Stanley Park, Vancouver

A dramatic entrance to Stanley Park

After disembarking our Alaska cruise, we had a few hours before we had to be at the airport to fly back home, so we decided to book a Hop-On-Hop-Off tour of Vancouver and the surrounding areas. Hop-On-Hop-Off bus tours can be a great way to see the main attractions of a city when you’re short on time! One ticket gives you the opportunity to get off the bus at a stop you’re interested in and explore at your own leisure before getting back on the bus and going to the next stop. Oftentimes a guide or the driver will point out historical sites and points of interest along the way, and you will be given a map of the bus stops so you can plan your visit.

Our first stop was at Stanley Park, a well-known beautiful coastal park right next to downtown. Stanley Park is known for its nice beaches, well-maintained paths and trails, an aquarium, a splash park for kids, teahouses, and a nature center. And at 1,000 acres, Stanley Park is bigger than Central Park in New York!

All throughout the park we enjoyed views of the harbor, meticulously maintained trees and flowering plants, and the many First Nations totem poles in the park, some of which were carved as early as the 1880s. There was also a really nice First Nations-themed gift shop in the area. Even though the park was busy that day, it was quiet and peaceful.

Top Left: Vancouver Aquarium

Top Right: The Killer Whale-Chief of the Undersea World Statue outside the aquarium

Bottom: First Nations totem poles

We spent a couple of hours strolling around this natural oasis and taking in the beauty. However, if we get a chance to go back, we will probably rent bikes so we can see even more of this incredible park! Be sure to put a visit to Stanley Park on your to-do list the next time you visit Vancouver.

L: Vancouver skyline from Stanley Park

R: Girl in a Wetsuit sculpture "representing Vancouver’s dependence on the sea, and the necessity to use the sea for the benefit of all"

If you’re interested in learning more about the Hop-On-Hop-Off tour we did, click here.

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