Vancouver with kids
Stanley Park with Kids: the Seawall, Totems, Aquarium and Beaches
Stanley Park is Vancouver's big green backyard: a forested peninsula ringed by a flat seawall, with beaches, totem poles, an aquarium and, in summer, a free water park. It's free to enter and easy to reach from downtown.
This route follows the seawall from Coal Harbour round to English Bay. It's about 10 kilometres all the way round, so most families with young kids bike it or do half on foot.
A day around Stanley Park
Start at Coal Harbour, follow the seawall counter-clockwise, finish at English Bay.
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Morning
Bike rental on Denman Street (opens Google Maps)
Several shops rent family bikes, trailers and tag-alongs right by the park entrance. Helmets are required for everyone on a bike in BC.
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Morning
Totem poles at Brockton Point (opens Google Maps)
Nine carved poles from the coast's First Nations, free and always open. Further along, the little Brockton Point lighthouse.
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Late morning
Lumberman's Arch and the water park (opens Google Maps)
The free Variety Kids Water Park runs in summer (roughly June to early September), with a big lawn for a break.
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Midday
Vancouver Aquarium (opens Google Maps)
Sea otters, sea lions, jellyfish and a giant Pacific octopus. Go before lunch on busy days.
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Lunch · Lunch
Picnic or Prospect Point (opens Google Maps)
Picnic on the grass, or stop at Prospect Point near the Lions Gate Bridge for food with a view.
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Afternoon
Third Beach and Second Beach (opens Google Maps)
Sandy beaches on the quieter west side. Second Beach has a heated outdoor pool in summer with a gentle sloped entry for little kids.
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Late afternoon
English Bay (opens Google Maps)
Finish at English Bay for ice cream and the sunset, then return the bikes on Denman.
Local tips
- Bike it if you can. Start at Georgia and Denman, where the bike rental shops are, and ride counter-clockwise.
- Short version on foot: walk from English Bay along the water to Second Beach. There's a playground, the outdoor pool in summer, and a concession stand with hot dogs and fish and chips; then go down to the beach and walk on the sand.
Good to know
- The miniature train isn't running. It has been closed since December 2024; older guides still list it.
- On bikes, ride counter-clockwise on the seawall, and keep to the bike side.
- Seasonal: the water park and Second Beach Pool are summer-only; the seawall, beaches and totem poles are open all year.
- Rainy day? The aquarium is indoors; see our rainy day in Vancouver for more.
Questions
Is Stanley Park free?
Yes. The park, the seawall, the beaches, the totem poles and the summer water park are free; the aquarium and Second Beach Pool charge admission, and parking is paid.
How long is the Stanley Park seawall?
About 10 kilometres around the park. Families with young kids usually bike it, or walk one side and take a bus or taxi back.
Is the Stanley Park train running?
No. The miniature train has been closed since December 2024.