Where We Spent a Wake Window: Chinatown Storytelling Centre
The famous Yucho Chow photography studio was set-up with plenty of props for Yuyu to play with.We got a family picture emailed to us in this postcard template.
Location & Parking:
Location & Parking Tip:
We got lucky and got on-street parking right in front. However, if the street is full - there is a parking garage in Chinatown Plaza - 106 Keefer Street.
Set your GPS to: 168 East Pender St, Vancouver, BC V6A 1T3
Official info: https://www.chinatownstorytellingcentre.org/
The Damage Report ($):
Under 17: FREE on Family Saturday’s (3rd Saturday of the month)
Adults: $12.50
We bought our tickets online ahead of time. I find it easier to commit to the day when the tickets are already in my inbox.
Wheely Friendly?
Yes. Once inside, you can take your stroller around the exhibit area. Yuyu wanted to walk/run around so we just used the stroller as an expensive trolley for our diaper bag.
Enjoying the freedom to walk around the centre.
The Snack Situation:
Food and drinks are not allowed in the exhibit. But, you are in the heart of a food paradise in Chinatown.
We saw about 10 people walking by with boxes from Newtown Bakery and knewwe had to investigate. It’s only three doors down!
We enjoyed the steam pork buns, the chicken bun, and their award winning apple tart.
Potty Proximity:
There is a bathroom on the main floor and it includes a change table.
Mum Musings:
We timed our visit for Family Saturday (the 3rd Saturday of every month). It also happened to coincide with Vancouver’s Hot Chocolate Fest. I’m a bit juvenile and don't drink coffee, but I will hunt down a gourmet hot chocolate any day!
As we entered there was a stand making incredible hot chocolates. Yuyu got her first taste of marshmallows and was addicted. She kept saying “ I try, I try”. While this was only a pop up stand, you can still buy the unique chocolate bars in the gift shop. https://foohungcurios.com/collections/food-drink - We tried the Dark Chocolate - Holy Duck Chili Oil and the Milk Chocolate - Lucky Candy
Yuyu trying to learn from the kind volunteer how to make a lantern.
Crafts and traditions:
This event was focused on the Lunar New Year tradition of Red Envelopes (symbolizing good luck). Kind volunteers helped Yuyu make a fish lantern and a fan made from red envelopes.
I learned that you shouldn't place your fan near a door or window, or all your luck will escape! To be safe, ours is now living on the fireplace in the middle of our living room.
Other attractions:
They had a recreation of the famous Yucho Chow photography studio with plenty of props for Yuyu to play with.
We got a family picture emailed to us in a postcard template. It was adorable, and while I planned to mail it to our family, it’s the thought that counts, right?
There was a theater which wasn’t playing anything on this day because of the family event but, we would have watched the videos on another day.
The center is beautifully laid out. Between the artifacts, pictures and recordings, Jamie and I took turns tag-teaming: one of us would chase Yuyu while the other actually got to read and learn about Chinese Canadian history in Vancouver.
Toddler Tolerance Level:
The event was 3 hours and we happily stayed for about 2 hours.
Nap Roulette Options?
Chinatown is great for exploring, but after the excitement of the "I try" marshmallows and the Newtown Bakery buns, we headed straight home for naptime.
Author
I’m Mimi, the writer behind Mi & Yu. This blog was born out of a year spent exploring Vancouver with my toddler Yuyu and newborn son Gabe while my husband Jamie worked through a demanding fellowship.
What started as a way to survive the newborn phase turned into a collection of tried-and-tested family adventures, real reviews, tested logistics, and the occasional toddler meltdown included. Now back home in Newfoundland, I’m sharing those adventures so other parents can skip the decision fatigue and get straight to the fun part.
