Stanley Park

[Italy52]

DH and I will be doing a pre-cruise stay in Vancouver on May 30th & 31st, 2012. This will not be our first trip to Vancouver and we have already seen many of the sights the city has to offer. However, the one thing that we have yet to fully explore is Stanley Park. We usually walk there after our cruise but never get to explore the entire park due to sheer exhaustion from walking. For our 2012 trip, we have decided to give up our usual trek and take some form of transportation other than our feet so that we can see/enjoy the entire park. Looking for suggestions --- we will be staying at the Pan Pacific.

 

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

Karen

[Carolyn&Phil]

We also stayed at the Pan Pacific. Walked out the front door of the hotel, turned right, and got the hop on hop off bus. I believe there were two different stops in Stanley Park. Enjoy. The Pan Pacific is fantastic.:)

[stuttgart]

DH and I will be doing a pre-cruise stay in Vancouver on May 30th & 31st, 2012. This will not be our first trip to Vancouver and we have already seen many of the sights the city has to offer. However, the one thing that we have yet to fully explore is Stanley Park. We usually walk there after our cruise but never get to explore the entire park due to sheer exhaustion from walking. For our 2012 trip, we have decided to give up our usual trek and take some form of transportation other than our feet so that we can see/enjoy the entire park. Looking for suggestions --- we will be staying at the Pan Pacific.

 

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

Karen

 

Welcome to Vancouver! If you type “Stanley park tours” in the search engine you will get lots of information about Stanley Park. Also see these two websites, it may give you more informations.

 

http://stanleyparktours.com/

 

http://stanleypark.org/content/tours

[Putterdude]

Welcome to Vancouver! If you type “Stanley park tours” in the search engine you will get lots of information about Stanley Park. Also see these two websites, it may give you more informations.

 

http://stanleyparktours.com/

 

http://stanleypark.org/content/tours

 

I believe your second link relates to a park in Maine.

 

As for the Stanley park in Vancouver, there used to be a shuttle that ran thru the park but that was discontinued a couple of years ago due to park board cut backs. Now we are left with:

 

- the horse drawn carriage tours mention in the above post.

- one of the HOHO's which as part of their routes make stops through out the park

-you can take a transit bus into the park but it only makes the one stop in the park and is not a tour.

 

As Stanley Park comprises some 1,000 acres, to see in all in one day on foot is a daunting task so you likely would be best off with one of the tours.

 

www.vancouvertrolley.com/

 

http://www.bigbus.ca/

 

http://www.vancouverpinkbustours.com/

 

 

http://tripplanning.translink.bc.ca/

[Italy52]

Thanks for all the great advice everyone. I will take a look at the links -- I am sure I will find something that will work for us.

 

Karen

[BCHappyGal]

Just in case there are things you might like to add to your itineary here are some of my favorites

 

Info on Vancouver from a local!

 

My favorite must do attractions are

 

1) Grouse Mountain – http://www.grousemountain.com – this is a wonderful scenic mountain only about 15 mins from downtown Vancouver. Ride the airtram to the top for lots of fun activities that include a loggers show, birds of prey show, 2 movies (1 about the Vancouver area and 1 about the 2 Grizzly Bears who make their home on Grouse Mtn) ride a chair lift higher up the mountain to visit the wind turbine that generates approximately 30% of the power required for Grouse Mountain Resort and visit with 2 live Grizzly Bears. Thrill to a 2 hour Zip Line Tour. Enjoy a meal in any of the restaurants. Caveat only spend the money to go up on a clear day.

2) Capilano Suspension Bridge – http://www.capbridge.com – this is Vancouver’s oldest tourist attraction and I still enjoy visiting it! Located on Capilano Road just before you reach the Grouse Mountain parking lot. Walk across a suspension Bridge over the Capilano Gorge, wonder the trails thru the rain forest, walk thru the treetops on the new Tree Top Adventure, visit the trading post for a huge selection of souvenirs, watch native weavers and/or carvers at work.

3) Capilano Fish Hatchery is also located on Capilano Road and is a great place to view salmon jumping up the fish ladders to get around the Cleveland Dam. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capilano_River_Regional_Park

4) Lynn Valley Suspension Bridge – http://www.lynncanyon.ca - is also located in North Vancouver and is much less touristy than Capilano but it also is not as spectacular. The bridge is slightly higher above the water but much shorter in span. Located in a Provincial Park this bridge comes with some nice hiking trails and you will find an ecology centre in the park as well as picnic tables and a food concession outlet. Should you choose to enjoy the Lynn Valley Suspension Bridge always cross the suspension bridge first and then hike down the trail to the lower (Twin Falls wooden) bridge to cross back over the Lynn Valley River and return to your car – that way you are hiking downhill rather than uphill. It is also free to visit this suspension bridge!

5) Stanley Park – http://www.vancouver.ca/parks/parks/stanley/ - is the crown jewel of Vancouver's parks. As one of North America's largest urban parks, covering over a 1000 acres and offering an abundance of activities. Enjoy the totem pole collection near the Brockton Point Light House, hiking trails, beaches, water parks for the kids (young & old), rose gardens, miniature train, petting zoo, aquarium –http://www.vanaqua.org – many view points, and several restaurants. During the summer months there is a free shuttle bus that you can ride around the park on.

6) Vancouver Aquarium – http://www.vanaqua.org – is Canada’s largest aquarium and is committed to the conservation of marine life and education. Located in Stanley Park this is a fun place for the family to visit.

7) Gas Town – the location where Vancouver originated. The name is derived from a very colorful character named Gassy Jack who was one of the first settlers in the area and a salon keeper – while in Gas Town don’t miss your photo op with the statue of Gassy Jack and by the Steam Clock. During the summer months there is a free walking tour of Gas Town for times call 604-683-5650

8) At the start of Gas Town is the Harbor Centre Tower http://www.vancouverlookout.com a great spot to start your tour of Vancouver with a birds eye view of the city. Either take the elevator up to the lookout level or go to the top and enjoy a meal in the revolving restaurant.

9) China Town is only about 6 blocks over from Gas Town and is the largest China Town north of San Francisco. While in China Town enjoy a visit to the Dr Sun Yat Sen Classical Gardens http://www.vancouverchinesegarden.com and also make sure you visit the world’s thinnest building it is only 6’ wide!

10) The city of Vancouver has laid out self guided walking tours of 4 distinct historical neighborhoods in Vancouver – Gastown; Chinatown; Yaletown; & Shaughnessy – these walking tours along with a historical introduction to each neighbourhood can be found at http://vancouver.ca/commsvcs/planning/heritage/walks/index.htm

11) Granville Island – http://www.granvilleisland.com – is a huge public market area which not only sells fruit & veggies but you can also buy frozen fish to be shipped to your home. Many artists make this their home and you can watch them at work in their studios – making this a great place to buy unique souvenirs. The Granville Island Brewery is also located here and you can stop in for a free tour & tastes. There are theatres for live performances and many fine restaurants. A fun way to get to Granville Island is via the Aquabus – http://www.theaquabus.com

12) Burnaby Village Museum – http://www.burnabyvillagemuseum.ca – is an open air museum with over 30 restored homes, shops, school, church and a 1912 carousel situated on 10 acres

13) Gulf of Georgia Cannery – http://www.gulfofgeorgiacannery.com – is a restored fishing cannery located in the historic fishing village of Steveston (part of Richmond). Here you see exhibits that showcase the history of the fishing industry in British Columbia. Once finished in the museum it is great fun to walk along the fishing docks and see the fishing boats which are selling their catch. There are also some excellent restaurants located here.

14) The Vancouver Maritime Museum located on the shore of English Bay is fun for the whole family with lots of hands on exhibits for the kid in all of us. Here to you will find the ship St Roch which the RCMP sailed from Vancouver to Halifax via the Northwest Passage and then completed the return journey in 1944. You actually get to tour this ship. http://www.vancouvermaritimemuseum.com

15) Queen Elizabeth Park http://www.vancouver.ca/parks/parks/queenelizabeth 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. Dedicated as a park by King George VI and his consort, Queen Elizabeth (the present Queen's mother) on their much lauded visit to Vancouver in 1939.

16) Fort Langley is the restored wooden fort built by the Hudson’s Bay Company as a trading post. It is the origin of British Columbia and was the first capital. This Fort is operated by the Federal Parks Board. http://www.fortlangley.org

17) If you are a wine lover you might want to rent a car and spend a day visiting a few of the many excellent wineries located in the Fraser Valley only about a 1 hour drive from your hotel. Almost all of the wineries offer free tastes & tours. Two of the wineries have excellent restaurants on the premises. This makes for a very fun and relaxing day. Check out the Fraser Valley Wine Association web site for a map of winery locations and a brief description of each winery http://www.fvwa.ca

18) If you are a real animal lover than don’t miss “Mountain View Conservation & Breeding Centre” It is located in Fort Langley about an hour drive from downtown Vancouver. Mountain View Conservation and Breeding Centre is a leading non-profit Canadian facility that breeds endangered species in family groups for re-introduction back into their natural habitat in Canada and around the world. This facility is not a zoo their goal is to breed rare and endangered wildlife and re-introduce these animals back into their natural habitats. Presently Mountainview hosts over 50 species of the world’s most threatened animals and birds. See animals such as the spotted dog from Africa, Giraffes, and much much more. Here you do not wonder around as in a zoo rather you are given a guided tour with commentary on each animal group. Check it out at http://www.mtnviewconservation.org

19) VanDusen Botanical Garden is a scenic 55- acre garden of international renown – a living museum of plants collected from around the world and artistically displayed amidst rolling lawns, woodlands and five tranquil lakes, all in the heart of Vancouver and just 15 minutes from downtown.

Due to Vancouver’s mild climate, plants bloom at the Garden year-round. This same climate creates a unique environment where plants from varying climate regions thrive and grow – at VanDusen you will see plants from the southern hemisphere, tropical areas and the high Arctic tundra along side native species. The Elizabethan Maze (one of only six in North America) provides year-round fun.

20) UBC Botanical Garden located at the University of British Columbia covers 110 acres and includes an Alpine, Asian, Native, Food, and Japanese Gardens. http://www.ubcbotanicalgarden.org

21) Dazzle your senses when you visit Minter Gardens nestled against 7000 foot Mt. Cheam in beautiful 'Super Natural' British Columbia. One of the most spectacular show gardens in the world! Eleven themed gardens are designed to dazzle the senses with massive displays of artistic floral designs.

Minter Gardens is located 90 minutes east of downtown Vancouver just off the Trans-Canada Hwy. #1 at exit #135. http://www.mintergardens.com

22) Enjoy a FREE walking tour of Vancouver. This 2 hour tour starts in front of the Vancouver Art Gallery and ends at the Steam Clock in Gastown. This tour runs Tuesdays & Saturdays at 1pm and reservations are required. Check it out at http://www.tourguys.ca

[Urban trekker]

Not mentioned yet is renting a bike and touring the park that way - it is mostly flat unless you want to go up to the Prospect Point lookout and even that is only a kilometer of uphill which you could walk your bike up in about fifteen minutes.

 

There are lots of bike rental places near the entrance to the park but one that is often overlooked is located at the Sea Plane terminal which is just to the west of the Pan Pacific.

 

Hope this helps and enjoy your visit

 

Cheers

 

Dennis

[Putterdude]

Welcome back Ut, we have missed you, hope you had a great time. Funny thing...I had thought of bikes and was going to post that thought but I can't hold a thought for more than 30 seconds.

We are now in panic mode, leaving for AZ tomorrow....look after the store.:D

[Urban trekker]

It was an interesting cruise to say the least - at least seven medical evacuations including an unscheduled one at Manzanillo. Had probably the worse cruise consultant ever on this trip - NCL customer service will get a friendly letter from me regarding this guys work ethic - at least one other CC has already written to HO about him.

 

Notice that the elevator is out of service on the Island Sky again - perhaps when they are building the new coast guard ships they will find a way to get a functioning elevator for the long term developed that can be installed on the Island Sky.

 

Have a safe trip down and will see your posts again when you arrive and are set up.

 

Cheers

 

Dennis

[Urban trekker]

``I can't hold a thought for more than 30 seconds`

 

I have a little less than 12 months and then I will be able to use that excuse as well.

 

Cheers

 

Dennis

[stuttgart]

Welcome back Ut, we have missed you, hope you had a great time. Funny thing...I had thought of bikes and was going to post that thought but I can't hold a thought for more than 30 seconds.

We are now in panic mode, leaving for AZ tomorrow....look after the store.:D

 

Hello Putterdude,

This is nice to see you on board. This is Stuttgart writing you this little note. We were with you on December 4/10 to Mexican Riviera cruise. How are you all doing? Here in Burnaby we are doing well. All the best…and safe travel...

[Putterdude]

Hello Putterdude,

This is nice to see you on board. This is Stuttgart writing you this little note. We were with you on December 4/10 to Mexican Riviera cruise. How are you all doing? Here in Burnaby we are doing well. All the best…and safe travel...

 

Yes, I remember you very well hope all is good with you. We will be doing the MEXRIV cruise again but this time over Christmas and on HAL....take care.

[LeftcoastBC]

Stanley Park now has it's "Hollow Tree" back all brand new and engineered. Haven't been to see it myself but it's been replaced and made look Old and New again..

 

REsults of damage several yrs ago in wind storm and many $$ have been thrown at it.. it will be nice to have it back.

[Putterdude]

Stanley Park now has it's "Hollow Tree" back all brand new and engineered. Haven't been to see it myself but it's been replaced and made look Old and New again..

 

REsults of damage several yrs ago in wind storm and many $$ have been thrown at it.. it will be nice to have it back.

 

Saw it about a month ago...looked all new;) Maybe we could commission Ut (for the usual fee) to take a picture of it and post it.

[LeftcoastBC]

Saw it about a month ago...looked all new;) Maybe we could commission Ut (for the usual fee) to take a picture of it and post it.

 

I'm behind in my fee's I think but good idea. :)

[Urban trekker]

If I can ever shake the cold or whatever I picked up on the cruise I might just take you up on that offer and get some pictures of the new and improved hollow tree.

 

PD - assume you have arrived at your winter home and are getting settled in.

 

Cheers

 

Dennis

[Putterdude]

Yes, we arrived on Thursday and are getting things into shape....hope to start golfing with the guys on Tuesday.

I wonder how many generations of families have been photographed in the hollow tree? Oh, and be sure to charge your fee to Leftcoast's account.;)

[Rickey 88]

Saw it about a month ago...looked all new;) Maybe we could commission Ut (for the usual fee) to take a picture of it and post it.

 

Since I appreciated your assistance in recovering the information on my favorite Vancouver Ice Cream parlour (Peter's Ice Cream) - allow me to forward information of Stanley Park's "recovered" Hollow Tree.

 

The Vancouver Province has several pictures here: http://www.theprovince.com/news/Stanley+Park+Hollow+Tree+opens+again+after+private+restoration/5611823/story.html

 

No fee to anyone for this!!

[LeftcoastBC]

Since I appreciated your assistance in recovering the information on my favorite Vancouver Ice Cream parlour (Peter's Ice Cream) - allow me to forward information of Stanley Park's "recovered" Hollow Tree.

 

The Vancouver Province has several pictures here: http://www.theprovince.com/news/Stanley+Park+Hollow+Tree+opens+again+after+private+restoration/5611823/story.html

 

No fee to anyone for this!!

 

thks but the usual fee could be paid in any bar if you shud care to meet and collect :D

[Urban trekker]

I actually have a couple of photos of the new improved tree but can`t get them to upload at this time.

 

Lot`s of people were stopping for a moment on Park Drive to click the shutter of the legend.

 

Heading off to a NPA launch function so when I return will try to get them uploaded to this thread.

 

Cheers

 

Dennis

[Urban trekker]

Let`s try this

 

http://s1136.photobucket.com/albums/n493/yvrcruiser/

 

Enjoy

 

Cheers

 

Dennis

[LeftcoastBC]

Thanks Dennis.

 

Does it smell like a tree or concrete now ?? :)

[Tweedy]

Nice to see the tree without the fence around it.

[Putterdude]

With your skill and your fancy new camera I knew that you could do it.;)

[Urban trekker]

I actually had gone for a drive up the Sea to Sky and while crossing the Lions Gate remembered the tree and stopped to take the photos.

 

Cheers

 

Dennis