2023 Guide to Coal Harbour, Vancouver, BC, Canada
This is the 2023 Complete Guide to Coal Harbour in Vancouver, BC, Canada.
Coal Harbour is a small bay off of Burrard Inlet in downtown Vancouver. It is also the name of the neighbourhood that borders it.
It is named Coal Harbour because it does contain coal. It once stretched almost all the way to Second Beach in Stanley Park and contained Lost Lagoon, but has been cut off by the Stanley Park Causeway.
Over the last 20 years, the neighbourhood has been developed into one of the priciest and vibrant neighbourhoods of Vancouver with thousands of condos, it's own seawall, parks, attractions, monuments, statues, and restaurants!
This page will describe the things on the south side of Coal Harbour. The north side of Coal Harbour (Vancouver Rowing Club, Royal Vancouver Yacht Club, Deadman's Island, Hallelujah Point, Nine O'Clock Gun, etc.) are discussed in the Stanley Park part of this web site.
Coal Harbour Attractions and Things to See
Coal Harbour Seawall
The Coal Harbour Seawall is a seaside walkway that runs from Stanley Park to the Vancouver Trade and Convention Centre. Along the way, there a number of restaurants, marinas, hotels, parks, monuments, and art works!
Canada Place
Canada Place is the original Vancouver Trade and Convention Centre and Cruise Ship terminal. It has been a Vancouver landstrong since it opened as part of Expo 86 with it's 5 distinctive sails and it's design to look like a ship. It is also home to Fly Over Canada, Port of Vancouver Discovery Centre, and the Discovery Trail.
At night, the 5 sails may be lit up in different colours.
2010 Olympic Cauldron
The 2010 Olympic Cauldron is the official Olympic flame originally from Greece. This cauldron was built for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games which were hosted by Vancouver.
Jack Poole Plaza
The Jack Poole Plaza is a plaza outside the Vancouver Trade and Convention Centre.
The main attractions at the Jack Poole Plaza are the 2010 Winter Olympics Flame Cauldron and the Digital Orca Sculpture.
There are 2 casual food restaurant/bars and a cafe/wine bar located here.
Some large events such as Canada Day Celebrations and the Vancouver Christmas stronget take place at Jack Poole Plaza.
Vancouver Trade and Convention Centre
The Vancouver Trade and Convention Centre underwent a huge expansion for the 2010 Winter Olympics and now can host some of the largest conventions in the world. Also, it is home to the TED talks!
Vancouver Cruise Ship Terminal
The Vancouver Cruise Ship Terminal is located at Canada Place in Coal Harbour.
Devonian Harbour Park
Devonian Harbour Park is a serene park right near the entrance to Stanley Park. Originally, it was cleared and lived on by families from Hawaii!
Vancouver Harbour Flight Centre Seaplane Terminal
The Coal Harbour Seaplane Terminal is an airport that is located on the water at the end of the new Vancouver Trade and Convention Centre.
Port of Vancouver Discovery Centre
The Port of Vancouver Discovery Centre is a place where you can go to learn about the Port of Vancouver including it's history. It has displays and has free admission.
Fly Over Canada
Fly Over Canada is a family friendly theme park-like amusement ride that simulates you flying across Canada from East to West.
It is located at Canada Place.
Coal Harbour Community Centre
The Coal Harbour Community Centre is primarily for the residents of the Coal Harbour neighbourhood.
It has rooms that are used for community workshops, events, gatherings, and fitness activities.
Coal Harbour Marina
The Coal Harbour Marina is a large marina located right in front on the Coal Harbour Community Centre.
Harbour Green Park
Harbour Green Park is the main park in Coal Harbour. It consists of two large grass sections separated by the Tapshack restaurant and Children's Water park.
First Known Aids Memorial
The First Known AIDS memorial is a grove of Cherry Trees located near Coal Harbour.
It was kept a secret until very recently when it was made public and a plaque was installed.
The plaque says:
FIRST KNOWN AIDS MEMORIAL
Planted on October 20, 1985
The grove was planted, and this plaque donated, by staff, friends, and loved ones of AIDS Vancouver.
This grove of cherry trees is a living monument, planted in loving memory of those we lost in the very early days of the AIDs epidemic here in Vancouver.
The first fallen pink petals were followed by too many others. Gone, but never forgotten.
Coal Harbour Activities and Things to Do
Children's Water Park in Coal Harbour
Coal Harbour Events
Canada Day at Canada Place
Canada Day at Canada Place is the largest Canada Day(July 1) celebration west of Ottawa! There are lots of free music, activities, and displays. Also, there is a fireworks display in the evening.
Weekly Movies at Canada Place
UPDATE: This event has been cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to Covid. We are not sure if it will resume in 2022.
Weekly Zumba
UPDATE: This event has been cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to Covid. We are not sure if it will resume in 2022.
New Year's Eve Celebrations
UPDATE: THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED FOR 2019 and 2020.
It is supposed to resume in 2023, but at False Creek near ScienceWorld.
Vancouver's largest New Year's Eve Celebration used to take place at the Vancouver Trade and Convention Centre. There were paid events within the centre. There were 2 free fireworks shows: 9pm for the children and midnight for adults!
Statues/Monuments/Memorials/Plaques in Coal Harbour
Nike Statue
The Nike Statue was a present to Vancouver from the City of Ancient Olympia in Greece for hosting the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games!
Komagata Maru Monument
The Komagata Maru Monument is a monument to a sad time in Vancouver history, 1914, when the steamship Komagata Maru arrived in Vancouver carrying indians from India. They were denied entry to Canada and were sent back to India.
Coal Harbour Fellowship Bell
The Coal Harbour Fellowship Bell is a bell and plaques that have a lot of names on them! Not sure what is it commemorating! If you know, please contact us!
Art at Coal Harbour
Aerodynamic Forms in Space
The Aerodynamic Forms in Space Artwork is a piece of art near the entrance to Stanley Park in Devonian Park.
F Grass Art Work
The F Grass artwork was a recent temporary artwork by the famous chinese artist Ai Weiwei that has appeared in Coal Harbour.
This art work is no longer there.
Meeting Art Work
The artwork, Meeting, was a temporary piece of art in Coal Harbour by artist Wang Shugan. It is no longer there, but was interesting because it was a bunch of red men squatting in a circle.
This art work is no longer there.
The Drop
Artist: Inges Idee, Germany. Located outside the new Vancouver Convention Centre at the North East corner of the outside walkway.
Candelabrum
Artist: Germaine Koh, British Columbia. Located outside the new Vancouver Convention Centre at ???.
Floats
Artist: Jaakko Pernu, Finland. Located hanging from the ceilings in the lobby of the new Vancouver Convention Centre.
Permanent Light
Artist: Derek Root, British Columbia. Located in the floor of the new Vancouver Convention Centre in ???what area???.
Successful Journey
Artist: Joseph Wilson, British Columbia. Located in the new Vancouver Convention Centre in ???what area???.
Line of Work
Artist: Jill Anholt, British Columbia. Located just outside the new Vancouver Convention Centre on the west side on the living roof where the living roof angles down to the walkway.
Big Hour and People of BC
Artist: Roy Arden, British Columbia. Located inside the new Vancouver Convention Centre in ???what area???.
Human Spirit
Artist: Susan Point, British Columbia. Located inside the new Vancouver Convention Centre in ???what area???.
Interpretive Panels
Located at various points around the new Vancouver Convention Centre are a number of interpretive panels describing historical Vancouver events and things.
Coast Salish Gallery
Art works of various artists are shown in the Coast Salish Gallery in the new Vancouver Trade and Convention Centre.
BC Artists Gallery
Art works of various artists are shown in the BC Artists Gallery in the new Vancouver Trade and Convention Centre.
Coal Harbour Restaurants/Bars/Pubs/Cafes
There are a number of bars, pubs, restaurants, and cafes at Coal Harbour where you can have breakfast, lunch, brunch, and dinner or just a coffee or a beer! There is a restaurant for all your dining experiences. These are all restaurants that are near the Vancouver Trade and Convention Centre.
Cactus Club - Coal Harbour
The Cactus Club is a large full menu restaurant located right on Jack Poole Plaza next to the Vancouver Convention Centre.
Cardero's Restaurant and Marine Pub
Cardero's is primarily a seafood restaurant that is located literally on the water (actually on pilings) in Coal Harbour!
It is an upscale seafood dining experience. It also has a large covered outdoor patio.
Address: 1583 Coal Harbour Quay, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Phone/Reservations: 604-669-7666
Website: Cardero's Restaurant website
Hours: Daily 11:30am - Midnight(kitchen closes 11pm, 10pm on Sundays)
Tapshack Eatery -Coal Harbour
The Tapshack Eatery restaurant is located right on the Coal Harbour Seawall in Harbour Green Park.
It is just down the stairs from the corner of Bute and Cordova streets. This is a small restaurant that has a large outdoor patio. This is a great place to go in the summer to sit outside with a great view of Coal Harbour and the northshore mountains!
Address: 1199 West Cordova St, Vancouver, BC, V6E4R5
Phone: 604-687-6455
Email: coalharbour@tapshack.ca
Website: tapshack.ca
Hours: Mon-Thu 11am-10pm, Fri 11am-late, Sat 10am-late, Sun 10am-10am
Tap and Barrel
The Tap and Barrel is a brewpub restaurant located right on Jack Poole Plaza. It has a large outdoor patio.
Lift Bar and Grill
Lift Bar and Grill is an upscale restaurant located right on Coal Harbour.
H2 Rotisserie and Bar in Westin Bayshore Hotel
Cafe Villagio
This is a small cafe on the Coal Harbour Seawall.
Casa Dolce
This is a small coffee and gelato cafe on the Coal Harbour Seawall.
Hotels at Coal Harbour
Westin Bayshore Hotel
The Westin Bayshore Hotel is a luxury hotel right on Coal Harbour and very close to Stanley Park.
Coal Harbour Services
Yacht Rentals
Club 16 Fitness Club
This is a fitness club located in the Vancouver Trade and Convention Centre-West. This fitness club is owned by Trevor Linden, the legendary NHL Hockey player who was a long-time captain of the Vancouver Canucks and is currently the hockey club's President.
Coal Harbour History
Captain Henry Richards on HMS Plumber found coal here in 1859 and named it Coal Harbour. Unfortunately, there wasn't enough coal to make it economical to mine.
General
Parking in Coal Harbour
Most of the Coal Harbour neighbourhood has residential only parking whereby residents need to purchase a parking permit.
There are a few parking lots and street meter parking.
Public Washrooms at Coal Harbour
There are public washrooms at Harbour Green Park next to the Children's Water Park and Tap Shack restaurant.
Frequently Asked Questions about Coal Harbour
These are the frequently asked questions about Coal Harbour
Where is Coal Harbour?
Coal Harbour is an inlet of water in Burrard Inlet in Vancouver, BC, Canada. Coal Harbour borders Stanley Park, the Coal Harbour residential neighbourhood, and downtown Vancouver.
What is Coal Harbour Known For?
Can you swim in Coal Harbour?
Why is it called Coal Harbour?
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