The Best 6 Things to Do in Stanley Park

A trip to Vancouver wouldn’t be complete without spending some time in Stanley Park. Known for its natural beauty and ample greenery within walking distance of the city’s downtown, the people of Vancouver are blessed with this sprawling public space, and they know it! Make sure you dedicate at least a few hours of your Vancouver trip exploring the park and you’ll learn to appreciate it as well. Fair warning though, the park is huge. Like seriously, HUGE. There’s no way you can see it all in one visit. That’s where this post comes in though, as I’ll give you a run down of some of the best things to do in Stanley Park as a first time tourist.

• Stanley Park is just one of the many attractions worth visiting in Vancouver. For an idea of what else to do in the city, check out my 2 day suggested itinerary HERE.

Stanley Park Basics

• Where? Stanley Park is located to the northwest of downtown Vancouver. You can access the park’s main entrance from the west end of Georgia Street.
• When? Stanley Park is open 24 hours daily, but you’ll want to visit during the daylight hours.
• How much? Admission to Stanley Park is free.
• How to get there: The main entrance to Stanley Park is a short walk from Vancouver’s downtown waterfront area. Follow Georgia Street to the west. Its about a 25 minute walk from Canada Place.

About Stanley Park

Covering a whopping 405 hectares, the area that makes up Stanley Park today was originally home to the Squamish and Musqueam First Nation tribes, with villages dating back some 3,000 years ago. With the late 17th century arrival of Europeans, early Spanish settlers established trading posts with the local tribes in the area. By the mid 19th century, the park was used as a military reserve due to its strategic position, overlooking the entrance to Vancouver harbour.

As Vancouver’s population expanded following the Canadian Gold Rush, Stanley Park was eventually declared a city park in 1888. It was named after the Governor General, Lord Stanley. The park underwent massive development throughout the 20th century, with the eviction of residents and a conversion of the area to focus on recreational activity. Despite the range of tourist attractions throughout the park however, it also remains an oasis for nature lovers. The park today is home to numerous species including coyotes, beavers and hundreds of types of birds.

6 Things to Do in Stanley Park

You could spend a whole day in Stanley Park (if not more). If you’re only in Vancouver for a few days, you probably don’t have time to do that. Therefore here’s some of the highlights to help you decide how best to spend your time in the park.

1. Walk/Ride the Seawall

Ask someone about Stanley Park and chances are you’ll hear about the Seawall. Its the park’s defining feature and is a must when visiting. Construction of the Seawall took place from 1917 to 1980 and the trail stretches the entire 8.8 kilometres around the park’s exterior. It takes about three hours to walk the whole loop (or less if you rent a bike) and provides some of the best waterside views in Vancouver. Not only will you see the city skyline and the impressive ships docked in English Bay, but you’ll continue along to spectacular mountain vistas to the north and eventually the Pacific Ocean when you hit the park’s west side.

If you don’t plan to walk the entire Seawall (or even if you do but aren’t sure if you’ll make it the whole way) definitely travel around the park in a counter clockwise direction – most of the park’s highlights are on the east side of Stanley Park. When I visited, I walked along the Seawall until I got to Prospect Point (site of the Lion’s Gate Bridge to the city’s north) before doubling back through the park’s interior. If you’re renting a bike, you’ll have to go counter-clockwise anyway since cyclists are only permitted to ride in one direction.

2. Check out the Totem Poles

One of the most popular spots in the park is Brockton Point. While its also is where you’ll find the park’s lighthouse, its better known for the famous collection of totem poles that pay tribute to the park’s original inhabitants. There’s 9 totem poles in total at Brockton Point and they were all crafted by local First Nations tribes found throughout British Columbia. While many of the original poles have now been replaced by replicas, they remain awe inspiring regardless. They’re also culturally significant, telling stories of individuals and communities, providing insight into First Nations’ beliefs.

The newest of Stanley Park’s totem poles was only added in 2009. Unlike the other poles, its an original and was carved by Robert Yelton of the Squamish Nation.

3. Visit the Vancouver Aquarium

You’ll also find the Vancouver Aquarium in the middle of Stanley Park. Known as Canada’s largest aquarium, its home to over 65,000 fish and other aquatic animals, both from the local area and those found further abroad. You’ll see the usual aquarium suspects of sharks, eels, octopus and others, but there’s also a rainforest area included in your admission where you can see exotic birds, turtles, sloths and more. And of course, you can’t miss the adorable otters.

I didn’t personally visit the Vancouver Aquarium when I was in Stanley Park, but that was mainly due to time constraints. I’ve heard great things from everyone that has been there though, so have no problem recommending it. Admission to the aquarium will cost you approximately $38.00 CAD, but exact price depends on the date you visit. Check out the aquarium’s official website here for more details and to buy your tickets in advance. The aquarium is open daily, generally from 9.30am – 5.30pm.

4. Board a Carriage

If you need a break after all that walking but still want to see more of Stanley Park, why not see more from a horse drawn carriage?. If you’re at the park between February and November, you can organise this relatively easily. No pre-booking is necessary – just show up to the kiosk at Coal Harbour and you’ll be all set for a fully narrated tour that takes you around much of the park’s major highlights. It is pricey (expect it to cost around $50.00 CAD per person), but if you’re looking for a special way to see the park in comfort, this is it. You can find out more here.

5. Explore the Park’s Interior Trails

While everyone does the Seawalk and the totem poles, the interior of Stanley Park is often neglected by visitors. In my view that’s a mistake, as by wandering along the park’s less explored trails, you’ll truly take yourself into nature to the point where its easy to forget you’re a mere stroll from a major city. While there’s numerous options, if you’re coming back from the far side of the park along the main road, Beaver’s Lake is an easy diversion. Deep within the park’s forest, you’ll be sheltered from the sounds of urban life and traffic around this lily filled pond. I’m not actually sure if there’s beavers here (despite the name), but look hard enough and you might come across some racoons, squirrels or other local furry creatures.

6. Seek out the Park’s Art and Sculptures

There’s a myriad of sculptures and other art displays throughout Stanley Park. Take some time during your visit to spot some of them. There’s too many to list, but here’s some of the more famous ones:

• Statue of Harry Jerome: the so-called “Running Man” commemorating the Canadian track and field runner.
• Girl in a Wetsuit Statue: a life sized bronze woman on a rock off the shore of the Seawall bearing a eerie resemblance to Copenhagen’s Little Mermaid.
• Empress of Japan Figurehead: a replica of the SS Empress of Japan, a ship famous for crossing the Pacific Ocean over 400 times.
• Statue of Lord Stanley: near the entrance to the park’s Rose Garden, this statue pays tribute to the park’s namesake, Lord Stanley.
• Portuguese Joe Monument: this bronze cedar cast commemorates the ancestral connection between the First Nation’s and Portuguese migrants of the area. It can be found near the Brockton Point totem poles.

As you can see, there’s a lot of things to do in Stanley Park. This is hardly a comprehensive list – we haven’t even mentioned the beaches, the restaurants or the miniature train! You could spend days if you really wanted to see the entirety of Stanley Park, but hopefully this post has given you an idea of some of its best features. Have I missed anything? Let me know!