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Vancouver Parks

· Vancouver, BC

Why you should go…

The Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation, known as the Vancouver Park Board, is an elected body that has managed the city's public parks since 1890. It oversees more than 250 parks and gardens, including Stanley Park, VanDusen Botanical Garden and the Bloedel Conservatory at Queen Elizabeth Park. General park access is free, though individual attractions within the system charge separate admission.

  • #parks
  • #gardens
  • #hiking
  • #family
  • #free

Good to know

General sport & outdoor guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

  • Weather calls the shots

    Check the forecast the morning of and keep an indoor backup in your pocket for the day it turns.

  • Shoes, water, sun cover

    The three things that decide whether you last the whole outing or cut it short after an hour.

  • Parking and launches fill early

    On a nice weekend, lots and trailheads are often full by mid-morning.

  • Daylight shrinks in shoulder season

    Spring and fall visits need an earlier start than the same trip in July.

What's around here?

The closest stops to Vancouver Parks, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Tours
    Date Night

    Vancouver Harbour Cruises

    $50+

    Narrated boat tours and dinner or brunch cruises around Vancouver's harbour and Indian Arm fjord.

    0.6 mi awaySwitch it up: Tours

  • Attractions
    Family Favorite

    Vancouver Aquarium

    $50+

    Canada's largest aquarium in Stanley Park, home to more than 65,000 animals across indoor and outdoor exhibits.

    0.9 mi awaySwitch it up: Attractions

  • Theatre & Events
    Iconic

    Bard on the Beach

    $25–$50

    Outdoor Shakespeare festival performing under tents at Vanier Park each summer.

    1.0 mi awaySwitch it up: Theatre & Events

  • Sport & Outdoor
    Iconic

    Capilano Suspension Bridge Park

    $50+

    Vancouver's famous 460-foot suspension bridge above the Capilano River, with treetop walkways and a cliffside walk.

    2.7 mi awayMore like this

  • Sport & Outdoor
    Iconic

    Grouse Mountain

    $50+

    North Vancouver mountain resort with an aerial tramway, hiking trails, wildlife viewing and a mountaintop bike park.

    6.0 mi awayMore like this

  • Sport & Outdoor
    Outdoor Adventure

    Sea to Sky Gondola

    $50+

    Aerial gondola near Squamish rising to alpine viewpoints, a suspension bridge and hiking trails.

    26 mi awayMore like this