Top Rated Parks to Visit in Gibsons

"Celebrated as Vancouver’s first official green space, Stanley Park compliments the business of the city with an expansive array of forest, field and path known as Stanley Park. Driving through the park you will experience life on the Vancouver Seawall where runners, walkers and cyclists all stretch their legs along this barrier protecting the shores from erosion. Stanley Park is a true wonderland of forest attractions including the quaint Teahouse Restaurant, views of the endless Pacific Ocean over sandy shores, even an outdoor summer theatre."

"Stanley Park is a treasure set on almost 1,000 acres in central Vancouver. The city’s first and biggest park is a place to relax with a bike ride on 8.8 kilometers (5.5 miles) of the seawall along English Bay. Meanwhile, 27 kilometers (16.7 miles) of trails through a rainforest beckon visitors who prefer a more leisurely pace as they stop to enjoy wildlife, such as the hundreds of species of birds that call the park home."

"The city's highest point – 550ft (167m) above sea level and with panoramic views over the mountain-framed downtown skyscrapers – the 128.5-acre (52-hectare) Queen Elizabeth Park claims to house specimens of every tree native to Canada. Sports fields, manicured lawns and formal gardens keep residents happy, and you'll likely also see wide-eyed couples posing for their wedding photos in particularly picturesque spots. This is a good place to view local birdlife: keep your eyes peeled for chickadees, hummingbirds and huge bald eagles whirling high overhead."

"The 130 acre (52 hectare) park is one of the most beautifully maintained public parks in the world. Second only to Stanley Park in annual visitations, it receives nearly 6 million people a year who marvel at its superior standard of garden plantings.The park was originally quarried for its rock which served to build Vancouver’s first roadways. In 1929 the Board proceeded to acquire the property which had become an abandoned eyesore but still served as the site for two holding reservoirs for the City’s drinking water."

"Having the highest point in the city, it is worth the trip to enjoy the view of both the mountains and the Vancouver skyline. Queen Elizabeth Park, a former quarry, has dancing fountains that delight spectators both day and night, plenty of green spaces, tennis courts, the Queen Elizabeth Pitch and Putt , and an off-leash dog area. Queen Elizabeth Park is also home to The Bloedel Conservatory, which has 500 tropical plants and over one hundred exotic birds."

"Get down on one knee surrounded by the beautiful blossoming flowers in the VanDusen Botanical Garden. This is the perfect option for a nature lover as the garden covers an impressive 55 acres of land and is outfitted with flowers from all over the world. If you’d prefer an indoor venue, the Bloedel Conservatory (4600 Cambie Street) is just a hop, skip and a jump away and is equally gorgeous."

"This highly popular green-thumbed oasis is a 22-hectare, 255,000-plant idyll that offers a strollable web of pathways weaving through specialized garden areas: the Rhododendron Walk blazes with color in spring,... Top ChoiceMuseum in Gastown & Chinatown"

"Cresting the hill in Queen Elizabeth Park, this balmy, triodetic-domed conservatory is an ideal rainy-day warm-up spot, as well as Vancouver's best-value attraction. For little more than the price of a latte, you'll find tropical trees and plants bristling with hundreds of free-flying, bright-plumaged birds. Look for the resident parrots but also keep your eyes peeled for rainbow-hued Gouldian finches, shimmering African superb starlings and maybe even a sparkling Lady Amherst pheasant, snaking through the undergrowth. The attendants might even let you feed the smaller birds from a bowl."

"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."

"Cresting the hill in Queen Elizabeth Park, this domed conservatory is a delightful rainy-day warm-up. At Vancouver's best-value paid attraction, you'll find tropical trees and plants bristling with hundreds of... Top ChoiceGallery in Downtown & West End"

"This natural park of dense forest, set along the water in the University of British Columbia Endowment Lands, is a wonderful opportunity to connect to nature. Pacific Spirit Regional Park has approximately 50 miles of forested trails that allow for walking, running, hiking, biking, and even horseback riding. Pacific Spirit Regional Park hugs the coastline for four miles along which the infamous Wreck Beach is found."

"Pacific Spirit Park is found on the University Endowment Lands and has a large trail network. There are lots of downed trees to climb on and explore. Pacific Spirit Park is for you if… you are a family who loves to hike and spend time outdoors, and you want your family portraits to reflect that."

"Lined with logs for the sun spectators, this is the place to reflect on the day and take a few photos of some of the most vibrant sunsets you’ll probably ever see in your life. Sunset Beach Park is also home to an interesting art piece called Engagement, a 30 foot sculpture of two wedding rings. These were created by world famous artist Dennis Oppenheim, as part of the Vancouver Biennale."

"Sunset Beach is a popular destination, especially in the summer, but the green space behind the beach is equally as popular with locals looking for a place to play a game of soccer, meet friends and soak up the sunshine. Grab a drink from the concession stand and spread out on the grass - on a very hot day you might see someone bringing a slip N slide for everyone to slide down the hill."

"Sunset Beach Park does not put its name to shame, and the stunning sunsets you’ll see here while chatting with a friend over a few bites or brews will be worth the wait. View this post on Instagram. A post shared by Kritsada Akkhapracha (@fedexfc)"

"My all-time favourite place to photograph families in Vancouver. Jericho Beach gets truly beautiful light and has multiple places we can photograph until the sun is almost down, at which point we can move to the beach. Jericho is located on Vancouver’s west side, just west of Kitsilano and a short drive from downtown."

"Located just west of Kitsilano, Jericho Beach is a well-used sandy beach and grassy park in Vancouver. It's a great place for a picnic overlooking the water and watching sail boats in the waters of English Bay from the local Sailing Centre. The beach is named after Jeremiah Rogers who ran a logging camp… read more »"

"An activity-lover's idyll, Jericho is great if you just want to putter along the beach, clamber over driftwood and catch stunning views of downtown. It's popular with locals on summer evenings, so expect impromptu but civilized beach gatherings where discreet coolers of beer may appear."

"Just steps from the shopping corridor of Yaletown in downtown Vancouver, David Lam Park is a lovely green expanse that provides a taste of the great outdoors amidst the hustle of the city streets. Views over False Creek are framed by the glass condo towers that transformed the neighborhood in the 1990s. Grab a takeout from a local cafe for a picnic on the grass, and contemplate the journey this part of Vancouver has gone through since it was picked as the site for Expo ‘86."

"With just a block separating the two, they can be viewed as one wonderful space that creates a thriving neighbourhood feel between Oak and Cambie. This is another place to work your endorfins, accessing the Heather Park’s tennis courts, or playing soccer or baseball or jogging the perimeter path at Douglas Park. A new wood-feature playground including a playhouse and tree platform at Douglas Park only adds to the appeal of this area."

"Caffé Di Beppe’s daily offerings are a great option for lunch or an afternoon snack. And now you can have their whole menu at home!. Buy it by weight, get a little pastry for dessert, and feel good about supporting a local pizza spot."

"You'll be jostling for space with chatty locals at this breakfast and lunch joint near the south side of Granville Bridge. But it's worth it: the cozy, super-friendly place is superior to most bacon-and-eggs... Top ChoiceVegan in Downtown & West End"

"A grungy-looking hole-in-the-wall with a meat-free menu that lures just as many carnivores, beloved Budgie’s has a loyal following. Regulars come for the stomach-stuffing burritos (try the Henry: tofurky sausage, rice, beans, cheese, salsa, sour cream and lettuce) plus the chance to chill downstairs at mismatched booths surrounded by junkshop velvet paintings depicting everything from Hawaiian Elvis to Spanish conquistadores. Plan B: Just around the corner, Foundation is a sprawling vegetarian diner that serves a near-legendary nacho platter – possibly the biggest and best-value in Vancouver."

"Your mom might call Budgies grungy, but residents of the neighbourhood love this cozy, colourful spot for its cheap and cheerful Mexican food -- all of which is vegetarian. Sub the cheese and sour cream for guacamole or dairy-free cheese to make it vegan. Veggie ground round and tofurkey is also on the menu."

"A post shared by Cynthia S (@detoxbeforebaby) on Aug 10, 2017 at 8:10pm PDT. This all-veggie Tex-Mex style restaurant may have burritos in their name, but they go beyond with vegetarian nachos, tacos, quesadillas, and more. Address: 44 Kingsway, VancouverInstagram: @budgiesburritos"

"Location: 583 Main Street, Vancouver (Chinatown)Category: Pizza / VeganDescription: Handcrafted pizza that is made entirely in-house with artisanal nut-based cheeses with innovative toppings and names (Stranger Wings, anyone?). Cap it off with some delicous plant-based ice cream for dessert!. There’s also a location up at UBC.Website: www.virtuouspie.com"

"A post shared by Virtuous Pie (@virtuous_pie) on Aug 13, 2018 at 11:32am PDT. Virtuous Pie already has one seriously popular plant-based pizzeria in Chinatown, and they opened another one on the UBC campus in winter 2017. This spot offers a killer selection of pizzas along with an unreal vegetarian brunch and offers craft beer in its dining rooms."

"On any given night, this plant-based pizza parlour is busy slinging pizza after pizza. Virtuous Pie is a first for Vancouver because they use exclusive nut cheeses on their pizzas. When paired with quality ingredients and their three-day dough, you've got a winning recipe."

"This super cozy bar in Kits is a great place to grab a casual or have a bite to eat. The small space always has a great atmosphere making the Corduroy a top spot to head for a relaxed dining experience. Address: 1943 Cornwall Avenue, VancouverPhone: 604-733-0162"