One of the most well-known activities in the summer for almost all tourists in Vancouver is the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park. The Park features a number of activities for everyone, and if you are a resident of BC, it might be worthwhile to get an annual pass, which comes for the same price as a single ticket. It is definitely worth it!

As the name can tell, the park is centered around a suspension bridge which is 450 feet long and  suspended across the Capilano river.  The bridge is perhaps the least interesting of the attractions. The park features a number of other activities, from a cliff walk, a treetop adventure and various restaurants. Fun fact: The name 'Capilano' comes from the First Nation’s word Kia’palano, which means beautiful river.

Attraction 1: The Capilano Suspension Bridge

The Capilano Suspension Bridge was first built in 1889 with hemp ropes and cedar planks by a civil engineer. In 1903, it was upgraded to a wire bridge. It was again rebuilt in 1956.  The bridge has been featured in a number of media productions! While you are walking, you will definitely realize that it is a strong bridge, and the cable is strong enough to hold a 747 fully-loaded airliner! 

The best time to be able to enjoy the bridge without a swarm of people on it is really early in the morning, when the park opens, or at the end of the day, when the park is closing. Otherwise, it tends to be quite busy and you miss out on some amazing phot opps. Strollers are not allowed on the bridge, and to get to most of the attractions, you have to get past the bridge. Thus, it is advisable to not bring a stroller. We did bring one, but just had it parked.

Attraction 2. The Cliffwalk

One of our favorite parts about the park was the Cliffwalk, which is a suspended walkway going along the cliff face above the river. It is almost like floating through a rainforest. There are stairs here and there, but the walk is really enjoyable. We also went during the winter, where they had lights up for display. Fortunately, with an annual pass, you can enjoy special events such as Canyon Lights. During this time, the suspension bridge and the Cliffwalk is lit up!

Attraction 3: Treetops Adventure

The Treetops Adventure is a series of seven suspension bridges attached to eight ginormous Douglas-Fir trees, which happen to be more than 200 years old. My understanding is that they did not damage the trees while creating the bridges because they used a symptom of tree collars that would grow with the trees. 

Attraction 4: Cliffhouse Restaurant and other Eats

The Cliffhouse Restaurant is another attraction offering amazing seafood, and views. The restaurant is open from 11am to 5pm and overlooks the canyon, The menu consists of craft beers, clam chowder, burgers, and much more. 

There are a few more casual dining options however. There is Loggers’ Grill, open from 11:00am to 6:30pm. This is a quick service counter featuring things like burgers fries and fast eats. The Bridgehouse Cafe is located across the street from the main entrance and sells coffee, espresso, baked goods, and sandwiches.

Then, there is another very casual option which is the Cabin, located on the other side of the suspension bridge. Once you cross the bridge, you can treat yourself to a coffee or hot chocolate, and some baked goods. 

Attraction 5: Totem Poles

Much like all of Vancouver, the park is located on the traditional territory of the Coast Salish people, namely the Squamish (Skwxwú7mesh Nation) and Tsleil-Waututh Nation. In the mid-1930s, the owners of the park invited Native people to bring totem poles to the park. Since then, it has become the largest selection of privately owned totem poles in the world.

Attraction 6: Learning and Camps

There are a few other learning activities. For example, there is the Story Centre is filled with artifacts and antiques that speak to Vancouver’s early history. There is also a self-guided trail known as the Living Forest. Then, for the kids there is the Rainforest Explorers Program. This is a self-guided program scavenger hunt of the surrounding forest. Kids will learn all about the rainforest as they conduct their “research”, and they can get a prize when exiting after they have completed the program.

Getting here

The easiest way to get to Capilano Suspension Bridge is to drive here, if you have a car. However, if you are staying in downtown Vancouver, there are multiple buses that can get you close to this place, not to mention a free shuttle that can pick you up from several different locations in downtown. You need a valid park ticket in order to use the shuttle however!

Among the many things to do in Vancouver, the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park will be one of them (atleast based on TripAdvisor and Google). But if you don't want to shell out $50+ for the entry ticket, you could head on to the Lynn Canyon Park, a free park with its own set of suspension bridges and sights in the North Shore.

The Lynn Canyon Park officially opened to the public in 1912 and has been a popular destination among tourists as well as the local residents of Lynn Valley ever since. From downtown, you can take bus 210 that takes you directly to the park. It is pet-friendly so you can bring your four-legged furry friend if you want to do a hike with your dog.

There are a number of things to do here:

Suspension Bridge

The main attraction, the Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge towers 50 meters (160ft) over the canyon.  Though it is free, it is not as dramatic as the Capilano Suspension Bridge. However, it does have its own charm!

Baden Powell Trail

This trail crosses the entire North Shore region and passes through Lynn Canyon Park. It is well marked and provides a variety of rugged and smooth sections for novice to advanced hikers. It takes approximately 1 to 1.5 hours to hike the section of the Baden Powell Trail that passes through Lynn Canyon Park.

30 Foot Pool & Beyond

On the North side of the suspension bridge the trail to the left leads you North West through the park. A short walk will take you to the popular 30-Foot pool. The 30-foot pool is one of the most popular locations among tourists and locals. It is a very large area with great spots for a picnic and it features a beautiful swimming hole. In the summer months you will find several visitors taking a quick refreshing swim to cool off. Take extra caution as the water is extremely cold, even in the summer months.

After the 30-Foot pool there is a very large stairway. This will take you to the Pipe Bridge, which crosses the canyon and leads to the North entrance of the park at the top of Lynn Valley Road. The stairs also lead you to the Northern region of the park, the Seymour Demonstration Forest and Rice Lake park entrance. If you do not wish to venture into these areas, the trail loops back towards the Lynn Canyon suspension bridge.

Twin Falls Trail 

Twin Falls is East of the Lynn Canyon suspension bridge and can be accessed from either side of the bridge. If you do not cross the bridge from the main entrance, proceed east past the Lynn Canyon Café and follow the trail down towards the river. A short walk will take you to the Twin Falls Bridge which offers a beautiful view of a waterfall and large pool below.

If you cross the suspension bridge and would like to get to Twin Falls, follow the boardwalk towards the right after the bridge and then follow the trail East to Twin Falls. There is a sign that will point you in the right direction.

Twin Falls is less accessible than the 30-Foot pool and not as popular among visitors. If you are looking for a quiet place to sit by the river, this is the spot. After the Twin Falls Bridge you can reach the river by climbing down a steep bank. If you cross the river there is a long riverbank with lots of sitting room. The sun will stay most of the day until it drops behind the trees. There are also other short trails further down that will take you to the riverbank.

Lynn Headwaters & Rice Lake

If you are looking for another hike along the river, Lynn Headwaters is nearby and is a nice leisurely walk. There are several great spots to stop along the water for a picnic. It is possible to swim, but is not recommended when the river reaches high levels.

Also nearby is Rice Lake which is accessible by Lynn Canyon Park and Lynn Headwaters. There is lots of parking and its a great place to spend a few hours. A trail circles around the lake and has several different viewpoints of the lake. You will often find that fishing is popular here as the lake is stocked with trout each year. Unfortunately swimming is no longer permitted in Rice Lake.

Lynn Canyon Cafe

What makes nature more fun is food (lol). Fortunately, this park also has its own concession spot. The Lynn Canyon Cafe, located right at the entrance to Lynn Canyon Park, is a great place to stop for a refreshment and a snack before and after you start your day of hiking. It’s a west coast style cafe with beautiful dramatic wooden beams that decorate the interior and exterior of the building.

It used to be pretty crowded pre-COVID, but since then, the cafe as well as the overall park are not as crowded and offer safe social distancing. The Cafe provides some delicious baked goods and excellent menu options including burgers with all the fixings. 

The Ecology Centre

The Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre is open Monday to Friday from 10am to 4pm and Saturday and Sunday from 12pm to 4pm. It is a small center with some history on the ecology of the place and a few small exhibits. However, they do regular programming for children so give them a call to see what is going on!

When it comes to beautiful cities, Victoria probably bags the award. Located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island, Victoria is British Columbia’s capital and one of the oldest cities in the Pacific Northwest.  A British settlement since 1843 and named after Queen Victoria, the city is home to a multitude of gardens, a variety of historic buildings, including the beautiful parliament buildings and the world-famous Empress Hotel. The city is also home to the oldest Chinatown in Canada and vibrant First Nations communities who have called this place home long before European settlement. It is also widely known as “The Garden City” due to its almost year-round gardens.

For someone who lives in Vancouver, I did not think much of Victoria, expecting it to be another West Coast city, but was I wrong! Not only does it have the nature and temperate weather, it has an amazing downtown and urban center.  In this post, I’ll share with you some of the best things to do in Victoria while also sharing some tips on saving money, how to get around, where to stay, and much more.

GETTING TO VICTORIA BC

If you’re a visitor looking for different ways of getting to Victoria, here’s some practical advice on how to get there. 

Plane: The first method is pretty straighforward, and that's by plane. You’ll most likely be flying into Victoria International Airport (YYJ). Although there are other smaller airports around the island, this is the one that gets used by most visitors. It’s located near the ferry terminal and is just 25 minutes from downtown and offers easy access to downtown Victoria, including by public bus or taxi. The public bus costs $5 CAD but space for baggage is limited.

Ferry:  Victoria is also a great place to visit by ferry, especially if you want to bring your car and plan on exploring more of Vancouver Island. If you’re driving to Victoria, you will need to take a ferry from the mainland to either Victoria or to Nanaimo. The crossing time is approximately 1.5 hours. The BC ferries leave from Vancouver’s Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay (Victoria). The other option is to take the ferry to Nanaimo, and then drive 2-hours to Victoria. The cost for car and driver is approximately $75 CAD for a one-way trip. Depending on timing, you want to arrive 1-2 hours earlier than the ferry departure as it can be very busy. Upon arrival, you will be in Sidney, BC, which is 32 km (20 miles) north of Victoria, taking approximately 30 minutes by car to reach downtown Victoria.  This method  is suggested for those who want to visit Vancouver. Otherwise, I would advise flying to Victoria. Another really cool feature about Victoria BC is that you can actually take a ferry right from downtown Seattle to downtown Victoria, sailing through some really beautiful coastal scenery. The journey takes approximately 3 hours and starts at around $110 USD.

Bus: Unfortunately, there is no bus that takes you all the way to Victoria from Vancouver. However, you can take a bus to the ferry, and then another bus from the ferry to Victoria. Within Vancouver, you can take the Canada Line to Bridgeport Station and then bus 620 from bay 11 to Tsawwassen ferry terminal. On Vancouver Island, catch the 70 express bus or 72 bus to downtown Victoria.

HOW TO GET AROUND VICTORIA

Victoria is not a huge city, and thus, there is no subway train system. There is, however, a pretty good public bus network, as well as taxis to get you around. You could also rent a car, or if not going too far, Victoria is also a great place to walk and even bike. If you’re only going to be exploring downtown Victoria, walking is the best way to do it and you won't really need to use a bus or taxi except for commuting to the airport or ferry terminal. Most of the sites are within walking distance of one another. 

WEATHER AND BEST TIME TO VISIT

Victoria is one of the mildest cities in Canada, receiving very little snowfall and rarely dipping below 0°C. It does, however, get quite a bit of rain during the winter months. Summer can get busy so that is why Spring and Autumn are great times to visit. In the Spring, which is from March to May, flowers are in bloom so the gardens are great to visit. Summer is also great but also the warmest, busiest and costliest time to visit. The fall from September to November is also a great time to visit the island, though you should expect more rain. It does get a bit cold mid October, so I would try to aim for a September trip!

TOP THINGS TO DO IN VICTORIA BC

Victoria is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Canada, which creates loads of attractions, activities, and other things to do. Below is a list of some of the best things to do when visiting Victoria.

1. THE BUTCHART GARDENS

One of the most visited tourist spots on the island, the Butchard Gardens is an iconic site, as well as a National Historic Site of Canada. The gardens are around 55 acres and home to 900 bedding plant varieties, 26 greenhouses, and 50 full-time gardeners! This is top attraction and though tickets are not very cheap, they are well-worth it. The gardens are not in downtown, so you should allocate a full day to this activity since you would want another day to explore downtown and its attractions.

2. THE ROYAL BC MUSEUM

Another spot to visit, especially if it is a rainy day, is the Royal BC Museum. Founded in 1886, the Museum offers three permanent galleries inside, including Natural History, Becoming BC, and the First Peoples Gallery. The natural history collection alone has more than 750,000 records of specimens that are almost exclusively from the province. The Royal BC Museum is also home to touring exhibitions, such as Titanic, Egyptian artifacts, and the Vikings. Among all the museums in BC, this one is by far the grandest. It’s also conveniently located within walking distance from the Empress Hotel and the inner harbour so is definitely not out of the way.

3. INNER HARBOUR AND VICTORIA PIER

Perhaps the most charming activity in Victoria is to simply stroll around and enjoy the inner harbour, which is one of the most beautiful harbours in the world and similar to the one in Sydney, though smaller. Most of the historic streets and buildings are near the harbour, as is the Royal BC Museum, the Empress Hotel and the Parliament building. 

4. VICTORIA PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

Right next to the Inner Harbour is the impossible-to-miss British Columbia parliament buildings. Overlooking the stunning Harbour, these beautiful historical buildings are definitely remnants of a very European past. Though we did not have a chance to check out the inside, I believe visitors are able to do self-guided tours of the buildings or can go on a regularly scheduled 35-minute guided tour, which occurs seven days a week during the summer months. 

5. EMPRESS HOTEL AND MINIATURE WORLD

Right adjacent the parliament building, overlooking the harbour is the Empress hotel, owned by the Fairmont group. It happens to be one of the most historic buildings as well and as soon as you step inside, it would be like stepping back into time. This hotel was owned by the Canadian Pacific Railway, built between 1904 and 1908 and is famous for its afternoon tea, which is served in the lobby to more than 800 visitors per day. 

Besides the afternoon tea, the Empress hotel is also home to another top tourist attraction – Miniature World. This little world features many miniature dioramas and displays, including the world’s smallest operational sawmill, the Great Canadian Railway, one of the world’s largest model railways, and even two of the world’s largest Doll Houses complete with over 50 furnished rooms! The attraction is conveniently located within the Empress Hotel, though is a separate ticketed attraction, with adult tickets costing $18.

5. FISHERMAN’S WHARF

Not far from Victoria’s Inner Harbour is the lovely floating neighbourhood of Fisherman’s Wharf. This is a great place to eat food, shop at unique stores, and go on eco-tours. This place was busy with people eating fresh seafood when we visited, but our favourite part was touring the floating homes and just imagining what it would be like to live in a house that moves with the water.

6. BEACON HILL PARK

If you’re looking for a beautiful park to stroll around for the afternoon, you’ll be hard-pressed to find one better than Beacon Hill Park, which is conveniently located in downtown Victoria. Simply walk up Belleville Street past the Museum of Natural History and the Imax Theatre to Douglas Street, take a right, and then climb a short hill until you reach the top. Beautiful inner-city nature awaits you. However, do note that the park is a whopping 200 acres in size, so plan your visit accordingly.

7. CASTLES

Not only is Victoria home to some exquisite gardens, it is home to some gorgeous and grand castles, including Hatley Castle and Craigdarroch Castle.  Hatley Castle is a Classified Federal Heritage Building and since 1995, the mansion and estate have been used for the public Royal Roads University. From the 1940s to 1995, it was used for the Royal Roads Military College, a naval training facility. The gardens are definitely worth a visit!

8. CHINATOWN AND GOVERNMENT STREET

It’s quite amazing how many cities around the world are home to Chinatown. But Victoria’s is unique in that it’s the second oldest Chinatown in all of North America, second only to the one in San Francisco. Created by Chinese immigrants more than 150 years ago, Chinatown has become a testament to the resiliency of the culture and traditions brought overseas long ago. From the Gate of Harmonious Interest to the bold colours of lucky red and gold throughout the neighbourhood, Chinatown is simply a place you shouldn’t miss when visiting Victoria. While there, don’t miss meandering down Fan Tan Alley as well, which is one of the narrowest streets in Canada.

9. ABKHAZI GARDEN

Victoria is full of gardens, besides the Butchard gardens, hence earning its nickname “The Garden City”. Among its gardens is the Abkhazi Garden, created in 1946 by Prince and Princess Abkhazi, with its own heritage home. It is a small garden, only one acre in size but features dramatic glaciated rocky slopes, magnificent native Garry oaks and gorgeous vistas, Japanese maples and rhododendrons. A nice addition to the trip, and is unticketed.

10. VISIT THE VICTORIA BUG ZOO

We didn't visit this since our kid isn't fond of critters but if your kid is at that age of marvel and wonder, this should be a must-see. All families with kids trek their way to this bug zoo, full of insects and spiders, and what not. It also is home to Canada’s largest ant colony, giant walking stick bugs, alien-eyes praying mantids, and even glow-in-the-dark scorpions. 

11. VICTORIA BUTTERFLY GARDENS

Another garden but this one has another thing to offer: Butterflies. And who doesn’t love butterflies? These gardens are very tropical looking and filled with thousands of butterflies fluttering about the place. Not to mention, lots of koi fish, turtles, poison dart frogs, parrots, flamingos, and many tropical flowers. Tickets are around $18, and definitely worth a quick visit if you have time.

12. DO DAY-TRIPS TO THE SMALLER ISLANDS

While Vancouver Island is quite big, there are actually hundreds of smaller Gulf Islands and inlets in the Georgia Strait around Victoria, BC. These make for excellent day trips. You could rent a boat, arrange a tour, or even take the ferry to popular islands such as Gabriola, Saltspring, and/or Thetis. Once on the little islands, you can simply relax in nature, go biking or hiking, visit local artisans and eateries, or find yourself a nice beach to whisk the day away. Ferry rates are about $10 CAD ($7 USD).

13. EXPLORE VANCOUVER ISLAND

While some certainly visit Victoria just for Victoria, we highly recommend taking another week or more and exploring more of Vancouver Island. It’s truly a special place and one of the most beautiful areas in the country. You’ll find gorgeous rainforest treks, mystical coastal beaches, jaw-dropping waterfalls, lovely little island towns, and the best surfing in Canada out by Tofino. There’s also whale watching and wildlife tours all over the island, the opportunity to go snorkelling with salmon around Campbell River, and some of the best multi-day hikes in North America. Where will you go?

If you follow me, you know that my most recent posts were about gardens. Well, no surprises there ! Since COVID-19, searching for gardens has been my past time. And no surprises, I made it to the largest one in Canada - the Royal Botanical Gardens. Ontario’s Royal Botanical Gardens is Canada’s largest botanical garden. Designated as a National Historic Site, the garden covers over 2400 acres of wetland, field, forest & escarpment ecosystems across the two cities of Burlington and Hamilton. Not to mention, the Gardens are a registered charitable organization.  The scale of the gardens is palpable even at the entrance when you are provided a map. We weren't able to see all of it, but did see some parts. 

The main building, which is known as the RBG Centre, is the place to start! An interesting fact is that a third of the building’s materials were sourced locally and almost 100% of the demolition/construction waste was diverted from the landfill. 

At the main entrance, there is also a gift store and restaurant at the indoor center. A number of halls can be seen throughout the building, and they are used for presentations or events, it seems. We went past these halls to make a visit to the main Hendrie Park.

As soon as you exit the center, you arrive at the gorgeous Hendrie Park, which has a number of things to see including the Rose Garden, which features a spectacular display of roses and companion plants. There is a cute little gazebo for photo opps. Right next to it is also the Turner Pavillion Teahouse where you can enjoy a drink or snack. 

Within the park, is a wood paved walkway known as the Morrison Woodland Garden, which has woodlanders and native plants. There is a Story Walk just before it. It reminded me a lot of my time in Korea, where most of the trails were wood paved.

Other sites within the Hendrie Park include the Healing Garden, which is a small area featuring a collection of medicinal plants, the Medieval Garden, which features plants of ethnobotanical value used in medieval times for medicinal, culinary, aromatic and dye purposes. This garden also features an analemmatic sundial (the visitor becomes the gnomon and casts the shadow). Other gardens in the Hendrie Park incthe Helen M. Kippax Garden which features native trees, shrubs, perennials and grasses along with their cultivars to add extra colour, the Lily Walk, which has a lovely display of lilies and popular perennials, the Veggie Village, the Hendrie Gates which lead to the Scented Garden.

One could spend an entire day in Hendrie Park, but alas, we had more ground to cover.  After roaming the park, we made a lunch pitstop at the Greenhouse Cafe in the RBG Centre, which offers delicious food. Within the RBC centre, we quickly checked out the Mediterranean Garden which has plants from all the five Mediterranean climate zones: the Mediterranean Basin, South Africa’s Western Cape, southwestern Australia, central Chile, and southern California and Baja.  Two landscaped levels showcase cultivars of native and exotic Mediterranean plants. 

The other collection right next to this is the Cactus and Succulent Collection which showcases some thorny plants, as well as a small koi pond.

We had already spent a few hours doing this, so we knew we wont be able to see all of the garden. The next thing on our bucket list was the Rock garden, which was nothing short of spectacular, though reminded me of Vancouver's Queen Elizabeth Park. The Rock Garden has its own visitor center, amazing water displays, and other rock pathways.

Unfortunately, four or five hours had passed and we had yet to touch the surface of this giant garden. However, it is well worth it to get an annual pass and spend some weekends exploring this gorgeous garden(s) which also has its own nature trails, an arboretum, a playground for kids, a multitude of cafes, and many conservation areas within the gardens. 

One of the things I really enjoy in BC is making pit stops at some of the smaller municipalities of the province, that have held on to charm and culture, and aren't inundated with Walmarts and Superstores. One of these places is Hope, BC, in the Fraser Valley, east of Chilliwack. I spent my birthday weekend here, exploring the town, as well as its most renowned attraction: the Othello Tunnels.

The Othello Tunnels are basically a series of old train tunnels and bridges cutting through granite rock, that pass over the Coquihalla River. The tunnels and the trails around it are part of the Coquihalla Provincial Park.

A little bit about the history of the tunnels. Well, in the early 1900's, the Canadian Pacific Railway decided to connect the southern coast of British Columbia with the region that is known as the Kootenays, and decided to do it by carving out a path through a gorge, known as the Coquihalla Gorge. This route today does not have the railway tracks, but has been restored as part of the Kettle Valley Railway Trail, which is a popular cycling route that follows the old train routes over trestles and through tunnels and is noted for it's gradual change in elevation. This is the same trail that goes all the way into the Okanagan.

In any case, when you do make your way to the Othello tunnels, you realize what a challenge it would be to build a railway there. The provincial park has a unique topography, with sheer rock cliffs and rushing water below. One can only imagine 100-years ago with limited engineering equipment, what a feat this would be.

There is a clear route from Hope to the tunnels. There is limited parking at the main parking site, so we parked a little before, along the side of the road like many others. From there, we took the trail into the tunnels. It is a stroller friendly trail, so be smart and bring a stroller if you are with a little one. The trail is a short, flat 3.5km return route, but is easier if you aren't carrying a 30 pound toddler.

The former railroad bed is flat and an easy walk for families of all ages. Not far along, the first tunnel can be seen ahead as you follow the trail into the dark tunnel. 

The trail briefly exits the tunnel before entering tunnel #2.

After walking through tunnel #4, the Othello Tunnels route abruptly ends, although the trail keeps going all the way to the town of Hope. At the end of the tunnels is the turnaround point where visitors walk back through the same tunnels, returning to the parking lot.

One other piece of history, due to the canyon's rugged look, the park has made several appearances in popular films over the years. The most notable was Rambo First Blood where the cliff above Tunnel #2 was used in the spectacular cliff jump scene. Other movies that filmed scenes around Othello Tunnels include Fire With Fire, The Adventures of Yellow Dog, and Shoot To Kill.

If you didn't already know, the tunnels are free and are an amazing attraction. Note that there is no water fountain in the park, so make sure to carry a lot. 

I can't believe I didn't write about Stanley Park, which is the most iconic place in Vancouver and is the one place which has everything: beach, forest, playground and touristy things to do!

Stanley Park is more than a thousand acres, which means that this post is unlikely going to be able to cover all that there is to do there. The park is so large that it makes up the northwestern half of Vancouver's downtown Peninsula, which is surrounded by waters of Burrard Inlet and English Bay. 

A Brief History: 

Stanley Park has a long history. The land was originally used by Indigenous peoples for thousands of years before British Columbia was colonized. For many years after colonization, the future park with its abundant resources would also be home to non-Indigenous settlers. The land was later turned into Vancouver's first park when the city incorporated in 1886. It was named after Lord Stanley, the 16th Earl of Derby, a British politician who had recently been appointed Governor General. It was originally known as Coal Peninsula and was set aside for military fortifications to guard the entrance to Vancouver harbour. In 1886 Vancouver city council successfully sought a lease of the park which was granted for $1 per year. In September 1888 Lord Stanley opened the park in his name.

Some of the top sites and attractions in the park, from east to west, include:

The Seawall: The Vancouver Seawall is basically the walkway that perimeters the park. It took several decades to complete. The idea for the seawall came from the park board superintendent, W. S. Rawlings. Since then, the seawall has been extended and  is currently 22 kilometres (14 mi) from end to end, making it the world's longest uninterrupted waterfront walkway. The Stanley Park portion is just under half of the entire length, because the seawall starts at Canada Place in the downtown core, runs around Stanley Park, along English Bay, around False Creek, and finally to Kitsilano Beach. From there, a trail continues 600 metres to the west, connecting to an additional 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) of beaches and pathways which terminate at the mouth of the Fraser River.

Brockton Point and lighthouse – Brockton Point is the eastern most point of the park. there is a lighthouse here, designed by Thomas Hayton Mawson, that was built in 1914 to replace one built in 1890. There is also the 9 O'Clock Gun, which fires every day at 9 pm. Closeby is the Brockton Oval, which is a field used for athletics. Near Brockton Point is a well-known statue called the Girl in a Wetsuit, which was created by Elek Imredy and placed in 1972.

HMCS Discovery Building – This is the No public access but can be seen from land near Brockton Point.

Lumberman's Arch – This is a children's play area with a water spray park, and picnic area. Right near this area, nestled within the forest is also Beaver Lake, which as the name suggests, is a lake of beavers!

Malkin Bowl – Former mayor W.H. Malkin built a "shell" stage modelled after the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles in honour of his late wife in 1934. On July 8, 1934, Malkin Bowl hosts its first concert, a free performance by the Vancouver Symphony that draws 15,000 people. It was rebuilt after a fire in 1982. Located in front of the Stanley Park Pavilion.

Stanley Park Pavilion – This is an area where there are a number of sights, including the Stanley's Park Bar & Grill. The pavilion itself was built in 1911-12.

Miniature railway – A diminutive steam train that pulls passenger cars on a circuit through the woods first opened in the 1940s. A new train and track opened in 1964, which is near the pavilion. It is roughly $7 for adults, and between $3-$5 per child depending on their age. They also host birthdays here.

Horse-drawn carts - This is a cute attraction, where you are allowed a one hour carriage ride through the eastern part of the park. There are stables for the horses, and the horses themselves are gorgeous. The ride is slow and safe, so great for kids. It is pricey, but there are coupons and deals always to make this more affordable. We recently took it and had a blast ! Mind you, this is a paid and pricey attraction, so best to wait until you do find a good deal.

Rose Garden – This is a beautiful rose garden near the Stanley Park Pavilion. As the name suggests, it is primarily a rose garden, but its also a beautiful place to sit and take in the sights. 

Totem poles  – Near Brockton point are the totem poles, which are the most visited tourist attraction in British Columbia. Many of the original poles were moved to museums in order to preserve them. Several replicas were commissioned or loaned to the park board between 1986 and 1992. Located at Brockton Point.

Ceperley Meadow – Children's play area and picnic area directly behind Second Beach. There's also a gazebo which you can book for hosting birthdays! We did our daughter's first birthday there!

Lost Lagoon  - This is a large lagoon in the park, which includes lots of wildlife and beavers. There is a the Lost Lagoon Nature House, located on the south shore, which is run by the Stanley Park Ecology Society.

Prospect Point – This is a great lookout point, and the highest point in the park. It is very close to the Lions Gate bridge, which is near the A lookout at the highest point in the park. Located by the Lions Gate Bridge, which leads you to the North Shore.

Second and Third Beaches. These beaches are along the seawall, with second beach just past English Bay and Third Beach, a little further away from second beach. There is also a drum circle that takes place at the Third Beach. There is also a concession at Second Beach, with really nice fries and KOMBUCHA!

Ted and Mary Greig Rhododendron Garden – While the shrubs were donated in 1965, the garden was not dedicated until 1989. The rhododendrons are planted in a roughly circular form around the pitch and putt golf course near Lost Lagoon. Best time of year to visit is March-May. The peak is usually early May.

Two Spirits Sculpture – Slightly hidden, this sculpture is found just west of the crossroads of trails that enter into Stanley Park from the swimming pool located at Second Beach. The sculpture was created in the mid-1990s and depicts the silhouetted head of an aboriginal person against its own image. The sculpture was chiseled into a stump that remains from one the large trees in the area.

While these are just some of the sights, the park is full of trails and other hidden gyms, and you can easily spend a complete day here!

Among the many beautiful gardens in BC, is the Darts Hill Garden Park, a 22.5 acre private estate located just a little off White Rock in South Surrey. Though the estate itself is fairly large, only a smaller part is the garden which is accessible to the public. 

The lady, Ms. Francisca Dart was an avid gardener, and it was her vision and 60 years of dedication and work that resulted in the variety of plants seen today. Francisca transformed what was originally a logged area of land into an award-winning orchard, filled with apple, pear, apricot and walnut trees. After seeing an exhibit by the Alpine Garden Club of BC at the Pacific National Exhibition, she joined organizations devoted to horticulture, including the Royal Horticulture Society, where she received the seeds of many rare and unusual plants, shrubs and trees, transforming the landscape into what is now Darts Hill. 

After bequeathing Darts Hill to the city – and losing her husband the following year – Francisca continued to live on the acreage and oversee the garden until just last month, when she moved to a retirement facility.

The main horticulturist who manages is the garden is Randal Atkinson, who is also the chair of the board at Darts Hill. The horticulturist has been involved with the board at Darts Hill for five years, but spent many years prior to that visiting the lush garden looking at the rare plants inhabiting more than seven acres. During those visits, he learned about the history of the garden and the people behind it.

It probably has taken an army to keep up the Darts Hill Garden Park, where almost all the plants are labelled and categorized, including some lichen. Not only that but you see some interesting items, such as this random totem. 

Presently there is still a private residence on the property and the garden remains semi-private, opening only on designated days. Based on my experience, it is open usually on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, with an admission of $5. You can go on the website to see their open days.

Definitely worth a visit. This can be combined with a trip to the Surrey Museum.