Things To Do In Stanley Park Vancouver
Looking for some fun things to do in Vancouver? I have an excellent idea for you. Stanley Park!
Stanley Park in Vancouver is one of the most popular spots to explore while visiting! Many people love to ride bikes in Stanley Park or go on a horse carriage ride.
We recently went and loved it. The only bad thing about when we went was that it was raining! I was determined to still explore and ended up having a fabulous time!
In this post, I am going to share with you all the fun things to do in Stanley Park, where to stop, and what see. This guide will include a Stanley Park map and itinerary for the park.
Let’s get started and map out Stanley Park!
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Stanley Park Map
Before we get started with all of the fun things to do in Stanley Park, I wanted to share a Stanley Park map with you.
This will help you navigate and know where you want to explore within the park.
Top Destinations in Stanley Park
- Trails for Biking and Hiking
- Playground
- Aquarium
- Lighthouse
- Totem Poles
- Horse Carriage Rides
1. Biking Stanley Park
We wanted to bike in Stanley Park so badly! It was our plan all along! Unfortunately, it just rained and rained our entire stay!
There are so many beautiful paths through the park. The park is huge! You could easily spend a morning or afternoon biking around!
My number one choice of things to do at Stanley Park would be to bike. I already did the research on a few bike rentals in Stanley Park, so you can just click through and book a bike tour!
Bike Tours in Stanley Park
There are lots of bike tours that include Stanley Park and other parts of Vancouver as well!
2. Horse Drawn Carriage
Horse-drawn carriage rides are available rain or shine. They were actually operating when we went. It was raining so hard, I really didn’t want to go on a ride. They have a covered carriage so you can enjoy this anytime.
This horse-drawn carriage ride is a great way to see Stanley Park without having to walk or ride your bike! It is a great way to see Stanley Park when the weather is nice!
Stanley Park Horse Carriage Ride Tour
3. Vancouver Aquarium
The Vancouver Aquarium is located in Stanley Park. This is a great thing to do in Vancouver with kids!
You will follow the signs to the Aquarium. It is located in the middle of the park. There is a large parking lot, but it still may be hard to find a spot! It was very crowded the day we toured Stanley Park!
The Aquarium has 120 exhibits and is the largest in Canada. There are over 300 species of fish and over 30,000 invertebrates. There are also 56 species of amphibians and reptiles.
Ticket prices start at around $39 and up.
4. Totem Poles
If you want to see the symbol of Western Canada, it is located in Stanley Park! These famous totem poles represent the First Nations of the area.
When we visited there were natives that greet you and teach you about the totem poles. They also had a big fire going.
If you want to learn a little more about the first people who lived in the area and see one of the most iconic Canadian symbols, be sure to stop here.
There is a parking lot where you can park and take a look.
5. Brockton Point Light House
Although it was raining when we went to Stanley Park, I really wanted to take a look at the lighthouse.
This lighthouse was built in 1924 and was operational until 2008. The area is beautiful. You can walk all around and get incredible views of the ocean.
This would be a beautiful area to hang out for a while.
6. Gardens and Trails
There are many beautiful gardens all around Stanley Park. There are also trails that are great for walking and biking.
Top Gardens at Stanley Park
- Rose Garden – has 3500 rose bushes
- Ted and Mary Creig Garden – vibrant blooms in both the spring and summer.
- Shakespeare Garden – trees mentioned in Shakespeare’s work, as well as plaques and quotes from his works.
Top Trails at Stanley Park
- Seawall – Views of water, mountain, and trees.
- Beaver Lake Trail – 1.5 KM around a lake with views of vegetation and wildlife.
- Forest Trail – Walk through an ancient forest
- Lost Lagoon – Very nice trail for bikes around a pond.
7. Family Friendly Areas at Stanley Park
If you are visiting Stanley Park with kids. There are four playgrounds. They are located near Second Beach, Ceperley, the miniature train, and the Rose Garden.
There is also a Stanley Park Water Park near the Lumberman’s Arch.
Kids love Stanley Park Seawall for biking, walking, and skating. The Lost Lagoon is another area kids love to explore. There are also lots of areas for picnics.
The aquarium is a highlight for all the kids!
8. Drive Through Stanley Park
Taking a self-guided tour of Stanley Park is another great way to explore this area.
There are parking spots at every point mentioned above. If you are going to be in these areas for an extended period of time you will need to pay for parking.
Some areas are very crowded!
We really enjoyed driving all around the park and checking out all the spots.
You can get an audio guide for super cheap and learn more about the park.
Are you Ready to Explore Stanley Park in Vancouver?
Hopefully, this gave you lots of ideas of things to do in Stanley Park. This is one of the best things to do in Vancouver and needs to be added to your Vancouver itinerary! Pairing Stanley Park and Granville Island on the same day is a great option.
I know you will have so much fun! If you have any questions, pop over to the Facebook Group and I will be happy to answer.
Facebook Group
If you have any questions, be sure to join my Planningaway Travel Community on Facebook. This is a place where I post travel deals, and you can ask any questions about your upcoming trips!
