Top Rated Parks to Visit in Granville Island

"Bordered by the English Bay and the Vancouver Harbor, Stanley Park is completely surrounded by water and has some of the city’s most beautiful views. This lush green forest is full of plants found only in the area and can be viewed from the many paths and trails that run through the park, including the Seawall, a stone wall that surrounds the park and runs along the water’s edge. The park is also home to Vancouver’s Aquarium and several restaurants and snack bars to make spending the day in the woods easy."

"This magnificent 404-hectare park combines excellent attractions with a mystical natural aura. Don’t miss a stroll or cycle (rentals near the W Georgia St entrance) around the 8.8km seawall: a kind of visual spa treatment fringed by a 150,000-tree temperate rainforest, it’ll take you past the park’s popular totem poles."

"The Queen Elizabeth Park is a small park known for its extravagant flora that can be viewed year-round. Its 130 acres holds mountains along the north shore and a glimpse at the city’s skyline. The park also hold the Bloedel Conservatory, which houses plants from all over the world, and an arboretum, where visitors can watch breath-taking cherry blossoms bloom in the spring."

"Built in on a former quarry 500 feet above sea level, the 130-acre Queen Elizabeth Park is the highest vantage point in Vancouver, with extraordinary views that extend to the North Shore Mountains and beyond. But there’s more to Queen E, as locals call it, than just the vistas. With manicured lawns and impeccably groomed flowering plant beds, the gardens are the main draw."

"Queen Elizabeth Park and Gardens: A gorgeous place for a leisurely stroll, particularly during springtime. Cherry blossom hunting: Come to Vancouver in the springtime to catch beautiful blooms all over the city. There’s even a handy map."

"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."

"The vast and verdant VanDusen Botanical Garden is just ten minutes’ drive to the south of the center. It has lots of pretty paths and ponds and stunning scenery wherever you look. First opened to the public in 1975, the gorgeous garden now has countless different sections, including a maze, meditation garden, Rhododendron Walk, Korean Pavilion and sino-Himalayan area."

"VanDusen Botanical Garden is close to Queen Elizabeth Park in suburban Vancouver. Although it doesn’t offer views of the park, VanDusen is a large garden filled with various plants and flowers that transforms into a light-filled wonderland during the holidays. These recommendations were updated on June 10, 2020 to keep your travel plans fresh."

"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."

"Wandering away from the city core and South into Vancouver, you’ll find Queen Elizabeth Park, a 130 acre park located on the city’s highest point. From the top of the park, you get a distant panoramic view of Vancouver against the mountains. Beyond the park’s highest peak are a variety of flower gardens and a gorgeous walk for any weather."

"With trails that loop through the rainforest, along the seafront, and around the boardwalk that circles bird-filled Camosun Bog, Pacific Spirit Regional Park is a favorite spot for joggers, hikers and cyclists. Covering more than 750 hectares, this green expanse of unspoiled nature connects the University of British Columbia (UBC) with the city. Whether you’re looking for a short, leg-stretching stroll through the trees, or a three-hour trek to explore hidden corners, the park is a hiker’s paradise."

"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"

"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."

"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."

"This gem, tucked behind the PNE/Playland grounds offers plenty to do even as the roller coasters within view remain silent. It’s got four beach volleyball courts, a soccer field with a surrounding track, ping pong tables, a parkour course, a bike skills area, an accessible playground, perimeter biking and walking paths and a skateboard hangout. Something for everyone."

"The third sight-seeing location was Lighthouse Park along the coast and displayed Vancouver city in the distance. At last, our final, spur of the moment location was a view of BC Place (Vancouver’s Whitecap’s Stadium). We walked around Vancouver and ended up overlooking a gorgeous nighttime view of the cityscape. Most of Day 2 was spent with our friends, taking photos and playing tourist throughout Vancouver."

"Often referred to as the 'Venice Beach of Vancouver', Kitsilano Beach Park is the city’s hub for summer action. Known to locals as Kits Beach, this scenic strip of sand is ideal for aquaphiles, with the longest swimming pool in Canada, a gradual-entry outdoor saltwater pool that runs for 137m beside the ocean. It's heated, and there are slides for smaller tots."

"The lowdown: From the same owners of city favourites Savio Volpe and Pepino’s Spaghetti House, grocer-restaurant Caffè La Tana feels like a fresh slice of Florence on The Drive. Watch the chef handshape fresh pasta while you eat, then pick some up for dinner on your way out. Must-order: The Contadino Plate (the farmer’s breakfast) transports you to Tuscany with chunks of ripe avocado, grilled tomato, toasted almonds, DOP Castelmagno cheese and local Two Rivers Meats Tuscan salami nestled around a soft-poached egg, and sided by fresh bread and fruit."

"Even though it’s only been open a few months, Caffè La Tana is one of those neighborhood joints that has already become a gathering spot for everyone—parents with kids, couples on dates, singles with a good book, restaurant-industry types enjoying a slow-moving morning, old friends looking to catch up. Light roasts and pour-overs may be all the rage at other shops, but tradition rules the roost here. La Caffè La Tana’s custom blend—roasted by local stalwart JJ Bean—is chocolatey, rich, and hearty."

"Caffe La Tana is a tiny Italian spot in a quiet area of Commercial Drive, a neighborhood where you’ll find people who grow their own arugula and are competitive about bike polo. It has olive oil on tap and sells pastries and giant cans of tomatoes, but what you should be prioritizing is their homemade pasta. In the likely scenario that the weather isn’t great, sit inside for lunch and order dishes like agnolotti in roasting juices or pea and pancetta maltagliati."

"The rice burgers are also affordable, so you’ll eat something really nice without feeling a dent in your wallet. Get some of their super crispy chicken katsu with rice, or the popcorn chicken option. Messy to eat, but that’s the way a burger is supposed to be eaten!"

"One of the most unique concepts in fast food culture comes with an authentic Japanese twist. Burgers in hand-pressed rice buns!. The first of its kind originated in Japan, but soon took the global market by storm."

"For the best burgers, fries and shakes, Triple O’s is the right place for you. Their buffalo chicken club is definitely a must try. You can also come back the next day to enjoy a superb breakfast by ordering a breakfast club or sausage sunny tart."

"Check out the First Nations art galleries for something beautiful to take home Find the Steam Clock and the statue of 'Gassy' Jack Deighton"

"In the West End, visitors and residents alike will find the restored heritage house that is the Roedde House Museum. Constructed in 1893 for the city’s first bookbinder, Gustav Roedde, and his family, the late Victorian home has 11 rooms that reflect their everyday life, with period pieces (including some from the Roedde family) and artefacts, some of which guests may carefully handle. The museum also hosts various events throughout the year."

"Uniquely restored heritage house in the heart of the West End of Vancouver. Built in 1893, Roedde House is the former home of Gustav Roedde, the city’s first bookbinder. Tour the Museum’s eleven rooms, faithfully restored with artifacts and period pieces to reflect the day-to-day life of a middle class, immigrant family at the turn of the 19th century."

"Take a trip back in time at 1415 Barclay Street's Roedde House Museum at the 19th century home of Vancouver's first bookbinder, Gustav Roedde. the Roedde House Preservation Society has carefully restored the house to create an accurate portrayal of late Victorian family life in the West End. Shopping in Vancouver"