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 the kite flyers strut their stuff.