Cathedral Square
Cathedral Square
2.5
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Beautiful, peaceful park right in the middle of downtown Vancouver.
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: Central
How to get there
- Granville • 2 min walk
- Vancouver City Centre • 4 min walk
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2,492 within 3 miles
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484 within 6 miles
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
2.5
17 reviews
Excellent
0
Very good
2
Average
5
Poor
7
Terrible
3
IAN D
Wigan, UK19,162 contributions
Oct 2019 • Solo
In front of the cathedral but sadly this square does not have the appeal of the cathedral. Very rundown and not really a pleasant place to visit.
Written October 11, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
PookyCake
Victoria, Canada13,605 contributions
Sep 2022
Established in 1986 (just in time for Expo), Cathedral Square is a small 0.27 hectare urban park. Located directly across the street from the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary (see my earlier review on this site), the City of Vancouver has described this little space as “an invigorating yet graceful park.” Upon visiting Cathedral Square, I’m left wondering how the city came up with that description? In its current state, the park is neither invigorating nor graceful – it’s sad. There’s a bit of dull grass, algae filled “pond,” trees along the park’s border, and a whole lot of concrete. I’m far more inclined to agree with earlier TripAdvisor reports, which note that the park is “Run down” and “Not Worth A Visit.” At least Art Phillips Park has the annual cherry blossom bloom to offset its urban atmosphere. Cathedral Square, to my observation, doesn’t have much. Or, maybe I’m being too harsh? It does host a couple of beehives; and, new murals – installed in 2021 – give a bit of colour to the concrete pillars at the park’s far end. Okay, no, these still don’t make Cathedral Square a “must visit” destination.
I think, at day’s end, this park is more interesting for its brief history. It has much less to do with the beautiful cathedral across the street and more to do with functionality, of sorts. Yes, the park was established in time for Expo ’86, but I think that was more coincidence than anything else. Why? Well, the park is an integral component of a major underground BC Hydro substation. The park is meant to hide that and beautify the city . . . though it’s not very successful on the latter!
Anyway, would I make a special trip just to visit this “invigorating” park? No. I would, however, patronize the cathedral across the street – now that is worth a visit!
I think, at day’s end, this park is more interesting for its brief history. It has much less to do with the beautiful cathedral across the street and more to do with functionality, of sorts. Yes, the park was established in time for Expo ’86, but I think that was more coincidence than anything else. Why? Well, the park is an integral component of a major underground BC Hydro substation. The park is meant to hide that and beautify the city . . . though it’s not very successful on the latter!
Anyway, would I make a special trip just to visit this “invigorating” park? No. I would, however, patronize the cathedral across the street – now that is worth a visit!
Written November 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
bucketlisttravellers
Sydney, Australia3,783 contributions
Dec 2019 • Couples
This park is just across the road from the cathedral. It's not much to look at, but it has been a bee sanctuary for a couple of years and there are a couple of hives here.
Written December 18, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
JoeNathan9249
Saint Paul, MN5,921 contributions
Jun 2017 • Solo
An older cathedral and a relaxed park across the street. The park now features efforts to promote pollination via including several bee hives. There are a number of places to sit, relax and enjoy the green space.
Having said that, I would not make a special trip to come here. But if you are in the area, it's a good place to sit and relax.
Having said that, I would not make a special trip to come here. But if you are in the area, it's a good place to sit and relax.
Written June 10, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Rumples
Tucson, AZ11,392 contributions
Nov 2016 • Couples
This small (less than 3/4 of an acre) "green" space has nothing to warrant a special visit.unless you're in the area and want to take a rest on a bench or a photo of the Holy Rosary Cathedral across the street. The area consists mostly of concrete and a big aqua-colored pool that looks more like a swimming pool rather than a decorative feature for a square.There are some trees on two sides but they failed to add anything to the scene in November
Behind the pool rises a big concrete platform with fat concrete pillars that hold in place a strange arrangement of blue steel girders. Perhaps this was the start of an overhead platform cover that never got completed. Whatever happened, this part of the square simply looks strange.
No one was in the park when we entered the cathedral early on a Saturday afternoon. But when we emerged, I saw a man putting the platform to use. He threw pieces of bread there to dozens of seagulls. These squawking birdes made the square even more uninviting.
Behind the pool rises a big concrete platform with fat concrete pillars that hold in place a strange arrangement of blue steel girders. Perhaps this was the start of an overhead platform cover that never got completed. Whatever happened, this part of the square simply looks strange.
No one was in the park when we entered the cathedral early on a Saturday afternoon. But when we emerged, I saw a man putting the platform to use. He threw pieces of bread there to dozens of seagulls. These squawking birdes made the square even more uninviting.
Written November 13, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
coalharborvan
Vancouver, Canada223 contributions
Mar 2014 • Solo
This is one of the ugliest and poorly designed urban squares I've ever seen. Completely unnatractive and full of vagrants. Avoid.
Written March 8, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
GC
Wakefield, UK2,651 contributions
Aug 2019 • Couples
Could be a beautiful tranquil place to sit but it isn’t. It’s a concrete square with lots of litter and vagrants. Such a shame as the church is a beautiful piece of architecture.
Written August 27, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
on_the_go_98765
Tucson18,308 contributions
Jul 2019 • Couples
How else can that blue cage of imposing, unfriendly metal go away? Harry Potter! Give us a hand here! Once, this served as the frame for a covering intended to produce shade and protection from the elements but its skeleton does nothing to make this square welcoming in the "here and now".
The grounds are neglected and the pond isn't serving the purpose of being a place to reflect and relax. Grass is nearly non-existent and litter (leaf and human) is everywhere. But the public art mural on the retaining wall is really worth viewing.
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The mural project was designed as public art by street-involved youth artists. The mural tells so many stories but one shows the world on fire and the skateboard theme does run through the mural. I'd come back again, just to look at this involved piece of mosaic art.
Across the street is the historic 1899 Catholic Church (Cathedral of our Lady of the Holy Rosary). There is a bench out front with a sculpture of a man sleeping under a hooded wrap, and his feet speak volumes about who he is (look at the nail holes). The homeless do lay their own blankets down in Cathedral Square. There's a nexus here.
From the square, the church is quite spectacular; the spires and architectural features really dominate a photo lens.
The grounds are neglected and the pond isn't serving the purpose of being a place to reflect and relax. Grass is nearly non-existent and litter (leaf and human) is everywhere. But the public art mural on the retaining wall is really worth viewing.
.
The mural project was designed as public art by street-involved youth artists. The mural tells so many stories but one shows the world on fire and the skateboard theme does run through the mural. I'd come back again, just to look at this involved piece of mosaic art.
Across the street is the historic 1899 Catholic Church (Cathedral of our Lady of the Holy Rosary). There is a bench out front with a sculpture of a man sleeping under a hooded wrap, and his feet speak volumes about who he is (look at the nail holes). The homeless do lay their own blankets down in Cathedral Square. There's a nexus here.
From the square, the church is quite spectacular; the spires and architectural features really dominate a photo lens.
Written August 4, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Chrisinkingwood2
Houston, TX5,678 contributions
Jan 2019 • Solo
I believe I saw a sign explaining some new renovations to be done but this park has seen better days. Maybe folks who frequent local shelters and soup kitchens use it. I saw sleeping bags stored in some bushes and trash was everywhere. The smell of urine was pretty strong.
Written January 25, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
BMaud1
Bedford, IN265 contributions
Jul 2018 • Family
Met here for a tour and there were a lot of weeds and trash. Doesn't appear it is well maintained. Church is beautiful.
Written July 21, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Cathedral Square (Vancouver) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Cathedral Square
- Hotels near Cathedral Square:
- (0.02 mi) Urban Hideaway Guesthouse
- (0.03 mi) St Clair Hotel - Hostel
- (0.07 mi) St. Regis Hotel
- (0.10 mi) Victorian Hotel
- (0.17 mi) L'Hermitage Hotel
- Restaurants near Cathedral Square:
- (0.01 mi) Big Bowl
- (0.01 mi) Dae Ji
- (0.02 mi) Ramen Gojiro
- (0.04 mi) Pokérrito
- (0.07 mi) Gotham Steakhouse & Cocktail Bar