
The most recent was the Beer Makes History Better tour. Our fabulous guide Jessica guided us around downtown Vancouver as we stopped at various pubs, and she told us about the four P's: Prohibition, Prostitution, Pot, and Protest, as well as other tidbits on Vancouver history.
You get most of the information and history at the beginning because you spend the entire tour drinking beer. Need I explain this? ;)
We stopped at the Lamplighter, Steamworks (they have a DELICIOUS Pumpkin Ale!), Rogue and then we finished at Mahony & Sons, which I'd never even heard of until I went on this tour because it is so new.
The amount of information is perfect. Straight to the point, no fillers. All of the beer you'll drink on this tour is absolutely delicious. Not only are you given information about Vancouver, but you're given some information on the beers themselves and the pub's history.
I would be happy to recommend this tour to anyone who likes beer, or has an interest in Vancouver history (and beer).
Mmmm, beer.Listed in: Touristy Things
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Review from Ken L.
9/7/2011
Beer Makes History Better, one of Tour Guys basic tours, is more of a history tour than a beer tour. So for those of you expecting to get smashed on "free" beer, don't be fooled.
To the contrary this was an great historical look at the creation of Vancouver from the perspective of how beer and the four "P's", as owner-guide Steve put it, molded present day Vancouver. The four "P's" are Prohibition, Protest, Prostitution and Pot.
Steve intertwined these notions as we walked to each of four breweries (Lamplighter, Steam Works, Rogue and Mahoney & Sons) over the course of 3 hours and maybe a distance of 1.5 miles. At Lampligher, in addition to a sampler (8 ounces?) of beer, they served our group of 14 people nachos and chicken wings. At Steam Works in addition to a sampler of beer they served a beer battered shrimp and some Tandoori chicken and rice. At Rogue and Mahoney there were no appetizers. At each location, as Steve talked about the history of Vancouver, you had the option of buying a full pint (or two) while we were at the brewery.
I likened this tour to a combination of the Underground tour in Seattle (which talks about the history) and the food tour of Pike's Place. There was beer, there was food, there was history and most of all there was fun.
All in all a modest price to pay ($40.00) for a wonderful afternoon that also let us explore Gas Town over to the Canada Centre and the new Convention Center. -
Review from Luisa D.
12/17/2010 ROTD 3/24/2011
Oh my - that was fun!! I decided to celebrate my birthday a little early by organising an evening around the Beer Makes History Better tour. It was a blast!
Normally it would start at the Railway Club but due to a glitch Guilt & Co let us use their cool space to start out. Our tour guide Jessica was on her virgin run and we were over capacity and slightly unruly. She handled our boisterous group with aplomb!
First there was a PowerPoint presentation to lay the foundation of cool facts and figures around beer, Canadians and international intrigue. While Jessica was talking the first round of beers came out. Once done we were off to the historic Cambie Hotel. It was too noisy in there for presenting so the historic points were covered outside. After that it was off to the Lamplighter. Already my friends were telling me how little they knew of Vancouver's history and how awesome this tour was. Even though the Lamplighter is now owned by the much maligned Donnelly Group it was pointed out that they restored the tin ceiling inside. That actually impressed the group quite a bit. At this location a round of shots are provided in lieu of beer - bartenders choice and it was a tasty one. The final stop is at the Met (also Donnelly Group so identical decor to the previous spot). Here the group took advantage of the $2.25 appetisers.
At each location most people ordered a 2nd beverage and the tour fee is $20. You start at 6:30 and end at about 10:30 which is a good finishing time for a Thursday night if people have to work Friday. They need 10 people to make it happen and like to keep it to 20. We were definitely over 20 but each spot managed our size as best they could.
If you're looking for a fun idea for a group get together I'd highly recommend this tour. We learned some interesting facts about the four Ps of Vancouver - prostitution, protest, pot and prohibition. There's a scavenger hunt portion and the winning group got an extra pitcher of beer at the last stop. We had some tasty pints and got to snack along the way plus we got to enjoy an evening stroll on a beautiful night. Beer really does make history better!!Listed in: Review of the Day
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Review from Bruce G.
8/10/2011
My family wanted something more cozy than riding in a tour bus for a day. So we hired the Tour Guys for a private walking tour (6+ hours) by Jessica. The tour was customized to our interests and tastes (great lunch at Legendary Noodles). Jessica was filled with lots of history of stories of buildings and landmarks. Be prepared to walk, as we were tired by 4:00PM and ready to head back to the hotel for a rest. Great tour and well worth the expense ($250 for the full day, plus tip)
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Review from Wade P.
5/12/2011
These guys--Steve and Max--give a grand tour and work for tips. Learn about Vancouver history, architecture, public art interspersed with welcome tacky humor while walking from Coal Town through the Gastown...highly recommended. Why trolley or bus tour when these guys will give you the real scoop on the real 'couver.
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Review from Mariel L.
10/7/2010
I found the Tour Guys after going to a travel site, and saw that these guys came highly recommended by a LOT of people. That's why I'm shocked, SHOCKED, that they don't have many reviews here on Yelp! yet. C'mon Yelpers, what gives? Well, let me be the first to say that the Tour Guys are some of the coolest cats you'll ever meet in Vancouver. I signed up for both the West End/Granville Island and Stanley Park walking tours. Max led the West End tour and we started off @ the Olympics Countdown Clock on Georgia and Hornby. From the get-go, the Tour Guy was already sharing some amazing and fun facts about Vancouver and its history. Like, did you know the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver was built for the Royal Family during the Great Depression, but they didn't even visit it? (Rude!) The thing I love about the walking tour was it was full of facts and figures, but it was never too stuffy. We were told fun facts that you can tell your friends back at home without pulling on your monocles as you speak. Like, the whole buying up air space situation for building heights -- literally -- was very fascinating; trust me, search it. Also, it's not just about the old history, but history that was made recently, like the 2010 Olympics even. It reminds you that history is made every day (and no I'm not just ripping that line off from the History Channel). Steve, the tour guide for the Stanley Park one, is crazy knowledgeable about Vancouver and Canada in general, too. Both he and Max directed me to some really great places (like Pickwick's and Kintaro). Anyway, I wouldn't say what we did blow-by-blow for each tour, but let me just say it was fun, casual, funny, friendly, absolutely will kill your feet, but undoubtedly worth it. The Tour Guys do a fabulous job of introducing Vancouver to the tourist, but even reintroducing Vancouver to the local. What a great job they have, and they deserve every accolade, top ranking, and league of fans they have. :)
