Top Must-See Spots in Stanley Park, Canada

The beautiful Stanley Park in Vancouver is full of sights and fun trails. Here are the must-see spots you should see on your visit.

While we were in Vancouver, Canada we decided to spend a day exploring Stanley Park, the biggest park in the city. It is not only one of the most popular outdoor areas among the locals, but also one of the most common attractions for tourists.

Stanley Park is located in the north of the city on the west coast. It is surrounded by Burrard Inlet and English Bay, and it borders both the West End and Coal Harbour neighbourhoods.

The area was originally used by indigenous peoples until it was colonized by the British in 1858. It become a park in 1886, and was named after Lord Stanley, an English politician who Governor General of Canada at the time.

Stanley Park for locals is what the Central Park is for New Yorkers or Golden Gate Park is for San Franciscans. People come there to spend time in outdoors, relax or exercise.

Stanley Park was named the best park in the world in 2013.

Things you should see in Stanley Park

Even though most locals come to Stanley Park to exercise, hike or relax, there is actually quite a lot to see in the area. Here are the must-see spots in Stanley Park that everyone visiting the first time should see:

The Seawall

The best way to see Stanley Park is by walking or biking along the famous seawall. The seawall actually goes around the whole city and the best sights in Stanley Park are along it.

We rented some bikes and rode along the bike trail which follows the seawall. The views were just amazing! We stopped several times to take some pictures, walk on the beach, and we even saw some seals.

You can even purchase a guided audio tour to learn more about the sights while you bike, or an actual guided biking tour.

the totem poles

One of the most famous attractions in Stanley Park, and even all of Vancouver are the totem poles in the park.

In the beginning there were only four poles that were moved to Brockton Point in Stanley Park from Vancouver Island in the 1920’s. But later they brought more of them from Haida Gwaii and Rivers Inlet for example.

The oldest of them were from the 1880’s, but they have now been replaced by replicas as the originals were moved to a museum for protection.

Coast Salish Welcome Gateways

Right by the totem poles there are three wooden welcome gateways. They were carved by a famous Coast Salish artist Susan Point whose art can also be seen in Vancouver International Airport.

The gateways were erected at Brockton Point in 2008.

Brockton Point lighthouse

Brockton Point also has an old lighthouse which still functions, but hasn’t been in use since 2008. It is however sometimes lit for special occasions just for decorative purposes.

The very first light was put in at Brockton Point to help boaters in 1890 due to numerous accidents. The actual Brockton Point Lighthouse wasn’t opened until 1914. It was designed by William P. Anderson.

Girl in Wetsuit

Girl in Wetsuit is a statue by Erek Imredy sitting on a rock in the water. It was revealed in 1972.

It very much resembles of the Little Mermaid statue in Copenhagen even though the artist himself says that they should not be compared.

Imredy’s original idea was to make a statue of a diver, but since that was not well received, he changed it into a girl in wetsuit.

Lions Gate Bridge

Lions Gate Bridge is a big, green bridge that is used while traveling over the Burrard Inlet to North Shore. The official name of this little-over-a-mile-long (1,8 km) bridge is First Narrows Bridge.

The reason why people started calling the bridge lions gate are that the two mountain peaks seen behind it are called “The lions”. Later two lion sculptures were added to the south entrance of the bridge.

If you are travelling to Squamish, or to visit the Capilano Suspension Bridge like we did, you will be using this bridge and will be able to see both of the lions; the mountain tops and the sculptures.

Siwash Rock

Siwash Rock is a 32 million year old volcanic rock standing in front of Stanley Park in the water. Its highest point is 18 meters. A lonely Douglas fir is growing on top of the rock.

According to an old Squamish legend, a man was transformed into Siwash rock as a reward for unselfishness. Squamish people were some of the indigenous people inhabiting this area and the Pacific Northwest Coast.

During 1965 the summer in Canada was hotter and dryer than normal and the Douglas fir on top of the rock died. Luckily some of its saplings survived though and a new tree grew on top.

The tree really reminded me of the Lone Cypress that grows on top of a similar rock in Moneterey, California. It is one of the most photographed sights along the famous 17 mile drive on Pacific Coast Highway.

Filming locations

While you are exploring Stanley Park keep your eye out for possible movie filmings happening there. Vancouver is actually a very popular filming location right after Los Angeles and New York, and they happen pretty often in Stanley Park.

We saw a film crew by a dock very close to the totem poles, but we were not sure what show it was for. What we heard was that the Yellowjackets were filming in the area.

Things to Do in Stanley Park with kids

I was on this trip without my family, but Stanley Park seemed like a place my kids would have loved. There are so many fun things there to do.

For example the Vancouver Aquarium is located in Stanley Park. It is the biggest aquarium in Canada and it is open daily.

During summer time you can head out on the beaches in Stanley Park to swim or even to the pools they have. One of the pool areas had a water park in it.

We also saw multiple playgrounds and picnic areas while we biked around the park.

During the summer months there is a Mini-Train that runs at the Stanley Park Railway. The ride takes about 15 minutes and they welcome you to take photos with the train.

Among the train and bike rides, you can also get a horse-drawn carriage ride. During these carriage rides you will see many of the must-see spots in Stanley Park mentioned in this post and they will stop in them for photos.

Where to eat in Stanley Park

There are a couple of restaurants inside Stanley Park in case you get hungry, like Prospect Point Bar & Grill, Teahouse in Stanley Park and Stanley’s Bar & Grill. The last one also has a popular venue for different events like weddings and parties.

In the summer months you will also find some concession stands selling smaller snacks.

The park also has many areas for picnics if you decide to bring some sandwiches and snacks with you like we did.

After biking in the park all day we stopped at Breka Bakery for coffee. The bakery was outside of the park by one of the entrances, but they had an amazing selection of baked goods and cakes.

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Out of all the things we saw in three days in Vancouver we thought that Stanley Park was a little bit different. While we were seeing sights, we also got some exercise and some fresh air. We very much enjoyed our visit there.

I definitely recommend renting a bike so you can see most of the sights, but if you are not interested in biking, then you should at least walk to see the totem poles. It is one of the most famous attractions in Vancouver and the views from the Seawall in that area are amazing!

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