Top Rated Parks to Visit in British Columbia

"First established in 1886, and dominating nearly a third of the land that makes up Vancouver’s downtown core, Stanley Park is an oasis of cedar, hemlock and fir trees flanked by the Pacific Ocean. You haven’t been to Vancouver until you’ve taken to the seawall, the 8.8 kilometre stonewall that circumnavigates the park. Join the locals and walk, run, blade or cycle your way around the park and enjoy a picnic lunch (available through in-room dining) at one of the many beaches."

"In fact, you just can’t visit Vancouver without spending time in Stanley Park. One of Vancouver’s most famous landmarks, Stanley Park is a 1000-acre oasis right in the city’s downtown. Stanley Park’s natural playground consists of the rainforest, with towering Douglas fir and Western red cedar trees, and the sea that laps the shores of the park."

"It’s not exactly overlooked, but we tend to forget the full scope of what’s offered at QE Park. The locals love it for the tennis and basketball courts, the dog park, the lawn bowling, the disk golf course and the Pitch and Putt, while tourists come to snap views of the city skyline, even if the vegetation is starting to crowd the shot. Stroll the quarry gardens and cross your fingers that the underappreciated Bloedel Conservatory will soon reopen so you can enhance your summer photo album with pics of exotic macaws and finches amid New Zealand tea trees and flamingo lilies."

"Situated in the heart of Vancouver, Queen Elizabeth Park is also the highest point in the city, boasting spectacular views of the downtown skyline. It's one of the best parks in Vancouver for gardens, and the free quarry gardens are in bloom virtually year-round and are truly spectacular. The park is also home to the "dancing fountains" (at its top), the Queen Elizabeth Pitch & Putt, and lots of open, green spaces for playing ball or just laying on the soft grass."

"Built in 1975 on a former golf course, VanDusen Botanical Garden is spread over 55 acres in Vancouver’s exclusive Shaughnessy neighborhood, about a ten-minute drive from the city’s downtown core. The sheer variety of plant life on display is incredible, and as you meander the garden’s paths you’ll encounter over 7,500 plants and trees from seven separate geographic regions. But it’s more than just another “plant museum,” so to speak: from the meditation garden and Elizabethan maze to the bubbling streams that cascade from the park’s waterfall, this is one of the more stunning and serene spots in Vancouver."

"Perched atop the city’s highest point are the lovely lush gardens and aviary of the Bloedel Conservatory. Located within Queen Elizabeth Park, its huge historic dome is a treat to explore with beautiful exotic plants, trees, and birds. Looking out over the city and its surroundings, the colossal conservatory was founded in 1969 and now contains three separate climatic zones and habitats."

"This massive 874 hectares park is located in the University Endowment Lands, on Point Grey to the west of the city of Vancouver, British Columbia. It surrounds the endowment lands of the University of British Columbia on the shores of Georgia Strait in the Pacific Ocean. Located on the west side of the city of Vancouver, the Pacific Spirit Regional Park offers a network of trails popular with locals and tourists alike and accessible year-round."

"Located in the western part of Vancouver, the Pacific Spirit Regional Park separates the city from the University of British Columbia. The park is full of various trails, perfect for spending the mornings running or cycling through the forest or having afternoon picnics on the beaches. Pacific Spirit Regional Park, 5495 Chancellor Blvd, Vancouver, BC V6T 1E4, Canada"

"Bring a book, some food, and your friends to Pacific Spirit Park to watch the waves crash against the shore and look out to the distant mountains that will remind you why we call it beautiful BC."

"At the north end of Main Street, and just after Gastown turns into Railtown, we have a bridge to the port. This area boasts distinctive views of the city from an eastern viewpoint. Generally, tourists don’t flock as heavily to the east side so this a great option for those looking for photos of locations that aren’t as readily seen in an instagram feed."

"This waterfront park is the gateway to West Vancouver, and a favored destination for off-leash dog walks. Spectacular views of Stanley Park and downtown Vancouver set the scene for seawall walks, and there are 3.5 hectares of dog-designated space – from grassy fields to sandy beaches – providing plenty of room for furry friends to roam free. Further along the seawall is the pet-free part of the park, with a beachfront playground for kids, a skate-park, a basketball court, and a concession stand for snacks."

"Ambleside Park — don’t let the name fool you, this is not one but two beaches local to Vancouver. The beach is essentially split in half; one side is primarily for dog-owners to let their pooches run wild!. With some of the best views of the Lions gate bridge, this beach located on the north shore in West Vancouver, this beach is kid friendly and has features for all ages including golf, concession stands, and those handy washrooms."

"This one’s a small space, but, hey, it’s an island without the crowds you’d find on Granville Island. Watch the boat traffic navigate the Fraser River, forage on wild blackberries when in season and stroll the path just north of the park where you might encounter horses or, at the very least, um,...evidence of them. A good alternative for the similar views is the dog-friendly Fraser River Park."

"Originally from Chilliwack, Jo’s recently expanded to Vancouver, and has become a go-to deli option in the neighbourhood. Sure, you can grab a few groceries, but we’re looking forward to some phenomenal sandwiches for a trip to the park. When: Tuesday to Saturday 11:00 AM to 7:00 pMWhere: 2505 Alma Street"

"Nicli Antica Pizzeria honours the culinary traditions from four generations of the Nicli family. Our menu highlights the season’s freshest, local ingredients alongside a robust beverage program. An experience at Nicli Antica Pizzeria will bring to mind the touchstones of Italian culture — family,...See more"

"A relatively new establishment, Oyster Express is perfect for those who want to indulge in some.. you guessed it, Oysters!. The décor helps to add to the guest experience as it creates a pioneer-era atmosphere."

"This Chinatown spot is known for their stellar oyster selection, buck-a-shuck deals, and happy hour vibes. Definitely squeeze into this spot if you have oysters on your mind. Address: 296 Keefer Street"

"Experience fine dining, a West Coast menu and a beautiful ambience on this Lonsdale Avenue patio. 91 Lonsdale Ave.4pm to 9pm – seven days a weekwww.fishworks.ca"

"A chatty spot popular with both locals and visitors, this small, blue-checkered-tablecloth joint serves great fish-and-chips (cod, salmon or halibut), along with generous dollops of housemade coleslaw and tartar... Top ChoiceDiner in Gastown & Chinatown"

"A visit to this Main Street bakery will have you licking your lips in anticipation as you eye all the baked good treasures on offer. Lovingly handmade in small batches, the The Last Crumb serves Ginger Molasses, Oatmeal and Cranberry, and a gluten-free Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip cookie, in addition to a range of scrumptious cookie sandwiches, like the Chocolate Chip Pecan with a vanilla bean buttercream. Cookies are priced at $2.95 each and $3.95 for the sandwich variety."

"Vancouver’s croissant-centric bakery Angus T opened back in 2018, and now the much-loved purveyor is gearing up for a second location. Address: Park Royal, West Vancouver"

"The delicious street food option of The Praguery has cones stuffed with different sweet or savory fillings that will have you going crazy. Typically more of a dessert place with fillings with ice cream and toppings like chocolate, berries, or strudel, it also has savory cones. The savory cones include mainly pulled pork with different toppings such as pineapple salsa, bavarian cabbage, and coleslaw."

"Similar to a European chimney cake, enjoy your ice cream in a freshly-baked Praguery cone. These cones come in ten different flavours and eating ice cream out of these flavoured cones is definitely a unique experience. The Praguery is a food truck so look them up online to find out which neighbourhood they’ll be parked in."

"A post shared by The Praguery (@thepraguery) on Jul 14, 2020 at 11:19am PDT. The Praguery offers a traditional, Eastern European dessert similar to a chimney cake that tastes better with ice cream in it. The cones are freshly baked and you can choose from a variety of different flavours."

"Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing. This is a small, family-run shop that is just two years old. It might not have a long legacy but the founders’ parents own a dairy so ice cream is in their blood!"