Gastown Steam Clock

I’ve been to Vanc several times and have made it a point to stop past the steam clock in Gastown several times. Yes it’s an old clock, yes it’s a prominent tourist attraction, yes there are a lot of homeless people on the street, yes you have to wait to possibly see the steam coming out the clock, but it’s still just a cool place to stop and check out. Honestly though, almost every time I’ve went I have been disappointed. The first time as I struggled to use the GPS on my 2G 18 bit janky Motorola Rokr E1 (so you know how long ago that was) to find the Dr. Sun Yat-​Sen Chinese Garden, I came upon the clock. There were too many people around it at the time and it was super freezing outside so I marked it down to come back to another time. The second time I went the clock was under construction as they were doing some restorative work which wasn’t planned to finish anytime soon. Curses! Then the last time I went with some friends as it was my friend’s last week in the PacNW and she wanted to see Vancouver, we went down to the clock. I had recently found out that it’s supposed to whistle or chime every 5 minutes. So we waited and waited and sweated and waited and waited more as the ever growing crowd enveloped the clock and after 45 minutes we were over it. At least it wasn’t under construction at the time and we were able to see the newly restored clock but it was still a bit lackluster. Whomp whomp! This was my last attempt to see the magic.

HAWAII to VANCOUVER
I’ve read about this popular steam clock through trip advisor, and the pictures looked cool on Unilocal.So, I didn’t mind checking the clock out during my stay. I happened to be shopping around the area in Gastown and made a quick stop at the clock. It’s kind of cool to look at, but I wouldn’t go out of my way just to see it. If you’re in the area and like looking at old antique-​looking things, then it’s cool to check this out.
Boyfriend’s rating:
Coolness: ⁸⁄₁₀
Most likely to be in a Sherlock Holm movie: ¹⁰⁄₁₀
Worth waiting for the ball to drop: ⁰⁄₁₀

3.5 STARS
I was walking around Gastown and bumped into the Steam Clock on Sunday, January 17^th. I walked past it both during daytime and at night.
During the day, there were a lot of people crowded around it taking pictures. So it was hard getting a pic of just the clock. I wasn’t able to do it. Come nightfall, after a couple of after dinner drinks, it was easy to get a picture of the clock. If you take a picture of it from across Cambie Street, you’ll get a nice pic with Vancouver Lookout in the background. Plus I think the clock is prettier at night.
Watching the steam come out can be fun for a bit, but in the end, it’s just a clock to me. I don’t know about the history of it, but I like that they’ve kept it in good condition.
If you’re in Gastown, it’s worth walking by the clock to check it out.

The number of people gathered around this clock was a little absurd. It’s a clock. I have one on my wrist and no one gathers around that. I may sound a little bitter because I felt like I wasted my time and my energy going to see the clock.
Just to reiterate, it’s a clock. I understand that this is the first of its kind way back when, but it’s still a clock! I may just not be cultured enough to understand the draw. I came, I saw, I snapped a pic and I left. People were gathered around it for quite a while, which I didn’t really understand. I think they wanted to hear the clock whistle and release steam. The only redeeming part of the clock is that it’s located is in Gastown, which is a very cute neighborhood.

Why does this clock have 3 stars? I mean, it’s not asking to be a ¹⁰⁄₁₀ tourist attraction. It’s pretty much just some steam clock that exists among the few others in existence. It just wants to chime every 15 minutes and let out some steam. Yet, people still think this clock is average. You should go to Gastown and wait around for it to chime but other than that you don’t have to pay any attention to the weirdos around it trying to take money from you. I know it’s not the most amazing thing, and that it’s not even listed when you google «things to do in Vancouver,» but this is my favorite attraction in Vancouver, for sure. Better than the Capilano Suspension Bridge. There are lots of interesting eateries/​bars in the area. May this steam clock live forever.

I found this particular place very interesting you really have to appreciate the surroundings the people around really come together.

This isn’t really a main attraction, but it’s worth checking out if you’re nearby! There’s steam coming out from a clock, and you can see the mechanism that the clock is made with.

I want the old steam clock back!!! the old one sang a catchy little tune every 15 min and this new design inside I thought was going to be more dramatic. wtf

It is an old clock that I stumbled upon while walking around Gastown. It looks like it ran out of steam… and there’s some old guy hanging around explaining its history and trying to extort a tip out of you.
So you been warned.

Worth checking out if you’re in the area, but not necessarily worth seeking out unless you’re a clock enthusiast.

Pretty cool piece of history in the middle of Gastown. You can indeed see steam coming out of the clock. You will see plenty of visitors surrounding the clock for pictures. It is beautiful.

Oh well, will redo this review if I ever come back to Gas Town.
Looks like the clock ran out of «steam»

I am genuinely flabbergasted that any person could capture a hint of delight from this abomination. When I first heard of this tourist attraction, I assumed it would be much larger. This clock could easily fit in my Mom’s basement (my current temporary place of residence) and thus, is not impressive whatsoever. What makes it worse is that if you go see it, you start wondering if your brain has defects. Everyone is gawking and taking pictures of this atrocity, and you start thinking, «Wow, I must be really stupid if everyone else likes it, and I don’t.» Faced with the dilemma that you might actually be an idiot, you squint hard and imagine a better life for yourself in which the clock doesn’t suck. This is when you slap yourself and say, «This is like how people delude themselves into thinking some disgustingly bad paintings are good.»
At this point I think to myself, if I were the artist, what other stiff structure would I put in it’s location? There is no question, I would erect a penis statue of the same size as this clock (which oddly enough is the same size as my cock… er I mean clock). Instead of steam, there would be a constant stream of drinkable water coming out of the tip. Now imagine people opening their mouths for that stream of liquid; that of course would be multiple times more interesting and useful than this cruddy clock.

I am surprised that the Gastown Steam Clock did not have a higher Unilocal rating. Maybe it is because it is one of those things where it is «always there» and people take it for granted. Skimming over some other people’s reviews many of them were annoyed with the amount of tourists that flock around it. That is no lie either. There are lots of people around it, taking pictures of it all of the time. Trying to get a picture of the clock and trying to get it to look like no one else is around it is a futile effort at best.
Nevertheless if you are taking in the sites around town this is a must stop, crowds or no crowds. It is a real working steam clock which is unique and memorable.

It’s just a clock… and not even that old… but Gastown is a neat part of downtown Vancouver. If your visiting Vancouver or have visitors I would go down and check it out. Be cheesy and get a picture with the clock watch it chime and see it steam. Check out the gift shops, your bound to find a souvenir to take home.
I would add Gastown and the Steam clock to the BC bucket list.

The steam clock is inside the Gastown. You wouldn’t miss it because there are always many people standing around the clock and taking pictures!!!
Definitely a piece of history! The city definitely has preserved this clock nicely.
After checking out the clock, time for shopping & eating! Lots of choices nearby~

Through my parents, I know the guy who built the clock. He is a longstanding member of the Gastown Lions club, and his shop is at your feet opposite the clock (yes, that little window).
Go on inside, take your broken, cheap tourist watch and have him fix it– clocks and watches are what he does.
Sorry, tourists– I believe he has to wind the clock twice a day.
It’s still lovely, though.

I think the clock it’s pretty magical to me. Yes I am a tourist to the city. I actually came here around 7 PM and most shops are closed. The area seems quaint with interesting stores and restaurants.
Back to the clock, I would have given 4 star if it’s actually working. The metal ball felt off inside and the clock isn’t functioning at the time of my visit. I was waiting for the whistle. But the precision of the clock and the fact that it powered by steam is pretty amazing. I know it’s just a clock but it manufactured by lots of detailed engineer calculation and history behind it. I love it, it put me in a different time in the past.

At 3am — this clock gets five stars from me.
I used to work up the street in my previous life and by the time we closed up shop, and settled for the evening it would be 3am-​4am. The wee hours of the morning.
The clock was often on my way to my car. Or in lieu of my car, on the way to my end of shift beer. And in the quiet (er) hours of the night, on a weekday, with the street lights and cobblestones — this beautiful piece of craftsmanship is absolutely charming.
But at noon — with 50 plus tourists snapping pictures of the clock and maybe, you’re being nice and offer to take a photo, only to be stuck doing the same for 15 other couples and lose a half hour of your life that you will never get back? 2 stars.
At 2am on a Friday when it’s used as something to prop overly intoxicated humans up as they vomit into the gutter? 1 star.
Overall — we have us a 3 star attraction.
You’re a pretty thing clock… but only when I have you all to myself.

The first time I was here I walked by this two times. I expected Big Ben and got something much smaller. I think it is charming, but what saves it is the neighborhood. There are some cute shops and it has some beautiful views of the mountains.
Go here to take a picture, but don’t expect a towering clock. Appreciate the charm, not the size.

Ein bischen enttäuschend… Waren zur halben Stunde dort– hat etwa 10 Sekunden maximal gedauert. Die Warterei auf das Pfeifen hat sich nicht gelohnt.