Exploring Vancouver's Massive Park System

Look around Vancouver and you’ll see parks of all shapes and sizes. The city takes its open space seriously. Here are some of the major parks worth checking out on your next trip to Vancouver:

Stanley Park

This is not only the premier park in Vancouver, but also one of the city’s top attractions and one of the largest urban parks in the world. It features an 8.85-kilometre seawall for walking, jogging and cycling; a 150-year-old, old growth forest; the Vancouver Aquarium; beaches; pools; restaurants; event space and much more. Check out the guide to Stanley Park.

Queen Elizabeth Park

Sure, Stanley Park is a huge draw, but Queen Elizabeth Park is the second-most popular park in the city, and for good reason. In addition to a 360-degree view of the city and surroundings, it features expansive public gardens, an outdoor arboretum and a bevy of recreational opportunities, including golf (and disc golf), tennis and lawn bowling. Perhaps its biggest attraction is the Bloedel Floral Conservatory, a dome that features more than 100 types of birds and a variety of plant life. This park is also a popular venue for events, with the Celebration Pavilion able to handle large events, such as weddings. http://vancouver.ca/parks/parks/queenelizabeth

VanDusen Botanical Garden

For those who love rare and unusual plants, the 55-acre VanDusen Botanical Garden is the perfect place to spend a few hours and is considered one of the 10 best public gardens in North America. Inside this beautifully laid out garden are thousands of rare, unusual and interesting species from all over the world, including a collection of Rhododendron hybrids. The garden offers numerous guided tours, lectures and workshops. On-site attractions also include a book and seed library, garden shop, restaurant, totem pole collection and other public art showings, including large stone sculptures and the Korean Pavilion, which features architecture that complements the Asian plant collections. More >>

Hastings Park

This park, totaling 162 acres, is almost as old as the city itself, having been gifted to Vancouver in 1889. Now it is home to the Pacific National Exhibition, the Hastings Racecourse, ball fields, open space and more. The city is currently in the planning phases for redeveloping the park to include a marsh sanctuary, a formal Italian garden and a skateboard park. http://vancouver.ca/pnepark

Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden

Located in the heart of Vancouver’s Chinatown, the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden is a sanctuary in the middle of the city. There are areas free for the public to enjoy as well as an admission-only section that includes guided tours and tea service. The garden is considered an authentic representation of the Chinese garden tradition that dates back to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). More >>

Eat in a Park (Without a Picnic Basket)

Mill Marine Bistro in Harbour Green Park
Boathouse Restaurant at Kitsilano Beach Park
Seasons in the Park at Queen Elizabeth Park
The Teahouse at Stanley Park
Shaughnessy Restaurant at VanDusen Botanical Garden

Dog Friendly

Many Vancouver parks have specific off-leash times; check out a complete list of parks and hours.

Walk Among the Trees

The Vancouver Parks Department takes care of more than just the city’s parks. It also oversees the more than 130,000 trees that line many of the city’s streets. The Park Board has even marked a 3.3-kilometre route that guides people down some of the city’s most mature tree-lined boulevards.

 

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