we drove around stanley park after dinner and caught the sunset, hoping to catch a glimpse of a humpback whale or maybe even a pod of orcas passing through the water. no such luck this time, but honestly the park still delivered. instead, we spotted a seagull standing perfectly still with a starfish clamped proudly in its mouth like some kind of seafood trophy. it looked both deeply proud of itself and slightly terrified to move in case it dropped its prize. it's easy to understand why stanley park is considered vancouver's most famous attraction. somehow this enormous urban park manages to combine rainforest, beaches, wildlife, gardens, ocean views, and the downtown skyline all in one place without ever feeling overly busy or commercialised. the drive through the park alone is worth it. take your time, there is construction going on right now. winding roads curve beneath towering western red cedars, douglas firs, and hemlocks before suddenly opening up to sweeping coastal views. every turn feels completely different from the last. the stanley park seawall is really the centrepiece of the entire experience. wrapping around the waterfront with nearly nonstop views of english bay, burrard inlet, lions gate bridge, the north shore mountains, and the vancouver skyline, it's the kind of place where people naturally slow down. cyclists cruise past runners, dog walkers stop to admire the scenery, tourists pause every few metres for photos, and families wander along the path with ice cream in hand. prospect point was easily one of the highlights, especially near sunset with the view stretching towards lions gate bridge and the mountains beyond. brockton point lighthouse added another classic postcard view, while the sailboats gathered near the royal vancouver yacht club made the harbour glow in the evening light. along the seawall we passed the scuba diver statue resting casually on a rock beside the water, definitely a scuba diver, not a mermaid, and somehow it perfectly matches the atmosphere of the park: peaceful, slightly quirky, and unmistakably west coast. lost lagoon brought a completely different energy from the oceanfront sections of the park. surrounded by trees and calm walking paths, the water reflected the skyline while ducks, geese, and other birds drifted quietly across the surface. second beach and third beach were both full of people making the most of the evening. second beach has the famous heated outdoor pool sitting right beside the ocean, along with volleyball courts, picnic areas, and one of the best sunset spots in the park. third beach felt quieter and more tucked away, with people stretched out on driftwood logs watching the sky slowly shift colours over english bay. nearby, the teahouse sits hidden among the trees, blending naturally into the surroundings. what makes stanley park stand out is how much there is beyond the famous seawall. tucked throughout the park are forest trails, gardens, playgrounds, tennis courts, public art, wildlife viewing areas, the pitch and putt golf course, and the vancouver aquarium hidden among the trees. despite sitting beside downtown vancouver, the park rarely feels urban. within minutes you can go from skyline views and busy pathways to quiet forest roads where all you hear is wind moving through the trees and waves hitting the shoreline. it's the contrast that makes the place memorable. even without spotting whales or orcas, the evening felt unforgettable. stanley park isn't just a place you visit once for the photos, it's the kind of place you keep wanting to return to because every section of it feels slightly different from the last. read more

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Stanley Park was at the top of my must-do list while visiting Vancouver--and it was easily one of my favorite activities. The urban park spans over 1,000 lush acres and has such a rich history. It officially opened as a public park in 1888, named after Lord Stanley, Canada's Governor General at the time. We decided to experience it in the best way possible: on two wheels. After renting bicycles near Coal Harbor, we set off along the park's famous seawall--a scenic path that loops around the entire perimeter and offers nonstop views of ocean, mountains, city, and skyline. It's the kind of ride where you find yourself stopping often because every turn reveals beautiful views. Along the way, we made stops at some of the park's most iconic landmarks. The Stanley Park Totem Poles were vibrant and deeply rooted in Indigenous culture and storytelling. We continued on to the Girl in a Wetsuit statue, and then made our way up to Prospect Point. Don't forget to take in the view of the Lions Gate Bridge stretching across the water! Further along, we stopped to admire Siwash Rock before finishing our route near A-maze-ing Laughter by English Bay. After hours of heavy rain, we got incredibly lucky--the skies cleared what felt like just for us, and we were able to enjoy the entire ride in fresh, crisp air. I was so happy seeing the beaches along the way and the tree-lined paths glowing with orange leaves as we soaked in the last bits of autumn. Best of all, we were treated to a beautiful sunset at English Bay. It felt like the perfect closing moment--peaceful, golden, and well-earned after a full loop around the park. I can't recommend visiting Stanley Park enough. Wish we had enough time to visit the teahouse, but will have to save that for next time. If you're short on time but want to see a lot, biking the seawall is absolutely the way to go. It's active, scenic, and such a memorable way to experience one of Vancouver's most beloved places. read more

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I'm a firm believer that the best way to experience a new city is by visiting a park, and Stanley Park in Vancouver is the quintessential case. It's the third-largest urban park in North America and even bigger than Central Park in NYC. Unlike other large urban parks that were designed by architects, Stanley Park is a naturally occurring rainforest ecosystem that evolved from a forest and urban space over time. It attracts 18 million visitors per year. The park is also a darling child of Western travel media, regularly earning praise from companies such as TripAdvisor and Conde Nast Traveler as the top/most beautiful park in the world. The park is indeed absolutely stunning. When I visited, it was bustling with activity, and I observed people in the park from all different walks of life. I am personally an active traveler. I would have loved to have some dedicated time to go hiking and explore the park more extensively, but my friend who accompanied me on the trip is more of a leisure traveler. So, we spent the majority of our time in the park lounging and enjoying an incredible sunset at the beach. Not a bad compromise at all. :) Please refer to resources developed by local experts such as the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation, the University of British Columbia, and the Vancouver Heritage Foundation for more comprehensive information on Stanley Park. read more

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Stanley Park - one of Vancouvers must see & experience parks. I've dropped plenty pictures of Stanley Park over the years under my - City of Vancouver - review. Over time I realized, this jewel deserves its own review. One of Vancouvers big draws for tourists, this is a stunning park minutes from downtown Vancouver. I have visited dozens of times & brought many out of town family & friends to see Stanley Park. I often go during the summer months but will not hesitate to drop in during the Fall or Winter. Things to do here - bike, walk, jog, scooter, rollerblade, sight see, visit the aquarium, enjoy a summer concert & more. Take a ride around via horse & carriage if you like. There's even a beach on the west side of the park to chill out on. As you walk around the outer perimeter of the park, the views are breathtaking - the ocean, downtown Vancouver, the mountains, the Lionsgate Bridge, the skyline - all gorgeous. A walk around the seawall can take up to 90mins, depending on how often you stop along the way. Oh you definitely will be making a few stops along the way to capture those picture perfect shots. The trees in this park are iconic - age & beauty, so keep an eye out. Head to Prospect Point, facing West Vancouver, & make that proposal to your future spouse, at this stunning view point. As you wind your way around the park, you end up at Second Beach Pool - a large beautiful heated pool, open during late spring through to the end of summer. At the centre of the park is the popular Vancouver Aquarium, recommended for families with kids to come check out. Post pandemic (Covid-19) in late 2021 into year 2022, Stanley Park became notorious for severe attacks on people by - coyotes. It took a while for government to get control of the situation. It was definitely a scary time to go through the park back then. Hot tip alert - if you drive here & park, do not leave your wallets or passports in your car! And do not even get out of your car, & proceed to put anything in the trunk, ie jacket. Unfortunately theives operate here - you won't see them but they are here hiding in the bushes. I have scootered around the entire park. Some passage way on the far western side is just too narrow & gets too crowded. I'd recommend scootering around the park in an anticlockwise pattern, getting to the Lions Gate Bridge & then turning right back around. For sanitys sake. read more

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Gorgeous spot for a walk. Visited on a beautiful sunny day and got to walk along the sea wall. Had a great time. The totem poles are so cool. Great views of multiple points of the city. Its busy but still enjoyable. Lots of bikes and pedestrians. Can also drive through and see things while driving. We even saw a bald eagle flying above us!! read more

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Visited the Harry Potter forbidden forest event at Stanley Park and it was a 10/10. The attention to detail was great. The staff were friendly as well and helpful In organizing parking etc. the lights, sound and music , as well as figures all throughout was a magical experience. read more

Stanley Park - Parks Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

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BEAUTIFUL PARK, runners/walkers/roller skaters. two lanes for ppl on feet vs wheels. very safe, abt 6mi to make one loop around lake + park, u go under the bridge, u get a view of the beaches, ferries, seagulls, u enter parks. U NEED TO ADD THIS TO UR ITINERARY!! go biking for $10 an hour is so worth it!! yummy waterfront dining areas surrounding read more

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Pros: The people of Vancouver are so lucky to have something like this. If I lived here, I would be biking this route once a week. We saw multiple seals playing in the water. There's a tea place towards the end. Cons: very very crowded. Lots of rude people. read more

Stanley Park - Parks Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

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This is a great place to walk. If you walk the beach trail, it is 10km or 6.2 miles around. There is a lot to see. If the sun is out, eear sun screen. I have a good burn because I didn't put any on. If you take your time, you will see some wildlife. We saw seals, geese, ducks, and a few crabs. There are vendors and bathrooms every 4 or 5 kilometers. You can get drinks and food. Restrooms have signs on them indicating they are open for gender diverse individuals even though they are marked male and female. People are friendly and we had a great time. Allow 5 or more hours if you want to see a lot of the sights. Go several days if you want to see it all. They have carriage tours for $30 a person if you don't want to walk or rent a bike. Get out and enjoy the sites. We had a great time. read more

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Absolutely amazing park! This is the equivalent of Central Park in NYC but with more incredible views of the waterfront and many forested trails. There is so much to see and do including an aquarium, historical Totem Poles, and views of Vancouver city scape and amazing Lions Gate Bridge. We didn't even touch the surface of all of the activities and time that could be spent here. It is incredible, especially with all the leaves changing to fall colors of gold, red, orange, and yellow. It's truly a must see! read more

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Huge and beautiful park. There are areas to picnic, sit along the sandy bay edge, trail hike through the woods, and bike ride along the designated trails. There's plenty of restrooms, a playground, and a little snack and ice cream building too. It's got everything! Oh but while on one of the hike trails, we smelled wood smoke. Then a ranger drove by asking if we'd seen a fire. It's very dangerous to be using fire, or smoking in this area. Definitely be careful to avoid a fire starting. read more

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So many good things to say about this huge urban green space. Easily one of the largest city parks I've ever been to, including Central Park in NYC. Boats. Bikes. Scooters. E-bikes. Walkers. Runners. Buggy baby bumpers. They are all there enjoying the sounds of the Pacific Northwest. Rose gardens are lovely and the Seawall wraps around the entire park. Two lighthouse dot the landscape and across the bay in every direction is Vancouverism at its best. The port is a hive of activity and the cruise ship terminal and convention center also creat amazing visuals from across the water. We walked about 13 miles from downtown out to the park and around and back. We could have easily added another 4-6 miles if we were ambitious. This is a must when visiting Vancouver. read more

Such a great park in Vancouver. Trails everywhere with some really nice areas through the woods or out in the open. Keep an eye out for the nesting herons in the trees. Close to downtown and easily accessible. Make sure you pay for parking. read more

We came here multiple times during our trip to Vancouver. There's so much to do here with plenty of gorgeous views all around. They have wide open green space, plenty of walking/biking paths, big playgrounds for kids, dog friendly areas (not the beach), and in the summer when we went, we very much enjoyed the pool at Second Beach. The entry fee for the pool was very reasonable, and the pool itself was huge, had a nice water slide feature, and great surrounding views. Make sure you pay for parking, even if there is no sign nearby! Walk to the nearest parking station ASAP to pay. read more

Stanley Park - Parks Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

Over 1000 acres and larger than NYC Central Park, Stanley Park was established in 1888 for Vancouver's First official park. This continues to be my recommended attraction for anyone new visiting Vancouver as it offers scenic views of the water. While this park has become a bit over crowded due to scooters, e-bikes and runners, the one way seawall trail offers great views and places to rest. Seawall Trail (Most Famous Path) Length: ~9 km (5.6 miles) around the entire perimeter of Stanley Park Type: Paved, flat, and scenic path popular for walking, biking, rollerblading Time to Walk: ~2 to 2.5 hours Time to Bike: ~1 hour leisurely (bike rentals available nearby) Direction: One-way counterclockwise for bikes, two-way for pedestrians read more

The park itself offers great views of the city and the water and even bridges - both in the day and at night. You can drive all around and there are different parking areas along the way - all paid and I don't remember if there's an end time here, but a lot of national parks around me is free after 5pm. Well we got a parking ticket after 6pm in less than 10 minutes away from the car. Traffic can be horrible going there and back from the city and it's a one way/lane to circle the park. There's also a Totem Polls area but it's a bit underwhelming. Great for biking or running, very flat grounds. But besides the city views and photo ops, not much to do from a tourist standpoint. read more

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My family and I made this one of our top spots on our list to visit when in the Vancouver area. It is really neat that we could just hop on the bus and take this to the loop inside Stanley Park. The first day that we came here, we ended up walking a little to the Vancouver Aquarium. Just walking from the loop to the aquarium is so beautiful and green! On the other day that we came here, we bussed into the same loop and did much more walking through this beautiful park! We ended up walking to the totem poles area. These were really cool to see! As we walked along the perimeter walking path, we could see the waters. We noticed many cool looking boats. It was neat to see the water airplanes take off and land in the harbor as well as seeing the horse carriage ride. As we kept walking, we could see the Lions Gate Bridge and Grosse Mountain towards North Vancouver. The sight was so picturesque! We found a playground area for my two granddaughters, which they had fun there. Next, we saw a nice garden area and then had an incredible lunch at Stanley's Bar & Grill. We had such a great, wonderful, and eventful day here. Overall, l love coming to Stanley Park. There are so many other things to explore in the future here! I can't wait to come back again and I highly recommend you make this a part of any Vancouver visit you make!!! read more

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Stanley park is a terrific spot for a walk or bike ride. Great views of the harbor, watching some of the commercial shipping come and go. The bike route is well maintained, level, and easy to rider. It's less than an hour on bike, at a leisurely pace. read more

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Love this place I hadn't been since I was a child. The park is beautifully maintained, I especially loved the rose gardens. A must see for anyone visiting the area. read more

Stanley Park is absolutely beautiful! I didn't have very high expectations given that I've been to many parks before. However the reviews online for Stanley Park were amazing so I decided to spend a few hours here with friends. First of all, there are many places to park next to the trails, so it's convenient and accessible. The entire park is so well-organized and clean... I was so drawn to the natural beauty that sometimes forgot I was right next to one of the biggest cities in Canada. Stanley Park is massive and it is easy to get lost. However, there are many signs and maps to guide you. I love to by my water and the Seawall is incredibly long and scenic. There's a lot of history and landmarks to explore and learn about. We walked around for two and a half hours and it was magical the whole time. If you're a Vancouver BC, this place is an absolute must-visit. read more

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Stanley Park is 1/5 bigger than NYC's Central Park. So if there is a specific point you'd like to visit, you want to make sure you are driving to that point. We specifically wanted to visit the Vancouver Seawall and the Totem Poles. There are various paid parking lots throughout the park. We went on a Monday morning at around 9:15, and there were plenty of spots. It'll cost you $4.95/hour. They have trails for walking and biking/rollerblading. The park is also pretty clean. There's a bathroom and a gift shop near the totem polls. The bathroom wasn't great but still cleaner than most public bathrooms. We only spent about an hour at the park, but I could see how easy it would be to spend half the day there. I wouldn't say anything is a must-see here (the Totem poles were pretty cool), but if you are just visiting and you have the time, it's a nice walk along the water. read more

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Stanley Park is a must-visit if you're traveling to Vancouver. Each time I've come here, I've always enjoyed the journey. Whether you're taking photos at the totem poles or just walking around the water, you're sure to have a beautiful experience here. I appreciated the walking and biking paths available around the water. Stroll at your leisure and check out some of the sculptures throughout the way. The park is huge. Even though I didn't get to explore all of it, I loved that there's always something new to see whenever I visit. They also have some shops and eateries at the park. They have horse carriage rides and other rentals available. Go for a picnic. Go for a bike ride. Go for a walk. But whatever you do, just go. read more

The ocean views are awesome and the designated lanes for walking, biking, driving are excellent. Rent a bike in the stores on the adjacent big road, it's worth the small cost to experience a great ride around the park. The cruisers are super easy on the body and I didn't break zero sweat. I had an injured ankle and the cruiser bike worked great to save me the walk and gave me a good time. If you do ride a bike, please respect the rules and follow the markings on the ground, and walk the bikes when required. These walking parts take less than a minute. Don't be a dick like some people - let's all be nice and follow the rules to help everyone have a safe and fun time. read more

I've generally enjoyed going to Stanley park. It's beautiful. It's big. Definitely a gorgeous attraction for locals and anyone visiting from out of town. It's beautiful if you just want to go for a stroll in the park or bike ride. The Vancouver aquarium is also a wonderful attraction at Stanley park to visit. During the winter, the way they set up the Christmas attraction is also worth a visit. read more

We enjoyed walking around Stanley park to the Rose garden. The roses have wilted a lot and lost their blooms but I bet they must be gorgeous during peak season. Some of the roses smelled great as well. Pretty scenery and pleasant walk. read more

I don't recommend this place to any woman with a boyfriend or husband. As soon as your man goes to this place he will talk about going there 24/7! He will talk about this place more than he talks about you. I loved it here but idkkkkkk maybe find some place else read more

Yes, people, believe the hype - this place truly lives up to it! Truly! It's popular for a reason. While visiting from Ontario, I knew I had to come check this place out, and boy am I glad I did so. The park is well kept, safe, and clean, and has so many things to check out, from the sea wall to totem poles to seeing the Lion's Gate Bridge and so much more. Basically, there's something here to do for everyone of all ages. For the best experience, I recommend biking so you can truly get around the park quicker. They also have two lanes throughout the whole park, one for pedestrians and another for bikers. This really adds to the experience, knowing that you don't have to constantly watch behind your back for a vehicle or bicycle. Plenty of washrooms are also available throughout the park. Just make sure that when you do come here that you have a lot of time, as in several hours, or honestly, even a whole day. I was only here for about two hours and it wasn't enough to get a full grasp of everything Stanley Park has to offer. This is NOT a tourist trap, people. Come, or it isn't a Vancouver trip without stopping by here. read more

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Great family spot in Vancouver. My family spent the afternoon at the park and we barely touched the surface of all of the things you can do there. They loved the playground, rose gardens, aquarium, and we had lunch at Stanley Bar and Grill. Highly recommend! read more

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About the size of NYC's Central Park, Stanley Park is Vancouver's urban park, separating from North and West Vancouver from its southern cousin. Having no entrance fees, it has distinct paved bike and foot trails, with plenty of parking lots spread throughout the park (paid with a rate of $8.50 CAD for two hours). As you would expect, it has beautiful panoramic views of the Vancouver skyline. Our group spent a short afternoon walking around the eastern most peninsula, using the lighthouse as a guiding point. There are horse drawn carriages here (for a steep per person price starting at $76), and the Vancouver Aquarium is located within its borders. It also has a non-public accessible Naval Reserve station. Later realized that it was named after the same person that the National Hockey League's Stanley Cup is named after. read more

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Pleasantly surprised by this park. It was a sunny day, so I walked around. I thought the grounds were well kept. I didn't go really far into the park, but got to see the lawn bowling area. I walked around the restaurant, which seemed very busy. There was a long line for the golf course. But it had some pretty views, including beach areas. There were a few outdoor food vendors. Upon the entrance, there was a festival going on with people selling many wares. read more

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What more can I add about this huge amount of greenery right adjacent to downtown Vancouver? Somebody planned right... plenty of hiking opportunities, there's the aquarium, forestry, the beach, just shiny happy people holding hands or otherwise enjoying themselves. All this with a major thoroughfare going through the middle - shows that we can co-exist if we know what we're doing, and don't submit to those who are too self-engrossed to be good for society. read more

Stanley Park - View of downtown - Parks Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

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What a beautiful park. I spent about 90 minutes there, but, I could've spent a week or more if I had more time. They have something for everyone from an aquarium, walking/biking paths, totem poles, gift shops, cafes, train ride, rose garden, great views, a teahouse, and a whole lot more. You can rent bikes. There are lots of animals including eagles, bats, seals, raccoons that you might see. Parking is available in the many lots for a fee. I did have trouble at one lot where all the machines didn't work. I was able to pay for parking at another lot. The park is well maintained. It is a great place to visit when in Vancouver. read more

Stanley Park - Parks Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

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Quite the hangout, Staley Park is a peninsula that extends into the Burrard Inlet and has the southern end of the Lions Gate Bridge. At 1001 acres, it's larger than New York's Central Park. Of course, it needs to be mentioned that the land is the traditional territory of a number of First Nations peoples, some of whom were displaced as part of the roadway development of the area. The park is accessible by road and with a number of metered parking lots scattered about, the park has walking and biking trails including a nice biking/walking path that goes around the entire park. Lots of secluded areas and dense forest space. While you can't really get lost, there are some places where you can be alone. The polar bear exhibit, the miniature train, the aquarium and more are here if you need some entertainment. There are also a number of memorials and artworks about. It's wonderful that the land remains mostly undeveloped and it certainly seems that it will remain that way. [Review 20871 overall - 48 in British Columbia - 1855 of 2023.] read more

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This park is huge! You can spend the whole day here. There's trails for bikers and hikers. The seawall has a nice waterfront view. You can drive and make pitstops to different points. We saw the totem poles, the lighthouse, the hollow tree. read more

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Stanley Park is absolutely beautiful with a 10 km (6.2 mi) seawall facing Vancouver Harbour towards the city skyline (east) and English Bay with gorgeous sunsets (west). The seawall has designated paths for walking and biking. Probably biking is your best option when taking into account time, but my crazy self decided to walk it. It was an exhausting but rewarding 3.5 hours which included multiple rest stops and photo ops. Keep your eyes open for unique birds and sea lions. Notable landmarks include the Totem Poles, Brockton Point Lighthouse, Lion's Gate Bridge, and Siwash Rock. Be sure to bring plenty of water, a hat, and a few snacks. There are distance markers on the ground and maps throughout the trail, so you know how far you've travelled. Besides the seawall, Stanley Park has many hiking trails inside, picnic areas, restaurants/cafes, and the aquarium. If visiting Vancouver, definitely carve out half a day for Stanley Park! read more

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A must go daytime visit. The trails are gorgeous, you feel like you're walking through jurassic park. Bring your bathing suits for the beach and rent a bike to ride along the sea wall! read more

Beautiful park with amazing views! It's very walkable and plenty of parking. We ended up going to the Vancouver aquarium located in the park and we loved it! read more

Stanley Park - Parks Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

The view of Stanley park is beautiful. We did the bike ride around the island which was worth it. I had my boys on the bike trailer and they enjoyed it. You could walk it but we didn't have all day to play tourist and take pictures while walking with two kids to carry. Check out the place. You will enjoy it. read more

Stanley Park - Mini break to take in the view. - Parks Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

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This park is a must see if you're in Vancouver. It's huge and you can spend a whole day here. Lots of paths for hiking, biking, running, or walking. Beautiful waterfront walkway and nice restaurants / cafes along it. There are also bike rental spots and playgrounds for kids. Awesome place on a nice day! read more

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Gayle and I walked up Robson from the Hilton to Stanley Park. We strolled counter-clockwise along the waterfront, passed the Brock Point Lighthouse to the Totem Poles and back into town. Other highlights were the Vancouver Cityscape with float planes taking off and landing, the benches with dedications, the beautiful greenery, and all the people out on this glories Sunday morning. Stanley Park is huge of which our little walk only scratched the surface. As I did one of the last times I was here, exploring by bike maybe be a little more efficient to experience the full breadth of this "Mother of All City Parks". Maybe NYC's Central Park is Dad? read more

Stanley Park - One City View from Stanley Park - Parks Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia