Really great cities possess great urban parks. More than a few folks contend this continent’s premier urban enclave is Vancouver’s wondrous Stanley Park. You’d be hard-pressed to argue with them.
Jutting out into the water, on the edge of downtown, this 1,000-acre haven hosts eight million souls a year. It’s an elfin, gorgeous green space – replete with perpetually-blooming gardens and studded by some half-million cedars, firs, and hemlock trees. The salt air mingles with the smell of cedar to produce an extraordinary olfactory ambience.
Among Stanley’s attractions:
The Vancouver Aquarium, home to some 70,000 creatures: dolphins, sea otters, sloths, eels – even anacondas. Learn about the habitats and habits of beluga whales, sea lions, and such.
Golf, play tennis, or just jog. In this park, the emphasis is on recreation. Stanley Park Pitch & Putt serves up an elegantly –sculpted par three golf course that winds its way through mature, sheltering trees along English Bay. Near the Beach Avenue entrance to the park lie a full 17 tennis courts. These courts are first-come, first-serve. On weekends, that means getting there early.
All that recreation can work up a serious appetite. Stanley isn’t one of those pretend parks that serves up just snacks. This Pacific piece of paradise boasts some decidedly decent restaurants. The Teahouse is a fine fining affair that fuses Pacific Northwest flavors with a French twist. The wine list is nice, and there’s a lovely view of English Bay to boot. This is the coast, folks. And British Columbia loves fish. The Fish House in Stanley Park proffers everything from classic halibut-and-chips to salmon bakes. The seafood is fresh, and the service savvy.
This Cheapflights reporter’s laidback itinerary: start out with an early-morning run in the park, before the crowds cascade (especially in summer). Follow it up with a nice croissant and some fruit juice in the park. Go back to your hotel, shower, and head right back to Stanley. Make and make a day of it at the aquarium and follow up with dinner in the park. You could do a lot worse with the day.
Story by Jerry Chandler
(Image: ericho180)
