In Canada, on the very shore of the Pacific Ocean, there is a large beautiful city of Vancouver. There are many different attractions, but the first thing that visitors to the city are recommended to pay attention to is Stanley Park.
General information
Stanley Municipal Park (Stanley Park) is located on a peninsula of 405 hectares, which is connected by a narrow isthmus with the city of Vancouver, more precisely, with its business center. The park is surrounded by a stone wall, it is built around the perimeter of the peninsula.
The forest park was opened in 1888, and its name was given in honor of its founder, Lord Stanley.
There are trees about 40 meters high in the park, as well as 1,000-year-old spruces and cedars. The squirrels and raccoons that live there are not afraid of people and will take food from their hands. The park also features picturesque natural and artificial lakes.
Civilization has brought a lot of entertainment to this park. There are cricket and golf fields, a luxurious aquarium, and numerous beaches, playgrounds, and a children’s railway, as well as a Shakespearean garden and a site with Indian tribal totems.
Stanley Park offers endless opportunities for an exciting day out.
Walking, cycling, or rollerblading in the park
There are walking paths throughout the park, with a total length of about 27 km. The longest of these paths is called the Sea Wall and runs along the entire wall that surrounds the park for 8.8 km. The Sea Wall has become an ideal and popular route for walking, cycling, roller skating, and running. From the park, you can walk along the waterfront to the famous Vancouver Convention Centre, or in the opposite direction to False Creek and beyond.
At the fork leading to Third Beach, you can see a tree with a unique root system. The ancient cedar tree reaches a diameter of 5 meters, and some of its roots are located above the ground, forming amazing patterns.
It’s interesting to visit a site with brightly painted Native American totem poles.
Vancouver Aquarium
The Vancouver Aquarium is also a scientific center for the research, conservation, and rehabilitation of marine life. It is home to a wide variety of creatures:
- more than 300 species of fish;
- representatives of 56 species of amphibians and reptiles;
- almost 30,000 invertebrates;
- Representatives of about 60 species of mammals and birds.
The Vancouver Aquarium is the largest in Canada. It contains several galleries, some of which were built when it opened in 1956, and others were added over the years. The aquarium covers an area of 9,000 square meters and features 116 tanks with a total capacity of 9,500,000 liters of water.
The Vancouver Aquarium features a 4D theater, a well-equipped playground for toddlers, and classrooms and laboratories for engaging activities with school-age children.
- Opening hours: 10:00 to 17:00.
- Currently, the number of visitors to the aquarium is limited. Tickets must be reserved in advance on the website by selecting a specific date and time of visit. The prices for entrance tickets may change on a daily basis, but in the case of advance booking, the price will be minimal and fixed. Tickets are also available at the main entrance, but there is no guarantee that they will be available on the day of visit. The regular booking rate ranges from \$39.95 to \$51.95.
- The aquarium’s website is www.vanaqua.org.
Beach vacations and picnics in the park
The total length of beaches in Vancouver is almost 18 km – there are 9 beaches, and several of them are located in Stanley Park.
Second Beach is a good place for families, where people often stop while walking along the Sea Wall. Second Beach has a spacious coastline with clean, warm sand, a huge outdoor pool, a well-equipped picnic area, and public toilets. Near the beach, there is a large field called Ceperley Meadon, which has several playgrounds for children. On summer evenings, on Tuesdays, if the weather permits, movies are shown for free at this beach.
In the western part of Stanley Park, there is Third Beach, one of the best beaches in Vancouver. This area with a spacious sandy coast is perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and simply relaxing after a walk.
Miniature Railway Ride
The Stanley Park Train offers a 15-minute journey along a 2.5-kilometer railway track that takes you through the most notable areas of Stanley Park. The train makes several stops, allowing you to get off and explore the attractions of your choice before continuing your journey.
The starting station is located on Pipeline Road in Stanley Park, on the West Georgia Street entrance. Passengers can get up close and personal with the vintage engine and even take photos.
The railway operates in spring and summer, as well as during the Christmas and Easter holidays and on Halloween.
Stanley Park Restaurants
Visitors to Stanley Park in Vancouver can enjoy a meal at one of the park’s restaurants, where they can savor not only delicious food but also the stunning views of the forest and the ocean.
- The Prospect Point Cafe, located on the eastern edge of Stanley Park, has a prime location. It is situated near the observation deck, offering views of the mountains, the harbor, and the Lyons Gate Bridge. From the cafe’s window, you can watch ships pass under the bridge. The Prospect Point Cafe serves light snacks, sandwiches, salads, and homemade pastries.
- The Pavilion is located in Stanley Park, in an atmospheric building from the early 20th century. Inside the Pavilion, Stanley’s Bar and Grill offers a casual dining experience. The menu includes a wide range of dishes, including burgers, salads, fish fries, soups, and desserts, and local breweries provide their own beer varieties.
- On the west coast of Stanley Park, the Teahouse restaurant is located. The North Shore mountains and views of English Bay provide a serene backdrop for dining and are the perfect place to watch the longest sunset in Vancouver. The restaurant offers a seasonal menu, as well as regional west coast dishes and international culinary delights.
- The Waterfall Cafe’s sunny patio is located right next to the information kiosk in Stanley Park. It’s the perfect place to enjoy a delicious meal while admiring the Vancouver Aquarium and the 300-year-old red cedar tree.
- The Fish House, located inside the park near the railway, offers gourmet cuisine with a focus on fresh seafood. The restaurant specializes in dishes with oysters, mussels, salmon. There is also a wide selection of wines and cocktails.
Interesting facts and useful tips
- The park covers an area of 405 hectares, which is 10% larger than Central Park in New York and 50% larger than Richmond Park in London.
- The wall surrounding Stanley Park is an amazing long-term construction project. It was built from 1918 to 1971.
- The steam train that runs on the railway in Stanley Park is an exact replica of the Canadian Pacific Railway Engine No. 374. The original is known for running Canada’s first transcontinental passenger train to Vancouver in 1887.
- The Vancouver Aquarium was one of the first to hire professional naturalists to educate visitors about animal behavior.
- The Vancouver Aquarium operates on its own funds and does not receive any government subsidies.
- Since 2001, the Vancouver Aquarium has not kept orcas in captivity. One of the rules that its management follows is not to capture wild animals, and to rely only on breeding captive animals to replenish its inhabitants.
- In 2006, Canada Post issued a 51-cent domestic stamp to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Vancouver Aquarium.
- The Rock Garden was recognized as a Vancouver Historic Site in 2011.
- It is better to plan a trip to the park on a weekday. On weekends, there are a lot of people there, and there are even traffic jams on the bike paths.
- Every year, 8,000,000 people visit Stanley Park.
