Playland, Vancouver

Playland, Vancouver

Established in 1910, Playland holds the distinction of being Canada's oldest amusement park. Nestled within Hastings Park, it proudly boasts this esteemed status as the country's premier amusement destination. Annually, the park introduces fresh experiences by replacing one or two rides, ensuring a dynamic and engaging environment. During the customary yearly fair, the park consistently draws crowds near its maximum capacity.

In the 2009 season, the eerie allure of Demons of the Dark and House of the Dead haunted houses gave way to the captivating Haunted Mansion. Similarly, the traditional arcade transformed into the high-tech Command Headquarters (CHQ). As August draws to a close, Playland joins forces with its leasing partner, Pacific National Exhibition (PNE), to orchestrate an eagerly anticipated local fair for Metro Vancouver's residents.

A captivating array of events awaits fairgoers, including talent showcases, spirited Animal Races, adrenaline-pumping Demolition Derbies, and the awe-inspiring spectacle of Monster Trucks. Culinary enthusiasts can delight in a diverse assortment of delectable foods and snacks. Notably, this festive period witnesses a substantial augmentation in the number of rides, with West Coast Amusements contributing a host of new thrills.

Within the city of Vancouver, ongoing discussions have pondered the fate of PNE and Playland-whether to retain their current location or explore new horizons. Nonetheless, a resolution has been reached, confirming their enduring presence in the present locale. The regular operational season of Playland spans from April through September each year. Furthermore, the park reopens its gates for the chillingly entertaining Fright Nights, captivating visitors from mid-October to the Halloween weekend.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Vancouver. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Playland on Map

Sight Name: Playland
Sight Location: Vancouver, Canada (See walking tours in Vancouver)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark

Walking Tours in Vancouver, Canada

Create Your Own Walk in Vancouver

Create Your Own Walk in Vancouver

Creating your own self-guided walk in Vancouver is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Vancouver Chinatown Walking Tour

Vancouver Chinatown Walking Tour

Vancouver's Chinatown is the second-largest Chinese-centered area in North America. As such, it has long attracted hordes of tourists with its expressive culture, inexpensive but delicious food, and fabulous traditional architecture.

The very first landmark that welcomes visitors entering Chinatown is the grand, ornate structure called the Millennium Gate. With its intricate architectural...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.3 Km or 0.8 Miles
Vancouver Yaletown Walking Tour

Vancouver Yaletown Walking Tour

For many years, Yaletown was the thriving industrial heart of Vancouver. Today, this historic neighborhood looks unlike any other part of the city and is considered to be the home of Vancouver's "elite" society.

The Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre is a prominent landmark here, serving as a hub for art exhibitions and recreational activities. Its historic...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles
Gastown Walking Tour

Gastown Walking Tour

To get the feel of authentic Vancouver, head for the Gastown district. This is where the city was born: an ex-sailor turned gold prospector built an inn here in the late 19th century and a small settlement, mostly of mill workers, dockhands and merchants, sprang up around it. Many of the streets in Gastown are still cobblestoned and you will find lovely examples of Victorian buildings that have...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Vancouver Introduction Walking Tour

Vancouver Introduction Walking Tour

A bustling seaport on the west coast of Canada, Vancouver is among the country's densest and most ethnically diverse cities. It is also one of British Columbia's youngest cities. Prior to the Europeans, the Vancouver area had been inhabited – for almost 10,000 years – by Aboriginal tribes: Squamish, Musqueam, and Tsleil-Waututh (Burrard). The explorer Simon Fraser and his crew were...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
Vancouver Downtown Walking Tour

Vancouver Downtown Walking Tour

Numerous historic and otherwise notable landmarks scattered throughout Downtown Vancouver make it a hot traveler's destination. Each such landmark is unique in itself and has a great deal of story to tell visitors, be it cultural history or simple amusement.

While in Downtown you can't miss the Vancouver Lookout. This observation deck lures you with its breathtaking scenery – the...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
Granville Island Walking Tour

Granville Island Walking Tour

Successfully transformed, back in the 1970s, from an industrial wasteland into one of the most beloved public spaces in Vancouver, Granville Island is now viewed as a premier artistic and cultural hub famous for its balance of functionality and flare. It is equally popular as a shopping destination, too, with a plethora of other attractions like art galleries, markets, and a brewery to boot....  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.1 Km or 0.7 Miles

Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip


14 Distinctively Canadian Things to Buy in Vancouver

14 Distinctively Canadian Things to Buy in Vancouver

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