Vancouver's Strangest Places - An In-Depth Guided Tour from Two Expert Guides

Рет қаралды 12,110

Күн бұрын

Like this video? Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe. Leave a comment and tell me about your favourite place or story in Vancouver. You know I want to know!
In this video, Jessica the Museum Guide (that’s me!) and Alasdair Butcher, owner of Vancouver DeTours, take you on a detailed guided tour of the oddities of their hometown, Vancouver. We show off our Vancouver-themed tattoos, tell some personal stories, and shake our heads at how bizarre our weird city really is, despite its ‘liveable’ reputation.
0:00 - Introduction to the tour
1:23 - Land Acknowledgement
1:37 - Dr Sun Yat Sen Garden and its Murderous Otter
7:25 - The Vancouver Police Museum's Coroner's Court and Morgue
11:03 - The Sam Kee Building - The World's Skinniest Commercial Building
13:58 - Save-On-Meats and Vancouver's Neon History
16:56 - The Museum of Vancouver - Smilin' Buddha Cabaret
18:47 - The Ovaltine Cafe and Hollywood North
22:43 - Blood Alley - A Long Con
26:53 - Leg-in-Boot Square - Strangely True
28:07 - Vancouver's Dismembered Feet
30:15 - The Sun Tower's Fake Copper Roof
32:54 - Dude Chilling Park
35:14 - Holy Rosary Cathedral and Acid Al Hubbard, The Johnny Appleseed of LSD
38:55 - Floating Gas Stations and McBarge
41:05 - The Marine Building's Art Deco Splendour
We start at the stunning and unique Sun Yat Sen Gardens to investigate a blood-thirsty otter, and then Jess takes you on a tour of the Vancouver Police Museum, housed in an art deco morgue. Get ready to learn more than you ever wanted to know about Errol Flynn’s genitals!
Next, we’ll measure ourselves against the world’s shallowest building, the Sam Kee Building, and utter harsh words to Pittsburgh. Jess then takes you on a deep dive into the city’s illustrious neon history at the Museum of Vancouver, Save On Meats, and the Ovaltine Café (where we have a grilled cheese and talk about the X-Files).
It's on Blood Alley, where Alasdair details the history (or lack thereof) of the name, followed by a truly macabre name origin, Leg-In-Boot Square, and the mystery of the washed up feet that plague Vancouver’s shores.
Jessica explains the long con of the Sun Tower (where her granny worked!) and visits two dudes in Dude Chilling Park, and then Ali and Jess recount the Catholic church that once preached LSD from the pulpit. Yes - church-sanctioned acid trips.
We finish with the floating gas stations and McBarge, before touring the magical Marine Building, an art deco masterpiece.
As always, thanks for watching. Be sure to leave your comments and questions below. If you enjoyed this virtual tour, then please consider leaving me a tip at paypal.me/jessicatourguide or buy me a coffee at www.buymeacoffee.com/JessicaG... (I promise I’ll give Ali half!)
If you’re booking a trip to Vancouver, book a tour with Alasdair - get in touch at www.vancouverdetours.ca/
Remember - if you’re planning a trip to London, you can book a tour with me. Email me at jessica@themuseumguide.com.
You can also book fantastic Vancouver excursions and attractions here at Get Your Guide - check them out for discounts on attraction tickets. www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=van...
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Пікірлер: 101

@jenniferryersejones9876 8 ай бұрын

A part 2 AND a radical Vancouver, please and thank you! My best friend moved to BC in the early 90's. When I went to visit her, the only thing on my itinerary was the Police Museum. When we got there, it was closed for reno's. I whined at the kind man who came to the door and he let us come in and we had the museum all to ourselves. Eudon Rhymer, wherever you are, thank you forever, for allowing us in and becoming a huge bright spot in my memory. I do wish this small town girl had been brave enough to agree for the three of us to go to lunch. Thank you so much for this tour, Jessica. I must admit to being sad about all the changes that have taken place in Vancouver. There's improvement, then there's what happened to so many unique aspects of the city, massive loss of character.

@rixx46 8 ай бұрын

Thanks for this - I have lived in Vancouver since '79 and enjoy these little islands of interest, too. Pierre Burtron said, "Vancouver is not a beautiful city - it's a beautiful PLACE for a city" ...! Too true.

@erinm9159 Жыл бұрын

I have lived here in Van for over 26 years now and although I have visited some of these places on field trips with my kids when they were in school you have taught me more to visit on staycations. I would love more videos. Thank you!

@TheMuseumGuide Жыл бұрын

You're very welcome! I also visited these places as a kid during field trips - it is so nice to visit them again as an adult.

@That_Emily 7 ай бұрын

i love how my favourite channels are often the fellow Canadians ❤

@TheMuseumGuide 7 ай бұрын

We have a uniquely strange sensibility ;)

@rae-annpochinkogleig875 Жыл бұрын

You’re from Vancouver! Thank you for shining the spotlight on our city 😊 & yes, create more please

@TheMuseumGuide Жыл бұрын

I am! I live in the UK, but I visit YVR around twice per year. :)

@amb163 Жыл бұрын

Part 2 AND a Radical Vancouver tour, please! Now I want to visit Van City!

@TheMuseumGuide Жыл бұрын

It's a great city for a holiday!

@WesRegan Жыл бұрын

So good! You hit such a diverse selection of odd places and curious events. I learned several fascinating new things and I've lived in this town for nearly 25 years. Super fun, thanks for doing this both of you.

@TheMuseumGuide Жыл бұрын

Thanks so much Wes!

@sophiemarcaurele Жыл бұрын

The Marine building, yasss! ❤ 🌊 🚢 🦑 You forgot another name for the city... Hongkouver. It’s heartbreaking that we’re also know internationally for the infamous term “the Vancouver Model” - even the New York Times wrote an article about it 😕 How lovely the city would look if we somehow preserved all the neons, or replace them and create many more! I went to take photos of the now-closed MovieLand Arcades on Granville, I hope they will save the old sign. Granville looks ugly to me now, especially after the “embellishments” before the 2010 olympics, when they cut the tall cherry trees which would explode in fragrant pink blooms all along the street 🌸 🍒 Thank you for this video, it was a random KZfaq recommendation and now I want to go visit about! I def would love to see a whole series about Vancouver ❤😊❤

@TheMuseumGuide Жыл бұрын

Thank you for watching! I would never use that nickname, because it would really hurt my Chinese loved ones’ feelings, and it’s quite a racist term. I miss the cherry trees too!

@lightpinkmommy Жыл бұрын

That was great thank you ❣️ I have lived in Vancouver most of my life but I want a tour with you guys

@TheMuseumGuide Жыл бұрын

Yes! You should book one with Ali. I’m very picky about my guides, and he’s the best.

@BlueZebraism Жыл бұрын

I KNEW you were a fellow Canadian! Couldn't mistake that accent! 😄 Haven't been to Vancouver in years. Definitely time to head back.

@TheMuseumGuide Жыл бұрын

Hopefully this video will help you plan a cool trip!

@chrisball3778 Жыл бұрын

Another fantastic tour. You've definitely put Vancouver on the list of places I'd love to visit. The 'radical Vancouver' video idea sounds great.

@TheMuseumGuide Жыл бұрын

So happy to hear that! Definitely look Ali up when you visit.

@chrisball3778 Жыл бұрын

@@TheMuseumGuide Will try to if I ever get the chance.

@sophiemarcaurele Жыл бұрын

Yes, I want to see “Radical Vancouver” as well! My hood, Kitsilano, used to be quite the hippie hub. There’s a vegetarian restaurant on 4th that’s been the GQ of many hippies over decades, the Naam: lovely service, big portions of classic fares like the fries and miso gravy, eclectic music and opened 24/7 pre-pandemic. A sale sign recently popped on the building... now we’re holding our breath to see if this institution will fall prey to the development greed 😬😕

@LSCORREA77 Жыл бұрын

Excellent video! Thanks!

@TheMuseumGuide Жыл бұрын

You’re very welcome!

@givenitupforreal Жыл бұрын

Awesome! Extremely engaging. Thank you for putting this together, and yes please do a RadicaL Vancouver Vid!

@TheMuseumGuide Жыл бұрын

Thank you!

@azuresea8086 Жыл бұрын

Fascinating! Jessica, you make brilliant videos of both the creepy and mundane variety!

@TheMuseumGuide Жыл бұрын

Glad you like them!

@azuresea8086 Жыл бұрын

That Marine Building could be an entire vlog on it's own - or an entire "Tatt-Tour". LOL :)

@TheMuseumGuide Жыл бұрын

What a silly - but fruitful - mistake!

@azuresea8086 Жыл бұрын

Genius!😀

@samanthaeastman 8 ай бұрын

I'd love to see more on Vancouver!

@djrendell 8 ай бұрын

Born & raised here in Vancouver. Live in Chinatown just down the street from where Jimi Hendrix grandmother had her Chicken cafe & where they had Jimi Hendrix museum *no longer there. I actually worked at the Smilin Buddha in the 70's & 80's, Lachman Jir owned it then. Have been to all of these places you showed in this video. Just stumbled onto your KZfaq channel a few days ago & finding your videos quite interesting. Keep up the great work & thankyou for sharing them with us.🙂

@coryharry7300 Жыл бұрын

Loved this! Vancouver born & raised. If you haven’t done one already, I would love a haunted Vancouver tour; guarantee there’s something going on in Gaoler’s Mews and the building space underneath.

@TheMuseumGuide Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for watching! Sadly, Gaoler’s Mews is another embellished story without any truth to it- the same era as Blood Alley!

@sophiemarcaurele Жыл бұрын

After working events there, I def think the Hycroft mansion is haunted, brrrrrrr. 😱😨😬

@coryharry7300 Жыл бұрын

@@sophiemarcaurele I wouldn’t be surprised! Lots of history there. And even though she totally blew me off, I can tell you there’s something going on around Gaoler’s Mews (in Gas Town) as well - another area with a lot of history.

@blackyulip Жыл бұрын

Great video! Thanks so much for the love and perspective.

@TheMuseumGuide Жыл бұрын

You are so welcome!

@robertcombs55 9 күн бұрын

You are a Gifted Tour Guide!! Amazed at how clean Canada is!; I live in Baton Rouge; a filthy drug infested mess...

@rixx46 8 ай бұрын

Love your London videos - next time you are home, it might be fun for you to make a video of filming locations made famous in Vancouver

@TheMuseumGuide 7 ай бұрын

Thanks for the idea!

@stop-the-greed Жыл бұрын

Hi . Much love from the UK .

@TheMuseumGuide Жыл бұрын

Thanks! I’m in the UK- I was just visiting my hometown here, but I live in the Southeast. :)

@connieleung8256 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the info. Yes, I like part 2 of my hometown.

@TheMuseumGuide Жыл бұрын

You’re very welcome!

@Olafjabberwocky 6 күн бұрын

wish I'd seen this when we went to Vancouver back in 2000. And I can confirm I got sunburn there !!! great holiday that was on the Rocky mountaineer ... would love to go back to finish off the tour thru to Nova Scotia where my mum and dad lived for time during WW2 nick

@pwhite2579 Жыл бұрын

very interesting ! You know your city! keep them coming.

@TheMuseumGuide Жыл бұрын

Thank you!

@jaredcampbell Жыл бұрын

Love this!! Thank you for the video. Would love more videos on Vancouver. I had no idea that Errol Flynn died 3 blocks from where I live.

@TheMuseumGuide Жыл бұрын

You’re very welcome! I plan on doing another Vancouver video in the future. :) Radical Vancouver!

@steveholden7117 Жыл бұрын

More Vancouver videos please, I live in the UK and visit Vancouver twice a year, been to many of the places included

@TheMuseumGuide Жыл бұрын

We'll film Radical Vancouver in the Spring. :)

@AllenJones206 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for this. I live in Seattle, and come up to Vancouver when I can. I have new list of places to visit from this video! Tell me more about Vancouver!!

@TheMuseumGuide Жыл бұрын

I was actually going to make a video about Seattle, too! But we were just too busy in Vancouver. Next time!

@vivianzickerman302 7 ай бұрын

I’ve lived here all my life my father worked at the sun building he is 101 Know I miss the lights and Woodward building for the Xmas displays. And all the musicians from late 60s and 70s thanks for the history.🌈

@TheMuseumGuide 7 ай бұрын

You’re very welcome! Maybe he and my granny knew each other. 🥰

@cherylmaden5989 5 ай бұрын

Those elevator doors would be an amazing tattoo!

@TheMuseumGuide 5 ай бұрын

Don’t give me and Ali any ideas!

@tamarrajames3590 Жыл бұрын

Very cool! I lived in Vancouver for 10 years in the 60s and 70s, and still have family there and on the Island. I thoroughly enjoyed revisiting along with you. Thank you for sharing. PS: I’d love a video about radical Vancouver…I was there.🖤🇨🇦

@TheMuseumGuide Жыл бұрын

That’s amazing! Thank you so much for watching.

@tamarrajames3590 Жыл бұрын

@@TheMuseumGuide It is always a pleasure to watch your content.🖤🇨🇦

@daphnewilliams8546 6 ай бұрын

I’m surprised you didn’t mention my favourite fact of the police museum! According to city of Vancouver official planning, it is still listed as an emergency location for mass causality events for body storage.

@TheMuseumGuide 6 ай бұрын

I did actually know that! It just slipped my mind. I’m not sure how, as I’ve spent a lot of time in the overflow morgue. 😨

@alannabaker8293 4 ай бұрын

Hi east van gal... Also team Otter.. I love telling visitors this battle..

@TheMuseumGuide 4 ай бұрын

🦦🦦🦦

@cravingglory Жыл бұрын

"Blood Alley" I used to love going to Hombres there when I was a kid.

@TheMuseumGuide Жыл бұрын

Such a great memory! Thanks for watching.

@gerryboudreaultboudreault2608 8 ай бұрын

..also in or near downtown eastside: the famous Steam Clock in Gastown? And elsewhere the big 'golfball' Science World? (contains an Omnimax theatre). Also the Maritime Museum which contains the old N. W. Passage ship the St. Roche. And yes, a littele house dedicated to Jimi Hendrix's grandmother who lived there. Many movies & TV filmed hereabouts..

@ashtraydekay6624 5 ай бұрын

Sorry for all the comments, all in one day, but I live in Vancouver! Lol also in Sun Yat Sen garden is where some of my daughters first steps were taken! In the water garden area. Please do a Vancouver true crime video series!!!!! Also the radical Vancouver series would be amazing! Allister is pretty cool too! The ovaltine had a fire and almost closed, it was boarded up for a few months it just opened back up. And omg, when you showed blood alley @23:14 that is my works dumpster, I've worked for a place called MeeT for quite a few years! The entrance from the alley is where the blue construction fence is......you can barely see the red sign. Sorry I will quit geeking out....

@TheMuseumGuide 3 ай бұрын

Take a tour with Ali! He runs Vancouver DeTours.

@sandyclaflin2844 7 ай бұрын

I would suggest that in the future you should mention what country you are in. Especially, 9:17 when there are two Vancouver's with in driving distance of each other.

@johnnyboyvan Жыл бұрын

Been to all these places. Some haunted places for sure. A pure Vancouverite ✨️ all my life. Stop all that name changing.

@TheMuseumGuide Жыл бұрын

I’m a full proponent of name changing! We’ve always done it throughout history.

@Maria_Barcelos Жыл бұрын

#TeamKoi Poor Madonna deserved more. Loved this video! I knew nothing about Vancouver and I learned the most intrested things ( in my opinion lol). And yes, a video about true crimes would be amazing! :)

@TheMuseumGuide Жыл бұрын

Poor Madonna! Thanks for watching.

@kandipiatkowski8589 2 ай бұрын

I keep offering to give a tour of my honwtown (Wichita, KS), but I have not had anyone take me up on it. Granted, I don't have some of the details that you two have, I do belong to our local historic preservation group, so I do know a few special things.

@danclayberger770 11 ай бұрын

Jessica. Could you provide a list of all of your guides. It is difficult for me to try and find all of the ones on line.

@TheMuseumGuide 11 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching, Dan! If you click on my name “the Museum Guide” a list will come up. :) Here is the link: youtube.com/@TheMuseumGuide

@glc1183 Жыл бұрын

like your tuke-------

@TheMuseumGuide Жыл бұрын

Thanks! I'm repping Herschel, a Vancouver brand!

@St.Linguini_of_Pesto Жыл бұрын

Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy.. I'm already trembling. There is a street named Blood Alley?😰 _WTF?!? was it given that name to lure creepy people?_

@TheMuseumGuide Жыл бұрын

You'll have to watch to find out!

@joannestarratt5060 Жыл бұрын

I live and born in Vancouver

@TheMuseumGuide Жыл бұрын

Born and raised there! But now I live in the UK.

@deborahmcquiston1771 13 күн бұрын

More of museum of the mind please

@TheMuseumGuide 13 күн бұрын

The one in London?

@deborahmcquiston1771 12 күн бұрын

@@TheMuseumGuide yes I think that would be really good

@lmp8932 Жыл бұрын

Yes please, we know little about Vancouver's crimes :)

@TheMuseumGuide Жыл бұрын

I find the Castellani Milkshake Murder the most interesting!

@sophiemarcaurele Жыл бұрын

And the young, unidentified First Nation boys murdered in Stanley park... 🤔😕

@That_Emily 7 ай бұрын

lmao remove the Koi then look for the otter, dont wait until its eaten almost all the fish

@TheMuseumGuide 7 ай бұрын

Right? 🤣

@REDSIX 21 күн бұрын

The delivery of everything is sooooooo dry. This ends up being sleep material.

@Budehgong 4 ай бұрын

My dude needs a pop filter or something

@TheMuseumGuide 4 ай бұрын

Sound is my biggest challenge. 🤦🏻‍♀️

@Clarkgriswood Жыл бұрын

Smiling Buddha is still around?

@TheMuseumGuide Жыл бұрын

No, but the sign is in the Museum of Vancouver!

@user-uq2ku2ul9g 3 ай бұрын

@TheMuseumGuide 3 ай бұрын

You’re very welcome!