It’s called it the crown jewel of Vancouver for a reason, and there’s always something new to discover, explore, and enjoy in Stanley Park. From its 20km+ trail network, to its rose garden, and so much more between its Seawall borders. A great way to be a tourist in your hometown, or even to just enjoy this slice of 1,001 acre urban wilderness, is with a guide. Here are some great summer walking tours in Stanley Park that are running throughout the season:
Summer Walking Tours in Stanley Park
Talaysay Tours offers authentic cultural and eco experiences in Stanley Park and on the Sunshine Coast. Their three tours in the city include: Talking Trees Tour (my favourite), Spoken Treasures Tour, and a Forest Therapy Walk with Haida Bolton, BC’s First Certified Forest Therapy Guide.
With Talking Trees, a Talaysay guide/cultural ambassador will share the many stories of this region, as well as the intimate cultural and scientific knowledge of the Northwest coast trees and plants. On the Spoken Treasures Tour, Indigenous Cultural Ambassadors, you’ll walk along the Seawall and hear the stories, history and lore of Vancouver – through Indigenous Eyes. This tour also shares our indigenous peoples’ relationship to the ocean, it’s ecology and stories.
Stanley Park Ecology Society Tours are offered throughout the year, starting from the Stanley Park Nature House on Lost Lagoon. On the calendar this summer there’s the Indigenous Plant Use Tours on July 12th & 30th, and the Old Growth Ecology Tour on July 27th. On the Old Growth Tour you’ll join the Ancient Forest Alliance for a fun and informative old-growth forest ecology tour along Stanley Park’s Tatlow Trail. Learn about common tree and plant species, what makes old-growth forests unique compared to second-growth forests, and why BC’s ancient forests need protecting.
The Forbidden Vancouver Secrets of Stanley Park Walking Tour runs every Wednesday and Saturday at 2:00pm, featuring secret cemeteries and ancient ghost trees. Forbidden Vancouver brings their flare for history to the park as they shine a light on some dark secrets, from persecution, political intrigue, logging, hunting, disease, military installations, remarkable public art, ecological catastrophes, secret construction mega-projects, poetry, scandal, and murder.
Add a Comment
by Rebecca BollwittDisclosure: Sponsored Post — Sponsored by the Vancouver Folk Music Festival Please review the Policy & Disclosure section for further information.
The 42nd Vancouver Folk Music Festival takes place July 19-21, hosting a diverse and musically rich roster of artist at Jericho Beach Park. The lineup promises an extraordinary celebration of music and culture, in what is one of the most beautiful locations for an outdoor music festival anywhere!
Vancouver Folk Music Festival
When: July 19-21, 2019 Where: Jericho Beach Park, Vancouver Tickets:Available online now or by phone (604) 602-9798. Kids 12 and under are free and can enjoy the the whole festival too, and a Little Folks Village.
Musical acts will play great music on five daytime and two evening stages, in a family friendly gathering of over 40,000 enthusiastic attendees at Jericho Beach Park.
The Vancouver Folk Music Festival has always taken pride in being inclusive, diverse, expansive in their definition of “folk” music, and this year’s line-up reflects that. They’ve programmed a festival that’s truly global in spirit, broad and eclectic in range, with something for everyone.
7 Things You Can’t Miss at the Festival
1. Corb Lund – Everyone’s favourite real Albertan cowboy, is headlining the festival Main Stage on Friday, July 19th. Corb Lund’s distinct blend of Americana-meets-roots-meets-alt-country has attracted accolades from critics in Canada and the US, who have called him “one of the best contemporary country songwriters”. Joining Corb on the Main Stage on Friday are roots rockers Larkin Poe, francophone folk group Le Vent Du Nord, and Northern Ontario Cree band Midnight Shine. A great way to kick off the festival!
2. Pete’s Eats – Fabulous Food For Famished Folkies! You certainly won’t go hungry at this year’s Vancouver Folk Music Festival. The festival offers a variety of tasty treats, from meals to snacks at various locations throughout the park. There’s something for every taste, including vegetarian, gluten-free, lactose or dairy-free, Kosher or Halal, and sugar-free/low calorie options. And there’s even an adult beverage garden serving a fine selection of BC wines and craft beers! See full listing of food trucks and concessions here »
3. Festival Workshops – If you’re an avid folk festival goer, then you know that a lot of the magic happens at the festival workshops. It’s your chance to see many of the festival artists perform and interact in an intimate space. And there’s even the opportunity to learn a thing or two as well – the 2019 workshop schedule includes a Learn To Play Ukulele workshop on Saturday, July 20th! See the full Saturday and Sunday workshop and concert schedule here »
4. Zaki Ibrahim – The pick for breakout artist at this years festival, South African-Canadian artist Zaki Ibrahim is a globally distinguished singer, songwriter, and producer known for making music that defies any one genre. Ibrahim has emerged as one of Canada’s hip hop and soul icons, collecting two Polaris Music Prize nominations (shortlisted in 2013 and longlisted in 2018) and a Juno nomination for R&B/Soul Recording of the Year in 2009. Ibrahim will be performing at the Festival on Saturday, July 20th, check the schedule for times and locations. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to say you saw Zaki perform before she was big.
5. Little Folks Village – Vancouver Folk Music Festival has always been a family friendly event, and that continues this year with free admission for little folks under 12 when accompanied by a paid adult. The Little Folks Village is open all 3 days of the festival and includes plenty of entertainment and activities including: a Face Painting Station, a Musical Zoo Playground, Madskillz Roving Performers, and so much more! Get a full listing of all activities and hours of operation here »
6. Sam Roberts – Headlining the Main Stage on Saturday, July 20th, The Sam Roberts Band brings the Canadiana to this year’s VFMF. Known for their legendary live show, the fiery spirit of Sam Roberts Band has carried them to stages everywhere from Letterman and Conan to Bonnaroo, Austin City Limits, Lollapalooza, and Bumbershoot, and alongside heroes like the Rolling Stones and AC/DC.
7. Artisan Market and Folk Bazaar – If you really want to get your folk on at this year’s festival, make sure you attend the Artisan Market and Folk Bazaar. It’s your chance to peruse the work of some of the finest artisans and artists around, and is a fabulous place to shop for the beautiful, the useful, and the one-of-a-kind. It’s also a great place find a new boho chic festival outfit, or even just a new scarf or hat! Get location info here »
It’s one of the nation’s largest Canada Day celebrations and with near-perfect weather and a stellar lineup of performers, Surrey Canada Day was a highlight of early summer.
Food trucks cranked out burgers, ice cream, smoothies, popcorn, and skewers of flame-grilled goodness, and of course there was the cupcake giveaway that’s become a tradition at the opening ceremony:
Surrey Canada Day. Photos by John Bollwitt.
The midway was rolling all day, the ball hockey court was busy, and families camped out at the amphitheatre for the day. Out of the sunshine, the Rodeo Zone in the Agriplex had its own stage, a market, bull riding and axe throwing!
Through its summer Walking Tour Program, the Architectural Institute of BC offers stunning architectural perspectives of six Vancouver neighbourhoods. Sites include Chinatown, Gastown, Yaletown, Downtown, West End and Strathcona, the first neighbourhood in Vancouver. For locals and tourist alike, the tours are a fun and engaging way to learn more about the architecture and history of Vancouver.
Where: Meet at The Architecture Centre (440 Cambie St, Vancouver); Manhattan Apartments courtyard (780 Thurlow St, Vancouver) for the West End tour; Strathcona Community Centre (601 Keefer St, Vancouver) for the Strathcona tour.
New this year, the AIBC will be hosting “After Hour” tours, which will take place every other Thursday from 5:30pm to 7:30pm.
Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden in Chinatown
In Yaletown you’ll learn how this famous warehouse district in Vancouver was created in response to the rapid growth and expansion away from Gastown at the turn of the century. Learn how the City of Vancouver transformed this heavy industrial area from a contaminated wasteland into one of the trendiest and most vibrant neighbourhoods in Canada.
In the West End you’ll walk through a diverse mix of historic buildings and explore architectural influences that have shaped this area through the decades. From Queen Anne style homes, to 70s style post-modern residential high rises, this tour has it all.
Take your pick or do them all this summer! Follow AIBC on Facebook and Twitter for more info.
Celebrate Richmond’s historical connection with the sea at this free family event at a National Heritage Site! The 16th annual Richmond Maritime Festival, happening July 27 & 28 at Britannia Shipyards, will have music, storytellers, dancers, drummers and more.
Richmond Maritime Festival ship boarding. Photo by John Bollwitt.
Richmond Maritime Festival
Where: Britannia Shipyards National Historic Site in Steveston (5180 Westwater Dr)
When: 11:00am to 6:00pm Saturday, July 27 and Sunday, July 28, 2019
Who: Performers include: Wooden Horsemen, Bobs & Lolo, Beauty Shop Dolls, Flint & Feather, Will’s Jams, Tetsu Taiko, Jocelyn Petit Band, Brian O’Brien, The Seabillys, Blackthorn, Coastal Wolf Pack, Langley Ukulele Ensemble, Jessica McMann, Lola Parks, Sarah Wheeler Band, Trevor Cook, Bottom Shelf Bourbon Trio, Shawn Bullshields, and more
The Richmond Maritime Festival celebrates all things waterfront at the Britannia Shipyards National Historic Site. From wooden boats to model boats, water safety to sea creatures, local lore to fishing history, the festival invites visitors to explore a spectacular heritage site and enjoy music, games, interactive exhibits, roving performers, street food fare, and ship boarding experiences. Bring a picnic blanket to enjoy the music and some tasty treats from vendors. Explore the historic site and
New This Year
Paddlewheeler Dinner Cruise: The dinner cruise is Saturday, July 27th at 5:30pm. Enjoy a 3-hour evening cruise along the beautiful Fraser River, including a delicious buffer dinner with meat and vegetarian options, aboard the M.V. Native, an authentic replica of a paddlewheeler, or sternwheeler that plied the Fraser River in British Columbia from 1863 until 1921.
Sunset Battle of the Tall Ships: Friday, July 26th and Sunday, July 28th from 6:00pm to 9:00pm. A thrilling Tall Ship Battle featuring the Lady Washington and the Hawaiian Chieftain will take place off the shores of Garry Point Park. Featuring booming cannons, close-quarters maneuvers, and a taste of 18th century life aboard tall ships, guests can experience the ships in action as they vie to win the battle. You watch from the shore at Garry Point Park with performers and food trucks, or take your adventure to the high seas and watch the action from aboard one of the ships!
There’s also the new Richmond Tourist Shuttle that’s running between several key locations this year including the Lansdowne Canada Line Station and Britannia Shipyards.
Follow the Richmond Maritime Festival and Fun Richmond on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more information and to share your photos from the event.
Miss604 is a proud sponsor of the Richmond Maritime Festival
