Truth be told, Vancouver offers an endless amount of activities to do in this city of glass, but if you are looking for an equestrian activity, why not hop on Stanley Park Horse Drawn Tours? Horse-drawn carriages have always been a wonderful way to explore new territory. Why not let a team of Percheron horses show you around the park?
The Stanley Park Stables are home to Clydesdales, Belgians and Percheron draft horses. If you click on this video, you’ll learn that these work horses are treated very well here in Vancouver, Canada. Their hard work is rewarded with vacations on the farm in the Fraser Valley where they have room to roam as horses were meant to do.
Totem poles include Kakaso’las carved by Ellen Neel. Photo © Nancy D. Brown
Storytelling adventure in Stanley Park
On our one hour carriage ride, our team was led by Grit, a dapple grey and Percy, both Percheron gelding horses. A professional guide narrates the horse-drawn tour of this 1,000 acre park in Vancouver, British Columbia. Highlights on this storytelling adventure include Deadman’s Island, Vancouver’s harbor, the Lions Gate Bridge and the Rose Garden. You’ll have a chance to step off the horse-drawn tram and take pictures of the totem poles. The carriage will slow down for a photo op with the Girl in a Wetsuit statue and the S.S Empress of Japan Figurehead.
Percherons look pretty in pink with the cherry blossoms in bloom. Photo © Nancy D. Brown
Ready for some celebrity trivia? I’ll bet you didn’t know that Anthony Quinn, Lord Stanley and Katharine Hepburn have all taken a carriage ride through Stanley Park. During our visit we were lucky to see the yellow daffodils and pink cherry blossoms in full bloom. Don’t forget to bring your camera to snap a picture of yourself with these beautiful horses.
This team of horses vacations on a farm in the Fraser Valley. Photo © Nancy D. Brown
Need to Know:
The carriage ride operates rain or shine, as it is a covered carriage. It was a bit chilly during our April visit, but the tour operators have warm blankets waiting on the seats. Afterward, there is a building offering hot drinks and food nearby. The horse-drawn tram is wheelchair accessible and pet-friendly.
During our visit the cost of tickets was $42. (Canadian) for adults, $40 senior citizens (65 & older) & students. Children 3-12 years of age are $20. and kids under the age of 2 ride free on the tram. Tours depart every 20-30 minutes and depart from the Coal Harbor parking lot, just off the Georgia Street entrance to Stanley Park.
Vancouver city of glass photo © Nancy D. Brown
If You Go:
Stanley Park Horse Drawn Tours
735 Stanley Park Drive
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
(604) 681-5115
Daffodils in Stanley Park. Photo © Nancy D. Brown
Note: I was a guest of Tourism Vancouver before departing on a train trip of a lifetime with Rocky Mountaineer.
Nancy D. Brown writes the What a Trip blog, and reviews lodging at hotel-scoop.com. Her articles have appeared in Shape magazine, Alaska Airlines, At Home Tennessee, Diablo magazine, San Jose Mercury News, Chicago Tribune, Contra Costa Times and Oakland Tribune newspapers in addition to online publications. An avid equestrian, Nancy reviews horse properties at writinghorseback.com. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, she specializes in active adventure and luxury travel for baby boomers.
