23 Activities and Things to Do in Stanley Park, Vancouver, BC, Canada
There are so many activities and things to do in Stanley Park. Here, we will tell you about some of the most popular activities that you can do.
Some of the activities that you can do in Stanley Park are: walking, running, bicycling, eating and drinking, picnicing, golfing, swimming, tennis, hiking, lawn bowling, cricket, rugby, rowing, yachting, baseball/softball, rollerblading, horseshoes, fishing, giant checkers, basketball, skateboarding, ultimate frisbee, bird watching, and geocaching.
Walking in Stanley Park
Walking is the most popular activity done in Stanley Park. The most popular place to walk is along the Stanley Park Seawall and the many paths and Trails within Stanley Park.
You can walk to many of the major Attractions within Stanley Park although some are quite a long walk or are uphill!
Running in Stanley Park
Running is one of the most popular activity done in Stanley Park. The most popular place for people to run is on the Stanley Park Seawall. If you are a runner, you need to run all the way around Stanley Park at least once in your lifetime!
During the year, there are many large run events that go through Stanley Park, such as the BMO Vancouver Marathon, Vancouver Sun Run, BMO St. Partick's Day 5K, BlueShore Financial Mother's Day Run, and Big Elf Run! Check out our Events Calendar for Race dates.
Bicycling in Stanley Park
Bicycling is one of the most popular activities to do in Stanley Park. Most people bike on the Stanley Park Seawall. Many people are not aware that there are excellent Trails within Stanley Park for off-road bicycle riding as well.
You can get to all the attractions in Stanley Park by bicycle although some are a distance and uphill!
During the summer months there is a weekly evening group road ride.
more information about Bicycling in Stanley Park... Bike Rentals near Stanley Park...
Eating and Drinking in Stanley Park
There are a number of restaurants and concession stands in Stanley Park where you can eat and drink. There is everything from the very casual to very fine dining. In 2019, there will even be a brew pub!
Picnicing in Stanley Park
Picnicing in Stanley Park is a common summer activity. Many people picnic at Ceperley Park and Brockton Point. There are a few picnic tables available on a first-come first-served basis. Additionally, there are reservable picnic areas in various areas of Stanley Park that you can reserve for a price.
Golfing in Stanley Park
The Stanley Park Pitch and Putt golf course is one of the most beautiful golf courses you will ever golf on!
This is a short holes (40-100 yards), all par 3 golf course!
Swimming in Stanley Park
Swimming is a popular summertime activity in Stanley Park. You can swim in the heated Second Beach Outdoor Swimming Pool or at one of the many Beaches in Stanley Park. Third Beach is the most popular beach to swim at in Stanley Park, however English Bay Beach just outside of Stanley Park is by far the busiest!
Every New Year's Day there is the largest Polar Bear Swim in the world at English Bay where thousands of people go swimming in the cold water!
Tennis in Stanley Park
There are 17 tennis courts in Stanley Park near the English Bay entrance. From April to September every year the 'Tennis in Stanley Park' group offers lessons, reserved courts, and organized play on 6 of these tennis courts. This is open to the public with no membership required. The other tennis courts are used on a first-come first-served basis all year round.
The Stanley Park Open Tennis Tournament takes place every July on the courts in Stanley Park. This is a long-running tournament that is very competitive!
Hiking in Stanley Park
Stanley Park has many kilometres of trails that you can hike within the park. Most of the trails are relatively flat, but there are a few that are steep!
It is amazing that the inside of Stanley Park is so natural that you would think you are far out in the wilderness, but in fact you are just minutes from busy downtown Vancouver! Also, you can see some of the tallest trees in the world in Stanley Park!
Lawn Bowling in Stanley Park
There are lawn bowling greens in Stanley Park. The Stanley Park Lawn Bowling Club operates the greens and has a clubhouse. They welcome members of all ages and abilities. They offers lessons in May, and host regular daily drwas an devnts.
Cricket in Stanley Park
Cricket is played regularly, usually on weekends, on the Brockton Playing Fields. The Brockton Pavilion hosts a cricket club. The BC Lower Mainland Cricket League plays at Stanley Park.
Rugby in Stanley Park
Rugby is played regularly, usually on weekends at the Brockton Oval. The Brockton Pavilion and the Vancouver Rowing Club have rugby clubs.
Rowing in Stanley Park
Rowing takes place in Coal Harbour through the Vancouver Rowing Club which is Vancouver's oldest amateur sports organization. They offer Learn-to-Row programs and memberships to experienced rowers.
Yachting in Stanley Park
The Royal Vancouver Yacht Club and the Vancouver Rowing Club offer yachting memberships and have moorage in Coal Harbour.
They offer moorage, club cruises, sailboat races, pub nights, outstations, reciprocal priviledges at other yacht clubs, social events, workshops, workout facilities, and member lounges among other things.
Baseball / Softball in Stanley Park
There are two baseball/softball diamonds in Stanley Park. One is at the Brockton Playing Fields and the other is at the Prospect Point Picnic Area. These are available for casual use on a first-come, first-serve basis unless they are reserved.
Rollerblading in Stanley Park
Rollerblading takes place on the Stanley Park Seawall. Rollerbladers need to use the same path as the bicycles.
Basketball in Stanley Park
There is only one outdoor basketball court in Stanley Park. It is located at Ceperley Park. It is available for casual use on a first-come, first-served basis except when it is booked. It is usually booked Monday and Tuesday evenings in the summer for dancing.
Fishing in Stanley Park
Fishing isn't too common in Stanley Park, except for when it is done by the Herons! Some people do fish on the north side of Stanley Park off of the Stanley Park Seawall. Officially you need a license to fish.
Giant Checkers in Stanley Park
Many years ago giant checkers was a popular game. There are 2 giant checkerboards just off of Pipeline Road that are never used now. You would probably have to clean off the checkerboard before you could actually use them.
Skateboarding in Stanley Park
Skateboarding still takes place on the Stanley Park Seawall. Skateboarders are supposed to use the same path as bicycles.
Ultimate Frisbee in Stanley Park
Occasionally some people play ultimate frisbee on the Brockton Playing Fields.
Bird Watching in Stanley Park
There are many species of birds in Stanley Park such as the endangered Great Blue Heron, Canada geese, eagles, ducks, and migratory birds! You can view birds everywhere throughout Stanley Park. The Great Blue Herons nest next to the Tennis Courts.
Geocaching in Stanley Park
Stanley Park is home to over 40 Geocaches and most Geocache types!