Granville Island is one of my favourite spots in Vancouver. Yes, it's touristy, but it's also a great spot to meet local artists and to take in a piece of Vancouver history.

My preferred way to get to Granville Island is by Aquabus. When I arrive, I like heading straight to the super busy public market to find a snack or beverage.

But the real magic of Granville Island isn't the food or the shopping. It's the artists and their studios, the houseboats that line the north side of the walkway, and the people that come to enjoy time here. Every time I wander past the coffee shops and through the artist studios, I'm reminded why this place matters.

Granville Island has layers most visitors never see. Beneath the theatres, the kids' market, the restaurants, and the boutiques, there's a history of industry and reinvention. This place started as mudflats and concrete piles, evolved into a hub for manufacturing, and eventually transformed into the creative space it is today.