~FREE THINGS TO DO AROUND VANCOUVER~
Vancouver is a beautiful city and one of the best ways to see it is by feeling the ground under your feet, taking in the sights and sounds from eye level. Grab a hat, some sunscreen and a sense of adventure, because you just never know what or who you’ll see.
#1. STANLEY PARK SEAWALL
Stanley Park is North Americas largest urban city park, with panoramic ocean views of the city and old growth forest. The stone seawall winds around the entire park, making it accessible to walk the 10 km.
1 way waterfront concrete seawall. Dedicated walking path. Wheelchair accessible. Slight elevation at points.
Popular starting point- for visitors staying downtown without a car- Donovan Harbour Park 1929 W. Georgia St across from Spokes Bike Rental, walk a half block on Denman towards Lost Lagoon, and then proceed on the seawall path right towards the Rowing Club, the seawall continues around the entire park and brings you back to your starting point. We often opt for the half-way round walk, parking by the Rose Garden, and walking til Lumbermans Arch near the Aquarium and making our way back through the park. It brings back so many memories going to Stanley Park, my parents took me and my siblings often, and we always looked forward to the splash park, swimming, looking at tidepools, and sometimes we got a treat of fish and chips at Lumbermans arch. Its one of the few experiences we have shared with our kids, that hasn’t changed since we were small. If you only have time for one walk in Vancouver, then I would highly recommend this one. Its kinda famous.
Parking is 3.50/hr in the park, 14/day.
Food– Concessions at Lumbermans Arch & Second Beach
Coffee–Prospect Point Cafe
Website– CityofVancouver/StanleyPark
POINTS OF INTEREST
Lost Lagoon
Vancouver Rowing Club
Stanley Park Horse Drawn Tours
Nine-o-clock Gun
Brockton Point Lighthouse
Totem Poles
Lumbermans Arch
Prospect Point Lookout
Wiwash Rock
Rose Gardens
Rhododendron Gardens
1st, 2nd and 3rd Beach and pools,
Lost Lagoon
*We like to use the AllTrails app on our phone in the park, then if we see something interesting, we can see where the path goes and where it leads back to.
#2. GASTOWN
The second most visited spot for a walk in Vancouver is Gastown. The cobblestone streets, heritage buildings, and history are evident as Gastown is the oldest part of the city. It is the throbbing heartbeat of downtown Vancouver. Vendors, restaurants, music, art, jewellers, and culture make it a one-of-a-kind places to check out. The typical walk is approximately 1.7 km, if you do a loop from the Canada Place Cruise Terminal or waterfront station. This walk is on the city street, and is wheelchair accessible. We like to skytrain in and exit at Waterfront station and walk over. Be sure to pop in to see the waterfront station as it is the first train station built in Vancouver, on the completion of the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1886, the ceiling of this building is so pretty, I always take a photo or two.
From the front of Canada Place, walk straight up to Cordova St, hang a left on Cordova, and walk a block east to Water Street, where Gastown begins. Streets that make up Gastown are- Abbott, Cambie, Columbia, Homer, Blood, Alexander, Carrall, Cordova, Powell and Water Streets.
Parking– Gastown has an awesome free parking initiative! 3 hours of free parking, once a week, in the blue EASYPARK lot-126 at 151 W.Cordova St parkade ONLY. On your smartphone search
https://www.offstreet.io/location/P1Z3W5SE
then enter your license plate and press ENTER. You now have 3 hours of free parking! Can be repeated every 7 days.
POINTS OF INTEREST
The Steamclock
Angel of Victory
Blood Alley
Maple Tree Square
The Police Museum
Our top favourites are the Steamclock, Maple Tree Square, The Spagetti Factory for lunch, JJ Bean for Coffee, window shopping jewelry, Purebread for INCREDIBLE pastries, souvenier tshirt shops and Steamworks PUB for dinner.
GASTOWN Merchants
VanWalks has a great self guided walking history tour of Gastown $5.49
*****5 STAR BUDGET TIP- The SKYTRAIN is cheapest after 6:30pm weekdays, and all day Sat & Sun.
For comparison-
Weekdays 3 Zone- will cost you 6.35 both ways= $13.70
After 6:30 pm or all day Sat or Sun- will cost you 3.20 both ways= $6.40
If you are from out of town, you do not need a compass card to pay for the Skytrain. They now accept Debit, VISA, Mastercard, ApplePay and American Express at the Station Fare Gate reader.
Check the weather at WEATHERNETWORK
Check the traffic online at CITYNEWS
Check the tides with TIDEFORCAST
Stock up on snacks at INSTACART
Get your sunscreen at AMAZON
Buy TOUR tickets at VIATOR
Grab a coupon at GROUPON
Find a trail at ALLTRAILS
Grab an RV spot at BC CAMPING
Look for new outdoor gear CANADIAN TIRE