There are several ways to experience the beauty and history of Stanley Park. Pass by on a Vancouver sightseeing tour, take a guided tour along its wooded trails, or check out the First Nations Interpretive Walking Tour, which explains the local indigenous history and culture.
Alternatively, get creative on a guided photography tour of the temperate rain forest before exploring the park’s winding cycling and hiking paths. Meanwhile, families with kids can stop at the Vancouver Aquarium and the Stanley Park Miniature Train.
A free shuttle bus travels around the park, though many opt to bike or walk instead.
Old-fashioned horse-drawn carriages offer 1-hour tours and are a great—and romantic—way to get an overview of the area.
Restaurants and cafés are scattered throughout the park.
Stanley Park is wheelchair and stroller accessible for the most part, but some more rugged trails may be off-limits.
Stanley Park is located at the west end of downtown Vancouver and the park’s information booth is located near the Georgia Street entrance. Walking and cycling paths lead from downtown to the peninsula where the park is located, but the TransLink #19 bus and Skytrain are also options. Alternatively, park your car nearby using a daily parking pass.
The park is open year-round; March to November bring the mildest weather, and it can get quite cold in the winter. To have the park (more or less) to yourself, the best times to visit are typically early morning and mid- to late afternoon.
Certainly one of the best views in Stanley Park is from the seawall looking over to the Vancouver skyline and Coal Harbour. For natural beauty, it’s tough to beat the views of the surrounding mountains, but the rose garden and beaches come close. There’s also the wildlife, including bald eagles, beavers, and birds. Culturally-speaking, the First Nations art and totem poles are a must, while their scenic spots include the Lost Lagoon, Hollow Tree, and Beaver Lake.
