Stanley Park Photos
You might also consider
More like Stanley Park
Recommended Reviews - Stanley Park
Start your review...
Reviews With Photos
We took the trolley through Stanley park, starting with the aquarium- which was one of the best we've ever visited! So many beautiful stopping points in the park, truly a must see when visiting the city. You can spend two hours, or all day!
Stanley Park was at the top of my must-do list while visiting Vancouver--and it was easily one of my favorite activities. The urban park spans over 1,000 lush acres and has such a rich history. It officially opened as a public park in 1888, named after Lord Stanley, Canada's Governor General at the time. We decided to experience it in the best way possible: on two wheels. After renting bicycles near Coal Harbor, we set off along the park's famous seawall--a scenic path that loops around the entire perimeter and offers nonstop views of ocean, mountains, city, and skyline. It's the kind of ride where you find yourself stopping often because every turn reveals beautiful views. Along the way, we made stops at some of the park's most iconic landmarks. The Stanley Park Totem Poles were vibrant and deeply rooted in Indigenous culture and storytelling. We continued on to the Girl in a Wetsuit statue, and then made our way up to Prospect Point. Don't forget to take in the view of the Lions Gate Bridge stretching across the water! Further along, we stopped to admire Siwash Rock before finishing our route near A-maze-ing Laughter by English Bay. After hours of heavy rain, we got incredibly lucky--the skies cleared what felt like just for us, and we were able to enjoy the entire ride in fresh, crisp air. I was so happy seeing the beaches along the way and the tree-lined paths glowing with orange leaves as we soaked in the last bits of autumn. Best of all, we were treated to a beautiful sunset at English Bay. It felt like the perfect closing moment--peaceful, golden, and well-earned after a full loop around the park. I can't recommend visiting Stanley Park enough. Wish we had enough time to visit the teahouse, but will have to save that for next time. If you're short on time but want to see a lot, biking the seawall is absolutely the way to go. It's active, scenic, and such a memorable way to experience one of Vancouver's most beloved places.
Stanley Park is an iconic spot in Vancouver and a great place to walk around and see city and nature views!
One of the most beautiful parks in North America and a popular tourist destination when visiting Vancouver. This park is huge so be sure to rent a bike and enjoy the sites.
Nice place to walk and take in some beauty. They have paths divided for bikes and walkers which is nice. They have a small gift shop. There are bathrooms.
Stanley Park - one of Vancouvers must see & experience parks. I've dropped plenty pictures of Stanley Park over the years under my - City of Vancouver - review. Over time I realized, this jewel deserves its own review. One of Vancouvers big draws for tourists, this is a stunning park minutes from downtown Vancouver. I have visited dozens of times & brought many out of town family & friends to see Stanley Park. I often go during the summer months but will not hesitate to drop in during the Fall or Winter. Things to do here - bike, walk, jog, scooter, rollerblade, sight see, visit the aquarium, enjoy a summer concert & more. Take a ride around via horse & carriage if you like. There's even a beach on the west side of the park to chill out on. As you walk around the outer perimeter of the park, the views are breathtaking - the ocean, downtown Vancouver, the mountains, the Lionsgate Bridge, the skyline - all gorgeous. A walk around the seawall can take up to 90mins, depending on how often you stop along the way. Oh you definitely will be making a few stops along the way to capture those picture perfect shots. The trees in this park are iconic - age & beauty, so keep an eye out. Head to Prospect Point, facing West Vancouver, & make that proposal to your future spouse, at this stunning view point. As you wind your way around the park, you end up at Second Beach Pool - a large beautiful heated pool, open during late spring through to the end of summer. At the centre of the park is the popular Vancouver Aquarium, recommended for families with kids to come check out. Post pandemic (Covid-19) in late 2021 into year 2022, Stanley Park became notorious for severe attacks on people by - coyotes. It took a while for government to get control of the situation. It was definitely a scary time to go through the park back then. Hot tip alert - if you drive here & park, do not leave your wallets or passports in your car! And do not even get out of your car, & proceed to put anything in the trunk, ie jacket. Unfortunately theives operate here - you won't see them but they are here hiding in the bushes. I have scootered around the entire park. Some passage way on the far western side is just too narrow & gets too crowded. I'd recommend scootering around the park in an anticlockwise pattern, getting to the Lions Gate Bridge & then turning right back around. For sanitys sake.
Very well kept and easy to follow biking and walking paths. Beautiful scenery!!! There are a few slow zones if you're riding a bike where you must walk the bike. There are a couple attractions and activities along the route like totem poles, light houses, and even a swimming pool and park! Very busy on weekends and weekdays.
we drove around stanley park after dinner and caught the sunset, hoping to catch a glimpse of a humpback whale or maybe even a pod of orcas passing through the water. no such luck this time, but honestly the park still delivered. instead, we spotted a seagull standing perfectly still with a starfish clamped proudly in its mouth like some kind of seafood trophy. it looked both deeply proud of itself and slightly terrified to move in case it dropped its prize. it's easy to understand why stanley park is considered vancouver's most famous attraction. somehow this enormous urban park manages to combine rainforest, beaches, wildlife, gardens, ocean views, and the downtown skyline all in one place without ever feeling overly busy or commercialised. the drive through the park alone is worth it. take your time, there is construction going on right now. winding roads curve beneath towering western red cedars, douglas firs, and hemlocks before suddenly opening up to sweeping coastal views. every turn feels completely different from the last. the stanley park seawall is really the centrepiece of the entire experience. wrapping around the waterfront with nearly nonstop views of english bay, burrard inlet, lions gate bridge, the north shore mountains, and the vancouver skyline, it's the kind of place where people naturally slow down. cyclists cruise past runners, dog walkers stop to admire the scenery, tourists pause every few metres for photos, and families wander along the path with ice cream in hand. prospect point was easily one of the highlights, especially near sunset with the view stretching towards lions gate bridge and the mountains beyond. brockton point lighthouse added another classic postcard view, while the sailboats gathered near the royal vancouver yacht club made the harbour glow in the evening light. along the seawall we passed the scuba diver statue resting casually on a rock beside the water, definitely a scuba diver, not a mermaid, and somehow it perfectly matches the atmosphere of the park: peaceful, slightly quirky, and unmistakably west coast. lost lagoon brought a completely different energy from the oceanfront sections of the park. surrounded by trees and calm walking paths, the water reflected the skyline while ducks, geese, and other birds drifted quietly across the surface. second beach and third beach were both full of people making the most of the evening. second beach has the famous heated outdoor pool sitting right beside the ocean, along with volleyball courts, picnic areas, and one of the best sunset spots in the park. third beach felt quieter and more tucked away, with people stretched out on driftwood logs watching the sky slowly shift colours over english bay. nearby, the teahouse sits hidden among the trees, blending naturally into the surroundings. what makes stanley park stand out is how much there is beyond the famous seawall. tucked throughout the park are forest trails, gardens, playgrounds, tennis courts, public art, wildlife viewing areas, the pitch and putt golf course, and the vancouver aquarium hidden among the trees. despite sitting beside downtown vancouver, the park rarely feels urban. within minutes you can go from skyline views and busy pathways to quiet forest roads where all you hear is wind moving through the trees and waves hitting the shoreline. it's the contrast that makes the place memorable. even without spotting whales or orcas, the evening felt unforgettable. stanley park isn't just a place you visit once for the photos, it's the kind of place you keep wanting to return to because every section of it feels slightly different from the last.
I'm a firm believer that the best way to experience a new city is by visiting a park, and Stanley Park in Vancouver is the quintessential case. It's the third-largest urban park in North America and even bigger than Central Park in NYC. Unlike other large urban parks that were designed by architects, Stanley Park is a naturally occurring rainforest ecosystem that evolved from a forest and urban space over time. It attracts 18 million visitors per year. The park is also a darling child of Western travel media, regularly earning praise from companies such as TripAdvisor and Conde Nast Traveler as the top/most beautiful park in the world. The park is indeed absolutely stunning. When I visited, it was bustling with activity, and I observed people in the park from all different walks of life. I am personally an active traveler. I would have loved to have some dedicated time to go hiking and explore the park more extensively, but my friend who accompanied me on the trip is more of a leisure traveler. So, we spent the majority of our time in the park lounging and enjoying an incredible sunset at the beach. Not a bad compromise at all. :) Please refer to resources developed by local experts such as the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation, the University of British Columbia, and the Vancouver Heritage Foundation for more comprehensive information on Stanley Park.
Gorgeous spot for a walk. Visited on a beautiful sunny day and got to walk along the sea wall. Had a great time. The totem poles are so cool. Great views of multiple points of the city. Its busy but still enjoyable. Lots of bikes and pedestrians. Can also drive through and see things while driving. We even saw a bald eagle flying above us!!
Visited the Harry Potter forbidden forest event at Stanley Park and it was a 10/10. The attention to detail was great. The staff were friendly as well and helpful In organizing parking etc. the lights, sound and music , as well as figures all throughout was a magical experience.
BEAUTIFUL PARK, runners/walkers/roller skaters. two lanes for ppl on feet vs wheels. very safe, abt 6mi to make one loop around lake + park, u go under the bridge, u get a view of the beaches, ferries, seagulls, u enter parks. U NEED TO ADD THIS TO UR ITINERARY!! go biking for $10 an hour is so worth it!! yummy waterfront dining areas surrounding
Pros: The people of Vancouver are so lucky to have something like this. If I lived here, I would be biking this route once a week. We saw multiple seals playing in the water. There's a tea place towards the end. Cons: very very crowded. Lots of rude people.
7 years ago
Beautiful park! Lots of trails, beaches and gorgeous scenery! The only reason I did not rate 5 is that it can get extremely busy on nice days, particularly the walking/biking paths along the seawall. Despite that it is usually not too difficult to find parking, and always a good place to get some fresh air & inspiration read more
If this isn't the ultimate park, I don't know what is. No matter you are in Vancouver for the city or the outdoors, you have to at least spend an hour at Stanley Park! If you like to bike, circumvent the park to see the various beauty each side offers! If you like to run, circumvent the park as a challenge! If you like to sightsee, circumvent the park in a car like a mini road trip! The size of this park is incredible, but despite its massive size, there are so many sights to see everywhere in the premise! The east side is where you will find the famous totem pole collections plus the Vancouver Aquarium. The north side is Prospect Point where you get a stunning tall view right by the bridge that connects to North Vancouver. The west side is the seawall where you can see the beautiful view of the English Bay. These aren't the only points of interest though; wherever there is a curb to stop, get out of your car or off your bike to marvel what the park offers! Check out of the park map to plan out what you want to see, but expect to make unexpected stops too. Consider spending a half day here! Whether you want to see only the more popular east side or everything this park has, I promise you that you won't be disappointing by perhaps one of the world's best parks! --- tl;dr version: 1) Vast park with many sightseeing points 2) Expect a half day if you want to see most of the park read more
15 years ago
On my road tour of the city, we ventured off to Stanley Park to take some touristy pictures. Little did I know that this park was a massive beast lying in wait. Why wasn't I informed that the entrance to Bruce Wayne's Bat Cave was hidden in this darn place? The scenery is amazing; one part lush greens, even forest like while the opposite end was usually a view of the sea surrounding the park. When I think of public parks, I imagine the inner city toxic wasteland parks filled with your neighborhood thugs but this place demolishes that whack imagery completely. Whether you are a tourist or here to get a good work out or maybe even to hug some trees, you can find all your needs in this park. Everything is welcomed from cycling, hiking/jogging, tennis, lawn bowling (don't ask, I don't have an answer), lounging, visiting the Totem Pole cultural center, checking out the landmarks, etc. It's no wonder why this place gets five stars because it deserves every single one of them. If you want to be with nature, this is the place to be. You can easily get away from all the tourists and crowds by venturing off into the deep woods. Just make sure you don't get mauled by a sasquatch. You can even rent a bicycle or pay to take an official tour of this park. Whatever your reasons are, appreciate and respect the beauty of the park and nature, don't be an a$$ and litter, and breathe in that fresh air. Even the restrooms were well maintained unlike in LA where you go in and walk away feeling like you instantly need a shower. If you're visiting Vancouver, then maybe this should make it on your "to see" list. Be sure to bring your camera! read more
14 years ago
If you are visiting vancouver you must go here! One of the most famous place to go when you are in B.C. This place is full of attractions. First day, I went thru the woods and thru the forest of trees flowers and statues. We walked toward the beach, its not sandy like california but it was definitely beautiful like it. the water was low and it was clear. THe beach was covered with rocks and pepples. That didnt stop the little kids from throwing rocks in the water. Beside the beach there was a walkway where you can run, walk, or bike on its a 10 miles radius through out the park which was nice. We saw the mermaid statue in the beach which was awesome!!! The second day we went to the aquarium, may i say this was one of the best one ive been too. they had different type of animals there and top it off they had a tropic forest there which i saw bats parrots and other forest animal in there. Last but not least we went to the water park for little kids the set up was with sprinklers and kids like area for them to enjoy the water on a nice sunny day.. This park is part of downtown vancouver BC which was amazing place to bring tourist to visit to take pictures and to enjoy the day with family. TO PARK prepared to pay with credit card or coins. park by hours There is a gift store there at the two different places above theyre both nice and clean with friendly staff. SO OVERALL I would definitely recommend this park to anyone and everyone!!!! hope the reviews help for you tourist! read more
7 years ago
Nice big park with lots of small nooks and crannies to explore. The sea wall and view we're spectacular. Never gets old regardless of weather read more
If you don't like Stanley Park, you likely don't like life. It remains my favorite urban park on the planet - I can't wait to go for a run here every time I am in town. With beautiful trails, soaring trees, water, mountains and air that makes you feel alive; a novelist couldn't imagine anything better. read more
4 years ago
8 years ago
16 years ago
4 years ago
18 years ago
7 years ago
Very nice park with many different trails. Some by the seaside with bike trails, some inside the woods, some by the inner lake. Great for many different weather type. read more
7 years ago
Stopped here during a tour of Vancouver. This place is beautiful. Stopped at the totem poles. This is definitely a must see while in Vancouver. read more
Stanley Park was probably one of the most beautiful parks I've ever been to! I didn't know how massive this park was. My boyfriend and I rented bikes nearby which I believe was a great decision because we were able to immerse ourselves in one of Vancouver's must-go-to spots and circumvent the area. My favorite part of the park was that the pathways were segmented for bikers / rollerbladers and pedestrians which made it easier and safer for everyone. The best view, in my opinion, is along the path where you could see the marina and the city of Vancouver. It was just so relaxing and mesmerizing especially when the day was clear and the skyline reflected beautifully on the water. read more
I so envy of the people in Vancouver who have Stanley Park to call their own. I came here back in May and it was the highlight of my trip here in Vancouver. The best way of seeing Stanley Park is with a bike. There are several bike shops in the area so I would suggest go rent out one of them. As you biked through the seawall, it gives you a great view of the downtown Vancouver as well as the bridge that connects to North Vancouver. There are also several stops along the way such as the Hallelujah Point, Vancouver Aquarium, the totem poles and the beaches. If you go at a leisure pace and take pictures at each stop, going through the entire circumference of the park would probably take about 1 1/2 - 2 hours at the least. If you ever visit Vancouver, Stanley Park should be on your top of the list! read more
A must visit if you're going to Vancouver. I have been there in the peak of summer when BC is at its peak of beauty- but was extremely beautiful during the winter too. Easy access from the city, walk by the water, the whole park is about a 10k run if you're planning to do the whole thing. Nice view of the lions gate bridge, and an over priced gift shop :P. read more
Whats to say that hasn't been said already? Get yourself here as you won't regret it! Its absolutely gorgeous anytime of year. And i went during winter! Tons of parking at reasonable rates, lots of bike paths, and lots of scenic places to stop...its such a relaxing nature oasis! Love and would come back again to try biking! read more
9 years ago
I grew up in the heart of Vancouver and this park brings me a lot of good memories when I was a kid. During the summer, we would go there and bike the whole park. Not only that, the park is so massive that you can fly your kites anywhere and it won't get tangled with other kiters or get tangled in the trees . There is also a great swimming pool with two slides if you like to swim :D ( kids under 6 must have a guardian or an adult accompanied with them @ all times tho) SO if you are looking for a place to relax, this place is perfect for you! I will be back :) read more
Stanley Park is a great place to go in Vancouver! You can walk, swim, bike, rollerblade, drive, get lost and I'm sure you can do more! We rode our bikes around the entire park, which is about 6 miles. Whats really nice about the paths is that there are certain paths for bikes and roller blades and certain paths for walker/runners. It helps to avoid crashes. As a word of warning, the path around the park, on the water, is one-way, so beware that you don't commit yourself either to a longer bike ride than you anticipated or walking your bike back to an intersection with another path. There are a few restaurants in the park as well as several snacks stands, so you spend the entire day in the park. The restaurants and aquarium are all worth a separate reviews. Like any big park in any major city, parking is hard to find and you do have to pay for it. If you're in Vancouver, you need to at least visit, in some fashion, Stanley Park. read more
I bet the Canucks wish they can change the word "Park" into "Cup". Nonetheless Stanley Park is just as good until Lord Stanley lands in Vancouver. Hopefully sooner than later. I had the opportunity to go around the Eastern loop of the Park through the Vancouver Aquarium to the Girl in a Wetsuit Statue and along the way to get a glimpse of the Brockton Point Lighthouse while taking a detour through the Totem Poles back to the Lost Lagoon. Relaxing, Serene, Natural Beautiful with plenty to see and do. read more
16 years ago
Just adding to all the rave reviews. One of the best places in Vancouver. Whether you walk, bike, jog, unicycle, or any other way to get around, the park is beautiful and accommodates all of them. My favourite is the horse-drawn carriage ride, the lagoon, and the little nooks and spaces that you can only find by really getting to know the park. Can easily spend entire days discovering new spots. read more
7 years ago
Very pretty place to be around, either walking, hiking, or biking. You could do it all! We were there while cherry blossom was in season, so it was great! read more
Stunning, beautifully maintained public park, just a short cab ride from downtown. You can still see the effects of the huge storm that ravaged the area years ago, but the regrowth is inspirational, and the park looks picture-perfect from almost every angle. Walking around Beaver Lake was a real treat, and offered some interesting wildlife viewing. Go. Explore. Get lost. read more
Billing itself as the 3rd largest urban park in North America, this park is an urban oasis in a fantastic city. Rent a bike and explore the seawall...a 22 kilometer trip around the park. There's lanes dedicated for pedestrian use and lanes dedicated for bicycles/rollerbladers. The cycling is easy and once you've done the seawall (with fantastic views of the city, totem poles, seals, beaches and cruiseships) you can head inland and explore multiple trails that offer great forest vistas. Love this park. read more
Lots to see here and it's great to bike around. We rented a bike from one of the many bike rental shops and it was a scenic, enjoyable, and easy ride through the park. Stanley park has scenery, a beach, bridge views, totem poles, statues, and playgrounds all in one. We went on a sunday so it was fairly crowded, but ppl are good about the rules of biking and walking (staying in the bike lane, one way, and moving to the right to let others pass). Great way to spend an afternoon and a great way to see the sights of Vancouver. read more
More info about Stanley Park
610 Pipeline Road
Vancouver, BC V6G 3E2
Canada
Coal Harbour
Directions
Visit Website
http://vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture/stanley-park.aspx
Hours
Indoor Amenities
Outdoor Amenities
Other Amenities
Stanley Park Reviews in Other Languages
Review Highlights - Stanley Park
Why does Yelp recommend reviews?
201 reviews that are not currently recommended
The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.
12 years ago
12 years ago
12 years ago
12 years ago
14 years ago
8 years ago
4 years ago
13 years ago
14 years ago
2 years ago
13 years ago
6 years ago
3 years ago
11 years ago
16 years ago
12 years ago
9 years ago
13 years ago
