The sun is out (for now) and it's safe to say that spring is here!
PHOTO CREDIT: JANA MEERMAN
Let's be honest, the first week of sunshine and warm-ish weather can be frustrating when you are stuck at work all day. But with daylight savings, there's more time to enjoy the sun after work and plenty of time to hit the outdoors on the weekends! Read on to find the best parks that are easy to stop by.
2390 Brunswick St
Photo Credit
The name says it all. The perfect local spot to kick back and chill, whether it be with your friends or family. Maybe you just need a nice spot to stop for a moment before heading out to Main Street for a bite or a few drinks. The location is as easy as 1, 2, 3 to get to!
Come on, this one is a given. It's the must see spot that tourists visit and even though it's so close to us, the place that Vancouverites tend to forget to visit. There's a beautiful sea wall to walk/bike around, Lost Lagoon with overly aggressive geese and swans, Beaver Lake, and a TON of trails and open grassy areas. Just make sure you plan a good long day if you're thinking of walking around the whole park because it's long... very long.
Just hiding off of Gastown, this is a chill spot to watch Vancouver's working port. It's got a little beach too and plenty of cute dogs. Spend the day lounging, people watching, and of course port watching! It might not be the cleanest park, but it's an easy one to get to if you're in the area.
599 Kingsway
Located on Kingsway near Fraser, Robson Park may not be the first place most people think of when they think of a "park day" but that's why it's so great. Large trees ring the park so there's lots of shade and it's usually not busy. Sit on the eastern edge of the park to get the most out of the sunset. They have washrooms too so feel free to bring those bevvies without having to worry about needing to use the bathroom! Once the sun goes down check out the delicious restaurants nearby, including Osteria Savio Volpe and Les Faux Bourgeois.
Photo Credit: Budget Travel Talk
If you haven't seen the views at Queen Elizabeth Park are you really from Vancouver? It's the Number 1 spot to take tourists because you can see just about everything: from Vancouver's Westside to Burnaby to the North Shore and south to Washington state's Mount Baker. Plus, you can go bird watching at Bloedel Conservatory! As spring trickles in, the plants start blooming - a sight you can't miss out on.
5251 Oak St
Photo Credit: Everplaces
Whether you're going in the middle of winter or in the middle of summer or right at the peak of spring, VanDusen Botanical Garden is always a beautiful sight to see! From the twinkling lights during the winter to the vibrant flowers in full bloom during the spring and summer months, once you step in you'll see why this is one of the top gardens in the city.
Tickets must be purchased to enter.
1300 Pacific Blvd
Looking for a great park downtown? David Lam Park is a stunning location with beautiful views of False Creek and the seawall. Not to mention,
the large open grassy field, lush greens, and a couple cherry blossoms trees that bloom during the springtime. It's the perfect park to hang with friends or to just chill out with plenty of room to spread out. Grab your bikes and bike along the seawall to this location and you got yourself the perfect day.
110 West 7th Ave
Photo CreditL Swqabb
A fave in the city and a hot spot for gatherings, Jonathan Rogers Park is a great local park. Whether you're looking for a place to have a picnic, a day with your furry friend, a tanning spot (if it's warm enough), a social gathering with your friends, a frisbee spot, or just to relax, add this park to your list of places to go to. It has top-notch views of downtown Vancouver from the top of the hill and close proximity to different neighbourhoods. During warmer days it can get busy, but the energy is A+!
6804 SW Marine Dr
Photo Credit: UBC
Immerse yourself in a whole new nature wonderland. Filled with wildflowers and overflowing with beautiful vibrant colours. From an impressive Asian garden with over 400 kinds of rhododendrons to being suspended among lush treetops, there's plenty to see at the UBC Botanical Gardens.
1204 Beach Ave
If you're looking for ocean views while relaxing at a park, Sunset Beach is the place to go! The area has plenty of green space to plop your blanket and chill. Forget about sand getting in your shoes and all over your clothes!
499 Arbutus Street
image via city of vancouver
If you're looking for another ocean-view spot, head to Kits Beach Park. Just off the side of the beach, there are plenty of nice grassy areas. Whether you want to play tennis or basketball, enjoy the lively youthful atmosphere, have a picnic, this spot has it all. It's also the perfect place to see a lot of fit people... if you're into that kind of thing.
University Endowment Lands
Pacific Spirit Regional Park Profile from Metro Vancouver on Vimeo.
Maybe you don't mind being shaded by massive trees, or you're looking for more of an adventure. Not really the best place to sit down and have a picnic and chill, but a beautiful place to go for a trail walk and breathe in the fresh, PNW air. This park is MASSIVE, so make sure to plan accordingly with what route you're taking and the time you're going. Other than that, enjoy the endless exploration! It's dog friendly too, so don't leave your pupper behind - especially if you've been at work all day.
Missed your favourite park? Send us an email at [email protected] and we'll add it.
