Joshua ReyFor many, parks provide a peaceful escape from city life. So if you’re new to Vancouver and you’re looking for a space to relax and unwind, there are plenty of parks in the city!
Whether you drop by the infamous Stanley Park or you’re looking for something a little more lowkey like Queen Elizabeth Park, we’ve made this article to help you navigate through the various parks in Vancouver.
Head to Stanley Park
Website: http://vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture/stanley-park.aspx
Address: Vancouver, BC V6G 1Z4, Canada
Contact details: +1 604-681-6728
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday: 9am to 5pm
The largest and most well-known park in Vancouver is Stanley Park. This 405-hectare public park is the city’s pride and joy, with a history dating back to the late 1800s. The park’s vast grassy expanse is filled with lush forests, scenic trails, and beautiful gardens.
If you’re a fan of walks, jogging, or cycling, Stanley Park offers an extensive network of trails that showcase stunning views of the city skyline, mountains, and the Pacific Ocean.
If you’re willing to take things slowly and enjoy the scenery, you could easily spend an entire day here.
Pro tip:
When nature calls, head to the Seawall as there are plenty of restroom stops available.
Discover Queen Elizabeth Park
Website: https://vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture/queen-elizabeth-park.aspx
Address: 4600 Cambie St, Vancouver, BC V5Z 2Z1, Canada
Contact details: +1 604-873-7000
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday: 6am to 10pm
Located at the highest point in Vancouver, Queen Elizabeth Park boasts scenic mountain views, stunning gardens, and an enclosed dome that houses exotic birds like macaws and cockatoos, among others.
The park also has a quarry garden, an arboretum with exotic and native trees, sculptures, and recreational spaces for tennis, lawn bowling, and pitch and putt.
Pro tip:
The large quarry is the most picturesque place to walk to, while the viewpoint is best for capturing a time lapse of the sunset.
Walk along Harbour Green Park
Website: http://covapp.vancouver.ca/parkfinder/parkdetail.aspx?inparkid=21
Address: 1199 W Cordova St, Vancouver, BC V6C 3P9, Canada
Contact details: +1 604-873-7000
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday: 10am to 9pm
Located in the waterfront neighborhood of Coal Harbour, Harbour Green Park is the park to visit for waterside strolls along the city’s inner harbor.
The park’s abundance of nature—green lawns, decorative trees, and vibrant flower beds—creates a tranquil atmosphere perfect for relaxation and picnics. Additionally, as you walk along the seawall, you get good views of ships sailing in and out.
Pro tip:
This park overlooks the Harbour Air seaplane base, so if you have some spare time, you can just sit back and watch them take off and land.
Have Fun at Hastings Park
Website: https://vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture/hastings-park.aspx
Address: 2901 E Hastings St, Vancouver, BC V5K 5J1, Canada
Contact details: +1 604-873-7000
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday: 9am to 8pm
Hastings Park is the place to go for sports and recreation. Apart from being surrounded by nature, there are over 19 rides for you to enjoy at the nearby Playland amusement park. There’s also plenty of rides for the young ones as well.
There’s also a sports field, a sports park where you can practice your parkour, bike, and beach volleyball skills, and two skate parks. There’s almost no shortage of activities to keep you active and entertained.
Pro tip:
There are many gardens here but we recommend you check out the Italian gardens as it’s filled with interesting sculpted faces and checkered patterns.
Lay on the Grassy Lawns at Creekside Park
Website: http://covapp.vancouver.ca/parkfinder/parkdetail.aspx?inparkid=15
Address: 1455 Quebec St, Vancouver, BC V6A 3Z7, Canada
Contact details: +1 604-873-7000
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday: 6am to 10pm
Adjacent to Science World is Creekside Park, where grassy lawns are as extensive as they get. The park has many benches and grass berms for relaxing; plus you get a great view of False Creek and the downtown core.
The waterfront playground is the main draw here, where kids can zipline, play in the sandpit, and ride their bikes. This park also hosts the Dragon Boat Festival, so keep an eye out for it.
Pro tip:
Free two-hour parking is available on streets throughout the park, including Quebec, Switchmen, and National Avenue.
Roam around Vanier Park
Website: https://covapp.vancouver.ca/parkfinder/parkdetail.aspx?inparkid=120
Address: 1000 Chestnut St, Vancouver, BC V6J 3J9, Canada
Contact details: +1 604-873-7000
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday: 6am to 10pm
Vanier Park is right at the edge of English Bay, and the views that it offers is exactly what makes it such a must-visit spot. You can see downtown Vancouver, Stanley Park, and the North Shore mountains all from one vantage point.
It’s also home to museums—the Museum of Vancouver, the Vancouver Maritime Museum, the City of Vancouver Archives, and the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre—that fills you in on Vancouver’s history.
Pro tip:
Vanier Park has a direct trail connection to the False Creek waterfront bike and walking trail so make sure to take advantage of this scenic route during your visit.
Take a Stroll through Charleson Park
Website: http://covapp.vancouver.ca/parkfinder/parkdetail.aspx?inparkid=43
Address: 999 Charleson Street, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4A2, Canada
Contact details: +1 604-873-7000
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday: 6am to 10pm
If you head to the Fairview neighborhood, you’ll quickly find yourself at Charleson Park, as it’s one of the city’s larger parks located along False Creek.
This 17.6-acre designed park features tranquil pathways that run through lush vegetation and around a waterfall and pond, providing breathtaking views of the city coastline.
Pro tip:
On wet days, the field becomes extremely muddy and slippery, so wear good boots with a good grip.
Check Out the John Hendry Park (Trout Lake Park)
Website: http://covapp.vancouver.ca/parkfinder/parkdetail.aspx?inparkid=85
Address: 3300 Victoria Dr, Vancouver, BC V5N 4M4, Canada
Contact details: +1 604-873-7000
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday: 6am to 10pm
John Hendry Park, which locals often refer to informally as Trout Lake, is a focal point of the Cedar Cottage neighborhood. It’s where the Trout Lake Community Center is, and a large farmer’s market is held in the summer.
This park is ideal for family outings because barbecues are permitted and there is a swimming raft in the water during the summer. There’s also a loop that runs through the entire park, and there are evening events such as live music.
Pro tip:
Around the lake, there are many ducks and swans. It’s fascinating to see them burrow their heads in the earth in search of worms.
Bring Your Dog at Hinge Park
Website: http://covapp.vancouver.ca/parkfinder/parkdetail.aspx?inparkid=240
Address: 215 W 1st Ave, Vancouver, BC V5Y 0E5, Canada
Contact details: +1 604-257-8402
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday: Open 24 hours
Hinge Park is a park where people can enjoy peace and quiet. It covers 2.3 acres; it’s secluded enough from the bustling city, and there’s almost always no disturbance from traffic or crowds.
The park’s features include a rainwater grassland, a play park for youngsters, benches, grass, and picnic spots. There is also a dog off-leash area within a fenced section in the park’s northwest corner.
Pro tip:
Be advised that there are no nearby bathrooms (that we’re aware of).
Walk the Trails at Pacific Spirit Regional Park
Website: https://metrovancouver.org
Address: 5495 Chancellor Blvd, Vancouver, BC V6T 1E4, Canada
Contact details: +1 604-224-5739
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday: 7am to 7pm
Pacific Spirit Regional Park is the place to walk, jog, and run, as the park has an expansive network of trails nestled in over 750 hectares of lush forests. Although it can get steep in places, it’s wide with a good soil surface.
The park is massive, stretching from the ocean to the north (English Bay) to Southwest Marine Drive, and if you’re feeling adventurous, you can go down to the Southlands area, where there are mansions and horses.
Pro tip:
Parking is available along the road, in Westbrook Village, or for those with some stamina, at UBC.
Vancouver is a city where natural beauty dances hand in hand with urban sophistication. We hope this article has helped you narrow down your adventure to exploring the many parks in Vancouver
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