Deadpool's Vancouver

One of Deadpool’s most exciting sequences takes place on the Georgia Viaduct twinned bridge connecting downtown Vancouver with the Main Street and Strathcona districts – fans will remember the viaduct playing a starring role in the production during a thrilling car and motorcycle shoot-‘em-up chase in which Deadpool slays his sworn enemy Francis’s dirty henchmen. You can drive the viaduct or, better yet, get a close-up look at the bridge and dramatic backdrop of False Creek and the golf-ball like dome of Telus World of Science on the city’s rapid transit system (hop aboard the Expo line from Main Street; for the best view, catch the last car eastbound leaving the stadium or the front car westbound).

Insider intel: the viaduct was closed for two weeks during shooting of these key scenes. which of course caused massive traffic jams. However, on the last day of shooting, the city's Mayor made an appearance to show his support of filming, and even won a special thank you in the film’s end credits.

Much of the movie’s action centres around Deadpool’s girlfriend Vanessa; you can see the exterior of her apartment at 529 Gore Avenue, in Chinatown, where Deadpool follows her home. Discouraged after strangers gape at his scarred skin, Deadpool should have cheered himself up with a meal at award-winning restaurant Kissa Tanto, which is just around the corner (though he might have been more at home in edgy Mamie Taylor's, a rustic American restaurant dishing up delectable comfort food alongside a distinct taxidermy fetish).

Alternatively, he could have rediscovered his zen at Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, a tranquil oasis in the heart of Chinatown featuring reflective ponds, lush gardens and romantic walkways arranged according to the philosophical principles of Feng shui and Taoism.

Follow Vanessa’s trail to the Cobalt Hotel at Main Street which was used as the exterior of the strip club where she works as a waitress. You can strut your stuff on the stage of the Cobalt every Monday at their legendary open-house karaoke night, but management prefers you keep your clothes on.

The interior of Vanessa’s strip club is Vancouver’s famous No. 5 Orange, which hit the headlines years back for a very Vancouver menu upgrade to ethically sourced meats and vegetarian hot dogs created by one of the city’s most beloved chefs, Stu Irving of sexy Pan-Latin tapas restaurant Cuchillo (located just a few blocks from the strip club; treat yourself here to exotic tacos – including a vegan version with almond date butter, tomato ginger jam, kale and hemp – succulent lamb and prawns dishes, and excellent mezcal cocktails).

Pay a visit to one of the city’s most famous backstreets, “Arch Alley” (between Abbot and West Hastings streets), off Victory Square, which got its name after the local Province newspaper built a skybridge connecting two buildings. In Deadpool, this history-soaked spot was the site of Vanessa’s kidnapping by Francis’s henchmen. Snap a soulful selfie by the dumpster, in the rain, for full melancholy Deadpool effect.

Keep walking in Deadpool’s moody footsteps around Chinatown along Keefer Street and Gore Avenue, and bag more selfies along with heaps of bargains at the Sunrise Market on Powell Street. Keep walking to the end of Keefer Bar and you’ll see a trio of the city’s most deliciously cool bars and restaurants: the apothecary-themed Keefer Bar (ingredients for the bar’s original cocktails are sourced from nearby herbalist shops) and modern Chinese brasserie Bao Bei.

Insider intel: Local stuntwoman Kayla Adams (born in neighbouring suburb Mission) shared her insider knowledge with the L.A. filming crew, pointing them towards popular restaurants Cactus Club Cafe, Blue Water Cafe and The Parlour, all located in Yaletown, the city’s trendy former warehouse district.

While Ryan Reynolds was in town, he took wife Blake Lively for brunch at one of the city’s eggs benny legends, Sophie’s Cosmic Café. The latter is located in Kitsilano, a healthy lifestyle haven with sunny streets lined with fresh-pressed juice bars and sustainable boutiques. Just for a moment, dispense with the Deadpool and take a browse down West 4th Avenue for trendy coffeehouses and local fashions – after all, movie touring wasn’t built on tragedy alone.