Have you ever been to Vancouver’s favourite park? TripAdvisor.com recently named Stanley Park the best in the world, according to reviews posted on its website. The competition was tough, as ol’ Stanley was up against green space heavyweights like New York’s Central Park and Paris’ Luxembourg Gardens. But as any Canadian who’s taken a stroll along its mighty seawall knows, there is no park like Stanley Park. Check it out for yourself below.
It’s official: Canada has the best park on the planet
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It's nature's creation
Unlike most parks, Stanley Park was not the creation of a landscape architect; it was the creation of nature. The only thing humans have done here is attempt to preserve that natural work. For example, a massive, concrete seawall was constructed over 60 years to prevent the park from eroding into the ocean.Getty Images
The stunning seawall
The seawall itself is a treat for the eyes. Currently stretching 22 kilometres, it's the world's longest uninterrupted waterfront walkway. Visitors can jog, bike or walk while being treated to incredible views of the ocean, trees and wildlife. Bruce Irschick/Flickr
Abundant wildlife
The bald eagle population has been growing in Vancouver for the last couple of years, so get a look in while you can. Along Beach Avenue, you'll likely see Great Blue Herons, which rarely settle anywhere even remotely close to humans. The Canadian Press
Its culture and history
The nine totem poles found at Brockton Point are B.C's most-visited tourist attraction. Most of them are relatively new, as the older collection the park once had has since been donated to museums, or returned to where they were found. The park was originally home to the Burrard, Musqueam and Squamish First Nations.Getty Images
So many attractions
Make your way up to Prospect Point for some of the best views the park has to offer. You'll overlook the Lion's Gate Bridge, maritime traffic and a beautiful ocean vista. If you somehow manage to get bored, Beaver Lake and the Brockton Point Lighthouse offer some incredible sights as well. Bruce Irschick/Flickr
Stop and smell the roses
There are four beautiful gardens tucked away in the park, and they all have their own distinctive themes. The Rose Garden features more than 3,500 rose bushes, while the Shakespeare Garden is loaded with trees mentioned in his plays and poems.Wendy Cutler/Flickr
Cherry Blossom extravaganza
Time your visit right, and you can take in the beauty of Vancouver's Cherry Blossom Festival. The date changes every year, to sync with the natural schedule of the trees, but you can follow it right here on the organization's website.Getty Images
All aboard the crazy train
Psychadellic train ride, anyone? This miniature train is one of the popular attractions at Stanley Park, but every year around Christmas, it gets even better. Organizers string up two million lights throughout the park for the Annual Bright Nights train ride (just make sure to pack a coat). The Canadian Press
For the hopeless romantic
If romance is your game, horse and carriage rides are available for most of the summer. They usually pick up passengers near the entrances. There are also more intimate versions available than the one pictured above. The Canadian Press
For the adventurer
There are 27 kilometres of forest trails across the park, so don't hesitate to drift away from the seawall. The Cathedral Trail boardwalk, for example, is one of the park's most biologically-rich areas. The walkway was actually created to protect sensitive plants and soil from being trampled. The Canadian Press
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