A Perfect Day for a Walk: The History, Cultures, and Communities of Vancouver, on Foot

by Bill Arnott

The stories of Vancouver and its communities as experienced on various strolls through the city, by bestselling BC author Bill Arnott


Vancouver, one of the world's top travel destinations, is a diverse and complex city renowned for its proximity to nature, from Stanley Park and English Bay to the forests and mountains that surround it. Much has been written of Vancouver's many nature trails and paths for dedicated hikers, but what does the city have to offer to the casual urban stroller?


Join bestselling author Bill Arnott (A Season on Vancouver Island and the Gone Viking travelogues) for a revelatory journey through Vancouver—on foot—to uncover its hidden gems and best-kept secrets. A Perfect Day for a Walk details a series of strolls through Kitsilano, Granville Island, False Creek, the West End, Coal Harbour, Yaletown, Gastown, Chinatown, the Downtown Eastside, and more, accompanied by the stories and histories that make these neighborhoods unique. Engaging and sensory in style, this book is both an examination and a celebration of Vancouver, a city of remarkable beauty and undeniable challenges. Using only his feet and his unfailing sense of curiosity, Bill Arnott offers a fresh new perspective on Vancouver, from its glorious, incorrigible past to its spectacular, complicated present.


With black-and-white maps and photos.


This publication meets the EPUB Accessibility requirements and it also meets the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG-AA). It is screen-reader friendly and is accessible to persons with disabilities. A book with many images, which is defined with accessible structural markup. This book contains various accessibility features such as alternative text for images, table of contents, page-list, landmark, reading order and semantic structure.

Genres: Nonfiction

240 pages, Paperback

Published April 15, 2025

About the author

Bill Arnott is the bestselling author of A Perfect Day for a Walk, A Perfect Day for a Walk by the Water, A Season in the Okanagan, A Season on Vancouver Island, A Festive Season on Vancouver Island, and the award-winning Gone Viking travelogues. For his expeditions he’s received Fellowships at Britain’s Royal Geographical Society and the Royal Canadian Geographical Society. Bill's a Travel Ambassador for Canadian Geographic and Adventure Canada, contributing writer for newspapers and magazines, and is a frequent presenter for universities, podcasts, TV, and radio. When not trekking with a small pack and journal, Bill can be found on Canada’s West Coast, where he lives near the sea on Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh land.

Reviews

[Bill Arnott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excited to announce the release of 'A Perfect Day for a Walk,' my new book from Arsenal Pulp Press. The book's subtitle, 'The History, Cultures, and Communities of Vancouver, on Foot,' gives readers an immediate feel for what to expect from this nonfiction travel memoir, which features new photos along with vintage shots from the City of Vancouver Archives. See this vibrant and complex west coast Canadian city in a way you haven't before. A revealing, extrasensory look at the author's hometown.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished reading A PERFECT DAY FOR A WALK: The History, Cultures, and Communities of Vancouver, on Foot by Bill Arnott last night and loved it! It’s the perfect nonfiction November read for someone like me who lives in Vancouver! It was so fun to read about Bill’s perspective of Vancouver while also learning more about the history. It was interesting to read about the areas I’ve walked around so many times such as West End and Coal Harbour in downtown. I loved the inclusion of pictures which also showcased Bill’s perspective with his own photos and historical photos from the City of Vancouver archives. Some photos dating back to the 1910s. It was also so nice to meet Bill at the Vancouver Writers Festival last month at Granville Island!

Thank you to Arsenal Pulp Press and ZG Reads for my copy!

[Gerald Chan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book reminds you that there is no need to spurge for an expensive hotel or plane ticket to go on a journey of discovery. Bill Arnott does the footwork and research to demonstrate that there are fascinating stories to be told at every intersection and street corner even for a relatively new city like Vancouver. Won't stop me from booking my next vacation to Europe or Asia but it sure motivates me to get off the couch (now that I have finished this book), and go for a stroll around town with eyes wide open and attention to detail for the many local twists and turns that I have missed all these years. Thanks Bill for another enlightening read! I also love the inclusion of photos at the end of every chapter for additional points of reference!

[A.M. Potter · Rating 5 out of 5]

What’s the best time for a walk? As Bill Arnott’s latest travelogue attests, any time. In *A Perfect Day for a Walk*, Arnott unveils the many faces of Vancouver B.C. with élan and perception, taking us step by step through his city, a place he’s lived for decades and knows intimately, by the soles of his shoes. Arnott is the consummate guide, leading us with an engaging blend of past and present, of historical anecdotes and lively panoramas. *A Perfect Day for a Walk* is an indispensable Vancouver companion.

[Monika Fischer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic intro to Vancouver for a newcomer! Moving to a new city can be overwhelming, but this book gently takes you by the hand and shows you where to start. Part geography, part history, part culture, all Vancouver! Each chapter stands alone and can be read in any order (I read it totally out of order - follow your heart!). This book is fundamentally a delightful and easy read, but it’s also packed full of nuggets worth a Wikipedia search. I particularly love to read it on the bus!

[Beth Mcca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m glad I grabbed this on a whim at the library. As a born-and-raised Vancouverite, I’ve walked all the paths Arnott writes about dozens of times, yet I wasn’t bored at all reading this book. It captures the city’s beauty and history so well. It felt like a lovely stroll through memory lane, with Arnott’s insights and historical anecdotes giving me new perspectives. I’ll definitely be recommending it to friends!

[Douglas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting reflection on Vancouver’s neighbourhoods focusing on an historical narrative from the urban walker’s POV. Not my favourite writing style but interesting content that encourages further exploration.

[Garrett Nicolai · Rating 4 out of 5]

A reflective look at the city of Vancouver and its neighbourhoods, written in a poetic, meandering style that feels like a good walk.

I enjoyed it.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely exploration of Vancouver.