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Discover Super-natural Stanley Park, Vancouver
Published by Connie Motz, Writer
Country: Canada 
The Experience
Located only minutes from downtown Vancouver, Stanley Park has something for everyone. A seawall runs almost 14 miles around the park perimeter, which is popular with walkers, joggers and cyclists, especially in the summer. Spanning from Canada Place in downtown Vancouver, through Stanley Park, around English Bay Beach and False Creek, the Stanley Park seawall is actually apart of the world's longest uninterrupted waterfront walkway. A walk along the Stanley Park Seawall is a great way to explore the park as it allows you to stop and enjoy views of Grouse Mountain, Coal Harbour and the Brockton Point totem poles.
Meticulously manicured gardens stretch for acres, and the west coast forest of Stanley Park is home to local birds, squirrels and coyotes. Beaver Lake offers a stunning display of old-growth forest, including Hemlock, Red cedar, and Douglas-fir trees that are estimated to be at least 600 years old and can grow up to 250 ft tall!
At Brockton Point, you’ll find a series of authentic carved totem poles representing Native ancestry. This most photographed attraction in all of British Columbia is said to welcome visitors to the park. The Stanley Park totem poles are brilliant works of First Nations Art which illustrate familiar legends, events, and clan lineage. The original Brockton Point totem poles carved in the 1880's have been moved to museums for preservation, while the current ones were commissioned between 1985 - 1995.
Canada’s largest aquarium, Vancouver Aquarium, is also located within the spacious Stanley Park. This not-for-profit organization has been bringing the wonders of west coast ocean life to visitors for over 50 years. Vancouver Aquarium gallery exhibits include the Salmon Project and Giant Pacific Octopus; Canada’s Arctic; the Amazon; and the Tropics. Highlights include otter feedings, the dolphin show, and animal encounters.
For physical activity, the Stanley Park offers tennis, golf, swimming, and several children's playgrounds (including a water park). There’s also a ton of family fun to be had with picnics, riding the miniature train, swimming at Second Beach Pool, frolicking at the Variety Kids Water Park, or taking a Stanley Park horse-drawn carriage ride. Farmland is another fun attraction for children, although due to financial considerations its future is unknown. Stanley Park is an urban oasis with endless things to do and see, the only question is where to start!
When to Go to Stanley Park
Personally, my favorite months to visit Stanley Park are April (when the flowers are just beginning to blossom) and September (when the children are back in school!).
Visiting Stanley Park from November to March will bring cooler weather, but walking along the seawall is always a scenic option. Horse-drawn tours are available from mid-March until the end of October, and the Vancouver Aquarium is open every day of the year.
Odds n' Ends
A number of fund raising and awareness events take place in Stanley Park throughout the year, including the Vancouver Sun Run (May) and the Terry Fox Run (September).
For coupons to many attractions and restaurants in Vancouver, grab a copy of the Georgia Strait, which is available free on most street corners.
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Media References
- Aquatic life under threat in Stanley Park: report (newspaper)
- Stanley Park - NYTimes.com (newspaper)
- The Most Unforgettable Travel Experiences - NYTimes.com (newspaper)
- Free Vancouver - NationalGeographic.com (magazine)
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