Week 2 of my birthday month

For a few years now, I have enjoyed taking a tour of my hometown city with Forbidden Vancouver Tours. This was the 3rd year now that I have thoroughly enjoyed being a tourist in my own city. I really truly highly encourage locals to indulge in these tours, not only does it support local businesses but it is also a COVID friendly social activity. The tours are all outside, you get fresh air and exercise and enrich your knowledge of local history.  Win Win!

The first tour I took was the “The Lost Souls of Gastown” tour.  Stroll cobblestone streets and immerse yourself in the dramatic sagas of historic Gastown’s sordid past. A unique performance theatre experience by your guide who is dressed in costume for the time period. As you follow the lamplight of your guide into Vancouver’s earliest and most gruesome history. You’ll step inside a world of murder, revenge, and true grit in a dramatic retelling of Victorian Gastown’s earliest stories. Tales of deadly fire and smallpox emerge from the shadows as you venture through cobblestone streets to the shocking finale in this unique performance-theatre experience.

The second tour I did was a mashup tour as I booked a couple guides to do a private tour in celebration of my birthday coupled with my great friend Danielle, whose birthday is just two days apart from mine. We booked a private tour, with two groups of people (approx. 30 people). The tour was essentially the “Forbidden Walking Tour” with a Jackelyn twist. We (they) created a series of quiz questions based on the newly acquired local knowledge and if the guests answers the questions incorrect, they had to do a jello shot.  On this tour we explored Vancouver’s dirtiest Prohibition-era secrets. From mobsters and rum-runners to corrupt politicians and rioters, this historical walking tour winds through Gastown and Victory Square’s most historic streets and alleyways – and most illicit stories.

Today, I took my third tour with Forbidden Vancouver Tour company. This was an afternoon spent exploring Vancouver’s prestigious Stanley Park in the “Dark Secrets of Stanley Park” tour. WOW, I had no idea the history of this park, the injustice of this park and the greed and capitalism that created this world renowned majestic 405-hectare masterpiece in the middle of Vancouver.

I highly recommend this company, their tour guides are much much more than just knowledge transfer professionals, they are trained in the arts and are true theatrical artists and storytellers. It’s a must do when you are in Vancouver, BC…whether you are a local and are looking for a great night with friends, a date night or an afternoon tour.  And when the borders open again, if you are a tourist in this beautiful city, make sure you make time for one of these tours.