Stanley Park, Vancouver

Stanley Park, Vancouver (must see)

Stanley Park, positioned in downtown Vancouver, is a sprawling urban park that spans 1,001 acres, surpassing the size of New York City's Central Park by approximately ten percent. Drawing a crowd of around two and a half million visitors annually, the park offers opportunities for cycling, skating, and leisurely strolls along its 5.5-mile seawall path.

One of the park's standout characteristics is its abundant collection of ancient trees, with nearly half a million trees gracing the landscape, some of which boast ages in the hundreds of years. The park is bordered by the Pacific Ocean on nearly all sides and encompasses Beaver Creek and Beaver Lake, vital habitats for indigenous waterfowl and various wildlife species like beavers, geese, ducks, herons, and swans. In harmonious coexistence, modern recreational facilities intermingle with untouched natural spaces, including the iconic seawall path and an extensive network of approximately 120 miles of trails.

In addition to its remarkable old growth trees and natural ecosystems, Stanley Park is adorned with an array of monuments and sculptures. Among these are a statue honoring the poet Robert Burns, the captivating "Girl in a Wetsuit" by Elek Imredy, towering totem poles, the historical Lumberman's Arch, a reproduction of the RMS Empress of Japan's figurehead, and more.

While Vancouver's attractions entice many tourists, a sojourn to the city would remain incomplete without a tranquil stroll through the enchanting wooded expanse of Stanley Park.

Why You Should Visit:
Great place for play and picnics and family outings which affords beautiful views of downtown, the mountains, the sea, and Lion's Gate Bridge – and it's all free.
With old growth forests, lakes, trails, and beaches, this park is quirkily enough as pleasant to stroll around as it is to pass through.

Tip:
Be aware of the arrows and symbols. There are some paths that are strictly for pedestrians, and some paths that are one-way.
It's important to plan where you start and end your journey as the Stanley Park Seawall walk is one-way.
Make sure you get a map so you can see all of your options!

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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Stanley Park on Map

Sight Name: Stanley Park
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 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
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 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

Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip


16 Distinctively Canadian Things to Buy in Vancouver

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