Stumbling Into Vancouver Magic at Stanley Park and English Bay Fireworks

The first time we went to Vancouver, it wasn’t because we’d dreamed of maple syrup or moose sightings. Nope, it was purely because our Alaskan cruise happened to start and end there. We had no plans, no research, and absolutely no clue what we were getting into, but isn’t that the best way to stumble into magic?

Exploring Vancouver Beyond the Cruise Terminal

We figured the first step in “exploring Vancouver” would be somewhere to crash, so we rented a small casita in Burnaby, a quiet suburban neighborhood lined with trees and well-kept homes. Comfortable, straightforward, and exactly what we needed, it was the perfect base for a few days of wandering with zero expectations. Our host pointed out the nearest bus stop, and just like that, our adventure began.

Vancouver Transit and an Unexpected Festival Tip

The bus stop was nothing more than a sign on a pole, which should have been our first clue that public transit in Vancouver comes with a side of improvisation. When the bus arrived, we asked how to pay. “Swipe your credit card,” said the driver. I swiped once. When I tried for my husband, it wouldn’t take it. We needed a second card. I had only brought one. Cue the awkward shuffle in a bus packed like sardines and a driver clearly on a tight schedule. He rolled his eyes, handed us tickets, mumbled instructions, and we stood, smiling nervously at strangers as the bus lurched forward.

As we rode along, a gentleman asked where we were headed. I told him the truth. We were just exploring and thought we would start near the beach. This brought some chuckles from people around us.  He assured us that we were on the correct bus, then rattled off a stop name that meant nothing to me. My brain heard “blah, blah, blah” because the names of streets or stops meant nothing to me, since I had no clue where they were.

I thanked him, and then a young man nearby asked the gentleman about the best stop for the festival.   That caught my attention. When he finished, I, being the curious kitten, asked, "What festival?" 

English Bay Celebration of Light

That question lit up everyone within earshot. Vancouver’s Celebration of Light, we learned, is an international fireworks competition held each July over English Bay. It had been paused for several years due to COVID, and this was the first year it was back. Different countries perform over multiple nights, with fireworks synchronized to music and launched from a barge in the bay.

People jumped in with opinions on the best viewing spots. Some swore by the beach. Others preferred Stanley Park or watching from boats. Japan was opening that night, and more than a million people were expected over the three days. Being the first year back, everyone agreed it would be epic.

Suddenly, the gentleman told the young man and us that this was our stop.  We thanked him, and once the bus stopped, half of the people got off with us.  It was only ten in the morning, yet many were heading out to claim their spots for the fireworks show.

Not knowing where to go, we followed the crowd toward English Bay.  If there’s a festival happening, we have a habit of finding it while traveling, so why break tradition now? 

The park and beach were already buzzing. Crews were setting up barriers, food trucks were opening, restaurants were full, and vendors were doing a brisk business. People laughed, lounged, tossed frisbees, and played in the sand, even as blankets and lawn chairs began to take over every open space.

We wandered through it all, people watching and soaking up the energy, with no intention of staking out a spot. Along the way, we stopped to admire A-maze-ing Laughter by Yue Minjun, a series of laughing statues that made it impossible not to smile.

Stanley Park Seawall and Vancouver Nature Trails

Soon, we found ourselves on the Stanley Park Seawall Path, with the bay on one side and deep green parkland on the other. English Bay faded behind us as we entered Stanley Park.

For those of you who, like me at the time, don’t know, Stanley Park is one of the most extraordinary parks in North America.  Ok, I don’t know if there is a ranking like that, but as we explored, I felt like we had found exactly that.

The city quickly dropped away, replaced by towering trees on one side and open water on the other, along Burrard Inlet. 

The bustling seawall path is clearly marked for where you walk, or ride, and in what direction.  It pays to stay in your lane.

Firework land grabbers thinned out, replaced by families, cyclists, and children at play.  We passed Second Beach and a lively public pool, then stopped at a ranger station to refill our water bottles and grab a map. Sitting in the shade, map in hand, was when the scale of the park truly hit us. 

Stanley Park spans more than a thousand acres. It holds a rainforest, a wildlife-filled lagoon, lakes, gardens, beaches, a dog park, bowling lawn, a pitch-and-putt golf course, numerous restaurants, an aquarium, artwork, and a collection of totem poles. Add in nearly six miles of uninterrupted seawall and countless interior trails, and you could explore for days.

We aimed for the lagoon to birdwatch, then on to the totem poles. Trails were mostly marked, but first-time explorers like us still paused to figure out the best route. At a crossroads, a man with a friendly smile approached, asking if we needed help.

Caught off guard, I smiled at him cautiously and explained that we were making our way to the lagoon.  Being the friendly chap that he was, he smiled even wider and pointed at one trail, telling us what we would see in that direction, then at the other, telling us what we would see in that direction.

When I told him we were hoping to do some birdwatching, he lit up even further. He pointed out the best route and shared what birds we might see. He was genuinely pleased that we were first-time visitors exploring Stanley Park. 

He wished us a lovely day and continued his walk.  We took off on the trail he had suggested.  His advice turned out to be perfect.

Birdwatching and Wildlife Adventures at Stanley Park Lagoon

We meandered through swampy areas alive with ducks and birds, humid but perfect for wildlife and fauna. Eventually, the path opened to the lagoon, bigger and more beautiful than I’d imagined. 

We spent hours circling it, logging sightings, and quietly watching wildlife.  After about three hours of this (yes, we saw that much and yes, we are nerd birders), my dear husband was famished.  Eventually, hunger won, and we made our way out of Stanley Park, toward the marina.

Cardero’s, right on the water, offered beers and fresh oysters. Live music, lively conversations, and Vancouver Pride on full display made it the perfect spot. After lunch, back at Stanley Park, we continued along the seawall, passing Brockton Point Lighthouse and reaching the totem poles, grouped like an open-air museum, with signs explaining their history.

Just a few of the Totem Poles in Stanley Park / Photo by Whaldo Digital Content

We kept walking, breaking the roughly six-mile loop into manageable stretches. We spotted sea life, admired public art, and paused often on benches to people-watch and take in the lovely view. Somewhere past Third Beach, my husband stopped short.

“My phone!”

Trust and Tiny Miracles in a Crowded Stanley Park

He had lost his phone.  I looked at him as he started retracing our steps in his head.  He said that he’d left it on the last bench we sat on.

I handed him my phone, jumped into the lane on the walkway heading the other direction, and started running back.

Ok, “running” is not the word for it.  We will call it slogging.  Slow jogging.  It’s a little faster than my fast walk, but it is definitely not running.  I passed by Third Beach, and off in the distance was the bend that would lead to the bench.  I rounded the bend and saw the couple we had passed earlier, still on their same bench, and past them was our empty bench.

As I passed, the couple looked up at me, smiling and complimenting me on how fast I could move.  I breathlessly reached the empty bench we had been seated on, and there it was, my husband’s phone.

I walked back towards the couple, the phone in hand, and breathlessly told them what was going on (excuse to catch my breath). They told me others had already sat at that bench since we had left, and they were not the least bit surprised that the phone was untouched.

That moment stayed with me. In a crowded park, on a busy day, trust had quietly won.

After wishing them a good day, I started the slow slog back to my husband.  I met him back near Third Beach and handed him his phone.  Relief flooded his face, and I took a moment to catch my breath again before we started walking back towards where we had initially started the morning.  English Bay Beach.

English Bay Fireworks and Vancouver Summer Vibes

At this point, the festival was in full swing.  There were people everywhere.  Nobody was playing on the beach anymore.  There was no room.  But the mood wasn’t dampened due to this.  There was music, dancing, food, families, and, as I looked around, I could see boats out in the bay and people along the shorelines in every direction.  The high-rise condo balconies were filled with people having their own private parties, BBQs, and gatherings of all kinds.  

We bought a couple of beers and somehow found a place to sit along a block wall.  We spent the evening people-watching, laughing, and even jumped up a couple of times to dance on the beach.  Hot dogs from a vendor called Mr. Tube Steaks (just like my dad used to call them) made it even better.

Mr. Tube Steak / Photo by Whaldo Digital Content

As darkness fell, radios tuned to the same station blasted music, and the fireworks began.  We watched the lights dance with the music.  The night was filled with oooohs and aaaaahs, almost like a backbeat to the music.  When it was all over, everyone clapped and cheered.  Japan had put on an incredible show.

Tired and happy, we joined the slow exodus and Ubered back to our casita. Although we missed the other nights, Canada ultimately won the competition.

Why Stanley Park and Vancouver Keep Us Coming Back

We’ve returned to Vancouver since then, sometimes just to wander Stanley Park. Each visit reveals something new. Some of my most purchased photographs were taken there, from wildlife to sweeping coastal views. 

There is much more to do in Vancouver.  I started with Stanley Park because that's what I first loved.

Vancouver has a way of pulling you in without making a fuss. It is a busy city wrapped in green space, where wandering feels easy and strangers aren’t intimidating. Between the seawall, the forests, and the people who take the time to help when you look a little lost, the city invites you to slow down and keep exploring. Stanley Park was where I first felt it, and it is why we keep coming back.

- J.S. Whaldo