Stanley Park Without A Car

[cantgetaname]

Will be visiting Vancouver pre cruise late September.   I'd love to visit Stanley park but don't have a car and not up to using a bike.  I've heard of the horse drawn tours and probably would do that, but just wanted to make sure there aren't any other ways to see Stanley park without a car.  Would love to see the Totem Poles, and also stop at the Stanley Park Brew Pub.  Probably staying at either Hotel Blu or Holiday Inn 

[martincath]

HOHO bus tours - there are a few stops within the park, including the totems (frankly unless you're visiting every brewery in the city I wouldn't bother with the brewpub - it's definitely in the lower tier of local beer makers, although if the timing is convenient it's not a terrible lunch option).

 

If biking is an issue of fitness, there are lots of electric bike rentals now. If it's balance, adult tricycles are available (and quite practical with the basket between the back wheels to hold a bag, just make sure never to leave anything in the basket when you park them!) - or if you're a couple and your other half has good legs, hire a tandem and let them do the pedalling 😉

 

Otherwise, cars can get to many spots - not on the actual seawall, but very close by at several points including both the totems and brewpub. Parking is done on a 'pay once, move anywhere else in the park for the duration of the ticket' basis so you can split up walking by stopping at each parking lot, checking out the stuff nearby, then driving to the next one - it's one of the very few sites in Vancouver where a car can be useful rather than a hassle for parking!

 

Without a rental car though, the meter on a cab would rack up a lot while waiting for you - given the one-way system some taxi drivers are very reluctant to come pick folks up inside the park as they might have to drive a long way to get to you without the meter running, although you do often see a cabbie or two lurking in high season near some key spots like the Prospect Point cafe... if you're the kind of person who likes to haggle, negotiating with a cabbie for a fixed price impromptu tour of the park with a couple of stops to let you out to take photos might be worthwhile?

 

As to the carriage rides - unless you drop ridiculous coin for a private hire (as in $300+, so cheaper to pay a cabbie for several hours of idling on the meter!!!) to guarantee your own choice of seat and what time you spend where, you won't see much. The horses are slow and you'll be on a big trolley with only the outside seats on each row getting much of a view - and the front row literally blocked by a horses arse! Carriages are really a thing to do if you are the kind of person who enjoys the vibe of a carriage ride, rather than a practical 'actually see lots of stuff' touring option.

Edited June 24, 2022 by martincath

[Heidi13]

Although you are a fair distance from Stanley Park, it is very walkable. When we stay in Vancouver, we book a condo close to Burrard and it is only about 6 or 7 miles to walk around the seawall.

[Rumpelstump]

If you stay at the blue horizon, the park is a 15 minute walk.  Add 10 minutes to totem poles. Stanley park sea wall is made for walking. 

[Catchum]

We are planning on visiting after our cruise No19 city bus will take to to the park

https://vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture/directions-to-stanley-park.aspx

 

TransLink's #19 bus will get you in to Stanley Park. The bus stops at:

• Stanley Park Drive and Pipeline Road near Lost Lagoon
• Stanley Park Loop near the Miniature Train, and a short walk from the Vancouver Aquarium

 

 

[takemeaway2008]

We walked to the park from Pan Pacific. It was a nice walk but loooooong. Then we saw the carriage ride and did that. I enjoyed the carriage ride. We stopped at the totem poles. It was a nice way to see the park. We then walked back to the Weston and got a taxi back to the Pan Pacific. 

 

I don't know anything about the Brew Pub. 

 

[YVRteacher]

The carriage ride is wonderful, you see everything, there are plenty of seats and I highly recommend the experience.  They are a fabulous company and they donate free field trips to local classes.

If you like aquariums, the Vancouver Aquarium is right in Stanley Park.  You need 2-3 hours to enjoy it thoroughly.  Keep it mind in case you have a rainy day.

[misguy]

We did the carriage ride, and we took a bus to and from Stanley Park.  The busses are accessible for wheelchair users, and I highly recommend it.  Here is a short look at the ride.