2024 Attractions in Stanley Park, Vancouver, BC, Canada
There are many attractions to visit in Stanley Park.
There are both free and paid attractions in Stanley Park that are well worth visiting.
The most popular attraction in all British Columbia are the First Nations Totem Poles at Brockton Point which can be viewed for free!
Other free attractions are:
- Lumbermens' Arch
- Stanley Park Pavilion
- Nine O'Clock Gun
- Susan Point Welcome Gateways
- Nature House
- Malkin Bowl
- Siwash Rock
- SS Empress of Japan Figurehead
- Entrance Bridge
- Prospect Point Lighthouse
- Brockton Point Lighthouse
- Lions Gate Bridge
- 3 Boardwalks
- Georgia Viaduct Lamp
- Cob House
- Vancouver Parks Board Office
- Rose Cottage
- Wishing Well
- Salmon Display Pool
- Old Polar Bear Compound
- Jubilee Fountain
Some of these you can only view from the outside, e.g. HMCS Discovery Naval Reserve, or with tickets when events are on, e.g. Malkin Bowl.
There are a number of popular paid entry attractions also, such as the Vancouver Aquarium and Miniature Train.
No visit to Vancouver is complete without a visit to Stanley Park and it's attractions.
First Nations Totem Poles
The First Nations Totem Poles in Stanley Park are the most visited attraction in the province of British Columbia and possibly all of Canada!
There are 9 beautiful carved totem poles that represent the aboriginal culture of British Columbia. These totem poles are presented in a beautiful natural setting at Brockton Point
The Totem Poles are open year round.
The Totem Poles are a free attraction.
Vancouver Aquarium
The Vancouver Aquarium is one of the best aquariums in the world and is a major attraction in Stanley Park.
It has over 30 exhibits showcasing British Columbia's coast, Canada's arctic, Frogs, Stellar Sea Lions, Jelly Fish and even the Amazon and the Tropics.
There is 4D theatre experience that shows a variety of fabulous movies that will tingle your senses!
The Vancouver Aquarium is open year round.
The Vancouver Aquarium is a paid attraction, i.e. you need to pay to enter.
Miniature Train
There is a Miniature Train ride in Stanley Park that operates seasonally during Easter, the summer, Halloween, and Christmas!
The miniature train ride is a 15 minute ride through a beautiful wilderness area that includes a tunnel and a tressle!
Children and Adults can ride the train for a small fee.
For the Halloween train, there is a scary theme where nightly there are fabulous sets and actors dressed up according to a yearly theme, e.g. scary fairy tales!
For the Christmas Train, there are millions of christmas lights set up in displays along the train tracks and in the area next to the train station!
Nine O'Clock Gun
The Nine O'Clock Gun is another attraction that is unique to Vancouver.
It is an old cannon that fires nightly at 9pm almost continuously since Vancouver became a city!
It has quite a history, including how it was once kidnapped!
It is free to watch the Nine O'Clock gun fire! You can watch from Brockton Point or from the Coal Harbour Seawall.
Nature House
The Stanley Park Nature House has nature related exhibits and information about Stanley Park.
It is operated by the Stanley Park Ecology Society.
It is free to view the Nature House. Donations to the Ecology Society are accepted at the Nature House.
Lumbermens' Arch
The Lumbermens' Arch is one of the most unique attractions of Vancouver.
It is made up of a giant log raised in the air at one end paying homage to British Columbia's logging heritage!
It is free to view the Lumbermens Arch.
Stanley Park Pavilion
The Stanley Park Pavilion is a historic 1911 building that has a restaurant, wedding/banquet facilities, and offices for the Stanley Park Ecology Society.
It has a beautiful garden in the front of it that is one of the prettiest in Stanley Park. In the summer you can frequently see weddings taking place here!
It is free to view the Stanley Park Pavilion.
Susan Point Welcome Gateways
There are 3 Welcome Gateways carved by Susan Point around and near the Totem Poles in Stanley Park.
Most people go to see the First Nations Totem Poles, but overlook the beautiful First Nation Welcome Gateways. If you go visit the Totem Poles be sure to check out all 3 Welcome Gateways located around the area where the totem poles are.
It is free to view the Welcome Gateways.
Malkin Bowl
Malkin Bowl is a outdoor covered stage that hosts musicals(Theatre Under the Stars) and concerts during the late spring and summer. It is a beautiful outdoor venue to see a show!
It is free to view Malkin Bowl unless there is a paid event there.
Siwash Rock
Siwash Rock is a large rock structure on the west side of Stanley Park that has been separated from Stanley Park by millions of years of wave action by the ocean. Miraculously, a tree grows out of the top of it!
It is free to view Siwash Rock.
SS Empress of Japan Figurehead
The SS Empress of Japan Figurehead is a colourful replica of the actual figurehead of the ship that conducted commerce between Vancouver and the Orient in the early days of Vancouver.
It is free to view the SS Empress of Japan Figurehead.
Entrance Bridge
The Entrance Bridge is the original formal entrance to Stanley Park.
About halfway along the bridge there is a fabulous view of Coal Harbour from it's end.
When you go over the bridge you are greeted with open arms by the Lord Stanley Statue!
It is free to walk on the Entrance Bridge.
Prospect Point Lighthouse
The Prospect Point Lighthouse is one of the two lighthouses in Stanley Park. It is located at the spot where a famous ship wrecked (and still resides)!
It is free to view the Prospect Point Lighthouse.
Brockton Point Lighthouse
The Brockton Point Lighthouse is one of the two lighthouses in Stanley Park.
It is free to view the Brockton Point Lighthouse.
Lions Gate Bridge
The Lions Gate Bridge is the first bridge built from Vancouver to North Vancouver.
It was built by the Guiness family (yes, the famous beer family) to access land holdings in North and West Vancouver.
It is free to view the Lions Gate Bridge. There are great views of the bridge from the seawall on the north side of Stanley Park.
Boardwalks
A recent attraction to Stanley Park are 3 Boardwalks. These wooden boardwalks are used to protect sensitive habitat, but allow the public to enjoy it.
It is free to walk on these boardwalks.
Georgia Viaduct Lamp
A recent attraction to Stanley Park is the Georgia Viaduct Lamp which is a restored historic lamp from the original Georgia Street viaduct in Vancouver.
It is free to view the Georgia Viaduct Lamp.
Cob House
The Cob House is a cool example of a green building.
It is free to view the Cob House.
HMCS Discovery Naval Reserve
The HMCS Discovery Naval Reserve is an active Canadian Navy Training Facility located on Deadman's Island in Stanley Park.
The public cannot enter the HMCS Discovery Naval Reserve. You can see it from the seawall.
Vancouver Parks Board Office
The Vancouver Parks Board Office is located in Stanley Park. The office has a unique architecture and has beautiful grounds.
It is free to view the Vancouver Parks Board Office building, but because it is a working office you can only enter the lobby.
Rose Cottage
The Rose Cottage is an old cottage that used to be the house of Stanley Park's first park commissioner.
It is free to view the Rose Cottage.
Wishing Well
The Wishing Well is a little known attraction in Stanley Park. Make a wish and you may get lucky!
It is free to view the Wishing Well.
Salmon Display Pond
Salmon are an important fish species for British Columbia. This Salmon Display Pond is to help educate the public about salmon.
It is free to view the Salmon Display Pond.
Old Polar Bear Compound
There used to be a zoo at Stanley Park. All that remains of the Zoo is the Polar Bear Compound minus the polar bears!
See what it took to keep the polar bears from eating you!
It is free to view the Old Polar Bear Compound.
Jubilee Fountain
The Jubilee Fountain is a beautiful fountain in Lost Lagoon in Stanley Park.
It is frequently lit up at night and is a beautiful water feature!
It is free to view the Jubilee Fountain.
2024 Update: The fountain is not currently operating.