STANLEY PARK

Surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, this 1,001 acre park was named after Lord Stanley, a British politician who was appointed governor general after the city's incorporation in 1888 (and gave Canada the Stanley Cup). The Park has about half a million trees, some of which are up to 76 metres tall. Although the area was logged in the very early days, several first growth trees still stand and are over 500 years old. The Park's layout was designed by Frederick Olmsted, the famous landscape architect whose resumé includes Montréal's Mont-Royal and New York's Central Park.

Stanley Park was given the prestigious title of 'Top Park in the Entire World' by Trip Advisor in 2014. The Park provides something for everyone - walking trails, totem poles, horse drawn carriage rides, and a petting zoo. Take the time to walk the nine kilometre portion of the Seawall, which hugs steep ocean walls and offers spectacular views of Siwash Rock and the Lions Gate Bridge. Other must-visit areas include the Prospect Point lookout and Brockton Point for the 9 o'clock gun (which fires at 9pm). 

And you can't leave without visiting the sea otters at the Aquarium. 

Click here for a map of Stanley Park.