Where

Why do we love this 123-year-old urban woodland? Let us count the ways

By Kristina Urquhart

"Girl in a Wetsuit" overlooks Stanley Park. Photo by KK Law

1    Seawall

If your boots are made for walking, lace up to stroll the 8.8-km (5.5-mi) section of the seawall that winds around the perimeter of Stanley Park—which, at 400 hectares (1,000 acres), is larger than New York’s Central Park. Or rent a two-wheeler from Bayshore Bicycle & Rollerblade Rentals or Spokes Bicycle Rentals & Tours. A lap around the seawall yields several famous landmarks. The Nine O’ Clock Gun, an 1816 cannon, blasts nightly at 9 p.m. The seaworthy “Girl in a Wetsuit,” sculpted by Elek Imredy, makes a frequent perch for seagulls. Shutterbugs pause for gorgeous views at the lighthouses at Brockton Point and Prospect Point. Near the Lions Gate Bridge, a 32-million-year-old sea stack called Siwash Rock rises from the water. A quick detour off the seawall brings you to the Hollow Tree, a 700-year-old trunk of a Western red cedar.

2    Vancouver Aquarium

The “smiling” beluga whales are a hit at this marine conservation and research centre, which houses more than 70,000 creatures from the land and sea. See both local and foreign sea life, including the mesmerizing jellyfish and giant sea turtles that look as if they swam straight from the screen in Finding Nemo. Watch dolphins and otters frolic in daily shows or book an animal encounter to get up close with belugas, sea lions or other critters in an interactive training session. New this summer: the swooping stunts of bald eagles, hawks and falcons in the Birds Up Close aerial show.

3    Totem Poles

Nine towering totem poles and three cedar gateways welcome visitors to Brockton Point, their colourful carvings depicting First Nations stories and culture. The totems, which are British Columbia’s most visited attraction, were carved in the late 1880s and replaced with lookalike versions in the 1980s to keep the originals preserved. In summer, visit Klahowya Village, which celebrates First Nations culture with two daily dance performances, on-site artisans and a storytelling circle.

4    Outdoor Activities

Golfers rent clubs to tee up at the Pitch & Putt, an 18-hole course with lush fairways and a separate putting green. Get your swinging arm into shape with lawn bowling or cricket, or try tennis on one of 21 courts. Stanley Park is chock-full of both wide-open spaces and secret places, ideal for an impromptu game of tag or hide-and-seek.

View of Lions Gate Bridge from the seawall. Photo by KK Law

5        Beaches

Beach bunnies gravitate to the park’s two sun-soaked strips of sand. Bring a towel to stake your claim at Second Beach on the southwestern side of the park. Nearby is a heated infinity-style pool, perfect for warming up after a chilly dip in the ocean. Further north, Third Beach is one of the park’s lesser-visited gems.

6    Kid-Friendly

If wee ones aren’t tuckered out after a few hours at the Vancouver Aquarium, plenty else will keep them busy. A miniature train chugs through the forest, offering a relaxing way to see the park for those with little legs. Hop aboard an old-fashioned carriage with Stanley Park Horse-Drawn Tours. Kids love to climb on four colourful playgrounds, cool off with water cannons and fountains in the waterpark at Lumbermen’s Arch or embark on fun, educational nature walks with the Stanley Park Ecology Society.

7    Gardens

Darling buds grace the Shakespeare Garden, which is cultivated partly with plants mentioned in the Bard’s plays. Beyond lie the perennial and rose flowerbeds, a popular spot in the sunny season with more than 3,500 plants. Spring is when most of the 4,500 rhododendrons and azaleas bloom in the Ted & Mary Greig Rhododendron Garden, but several varieties blossom throughout June and into the summer.

8    Lost Lagoon

Before the Stanley Park causeway was built in the 1920s, the tide flowed in and out of the pond, leading local poet Pauline Johnson to write “Ode to the Lost Lagoon”—which likely gave the pond its name. To commemorate Vancouver’s Golden Jubilee in 1936, a fountain was installed in the middle of the lagoon, which now serves as a bird sanctuary and filtration pond for run-off. The Lost Lagoon Nature House mounts interactive exhibits chronicling the park’s flora and fauna. Keep your eyes peeled for peacocks or other wildlife strutting by.

9    Outdoor Events

Pack a blanket on summer nights for concerts at Malkin Bowl, which also hosts open-air musicals at Theatre Under the Stars in July and August. Starting June 20, Dance at Dusk kicks off in Ceperley Meadow. Novice and advanced toe-tappers learn Scottish country moves, international folk dances or ballroom routines.

10    Dining

Casual bites are on the menu at Stanley’s Park Bar & Grill and Prospect Point Cafe. Expect superb Pacific Northwest fare and North Shore views at the historic Teahouse. Seafood seared to perfection can be found at the charming Fish House in Stanley Park. To pack a picnic basket of your own, try Urban Fare or Edible British Columbia for a trove of gourmet goodies.