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Canada Travel Blog- Exploring Stanley Park in Vancouver: A visitor’s guide
Exploring Stanley Park in Vancouver: A visitor’s guide
Stanley Park is a massive urban park in Vancouver. This iconic attraction is one of North America’s largest and most famous city parks, offering locals and visitors a perfect blend of natural beauty, fun activities, and culture. Thanks to the vast range of things to see and do, it’s the perfect attraction for visitors of all ages. No visit to Vancouver is complete without time spent enjoying Stanley Park. This guide reveals what you can expect to find during your exploration.
Why visit Stanley Park?
Vancouver is one of the world’s most beautiful cities and a key destination for a holiday to Canada. Stanley Park is among the city's most prized possessions, establishing itself as a must-see for anyone visiting Vancouver. Its wide appeal is down to its diverse offerings. Nature lovers will adore its picturesque walking trails, history buffs will enjoy its cultural landmarks, and families will have a blast at its beaches, swimming pools, and more.
Where is Stanley Park?
Stanley Park is located in downtown Vancouver, British Columbia, in the city’s West End neighbourhood. Stanley Park is surrounded by water to its west, east, and north. On the west is English Bay, and on the east is Vancouver Harbour. Take a look at this interactive map of Stanley Park for more information about its location.
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How big is Stanley Park?
Stanley Park is huge, measuring 1,000 acres (or 400 hectares). It is one of the largest green spaces in North America and the third-largest park in the entire continent. This makes Stanley Park three times larger than London’s Hyde Park, 18% larger than Central Park in New York, and twice the size of Disneyland in California.
Things to do in Stanley Park, Vancouver
Discover the Stanley Park Seawall
The Seawall is Stanley Park’s most iconic attraction. The Stanley Park Seawall is a massive 28km long, making it the world’s longest uninterrupted waterfront path. As a result, it’s the perfect place to visit for scenic views of the waterfront while walking, cycling, and rollerblading. You will find plenty of locals at the Seawall enjoying some daily exercise or simply taking in the views.
You can expect gorgeous panoramic views of Vancouver’s skyline, Burrard Inlet and English Bay from the different points along the Seawall. Some of the best photo opportunities can be found at Brockton Point Lighthouse.
Debbie, from the travel blog Empty Nest Explorers, has enjoyed a bike ride along the Sewall, sharing: “I couldn’t help but be impressed by the overall ‘blueness’ of Vancouver, as the rich blue sea and clear sky seems to dominate the surroundings, giving it all a sapphire shimmer. It’s breathtakingly beautiful and there is a soft peacefulness about it. Take notice of the changing scenery around you as you cycle the path, and definitely make a few stops to explore!”
It can get very busy along the Seawall, especially during the summer, so the best time to visit is early morning for a peaceful walk or at sunset for the stunning views.
Explore walking trails and lush gardens
Walking trails
Stanley Park has a fantastic range of walking trails, perfect for stretching your legs and enjoying Vancouver’s natural beauty. Some highlights include Beaver Lake Trail – a leisurely 1.5km wetland walk - and the Lost Lagoon walk, a relaxing 30-minute stroll around a scenic freshwater pond.
These walks also provide visitors with plenty of opportunities to spot the area’s diverse wildlife, including beavers, ducks, and herons, as well as harbour seals when strolling along the Seawall.
David and Marcie from the blog Just a Little Further have visited Stanley Park themselves, enjoying the sights and sounds. They described the walking trails: “We walked a few of the paths, and you’d never know you were in the middle of a city. The trees muffle all the traffic noise, and the only sounds are your feet on the trail and the chirping of birds.”
Lush gardens
You can experience a different side of Vancouver’s natural world when exploring Stanley Park’s lovely gardens. There’s the beautiful Rose Garden that features over 3,500 glorious rose bushes. The Ted and Mary Greig Rhododendron Garden for vibrant blooms in spring and summer, and there is also the Shakespeare Garden, one of the park’s hidden gems that features trees mentioned in Shakespeare’s works.
Visit Historic Landmarks
Indigenous heritage
Stanely Park was once the home of many Indigenous Peoples and remains an important cultural location for today’s First Nations people. There are many ways to experience this history during a visit to the park, such as by going to see the Totem Poles at Brockton Point. The Poles are one of the most visited attractions in British Columbia and a wonderful showcase of Indigenous art and history.
Other notable landmarks
Stanley Park is also home to the ancient and beloved Hollow Tree, a 700- to 800-year-old Western Red Cedar tree stump. This historic natural feature is one of the park's most well-known and photographed landmarks. It holds a special place in the hearts of the locals, so it is well worth a visit during your time exploring the park.
For some truly ancient history, the 32-million-year-old sea stack called Siwash Rock certainly fits the bill. You can find this pretty natural feature jutting out of the water between Third Beach and Lions Gate Bridge. For a good view, a lookout point is accessible from Park Drive or the Siwash Rock Trail.
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Family-friendly activities and attractions
Vancouver Aquarium
Vancouver Aquarium is one of the city’s major tourist attractions and it happens to be located in Stanely Park. It is Canada’s largest aquarium and an important centre for marine research and conservation. Featuring marine life from the Pacific Northwest and beyond, this family-friendly attraction will be a hit for both young and old.
Playgrounds and water parks
Stanley Park is also home to numerous places for children to let off some steam, including a series of playgrounds, beaches, and water parks. There are four playgrounds to visit, including Ceperley Park and a park next to the sandy Second Beach. There are also swimming pools to cool down in during the summer months and a fun waterpark next to the seawall at Lumbermen's Arch.
Train and carriage rides
Getting around Stanley Park is easy, and there are some great ways to experience the park from a different perspective. For example, from mid-March to the end of October, you can sit back and relax on a lovely horse-drawn carriage ride as a narrator describes points of interest throughout the park.
Or how about hopping onboard the Stanley Park Train, a hugely popular experience that takes visitors along a 2km track through the park’s forest? The ride takes 15 minutes and is an excellent opportunity to get close to a vintage miniature train engine.
Dining and Refreshments in Stanley Park
Picnic options
Picnics are a great option for a spot of lunch during your visit to Stanely Park. There are many good spots to lay down a blanket, such as Third Beach or the grassy areas near Lost Lagoon. There are picnic tables throughout the park that are available on a first-come basis, and there are designated picnic areas that require a reservation.
Restaurants and cafes
You can also dine at one of Stanely Park’s restaurants while enjoying lovely waterfront or forest views. For example, The Teahouse is surrounded by towering trees at the back and the ocean at its front. With great food and even better views, especially at sunset, the Teahouse is hard to resist.
You can also consider the likes of Prospect Point Café, which has delicious refreshments, yummy snacks, and a cool sea breeze. For some hearty fare, try the Stanley Park Brewpub & Restaurant, located in a heritage building with two large patios and cosey indoor dining rooms.
You can also find food trucks throughout the park and near the park’s entrance for a quick bite to eat while you explore.
Plan your visit to Stanley Park
As you can see, Stanley Park is not your standard city park, providing visitors with a vast collection of things to see and do within a beautiful coastal environment. From breathtaking waterfront scenery along the iconic Seawall to forest trails, totem poles, and water parks, it’s all here waiting to be enjoyed.
READ ALSO: Best excursions for a Vancouver holiday
Want to visit Stanley Park for yourself? Book a Vancouver holiday
with Canadian Affair. We are the experts in tours of Canada and can tailor-make your holiday to include everything you want to see and do. We will take care of everything, including flights to Vancouver and hotels
of your choice.
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