This park’s story begins in the 1860s, when the 1,000-acre wooded area that is now Stanley Park was designated a military reserve in case of a threat of American invasion. When the city of Vancouver was incorporated in 1886, the city council’s first act was to request that the land be set aside for a park.

Now, this huge greenspace, just blocks from downtown, is a central heartbeat of the city filled with 14 major attractions, good restaurants and food concessions and various biking and walking trails. Expect to spend at least an entire day to be able to see everything Stanley Park has to offer.