While staying in Vancouver, I was fortunate enough to visit Stanley Park – several times.
In the heart of downtown Vancouver, this lovely park is big and beautiful. The scenery is fantastic, the park is well maintained and there are plenty to see and do. You can go to the aquarium, see the totem poles, walk the sea wall, run/walk/cycle, catch a horse carriage or have a picnic. Positively, it is the perfect spot to spend a few hours in Vancouver to recharge the batteries and catch your breath after a long international flight. And the park is the perfect spot to feel the breeze, to reconnect with the trees, and to see many smiling faces.
Created in 1888 Stanley Park is almost an island and covers many acres. It has a lake and beaches. There are trails all over where you can experience the birds, flowers, trees and the views. You can drive through, or take a long walk, or bike through it. While walking along the seawall, you can see North Vancouver and the Lionsgate Bridge. Stanley Park is one of Vancouver’s jewels. It is a 400-hectare park located on a peninsula near the downtown area of Vancouver.
Lost Lagoon at the entrance is the favourite watering hole for the thousands of birds that grace the park. The old growth forest is circumvented by Park Drive and the sea wall where you can take in the many beaches and lookouts.
On my first visit we spent almost an entire day in the park exploring and then, for lunch we enjoyed a wonderful picnic in the park with a group of First Nations folks. After our fabulous picnic in the park, I chose to take an old fashioned horse drawn carriage ride which meandered for about an hour through this thousand acre wonderland. This fully guided and narrated tour, stopping at many of the parks highlights was the perfect way for this weary traveller to explore and cover many kilometres of magnificence.
Our tour lady was very informative not only on the history and sights in Stanley Park, but of our beautiful horses, who are very well care for. The tour was leisurely and we saw numerous major sites of the park. The 9 O’Clock Gun, Totem Poles, Seawall, beaches, Beaver Lake and Lost Lagoon, are just some of the highlights on this tour.
The park is very well maintained and there was plenty of space wherever we went, The Totem Pole area and the various sculptures and buildings kept us entertained and educated, and the scenery is amazing, especially by the waters edge. The fact it is an island makes it even more special as it feels isolated, somewhere nature can thrive, which I certainly felt when we walked around Beaver Lake. Yet when you walk to the water’s edge and look out across the water you realise you are right in the middle of Vancouver.
Attractions in the open areas of the park include; a lovely rose garden, stunning cultivated garden beds, a miniature train ride, an outdoor theatre, and a display of First Nations totem poles. The park also contains sculptures, restaurants, magnificent views, and the Vancouver Aquarium.
I so enjoyed this wonderful park which is regarded as the “lungs of the city” for all its greenery and gardens, And it is free.
Looks beautiful and so colourful
It sure is beautiful. Thanks Lyn
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What a beautiful place Lyn, now that is somewhere I could live ‘in’ a city 😀
But I had to laugh, as it is so close to the Canada/American border I saw Washington on the map (I didn’t know where Vancouver was actually located in Canada). I never knew that Washington State was on the west coast, for some reason I thought Washington was the capital in Washington State on the east coast 😂 🤣
You learn something every day.
Thank you for sharing, I think when I become PM I’m going to redesign all cities like that. Open them up and share with nature, it would make them all a magic place to be indeed 😀 ❤️ 🙏🏽 🦋
Yes it truly is lovely. And yes very close to the US. On my first visit to Vancouver, many years ago I travelled down to Washington to go skiing. You will need very thick skin to be PM. Thanks Mark. Lyn
Very thick indeed dear lady 😂 🤣 ❤️ 🙏🏽 🦋
Stanley Park is definitely an urban jewel. :)
I could visit it many times. It is so gorgeous. Thanks Lynette. Lyn
Your wonderful photos and vivid descriptions always make me want to visit. Hope you’re well. Sx
Thanks Sheree for your lovely comment. It truly is a lovely oasis in a big city. I am keeping well thanks, hope you are also. Lyn x
Yes, we’re both fine thanks.
Like 💖☺️💫
Thanks, Lyn
Love that place. We were supposed to be going back to Vancouver in July…obviously not happening now.
It surely is worth returning. Just gorgeous. Maybe you will get to go back one day. Thanks, Lyn
A beautiful park. There should be more like them in urban areas.
Fortunately we have beautiful parks in all our major cities here in Australia. I cannot imagine life without parks. My doggie and i go to our local park every morning. Stanley Park is spectacular. Thanks, Lyn
Stanley Park is indeed a gem. Our kids had their 2016 wedding and reception at the Stanley Park Pavilion, oldest building in Stanley Park. It was magical. Hope all is well Lyn. Allan
Thanks Allan, what a magical place to be married. The photos must be stunning. All good this end, hope all well for you guys also. Lyn
It was a very proud day. If you are interested, here is the link to that post.
https://wordpress.com/post/confusedandamusedsite.wordpress.com/327
Glad all is well Lyn. All well here too. Allan
Thanks Allan, however I could not open the link. Lyn
Thank you so much Lyn for taking me on a virtual tour. The place was awesome.
Thanks for joining me Kamal, it is awesome. Lyn
You are welcome Lyn.
Looks beautiful. I’m so glad the horses are well treated, too. I’m thankful so many cities have thought to put aside land for parks.
Yes Katelon, that was important for me about the horses. I had 2 minds about taking the ride but I have limited walking so it was really my only choice to really see the gardens. It was lovely. Thanks, Lyn
You were there at a good time. Beautiful flowers and gorgeous view.
I know Linda, the 5W ladies who organised it all knew what they were doing. It was perfect. Thanks, Lyn
This looks completely gorgeous and serene. Would love to visit here one day!
Thanks Keira, Stanley Park is very special with so much to see and do. I hope you do get to visit some day. Lyn
Love Stanley Park. Thanks for sharing.
Very special, hey, thanks for reading. Lyn
Another special place. Great shots.Have visited and great to revisit.
Thanks Gail, it sure was special, even more so with the 5W girls. Great day. Lyn
Lovely photos Lyn. Every city should have such a park where they can go and commute with nature!
I agree Mary. Fortunately Brisbane city has several lovely parks. Thanks, Lyn
Just gorgeous Lyn. Lovely blue skies and such pretty flowers. And lovely to hear horses are well cared for.
It was important to know that the horses were looked after. Stanley Park is outstanding. It would appeal to anyone. Simply lovely. Thanks Sue, Lyn
AMAZING WORK
Thanks Nancy.
Such a great park, I have many fond memories of visiting there and yet have only seen a fraction of it. The carriage ride sounds like it was a great idea for seeing a lot more of the park.
I was so fortunate to return a couple of times while I was in Vancouver. The carriage ride was a perfect choice for me on the day. It certainly is a credit to Vancouver. Thanks Lyn
I think you know more about this beautiful park than I do. It is a jewel. Up until a few weeks ago, the road around the park’s perimeter was closed to car traffic (to minimize visitors). It was awesome to be able to cycle without worrying about cars. A silver lining!
I had some great times in that lovely park with some fabulous people. Thanks Caroline, Lyn
Lovely pictures! Stanley Park is a favorite place of mine too – thanks for letting me “visit” there again!
Thanks Amy, it is one of the best parks I have been to. It just has so much for all ages. Lyn
Beautiful Lyn! Canada‘s escapes are unbelievable. God’s gifts to us are wondrous
Thank you. Canada is a spectacular country where I experienced so much of mother natures exquisite beauty. Lyn
Nice fotos Lyn! You have inspired me to go do the 10K walk around the Stanley Park Seawall-as soon as it stops raining! Ciao, Cristina
Thanks Cristina. It is one of the best parks I have spent time in. How fabulous to have it on your door step. Do you know that exactly 1 year ago you picked me up at the Vancouver airport. What a simply wonderful time I had in your splendid country. Lyn x
I knew it was around this time! It’s too bad we didn’t have more time before I left for Italia. Who knows which country we will see each other in next 🤷♀️ Ciao, Cristina
Yes, Cristina, who knows where or when. But wherever it is I will look forward to it. Ciao Lyn