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Under the Haint Blue Sky: The Lost Alley Walking Tour

New To The Site! Vancouver, Canada

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1 hour 30 minutes (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Instant confirmation
Offered in: English
and 1 more
Spanish

Overview

Vancouver once had a thriving Black community, and you should know about it. This immersive walking tour through Strathcona and the former Hogan’s Alley uncovers the untold stories of British Columbia’s first Black settlers, tracing their migration, resilience, and lasting cultural impact.
This experience combines archival materials, primary documents, and lived experience to bring history vividly to life. Guests receive access to a digital archive of photos and historic articles curated from much research in British Columbia’s archives.
You’ll reflect on how these histories connect to present-day realities for Black Canadians, and to our shared humanity.
More than a tour, this is a visionary journey of remembrance and understanding, delivered with warmth, professionalism, and a passion for truth. Every step offers a rare blend of academic insight, emotional storytelling, and five-star hospitality, ensuring a meaningful and unforgettable experience for visitors and locals alike.

What's Included

  • All prices include the 5% GST (Goods and Services Tax) required by the Government of Canada.

    Meeting Location

    Meeting point

    Station Street
    Vancouver, BC V6A 4C7, Canada

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    Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

    End point

    Union Street
    Vancouver, BC V6A 3A1, Canada

    The Jimi Hendrix Shrine in Vancouver is a cultural tribute located in the Chinatown area, formerly the site of Vie's Chicken and Steakhouse where Hendrix's grandmother worked.

    What To Expect

    Book Online

    Our secure website provides real-time availability, instant confirmation, and free, no-hassle cancellations up to 24 hours before your tour begins.
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    Safe & secure • Easy breezy • Hassle-free

    Pacific Central Station

    We’ll begin our tour at Pacific Central Station, completed in 1919. This historic station was a place of work for Black men from Hogan’s Alley, many of whom served as porters, helping passengers navigate the railways and carrying their luggage with pride. As we explore the station, you’ll learn about their vital contributions to Vancouver’s development and hear stories of resilience, community, and excellence in a time when opportunities were limited.
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    10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

    Trillium Park Playground

    At Trillium Park Playground, we’ll dive into the history of the first Black migration to British Columbia. Using historic archival photos, documents, and newspaper clippings, we’ll explore how Vancouver’s Black community, including Hogan’s Alley, came to be. While learning these powerful stories of resilience and community, you’ll also enjoy stunning views of the city skyline framed by the mountains—a perfect backdrop for reflection and photos.
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    10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

    Vancouver Downtown

    Next, we’ll walk through what remains of Hogan’s Alley, the historic heart of Vancouver’s Black community. Its stories of resistance, resilience, and joy endure. We’ll pause at the Fountain Chapel building, founded in 1918 by Nora Hendrix, grandmother of Jimi Hendrix. While it no longer functions as a church, it still stands as a testament to the community’s spirit and cultural life. Along the alley, you’ll hear tales of everyday life, struggles, triumphs, and even the early life of Jimi Hendrix, connecting the past to the present in this poetic and powerful space.
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    20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

    Vancouver Downtown

    As we continue through Hogan’s Alley, you’ll see some of the original houses that remain, quiet witnesses to the vibrant community that once thrived here. These structures allow us to connect with the lives and stories of the Black residents who built their lives in this neighborhood. Our walk brings us to the Georgia Dunsmuir Viaduct, a stark reminder of urban development’s impact: its construction led to the destruction of most of Hogan’s Alley and the displacement of countless residents. Here, we’ll reflect on the resilience of the community, honoring the lives disrupted and the legacy that endures through memory, storytelling, and surviving architecture.
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    20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

    Vancouver Downtown

    We’ll conclude our tour in the colorful Strathcona neighborhood, walking down Union Street to witness what remains of Hogan’s Alley’s legacy. Along the way, we’ll stop at the site of one of the last Black-owned businesses in the alley, which closed following the displacement of the community. Our final stop is the Jimi Hendrix Shrine, located at the former site of Vie’s Chicken and Steakhouse: a cultural hot spot where Black musicians from the early to mid-1900s, including Diana Ross, Billie Holiday, Louis Armstrong, and Sammy Davis Jr., would gather when visiting Vancouver. Here, you’ll hear stories of music, culture, and community life that once thrived at the heart of Hogan’s Alley, leaving an indelible mark on Vancouver’s history.
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    15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

    Vancouver Downtown

    Finally, we’ll walk just a few steps across the street, beneath the viaducts, to reflect on how these concrete structures were built and to understand in depth how their construction destroyed most of Hogan’s Alley and displaced its residents. This closing moment invites us to stand in the shadow of the viaducts and consider the lasting impact of erasure, memory, and the ongoing work to honor and reclaim this vital piece of Black history in Vancouver.
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    10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

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    Additional Info

    • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
    • Wheelchair accessible
    • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
    • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

    Frequently Asked Questions

    (7)

    Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Under the Haint Blue Sky: The Lost Alley Walking Tour?

    A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (PST).This tour requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund. Read more Apr 2025

    Cancellation Policy

    You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

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    Activity code: C-5610646P1


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    What's Included

    Activity name

    • All prices include the 5% GST (Goods and Services Tax) required by the Government of Canada.

    Additional Info

    Activity name

    • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
    • Wheelchair accessible
    • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
    • Service animals allowed
    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
    • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

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    Free Cancellation

    100% refund
    No refund

    You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

    • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
    • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
    • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
    • Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (PST).
    • This tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
    • This tour requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

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    • Cool Rewards is a loyalty program operated by Cool Destinations. Rewards may be earned by any eligible person holding a Cool Destinations account, subject to the Cool Destinations customer Terms of Use.

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