Just as New York has its Central Park and Bangkok has its Lumpini Park, Vancouver has Stanley Park. Located at the edge of the city and facing both the sea and the mountains, Stanley Park is a vast scenic area boasting walking and cycling paths, forest, and great views. In fact, at almost 405 hectares, Stanley Park is much larger than Central Park, which is 340 hectares.

Even before you enter the park, there is the Lost Lagoon, a stunning small lake that used to be a lagoon and is surrounded by forest (scroll down to the bottom of this post, you won’t be disappointed!).

After you pass the lagoon, you can either go straight into the heart of the park or follow the path right along the water where you’ll pass a yacht club. This part faces south towards Vancouver so you’ll feel like it’s part of the city. When you reach the eastern tip and a lighthouse, then turn northwards, you will get a fine view of the mountains north of the city and the thick forest of the park.

Following the path along the water, you’ll see Lions Gate Bridge, a green suspension bridge that goes to northern Vancouver. After that is Prospect Point lookout, from where you can see the open sea, where Vancouver Harbor flows out into the Strait of Georgia.

There is a lot to do and see in Stanley Park. First off, the park features a 10-km seawall loop (which I followed) that people can bike or jog on, as well as numerous trails that go through the forest inside the park. There is a set of majestic native Canadian totem poles, carved to represent events and legends of the native peoples.

Vancouver Aquarium is also inside the park, as well as a yacht club and a small naval museum. There is also a lighthouse, a cannon that is fired at 9 pm every night during the summer, and a few gardens. There’s also a beach, but I didn’t get around to that.

It’s the kind of place to visit, whether as a tourist or a local. The people of Vancouver are so lucky to have this in their backyard. 

Spot the seaplane 

It’s a little embarrassing but I briefly lost my way along this trail while trying to leave the park.

Replica figurehead of SS Empress of Japan, a ship that carried cargo between Vancouver and “the Orient” between 1891 and 1922

Lighthouse