Outdoor sights in Vancouver
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A
Vanier Park
Winding around Kitsilano Point and eventually connecting with Kits Beach, waterfront Vanier Park is more a host site than a destination. Home to three museums, it’s also the evocative venue for the tents of the annual Vancouver International Children’s Festival and the Bard on the Beach Shakespeare extravaganza. If you want to avoid the sweaty crush in English Bay during the Celebration of Light fireworks, bring your blanket and spread out here; you’ll have great views of the aerial shenanigans among a convivial and family-friendly crowd. The park is also a good picnic spot – bring some takeout from Granville Island (a 15-minute stroll away via the seawall) and watch …
reviewed
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B
Brockton Point
Stanley Park’s eastern peninsula, this picturesque kneecap of land contains Brockton Oval cricket pitch (both Don Bradman and Freddie Trueman have played here), the squat Brockton Point Lighthouse (where Arnold Schwarzenegger handed the Olympic torch to Sebastian Coe before the 2010 Winter Olympics) and the electrically fired Nine O’Clock Gun. But the highlight is the clutch of eight colorful totem poles. A favorite tour-bus lure, these are actually photogenic replicas of the originals that were moved here from Alert Bay. In 2008 they were joined by three n-shaped carved ‘gateways’ created to welcome visitors by the First Nations who originally called the park home.…
reviewed
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C
Lighthouse Park
Some of the region’s oldest and most spectacular trees live within this accessible 75-hectare park, including a rare stand of original coastal forest and plenty of those gnarly, copper-trunked arbutus trees. It’s ideal for a romantic picnic, and you’ll find plenty of doe-eyed couples hogging the grass here. About 13km of hiking trails crisscross the area, including a recommended trek that leads to the rocky perch of the Point Atkinson Lighthouse, where you’ll come across some shimmering, camera-worthy views over Burrard Inlet and the nearby tree-covered islands. If you’re driving from downtown, turn left on Marine Dr after crossing the Lions Gate Bridge to reach the…
reviewed
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D
Lynn Canyon Park
Set amid a dense bristling of ancient trees, the main feature of this provincial park is its swinging suspension bridge. It provokes a jelly-legged reaction as you sway over the river 50m below – and it’s also far less crowded and commercialized. There are hiking trails, swimming areas and picnic spots around the park to keep you busy once you’ve done the bridge. The Ecology Centre houses interesting displays on the area’s rich biodiversity, including dioramas and video presentations.
reviewed
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E
Whytecliff Park
Just west of Horseshoe Bay, this is an exceptional little park right on the water. Trails lead to vistas and a gazebo, from where you can watch the boat traffic in Burrard Inlet. The rocky beach is a great place to play, go for a swim or scamper over the large rocks protruding from the beach. The park is also popular with scuba fans and is regarded as one of the best dive spots in the Lower Mainland.
reviewed
