12 Best Parks in Vancouver : An Ultimate Guide
What is the one thing that comes to mind when you want to go for a picnic or to relax and feel free? Parks right! With the rise of technology and busy work schedules, it becomes especially important to take a break and spend some time surrounded by nature.
Vancouver is a city filled with both urban development and natural beauty. As one of the largest cities in Canada, Vancouver is home to a number of parks that offer a respite from the hustle and bustle of city life. The stunning beaches, botanical gardens and aquariums at the parks make it an ideal destination.
Here are the 12 best parks in Vancouver to relax, engage in outdoor activities, or admire nature.
Best Parks in Vancouver
Kits Beach Park
Kitsilano Beach Park is nestled in the heart of Kitsilano and is one the most popular beach in Vancouver.
The park is known for its large swimming pool, sun-soaked beach, and vibrant atmosphere. It is surrounded by a bustling neighbourhood with a variety of restaurants, cafes, and shops, making it a great place to spend the day. The heated outdoor pool is Canada’s longest which has sparkling saltwater.
Visitors can lounge on the warm sand, bask in the sun, and take in the stunning panoramic views of the surrounding region.
Queen Elizabeth Park
This small park is famous for its amusing flora and horticulture. Queen E Park is almost 130 acres along the north shore Mountains and city.
This area is almost 500 feet above the sea, making it the high point in the city. The city protects the region, and you can see lush greenery, laws, and maintained gardens. This park is also called Queen E by the locals.
You can also visit the Bloedel Conservatory, which is a geodesic dome. It is home to more than 500 exotic plants worldwide and a bird arboretum of almost 100 birds.
There is a Quarry Park that has a collection of native and exotic trees with sculptures and flora & fauna all around it.
John Hendry Park
Trout Lake Park is named after a renowned businessman and industrialist, John Hendry. People from East Vancouver mostly visit the place. The beautiful lake is the best feature.
Along with a great place to picnic, John Hendry Park is also an amazing dog park, as there are more than 26,000 meters of land on the north of the park. There are also many playgrounds for kids, biking, and walking in this place.
You can also see basketball courts, a Tennis court, and the Trout Lake Community Center. This community center, west of the lake shore, has a game room, sauna, gym, and hall. It is used for various events too.
The view of the Northern Mountains is a great background for picnics. From May to October, there is Trout Lake Farmers Market on Saturdays.
VanDusen Botanical Garden
This Garden was built on an old golf course in 1975. it is spread over 55 acres in Shaughnessy in Vancouver, which is just around a 10-minute drive from the city’s downtown. It is the house of 7,500 or more trees & plants from various places.
There are also many sculptures and a Japanese garden around the garden. You can also find regions for meditation, shining streams, a maze, and the park’s waterfall.
Some plants you get to see are fragrant roses, Japanese cherry trees, Japanese dogwoods, and more. You can also see the Christmas festival of lights in the town.
Pacific Spirit Park
This is for nature lovers. It is set in west Vancouver; this region separates the city from British Columbia. The thick forest and rocky coastlines are just perfect for cycling and hiking trails.
This is the city’s gem that is serene and marvellous. The network of hiking trails is on hand for riding horses and bicycles. There are beaches too that are clothing optional. Remember to have a Pacific Spirit Regional Park map to be safe.
There are 2,000 acres or so of forest with more than 50 miles of trail along with the waters and the University of British Columbia.
Granville Island Water Park
This is the biggest freshwater park in the continent of North America. It is on Granville Island, close to the False Creeks center. This park is a fun experience for kids. It’s specifically made for young ones.
There is a lot of water slide along with sprays, fountains, and much more. There is also a grass area for toddlers. Kids can also go free in the summer. You can also go in the mock-rivers with the playground.
Stanley Park
This park is more than 20% big than Central Park in the US. Opened in 1888, this place lies by Vancouver Harbor and English bay waters. Stanley Park in Downtown Vancouver is a collection of pretty parkland and dense rainforest.
There is also the Vancouver aquarium with a world-class facility. It is the best in the continent and also the much visited too.
Water is all around the park, making you bike, walk, or roll the seawall. There are also lagoons, an outdoor pool, and much more to see. Here you can also see the old Totem poles, which are an integral part of the country.
Guelph Park
While this park isn’t the biggest, it is the loveliest and the most famous in the region. This place is normally called Dude chilling park by all. A sculpture named ‘reclining figure’ by Michael Dennis was placed in 1991.
The artwork gives the rendition of a person chilling, thus the name. Things turned when an artist designed a sign saying Dude chilling park in 2012 as a prank. This then became the alternative for Guelph Park.
This park is the perfect hangout place, a simple stretch of grass with the artwork. It is also one of the allowed places to drink in public.
Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Chinese Park
This park is set in Vancouver’s Chinatown and was built in 1986. It is named after Dr. Yat-Sen, who is seen as the founder of modern China. It symbolizes the connection between the Chinese and the western connection.
This is a replica of the Ming Dynasty Chinese scholar garden. It is the first of a kind outside China. 53 Chinese craftsmen built it.
Everything in the place is shipped from China, apart from the local parts. You will have to get guided tours that teach about the city’s Chinese community. If you don’t have time to take the guide, sit near Koi Pond and have peace.
Creekside Park
This is just near the Science World in Creek-side Park in Vancouver. It is a very beautiful waterfront park. This is loved by tourists and kids alike. It also has a large kid’s playground with swings and all. It is a great place for your leashed pets too.
The best feature of this place in Vancouver is that it is designed for even children in wheelchairs. The backdrop of the place is the beautiful city, snow-capped mountains, and the Pacific Ocean. It is a loved picnic spot too.
Vanier Park
This charming park is situated in the Kitsilano region of Vancouver. It is also home to 4 attractions in the city. It includes the City Museum, Vancouver Maritime Museum, HR MacMillan Space Center, and the Vancouver City Archives.
This Park is a hot spot for arts and Culture lovers. This park is also perfect for kite-flying and has a spot for water activities. It is also a big picnic spot too. This park also holds the annual event. To know more, click here.
Lynn Canyon Park
While this isn’t a much-visited park, it has that zest that can hold your attention. It is one nice park in North Vancouver that opened in 1912 or so. It has a long-hung bridge, a natural pool, waterfalls, and hiking trails. There are 100s of old trees.
The main thing to see is the Lynn Canon suspending bridge and Ecology Center. The bridge is 40m long. The eco-center is all about the flora and fauna of the region. Tropical rainforests occupy the region and are open year-long.
To enjoy food, drinks, and snacks of this nature, visit the Lynn Canyon Cafe. There is also a gift shop to visit.
Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q.)
Q.1. What is the famous park in the city of Vancouver?
Ans- The famous park is Stanley Park. Locals and visitors love it.
Q.2. Are the parks in Vancouver worth visiting?
Ans- The Parks have something to see for everyone. So, this makes it worth visiting.
Q.3. Is Vancouver a safe city?
Ans- It is overall a safe city to visit and live in.
Q.4. What is the most beautiful park in Vancouver?
Ans- Queen Elizabeth Park is the most beautiful park in Vancouver. There is a botanical garden and much more to see.
Q.5. What is the opening and closing time for these parks?
Ans- Some parks are mostly open the whole day. The botanical garden and some other parks have a set time to visit.
Conclusion
These best parks in Vancouver are amazing and have so much to see. Vancouver has more than 230 municipal local parks. There are many hiking trails, walking and much more to visit.
When you visit around the city, Also visit these beautiful parks and have a great time.
