Must-see shopping in British Columbia & The Canadian Rockies

  • Vancouver Studio Glass

    Vancouver

    Peer through the windows at this intriguing artisan glass studio and watch the team blow and twirl their stuff. There are plenty of works to purchase in…

  • Circle Craft

    Vancouver

    This large, bright cooperative gallery hawks a highly diverse and ever-changing array of BC arts and crafts, which could include bat-patterned ceramics,…

  • Coastal Peoples Fine Arts Gallery

    Gastown & Chinatown

    This two-level museum-like store showcases an eye-popping array of Inuit and Northwest Coast aboriginal jewelry, carvings and prints. On the high-art side…

  • Noize To Go

    Gastown & Chinatown

    Like hanging out with a buddy and checking out his cool record collection, dropping in for a chat with store-owner Dale at this tiny, vinyl-lined store is…

  • Armchair Books

    Whistler

    If your idea of après-ski is curling up with a book beside a hotel fireplace, body-swerve the noisy pubs that populate the gondola base-stations and head…

  • Mink Chocolates

    Vancouver

    If chocolate is the main food group in your book, follow your candy-primed nose to this choccy shop and cafe in the downtown core. Select from the…

  • Salt Spring Mercantile

    Salt Spring Island

    Eclectically stocked country market lined with everything from local produce to artisan knickknacks and even Trader Joe's products from the US, this is a…

  • Galiano Island Books

    British Columbia

    Sometimes the best bookshops are in the most improbable places. Servicing Galiano’s 1000+ residents and a flurry of summer visitors, this small but…

  • Net Loft

    Vancouver

    An indoor array of creative boutiques just across from the far-busier Public Market. Highlight stores include arts-and-crafty Paper-Ya, cave-like…

  • Dark Side Chocolates

    Vancouver Island

    Testament to Cumberland's hipster revival, this artisan chocolate shop is a delicious delight. Everything is made on-site but don't miss the dainty salted…

  • Eugene Choo

    Vancouver

    Behind the double-fronted, canary-yellow facade of this Main St favorite beats the heart of a store that pioneered the emergence of this area as Vancouver…

  • Much & Little

    Vancouver

    This enduringly popular store is a must for indie types. With a perfectly curated array of women's clothing plus superbly designed household goods and…

  • Tanner's Books

    Vancouver Island

    You can easily spend a leisurely afternoon perusing the selection at this cavernous corner bookstore with its large array of magazines and comprehensive…

  • Ditch Records

    Victoria

    A favorite record store among Victoria's retro-minded, Ditch is lined with iconic vinyl, plenty of CDs and many furtive music fans perusing releases by…

  • Refind

    Vancouver

    There's a great collection of tempting vintage offerings available here, everything from Bakelite clocks to 1970s cocktail shakers. The retro-loving store…

  • Silk Road

    Victoria

    A pilgrimage spot for fans of regular and exotic teas, where you can pick up all manner of leafy paraphernalia. Alternatively, sidle up to the tasting bar…

  • Trout Lake Farmers Market

    Vancouver

    One the city's largest farmers markets lures locals from East Vancouver and beyond with dozens of stalls hawking everything from fresh, local-grown…

  • Beacon Books

    Vancouver Island

    A multi-room town-center bookstore piled high with used books, all guarded by a house cat that may or may not let you stroke her (probably not). Look out…

  • Sechelt Farmers & Artisans Market

    British Columbia

    Combining fresh local produce (look out for seasonal BC peaches and cherries) with cool arts and crafts, this market is Sechelt's liveliest community hub …

  • Moss St Market

    Victoria

    Victoria's favorite farmers market is bustling with more than 100 stalls piled high with regional produce (look out for BC peaches) as well as arts and…

  • Talisman Books & Gallery

    British Columbia

    This is a good place to orient yourself for a tour of the islands' 20-plus art galleries. The bonus is that there's a small bookshop here as well, selling…

  • Victoria Public Market

    Victoria

    At this indoor market lined with artisan food businesses, tempting deli counters and food-court dining, you'll find everything from chocolate to cheese to…

  • Blackfoot Cultural Centre

    Southern Alberta

    A gift shop, bookstore and information desk for the Blackfeet Nation, this center is run by the nonprofit Waterton Natural History Association. You'll…

  • Bastion Sq Public Market

    Victoria

    This summer-long arts and crafts market is worth a sunny browse, accompanied by the sound of a zither-playing busker. You might even find a souvenir more…

  • James Bay Market

    Victoria

    An idyllic grassy spot to spend an hour wandering the stalls of local produce, regional arts and crafts, and naughty bakery treats. Look out for live…

  • Fan Tan Home & Style

    Victoria

    This popular Victoria fixture sells must-have furnishings, accessories and bath products – plus locally made artisan jewelry. It's located in a vintage…

  • Mountain Eagle Books

    Northern BC

    Stocks books and info on the area's thriving folk-music scene; the tiny cafe serves veggie soup and lunches, while the community noticeboard takes pride…

  • Chinese Tea Shop

    Gastown & Chinatown

    A pilgrimage site for visiting tea fans, this is an authentic spot to roll in, sip some leafy concoctions and discover some delightful new flavors to take…

  • Fantan Trading Ltd

    Victoria

    A labyrinthine Chinatown store hawking everything from paper lanterns to fake bonsai trees. It's hard not to find something to buy here.

  • Courthouse Gallery

    British Columbia

    Housed in the grand old 1909 former courthouse, this gallery has some of the best items produced by local artisans.

  • Ice House Gallery

    Prince Rupert

    See the bounty of Rupert's vibrant creative community at this artist-run cooperative gallery.

  • Otter Books

    British Columbia

    A good local indie with books and maps.

  • Half Fool

    Gastown & Chinatown

    An unusual juice bar–and–artisan boutique combo, this quirky Chinatown spot serves smoothies, coffees and treats at the back counter while also offering a…

  • Vancouver Pen Shop exterior

    Vancouver Pen Shop

    Vancouver

    Two things about this store are pleasingly old-fashioned: staff greet you and ask how they can help, and the items they're selling harken to a bygone age…

  • Exterior of Vancouver's landmark Canada Place  building

    Nineteen Ten

    Vancouver

    There's a highly tempting array of must-haves at this whimsical, wood-floored homewares boutique, from natural-fibre throws and sumptuous bath products to…

  • Argo Cafe exterior

    Giving Gifts & Company

    Vancouver

    Despite the twee name, this is a five-room cooperative representing local craft vendors and artisan businesses under one roof. From sock puppets to rustic…

  • Meinhardt Fine Foods

    Fairview & South Granville

    The culinary equivalent of a sex shop for food fans, this swanky deli and grocery emporium's narrow aisles are lined with international condiments, luxury…

  • Kool Thing Vintage

    Gastown & Chinatown

    When you're desperate for a retro band T-shirt to increase your street cred, check out the huge array of vintage examples here, ranging from Nirvana to…

  • Koko Monk

    Vancouver

    Expect to be greeted as soon as you step inside this white-walled little chocolate-shop-and-cafe combo, specializing in raw chocolate with sophisticated,…