As tourists flood Vancouver for the summer, there are the classic sights they head off to see, from Canada Place to the (current) Museum of Anthropology to Science World.
Back in 1961, when this brochure was printed, those weren't built yet. However, some of Vancouver's icons were already in place, like Stanley Park, Lions Gate Bridge, and Kitsilano Beach.
This tourist map and brochure show how much of Vancouver's draw was based on nature.
The downtown map advertises a few touristy spots, like the aquarium in Stanley Park, the "Nine o'clock Gun Lookout," and the art gallery. It's a limited selection, and popular neighbourhoods and shopping areas aren't suggested at all (partly because areas like Kitsilano, Granville Island, and Gastown hadn't been revived).
Instead, the downtown map mostly points to travel information, like where the piers are for ships, the bus station, and the train stations (the CPR station downtown hadn't become Waterfront Station yet).
The regional map is where Vancouver's natural setting comes into play, with beaches, fishing spots, marinas, and North Vancouver's mountains all highlighted. Notably, Burnaby Mountain is suggested as a lookout point, as SFU was still a few years off.
Totem poles are listed in the legend but only appear in two locations on the map: at the Capilano Suspension Bridge and in Stanley Park (though it appears to be the northwestern part of the park, not Brockton Point, where they stand now).
There are a few other things missing. Perhaps the most obvious is Highway 1. It's marked off, but at the time, it was under construction.
One thing that is listed but no longer exists is the Hollyburn Chairlift, which used to take people up Hollyburn Mountain, which is now part of the Cypress Mountain ski area. It burned down in 1965.
Opposite the map, there are ads for different tourist activities in Vancouver, including the Grouse Mountain Chairlift, harbour tours leaving from Stanley Park and souvenir shops.
One is for a White Spot in the recently opened Oakridge Shopping Centre.
"In the heart of Canada's most distinctive new shopping centre," reads the ad. "Fine food from an interestingly varied menu, served in quietly luxurious surroundings."
Other restaurants advertising include Lady Alexandra (a floating restaurant in Coal Harbour), Dean's, and Marco Polo (named after the Italian explorer), offering a Chinese smorgasbord with an à la carte menu.
It also has several photos of the city, all rendered in green. Sights included are the Capilano Suspension Bridge (referred to as the eighth wonder of the world just below), Vancouver Harbour (with a skyline dominated by Hotel Vancuver and the Marine Building), and Kitsilano Beach (which appears as crowded as ever).
