Your TL;DR Travel Guide on What to Do in Vancouver’s Stanley Park
TL;DR: Stanley Park is a great place to enjoy a few hours during your time in Vancouver. With cared-for walkways and various exhibitions, you can find plenty of free things to do. However, if you’re willing to spend a little bit, you can also check out the local Aquarium or go for a carriage ride. While there are several ways to get around the Park, it is best seen via the walkways.
Stanley Park is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Vancouver, expanding over 1,000 acres (and it’s free). Featured in many films and shows over the years, Stanley Park’s picturesque beauty is hard-to-miss.
You are able to drive around and park at a few of the locations, but to best enjoy everything, I recommend doing as much exploration via the walkways as you can.
Take a Stroll Around the Seawall
Walk along the outer edge of Stanley Park, more commonly known as the Seawall. The Seawall is 10km, or a little over 6 miles, in total which will take you to some of the main landmarks located within Stanley Park, such as:
- Deadman’s Island
- Nine O’Clock Gun
- Brockton Point Lighthouse
- Harry Jerome Monument
- Girl in a Wetsuit
- Empress of Japan Figurehead
- Lionsgate Bridge
- Siwash Rock
Before you go, read up on the history behind these landmarks here.
While parts of the seawall path are for walking-traffic only, there are several ways to enjoy the Park’s views while cycling. Look into renting a bike from your hotel or a downtown shop if you would like to cycle your way around Stanley Park instead.
If you are traveling with children, there is also a playground to enjoy on the outer edge of the Park.
Check Out Totem Pole Park
Like much of British Columbia, Stanley Park is located on unceded land, meaning the First Nations that originally inhabited it never signed over legal rights to the area. Throughout Vancouver, you will find homages and nods to the First Nations who previously and currently live in British Columbia.
One place to learn more about the area’s history is in Totem Pole Park. Located near Brockton Point in Stanley Park, Totem Pole Park, which now has nine totem poles, first started in 1920 and is one of the most visited spots in the Park. You can also find a gift shop and public restrooms in this area before heading out to see more.
Stop By the Aquarium
Learn more about British Columbia’s ecosystem at the Vancouver Aquarium. Located centrally in the Park, there are so many fun exhibitions that both children and adults can enjoy. I recommend taking a look at the Rainforest exhibit (try to find the Aquarium’s sloths!) and the ocean mammal exhibits (which are my favorite in any aquarium).
Tickets for people ages 13-64 typically costs around $40CAD (there are some variations depending on the day), but discounts are available. Children between 3-12 can enter the aquarium for approximately $25CAD. To get the cheapest daily price, you can reserve ahead of time here.
Go for A Horse-Drawn Carriage Ride
On my last trip to Vancouver, I took a horse-drawn carriage tour around part of Stanley Park. In the crisp Autumn air, the hour-long tour was the perfect way to see the Fall foliage. Keep in mind, however, that the horse tour season runs from March to the end of December.
If you are traveling with young kids, they may find the pace of the tour a little too slow (and there is only one actual stop where you can get out and stretch). However, it is a really relaxing way to see some of the main attractions without walking around the seawall.
Tickets can be purchased from the ticketing window inside the park – just note that they do run on the pricier end. For a general idea of what to expect, check out their website for more information. Side note, you can also grab a snack or beverage from the cafe window while you wait for your carriage ride. There are also public restrooms located here.
More Great Places in Stanley Park:
While exploring Stanley Park, you may want to add the following destinations to your itinerary. Since these are smaller stops, I’m including them here, but they are by no means unworthy of checking out.
- Rose Garden: A popular wedding destination, the Stanley Park Rose Garden is the picture of lovely. Stroll around the gardens for a bit during your time at the park for a peaceful escape from the bustle of the city.
- Polar Bear Exhibition: On the way to the Aquarium, you can come across a concrete and fence enclosure (pictured above) which once housed the Park’s two Polar Bears. As a nod to the zoo’s past, the now abandoned exhibition offers a fascinating sight-seeing stop for all travelers.
- Prospect Point: Prospect Point is a fantastic place to view the Harbour and Lionsgate Bridge.
Stanley Park is a great place to escape for a bit of healing, whether that’s getting in some exercise or enjoying the land’s peacefulness. You can have a “choose-your-own-adventure” moment and visit some of the most popular landmarks in the area. Or you can book a carriage tour for even more relaxation. With playgrounds and the Aquarium available, Stanley Park is also the ideal location to visit if you are traveling with little-ones in tow!
Let me know if you’ve tried any of these activities!
TL;DR Travels 
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