This square -- now essentially the intersection of Alexander, Water, Powell and Carrall streets in the Gastown neighborhood -- is where Vancouver began in 1867. That's when John Deighton opened a salon here.. A nearby maple tree (now gone) provided shade for the first city council meeting.
History buffs would likely find a quick stop to be of interest. The "Gassy Jack" statue of Deighton is a big draw and has information plaques. The work is a rather unusual depiction of the man who earned his nickname by talking a lot. He's depicted in caricature, based on a drawing. When I visited the square on a Saturday afternoon, I noted many people stopping to look at the statue and laughing at the name.
As an architecture buff, I liked looking at the Hotel Europe here, a flatiron-type structure, which was the first reinforced concrete building in Vancouver. No longer a hotel, it now offers low-income housing. There are also shops, bars and restaurants in the area around the square.