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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Some Guided Tours Around Stanley Park You Might Like
- Skip the Line: Vancouver Aquarium Admission
- Price: $30.99
- Stanley Park Bike Tour
- Price: $54.23
- Vancouver Stanley Park & English Bay Photography Tour
- Price: $78.66
Bikes on bikes on bikes at Spokes Bicycle Rentals
The beginning of the seawall at Coal Harbour
Totems in the park
Jellyfish Invasion at the Vancouver Aquarium
Starfish stuck to the window
Adorable rescue porpoise
Brockton Lighthouse
View from the seawall
Prospect Point
Third Beach
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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**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.**
We’re going to Vancouver soon. I don’t know about the bike ride, though. It’s impossible to ride bikes in LA (downright scary, really). So, I think I’ll stick to walking. But, we definitely will visit the Aquarium.
The ride around the seawall is very doable. There’s a specific bike lane and you can always take your time. Walking it is amazing too. LA is not very bike friendly; the traffic can be overwhelming and the drivers are not used to sharing the road with cyclists.
Always enjoy walking or biking the Seawall in Vancouver! Thanks for sharing the photos!
It’s one of my favourite things to do in the city!! Amazing views or urban and nature! Thanks for visiting the site!!
Thanks for pointing me to this post, Arnette. I really can’t wait to go, my boyfriend is seriously excited about seeing the sunset from some of the beaches.