Great park for the kids. It was raining and still had kids running around. Great place to get their…read more"wiggles" out. The kids had a ton of fun and with the rain the slide was extra fast!

nice cool breeze, squeals of laughter, a spray park, plenty of seating, public washroom, and a…read morelegit coffee shop. this, right here, is summer. there are two small 'in ground' trampolines, slides, a hammock swing, cushioned asphalt, and suspended netting, all inviting for big and small kids to play, explore, hide, or even have lunch. located on the corner of richards and smithe, this park is an oasis in the heart of downtown vancouver. it's further enhanced by a locally roasted coffee shop, kafka's, that serves all day breakfast, lunch, baked goods, and seasonal soft serve ice cream. it's evident that a lot of thought, planning, and investment has gone into this urban development. it's innovative, sustainably designed, and thoughtfully integrated into the community.

A lovely, tranquil park. It was designated as a federal park, and a $1.00/year lease was drawn up…read more It expired in the late 1990's, but has been renewed into perpetuity. Nice trails that lead to an aquarium and a collection of totem poles ( it was too far for me to walk to the totem poles.) There are many giant red cedar trees, plus some quite large chestnut trees. This was stop 5 on the Hop on Hop off bus ride.

If you're en route to Vancouver, you seriously can't miss Stanley Park…read more We rented bikes (there are a ton of bike shops around) and did the loop. It's a 5.6-mile paved loop that takes you along the seawall. The estimate is around 1-2 hours, but we made a ton of stops along the way. This park is HUGE and there's so much to see. It was the most beautiful way to unplug and sightsee.

Queen Elizabeth Park is home to the most beautiful views of Vancouver!…read more On a sunny day, it's the perfect setting for a stroll. Gorgeous views, lush greenery, and stunning gardens. Truly one of my favorite spots in the city.

This is a spectacularly beautiful park that is well worth visiting!…read more In the center of the park is the Bloedel Conservatory building which is full of tropical and temperate plants, trees, and birds. There's an admission fee of about 8 dollars but is well worth it.

This is one of my favourite parks in the Lower Mainland and my favourite part is spotting the…read moreseals. They're always such a treat to watch and make every visit a little different. If you visit during low tide, make sure to walk across to the small island. It's a really unique experience, but be prepared because the rocks are much tougher to navigate than they look. I would definitely recommend wearing sturdy shoes as the uneven rocks can be slippery or uncomfortable. Whether you're there for the wildlife, the ocean views or simply a peaceful walk, Whytecliff Park is one of West Vancouver's hidden gems.

If you enjoy nature this place is worth visiting. It is calming and has great views and a few…read morelarger rocks to climb around. There are many areas to snap great touristy photos and nice for the sunset too. Park is well maintained and easily accessible with parking lots nearby.

It has been years, decades even, since I last came here. Many times I wanted to drop by but…read morecouldn't find parking so I left. This time, the parking God smiled on us and we managed to get a spot when a car left. My sister was here for a visit and we took her here. There is now a gift shop with info board near the entrance, compared to 20 years ago. There are a few picnic tables and benches for those who are not going up to the falls. There are two paths to the falls, one is for those with strollers and wheelchairs. The falls is still as beautiful as I remembered. I stayed by the stream and it was quite mesmerizing to see the flow of water gushing over the rocks in the stream. The water was so clear. This is definitely a great place to bring visitors.

Shannon Falls was beautiful and the creek had the clearest water. Made me want to have a drink…read more Meandering through a moss covered forest to get to Shannon Falls was just magical for me. I loved every inch of that forest and the lush green moss covering tree trunks and branches. The ferns were so alive and pretty. I could forest bath here all day if I had the time. The sight and sounds of water rushing was so peaceful and tranquil. Could not get enough of this enchanting forest!

the vancouver seawall is one of those places that makes you stop and appreciate just how lucky you…read moreare to have this kind of scenery woven into everyday city life. the path is paved, well maintained and mostly flat, making it easy to walk, jog, cycle or simply wander without a destination in mind. the seawall stretches along vancouver's waterfront, with the stanley park section alone covering about 9 km; the larger waterfront greenway extends roughly 28 km from the vancouver convention centre to spanish banks. and then there are the views. one moment you're looking out over the water, watching cruise ships slowly make their way through burrard inlet, and the next you're surrounded by towering trees and the lush greenery of stanley park. in the distance, the north shore mountains rise dramatically against the sky. depending on where you are, you'll see yachts, sailboats, ferries, the seabus, aquabus, seaplanes and even the occasional helicopter passing overhead. there's something almost cinematic about it, water shimmering beside you, mountains in the distance, forest on the other side and the city quietly carrying on in the background. there are plenty of park benches along the way, perfect for stopping when you feel like it. some sections are shaded by the trees, while others open completely to the waterfront and sky. it's the kind of place where you don't necessarily need an itinerary, just comfortable shoes, sunscreen, a beverage in one hand and a little time. and you're never really alone. the seawall is shared by runners, cyclists, dog walkers, families, friends catching up and people simply taking a quiet stroll. the city separates walking and cycling paths in many sections, making it easier for everyone to enjoy the route safely. but what i love most is how quickly you can feel yourself slowing down. fresh air, the sound of water, trees moving in the breeze, birds overhead and boats gliding quietly across the inlet. stanley park is home to hundreds of wildlife species, so keep your eyes open, you might spot herons, squirrels, raccoons, otters or other wildlife along the way. it's more than just a walking path. it's a place to clear your head, get some exercise, breathe a little deeper and reconnect with nature without actually leaving the city. go for a run. hop on a bike. walk the dog. catch up with a friend. find a bench and meditate. or just keep walking until you forget what time it is. the vancouver seawall has a way of making even an ordinary day feel a little extraordinary.

Renting a bike and riding along the Vancouver Seawall is a must do when in Vancouver, especially if…read moreit's your first time! It was my kids' favorite excursion while we were there. It's great to do first thing in the morning after breakfast, though depending on weather make sure you are bundled up and have gloves on!! We rode in sunny, but chilly weather (40s) without gloves and that was our biggest mistake.

Was Vancouver is a place of hidden gems and beautiful locations and this park is a perfect example…read moreof what I mean. When you arrive at the trailhead it does not look like much. Mary is after only space for a few cars to park. But after a maximum of 10 minutes, depending on your fitness level, you arrive at a truly spectacular sight. The view of Howe Sound and the Straight of Georgia is beautiful and well worth the walk in. If you time you are arrival perfectly you will have one of the two really good spot at the end the trail to watch the sunset. It is a really romantic place for that. Is also an excellent place if you want to have a picnic or a family outing on a warm summer day as the breeze from the ocean made it quite cool.

Hidden little park with views from many rocky view points in a residential area. There is several…read morearbutus trees. Entrance at the intersection of Howe sound lane and the byway. There is a many steps to walk down so best for people who are fit. Nice views of Howe Sound.

Beautiful space along the waterfront. Plenty of public access for walkers, and bikes, all along…read morethe water. Plenty of green space, trees, flowers, and an occasional piece of public art. Very nice!

Vancouver during sunset is something quite magical. It's even more stunning during the night time…read more Harbour Green Park catches this wonderfully. If you love dreamy sunsets and glowing city views, Harbour Creek Park has tons of it. I took a stroll through this park after having dinner nearby, and it was the perfect way to close out the evening. The park has a good amount of green space but it's close enough to the city to feel like you're still within reach. The walking trails hug the bay and expose you to beautiful views of the Vancouver Harbour. It's also safe to navigate during the day or night. I passed by lots of dog walkers and runners while I strolled through this little park. It's a local's gem for sure. It's fun seeing all of the seaplanes and the boats docked at the marina too. And of course, the Vancouver skyline just can't be beat here. It's truly stunning. The location is prime since it's located just a short distance from Canada Place. The peacefulness is what attracted me. Even in a large city like Vancouver, it's nice to know that such a lovely park can offer solace with such breathtaking views.

The hike to Garibaldi Lake! This was a difficult one for me, maybe one of the tougher ones I've…read moreaccomplished and I'm saying that because I'm not the most patient of hikers. I'm more of a speed hiker that likes to get in and get out! But to access Garibaldi Lake, (the obvious main event to the park), you must take the Rubble Creek Trail. It's an 18 kilometer out and back hike (or as us Americans would say - "roundtrip")...that is a length of 11.5 miles long. And with that 11.5 miles, the path is all uphill! Everything about it is uphill until you eventually arrive at...Garibaldi Lake! So...for the folks out there who maybe don't hike often, I'd just suggest preparing for the long haul. The hike will be strenuous, but pace yourself, take breaks when necessary and before long...the reward will be worth the grind! And then, you'll be coming back for more! Another thing, I'm always motivated to capture undisturbed pictures in nature. And it's this inspiration that I use to discover what's out there. I want to reflect back on the experience and know I afforded myself ample time during the day to accomplish the sights and sceneries that make for memorable stories. Lol, it's this type of internal mentality that pushes me to strive for greater heights, so to speak, hehehe. Okay so this Rubble Creek Trail to Garibaldi Lake! You must make a reservation 2 days in advance prior to visiting. Just go to bcparks.ca and sign up for a pass. I also used this website for accessing Joffre Lakes Provincial Park situated in Mount Currie, BC. And btw, this Garibaldi Lake is located just north of Whistler, BC. One side note...the parks, lakes and hikes here in Lower British Columbia are simply fantastic! There's a laundry list of things to do. And especially when you speak to locals and they recommend hidden, under the radar places that the public eye doesn't know much about. I thought the Canadian Rockies in Alberta were stunning, but British Columbia nature is really, really scenic! Before arriving at Garibaldi Lake, I suggest taking a short side trek to Barrier Viewpoint for some quick panoramic looks. Also, along the trail you'll pass over a short bridge looking up at a waterfall. It's worthy of a photo. Finally arriving at Garibaldi Lake, at first it may not be so picturesque (even when the sun is out!) but give it a chance. Walk around and explore and you'll find colorful instances where you'll connect with those green and turquoise blue waters. Especially when you're looking back towards the entrance area of the lake, the return hike back down had some of my most fulfilling pictures of the day. It's weird, it's like the angle of the sun can play tricks on you. Be patient and hopefully magical moments will evolve! I tried to walk around the perimeter of Garibaldi Lake, but that wasn't possible. So...I had to relax a little and take my foot off the gas pedal, lol. In fact, some of my best views were simply looking out at the snowcapped mountain peaks. There's a glacier set in the distance as well. A lot of visitors brought their bathing suits with them. And although the lake is glacially fed and freezing, people were still swimming! I even joined in on the fun and took my clothes down to my underwear and hopped in the waters, lol. Granted, it was only briefly, but still, I wanted to leave no stone unturned while here! I'd also point out that since the lake is not navigable 360 degrees around, it sort of took the pressure off me to find the best picture angles. Instead, I really tried to embrace the setting and live in the moment! There's camping allowed here, but again you must make reservations for it. Btw, it's free to book your entry pass to the lake. Parking is free too. One last thing, remember...when you head back towards the entrance of Garibaldi Lake, you'll be pleasantly surprised with the lake colors illuminating from the tree line pathway. I left the lake around 3pm and suddenly, light greens and blues were evident! There are vault toilets at the lake. Interestingly, they ask you to bring your own toilet paper. Never seen that before. Overall, Garibaldi Lake was a wonderful way to enjoy a summer day in the great outdoors. I can't believe I hiked 18 kilometers. And the path through the forest makes for a quiet atmosphere in the woods. I would still rank Joffre Lakes as my favorite BC landmark, but this Garibaldi Lake has its value and major popularity among hikers. Thank you for taking time to read this.

All I have to say is be prepared.. As this is about an 18km hike, I recommend leaving early in the…read moremorning and staying over night in Whistler so you don't feel rushed. This time around when we went, due to the pandemic, we had to book a time slot the day of as they were limiting the amount of hikers. Driving there isn't the problem nor is the parking, it's the length of time but the reward at the end is worth it. I recommend bringing a small bag for liquids, snacks, bug spray, hat and towel as you could swim there but keep in mind you can't throw away your garbage at the site due to bears even though there's a camp site there. The hike isn't super steep and you won't have to climb anything (at least I didn't), you just have to be ready to walk a lot. The path is well marked so you can't get lost. I would say the average round trip if you aren't including staying at the destination to eat and take photos is roughly 4-5 hours round trip at a steady pace. Hike's are always calming and it helps clear your mind from stress and clutter. This is probably one of the best local hikes I've done so far and I would definitely recommend it to anything looking for a challenge and beautiful view. And if you want to be more adventurous, you can also extend your trip to panoramic ridge and black tusk!

Nice small sloped park on a hill that also doubles as a parking lot and staging area for the nearby…read moreQuarry Rock hike. Parking is available but fills up very quickly on nice days. Once the lot is full, there is very little (if any) street parking anywhere in the vicinity. I was told to go very early (0730) to guarantee a spot, and even at that point the lot was over half full. The park itself is basically one giant sloped area. There is a picnic gazebo, a flat outdoor area, and a kids' playground. Then there is the nice beautiful view of the water and surrounding area. Facilities are available just a few minutes S by the kayak club. Not sure if I'd come here just for the park, but it is worth checking out if one is already here for Quarry Rock.

Took a quick walk around this park after hiking Baden Powell trial. I like how it's not crowded and…read morejust very peaceful! Of course, great views as well!