The film and television industry in Vancouver has been booming for years now. While it was once primarily based in Los Angeles and New York, producers come from across the globe for its stunning locations, studios, production facilities, and crews. In 2019/2020, British Columbia’s film and TV industry was worth $2.8 billion, creating tens of thousands of jobs both directly and indirectly, and inspiring many visitors to buy one of the Vancouver homes for sale and begin calling this city home.
Grouse Mountain
Grouse Mountain is only a 15-minute drive from the center of downtown Vancouver and it boasts epic views of the mountains, ocean, and surrounding Gulf Islands. It’s drawn crew and cast members from many popular productions for years, including the original MacGyver, Lucifer, The X-Files, Shooter, and more.
In addition to following in the footsteps of some of your favorites, enjoying the breathtaking scenery and abundant wildlife, visitors can hop on the famous Grouse Mountain Skyride for a one-mile aerial journey to Alpine Station for a panoramic view, visit a wildlife refuge with grizzly bears, and ride ziplines. In the winter, ice skating, sleigh rides, snowshoeing, skiing, and snowboarding can all be enjoyed here too.
VanDusen Botanical Garden
A little over two miles southwest of downtown, the sprawling VanDusen Botanical Garden covers 55 acres in the South Granville neighborhood. One of the city’s hidden gems, it’s been featured in many popular productions from Bates Motel and Happy Gilmore to Supergirl, DC Legends of Tomorrow, and Once Upon a Time.
VanDusen includes multiple specialized gardens within a larger main garden, with winding paths and sculptures dotted throughout. Cross bridges, wander through stands of bamboo and giant redwood trees. There are some 7,500 plant species, a traditional Elizabethan hedge maze, lakes, and ponds, bringing countless opportunities to snap selfies against a gorgeous backdrop at the same place some of your favorite stars may have been.
The Orpheum Theatre
The opulent Orpheum Theatre opened its doors in 1927 as the biggest vaudeville house in the city. Over the decades it became a movie palace and then a concert hall. It’s drawn celebrities, politicians, and royalty over the past nearly one hundred years who would come from across the globe to see everyone from the Marx Brothers to Fed Astaire. Today it’s often used by producers and directors. It served as a movie theater and concert hall in The Flash and various venues in Timeless, Supergirl, and more.
It’s absolutely stunning – if you’ve seen it on-screen you’ll remember its elegant decor, majestic staircases, gothic and Romanesque arches, all of which are remarkably photogenic. The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra often performs here and if you have an interest in history, the theatre also offers free tours.
Gastown
One of the trendiest neighborhoods in Vancouver, Gastown is known for its hip bars and outstanding restaurants as well as being a popular spot for film crews after dark, with many night time shoots taking place here.
The famous steam clock was where Idris Elba and Kate Winslet shared a kiss in The Mountain Between Us, while movies like Twilight and Legends of the Fall as well as TV shows such as Supernatural and Once Upon a Time, among a long list of others have all shot scenes here.