Stanley Park In Vancouver | A Guide To One Of The World’s Best Parks

Stanley Park Seawall

Planning a Vancouver trip? Go to Stanley Park!!!

*Updated June 2019

When people ask me what they should do when they visit Vancouver, I always suggest visiting Stanley Park. Even though I no longer live in Vancouver, I have been coming here since I was a child and always visit when I come home.

You can either drive through the park and make stops, rent a bike and cycle through, or walk around. Stanley Park is one of the biggest urban parks in North America with gorgeous views of the water, North Vancouver, the Coast Mountains, and old-growth forest. Families with children can stop at the Vancouver Aquarium, the miniature train, or go to one of the swimming pools for a dip. Love laying out? Head to the beaches within the park for some beach time. 

On one of my last visits to Stanley Park, I rented a bike from Spokes Bicycles. My plan was to cycle from Coal Harbour to English Bay and stop at the Aquarium since I haven’t visited since I was a child. If you plan on doing this as well, I suggest renting a bike for a few hours. You can stop at some of the cafes, restaurants, or concession stands for food as well as have enough time to see all the great attractions inside the park.

Spokes Bicycles is located on the corner of Denman and Georgia, not far from the beginning of Stanley Park. They rent out cruisers, geared bikes or even tandems.

**Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. There is no additional cost to you, if you click through an affiliate link and make a purchase, I may make a commission.**

Scroll Down To See Photos And The Best Places To Stop In Stanely Park

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HELPFUL GENERAL TRAVEL TIPS

  • Flights: Find a cheap flight using Skyscanner or Momondo. I like these two booking sites because they both search all websites and airlines around the globe including budget airlines.
  • Accommodations: I use Booking.com or Tripadvisor to find the best rates on hotels. Hotels.com offers a free night after booking 10 nights
  • Get up to $40 off your first Air Bnb stay by using this code!
  • Travel Insurance: Having gotten sick on my travels in the past, I never travel without being insured. You never know when something may happen. For my round the world trip and extended long-term travel, I use World Nomads. For other trips, I have used Roam Right and they cover activities like extreme sports.
Stanley Park: A Vancouver Must Do | www.rtwgirl.com

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Some Guided Tours Around Stanley Park You Might Like

 

 

Here are some photos from my bike ride through Stanley Park:

spokes bike rental Bikes on bikes on bikes at Spokes Bicycle Rentals

stanley park

The beginning of the seawall at Coal Harbour

Stanley Park | www.rtwgirl.com

Totems in the park

Totem Pole Stanley Park Vancouver | www.rtwgirl.com

Vancouver Aquarium

Jellyfish Invasion at the Vancouver Aquarium

vancouver aquarium starfish

Starfish stuck to the window

porpoise vancouver aquarium

Adorable rescue porpoise

Stanley Park | www.rtwgirl.com

Brockton Lighthouse

stanley park

View from the seawall

Prospect Point | www.rtwgirl.com

Prospect Point

Stanley Park Third Beach | www.rtwgirl.com

Third Beach

Stanley Park Seawall * www.rtwgirl.com

The Seawall

Here are my favourite places to take photos in Stanley Park

  • Coal Harbour
  • Totem poles 
  • Brockton Point Lighthouse
  • Prospect Point as well as Lionsgate Bridge
  • Siwash Rock
  • When you finish the ride around the seawall, you come out at English Bay. Take a photo of the “Inukshuk
  • Take a photo of A-maze-ing Laughter statues at Morton Park, just outside of Stanley Park

Hungry? 

If you're in the park and starting to get hungry there are several places to grab some food or dine in. 

  • The Teahouse
  • Stanley Park Bar & Grill at Stanley Park Pavillion (open June to September)
  • Waterfall Cafe by the Aquarium (June to September) 
  • Prospect Point Cafe (open year round)
  • Concession Stands at Railway Cafe, Lumberman's Arch, Second Beach, by Stanley Park Info Booth, Third Beach, Totem Poles 
  • Food Carts - BerryMobile at Second Beach and Lumberman’s Arch in Stanley Park and Spanish Banks, Candy Meister at Second Beach, Cup a Corn in Vanier Park, Fijian Fusion in Vanier Park, Japadog in Stanley Park, Jim’s Ice Cream in Vanier Park, Lemon Heaven at Kits Beach, Potato Tornado Shack at Kits Beach, Roaming Popcorn at Seawall in Devonian Park, San Juan Family Farm at Devonian Plaza and English Bay, Vancouver Beach Nuts at Kits Beach and English Bay

Helpful Stanley Park Tips

  • Parking - Passes are valid at any lot or space in Stanley Park. From April - end of September hourly rates are $3.50 and $13 for the day. From October 1 - March 31, hourly rates are $2.50 or $7 for the day. 
  • Spokes Bicycle Rentals - 1798 W. Georgia St, Vancouver
  • You can also take the city bus through Stanley Park if you decide to no longer bike or walk the rest of the way around. The bus is #19. There is a stop near Lost Lagoon or near the mini train, not too far from the Aquarium

Let me know what you think of Stanley Park after your visit in the comments! 

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Stanley Park
 

**Disclaimer: Many thanks to Spokes Bicycle Rentals, the Vancouver Aquarium, and Tourism Vancouver for their support. As always opinions expressed are my own. This post contains affiliate links. There is no additional cost to you, if you click through an affiliate link and make a purchase, I may make a commission.**

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