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Categories: Tours, Venues & Event Spaces [Edit]
555 W Hastings StVancouver, BC V6B 4N6
Neighbourhood: Downtown
(604) 689-0421
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 9 am - 9 pm
15 reviews for Vancouver Lookout at Harbour Centre
All Reviews
Vancouver Lookout at Harbour Centre
7/31/2010
Wooowwwweee!
I am a lucky lady and have a tourism passport (because I work in a museum) which entitles me to free admission to pretty much any and every tourist attraction in the lower mainland.
I had never, ever been up to the Lookout (despite attending classes at SFU right downstairs) and so last night we popped in on our way to Davie St. I am so glad we did!
The elevator itself was a fun experience, as the walls are glass and you get a neat show on the way up. Once we got off at the top, I was delighted to find informative plaques detailing points of interest the whole way around the 360 degree view.
I am such a nerdy history keener that I knew most of the facts, but the historic photos juxtaposed over the current sights were amazing! The view is breathtaking, and I had no idea that it was possible to see all the way to the San Juan Islands. Neat!
I think I may have been boring poor S, but I took it upon myself to fill in the gaps that the plaques left out. The tourists seemed to be enjoying the free tour, but S wanted to go get more dranks!
At 7 bux regularly, I would do this again even without my pass! A great way to spend an hour for a local, and a definite "must see" for tourists. And maybe, if you're lucky, I'll be up there spouting off some local history...... :P
Listed in: My Very Favourites
Vancouver Lookout at Harbour Centre
7/27/2010
I'm not an actual 'fan' I am just trying to rate it for what it is, built to make income off tourists; guilty.
The view is quite nice and it is inexpensive to get to the top. It also offers information on plaques as you walk around to as what you're seeing.
I wouldn't go up again.
Vancouver Lookout at Harbour Centre
7/25/2010
Looking for a high view point of Vancouver without leaving the city; this might be the place.
It is a nice 360 degrees view of the city; and with information of the surrounding buildings it could be a nice 45 minutes adventure.
I believe that the best part of it is the buildings history and the ocean view.
I do wish it had more stuff to do in it. There was guy welcome you by the elevators and offering maps. the little history notes of the building views is a nice touch. But maybe a bar or restaurant would have been nicer!
Vancouver Lookout at Harbour Centre
4/15/2010
I think going to the top of the Harbour Centre is something that every Vancouverite should do at some point in their life. The view is amazing especially on a sunny day or at night. I have been to various functions and they always seem extra special because of the panoramic city view. Everything I go to the lookout it reminds me how lucky I am to live in such a spectacular city!
Vancouver Lookout at Harbour Centre
4/23/2009
I'd previously considered going up to the lookout, but figured it wasn't worth the money, since great free views of the city abound. Still, I recently had the chance to go up for free, and the view was a lot more interesting than I was expecting.
Unlike the view from the North Shore mountains, which is fairly static, looking down from the Harbour Centre you can actually see activity happening on the street and in the harbour. You also get a much closer (i.e. better) view of the nearby buildings.
Another advantage of the 430-foot height, relative to the mountain lookouts, is that tall things stand out on the horizon. You get some sense of how hilly the city actually is. In particular, Burnaby Mountain and the buildings of Metrotown are very obvious.
One final humorous note; according to one of the information panels, tourists sometimes confuse Metrotown for Seattle(!) or Calgary(!!); I find that hard to believe, but if it's true, I'm glad the lookout is educating them.
Vancouver Lookout at Harbour Centre
9/22/2008
This review contains two parts. The first part is what I pulled from thier website and the second part is particulaly intresting and you will definatley want to find out what I have to tell you about the Harbour Centre.
Part one:
The Vancouver Lookout tops Harbour Centre, a towering complex that is home to 28 floors of offices, the downtown campus of Simon Fraser University, shops, a food fair and liquor store, and the Top of Vancouver Revolving Restaurant. American astronaut Neil Armstrong, the first man on the moon, opened the Vancouver Lookout in 1977.
Situated high above Vancouver, the Lookout is the perfect first stop for visitors and locals alike and provides a fascinating bird's eye view of our City. Glass elevators whisk visitors 130 meters (430 feet) skyward from street level to the Observation Deck in a mere 40 seconds. Here you will enjoy a riveting and spectacular 360º view of Metro Vancouver's cosmopolitan downtown and the suburbs beyond, the vast Pacific Ocean, bustling Coal Harbour, and the majestic North Shore Mountains. Our view of Vancouver, the most beautiful city in the world, is simply breathtaking.
Part two:
now this i where it gets really good. I will direct you to a sentence that states this ...."American astronaut Neil Armstrong, the first man on the moon, opened the Vancouver Lookout in 1977." When I first moved to vancouver I purchased book about fun and interesting things to do in vancouver and one of sections went on to talk about the Harbour centre and it described this event that took place with a famous astronaut who was asked to make an imprint in cement to commemorate the opening of the Harbour Centrer. As I read on it explained that this cast of Neil's feet was then added to the blocks used to build that staircase which leads up to observation deck. It is stated that you can walk up the stairs to the top and somewhere in the 28 floors you will find a cast of Neil's feet. so are you up to the challenge of walking 28 stories to find out?
Vancouver Lookout at Harbour Centre
12/23/2008
I had a great time reading the placards that seemed everywhere here. Great spot to see the city, some really breathtaking views of the harbor, Mt. Baker, and other great scenery that I really enjoyed in my visit to Vancouver.
If you're headed here, most of the tourist handouts on what to do in Vancouver has a coupon for admission. Admission is also valid all day so try to get there around midday for the best views and later a night for the lights.
Vancouver Lookout at Harbour Centre
12/26/2008
This is one thing I guess I don't understand as a Vancouver resident.
The lookout is kind of blah if you're used to the skyline, the mountains and the ocean. But, I've brought many tourists here and they've all noted that it was one of their favorite experiences. It does feature a lot of facts about Vancouver and little placards about history but mostly you're paying for the view. In fact, if you can get around paying it's sure to be a hit, since the pricetag is about the only thing that makes it less than worthwhile.
You can also head up to the so-so restaurant, but get the same view so if you want to compact eating into the same excursion that might be a great plan.
Either way, whether we as vancouverites understand or appreciate it is moot, bring tourists here and they'll be happy.
Vancouver Lookout at Harbour Centre
12/27/2008
I love the unique buildings that give shape to the Vancouver skyline. Harbour Center definitely stands out. It's a neat building, but the real treat is the view from inside. When I first moved here, I often used it as my navigation. When downtown, I'd look for it to get my northerly bearings.
The view is great- who gets tired of the downtown/water/mountains view. I love it! Great place to make someone fall in love with the city. And maybe fall in love with you? I think it's a great date spot, assuming the date has never been there before. Otherwise, people seem to have mixed reactions to repeat visits. I love em, but others like to skip it.
Vancouver Lookout at Harbour Centre
10/13/2008
I had a really good time here as a tourist. It wasn't very expensive and it was definitely worth going to at night because the lights are so pretty. I also enjoyed the pictures that are aligned with the view. Very cool and interesting history but not too exhausting.
Even better, it wasn't very crowded.
Definitely a place to go your first time around in Vancouver.
Vancouver Lookout at Harbour Centre
10/18/2008
This place is actually a really good spot to hold cocktail hour business meetings. You can set up a bar from the central room and your attendees can enjoy networking and munching on catered goodies and roam around looking at the 360 degree view and return to the mingling. Good doing business times...
Vancouver Lookout at Harbour Centre
10/21/2008
Want an added bonus to shopping at the Harbour Centre's more than 30 stores on ground level? When you're tired of looking into windows, take an elevator ride (admission charged) up to look out of them, and have the city literally at your feet. The observation deck offers sweeping vistas of everything Vancouver is known for: mountains, sea, sky, and cityscape. It's not as tall as the CN Tower, but it'll do. Grab a quick bite at the food court or have a respite at the rotating restaurant with a view up top.
Vancouver Lookout at Harbour Centre
8/14/2008
It's certainly a touristy place to go. Here's a secret, save your money and just go up to the restaurant instead. You get the view and you can get food and eat and enjoy. It's a far better deal.
Vancouver Lookout at Harbour Centre
9/18/2008
Had fun. This is a place to take the family for some good scenic views. You can get some good people watching on. It's amazing what you can see..... LOL
Vancouver Lookout at Harbour Centre
9/13/2009
always chekin out cool stuff. and this is one of them in Vancouver BC.
