Stanley Park, covering 1,000 acres, is criss-crossed with trails, ringed by the famous Seawall and filled with more than enough attractions to fill a day. Take a look at Vancouver.com's breath-taking panorama of Stanley Park. 

Activities and Attractions:

Horse-drawn Carriage Tour: One of the most relaxing and unique ways to tour Stanley Park. Tours leave every 20-30 minutes and last about an hour. A knowledgeable guide provides commentary as you visit all of Stanley Park's most popular attractions with the clip-clop of the horses' hooves providing a wonderful soundtrack. You'll visit a number or park highlights, including Deadman's Island, the gorgeous rose gardens and the world-famous collection of totem poles, carved from Western Red Cedar by indigenous peoples of the West Coast. The totems, each with their own story, represent a unique and often under-represented part of Vancouver's history. For more information and schedule times of horse-drawn tours, visit stanleypark.com.

Vancouver Aquarium: Follow the path from the northwest corner parking lot and to arrive at Canada's largest aquarium, home to a host of marine creatures including Beluga and Orca whales, octopi, sea otters, sea lions, and much more. Be sure to catch the shark feeding demonstration and dolphin show. For admission prices and hours of operation, visit the aquarium's website.

Photo: Aerial View of Stanley Park

Explore the trails: No trip to Stanley Park is complete without a walk through the forest. While many old-growth trees, some thousands of years old, were lost in vicious wind storms in 2006, a magnificent amount of rainforest remains. Trails in the park are well-marked and fairly short, and lead to many spectacular and fun destinations, such as the sandy shores of English Bay, the swan-filled Lost Lagoon, the foot of the Lion's Gate Bridge (complete with an unparalleled view of the North Shore), Second Beach Pool, a childen's petting zoo and minature train, and, for golf nuts, Stanley Park Pitch and Putt , an 18-hole putting green open year-round.

Getting there:

By car: Stanley Park is located on the western edge of downtown Vancouver. Drive westbound on Georgia St. and follow the signage for Stanley Park. You will veer right and drive under a small bridge, and then enter a small parking lot. There is a fee for all parking in Stanley Park. Buy a ticket from one of the machines and display it on your dashboard.

By bus: The #19 Bus (Metrotown/Stanley Park) can be boarded anywhere along Main St., West Pender St. or on Georgia St. west of Pender. This will take you right into Stanley Park. Get off at the STANLEY PARK LOOP #1. This eco-friendly transportation option also lets you avoid the high cost of parking.

By foot: If you are feeling up to it, you can walk to Stanley Park quite easily. You just need to get onto the Seawall by heading north from just about anywhere downtown and simply follow it right into the park. Walk past the Rowing Club building until you see a parking lot on your left. A more direct walking route involves walking down Georgia to Denman, and then joining up with the Seawall there. From most downtown hotels it is about a 30 minute walk.