Where We Spent a Wake Window: Queen Elizabeth Park
Location & Parking:
Location & Parking Tip:
Paid parking is readily available around the park. There are numerous entrances including Ontario Street and West 33rd Avenue, or along West 37th Avenue between Columbia and Mackie streets.
Set your GPS to: 4600 Cambie St, Vancouver, British Columbia V5Y 2M4 Canada.
Official info: https://vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture/queen-elizabeth-park.aspx
The Damage Report ($):
Free to walk and enjoy the views.
Wheely Friendly?
The Stroller Myth: 95% of online reviews call this park "stroller friendly." I felt gaslighted! Technically, it is paved, but it is not flat. Pushing a stroller from the lower lots to the summit is a workout that will leave you breathless (and not just because of the views).
The Quarry Trap: The Quarry Gardens are a maze of stairs. To see them with wheels, you have to stay on the upper rim, missing the "magic" of being inside the gardens unless you want to do some serious backtracking to find ramps.
The Verdict: It’s manageable only if you stick to the limited flat paths on the periphery or stay at the very top near the Conservatory.
My mum is obsessed with gardens and loved Queen Elizabeth Park.
The Snack Situation:
The most popular place to get food in the park is the more upscale “The Seasons” restaurant. However, if you’re looking for food on the move like we were, we found two options.
Some food trucks adjacent to the Bloedel Conservatory that had some fast food options
A concession stand near the Pitch & Putt course which had a variety of things, including ice cream
Potty Proximity:
We used the bathroom next to the Bloedel Conservatory.
Queen Elizabeth Park is iconic and sits on every "must-do" list for Vancouver. Since my mother loves gardens, I saved this visit for when she and Jamie’s parents were in town so we could all appreciate the flowers together.
The Experience: It’s a beautiful park, and the city views from the top are incredible on a clear day. While looking at the rose bushes, Yuyu mastered how to jump off the curb and land on two feet, which was a milestone for her!
However, as a mum with two young kids, I was a bit underwhelmed. I had envisioned a grand, easy stroll through the grounds. Instead, Jamie and I spent most of the time trying to hoist the stroller over small stone steps while he scouted ahead like a trail guide trying to find a path that didn't end in a staircase.
The Do-Over: If I could do it again, I would skip the "hiking" aspect. I’d pack a massive picnic, find one nice patch of grass to perch on, and just let Yuyu run around in circles while we enjoyed the view.
Beyond the Stroller: Activities for Older Kids
If you have older kids, this park is a completely different experience. There is a lot to do that we just couldn't tackle with a double stroller and a toddler. Some activities we saw include, Disc Golf, Pitch & Putt, Pickleball & Tennis:
Toddler Tolerance Level:
1 hour - We reached our limit pretty quickly due to the navigation struggles. We actually gave up and headed to Earnest Ice Cream afterward to reward ourselves for the unintentional CrossFit session.
Nap Roulette Options?
If you stay at the very top, the area around the Bloedel Conservatory is flat and very stroller-friendly. It’s a great way to spend another hour if you need to keep them moving for a nap - you can read my full post on the Conservatory [here].
Author
I’m Mimi, the writer behind Mi & Yu. This blog was born out of a year spent exploring Vancouver with my toddler Yuyu and newborn son Gabe while my husband Jamie worked through a demanding fellowship.
What started as a way to survive the newborn phase turned into a collection of tried-and-tested family adventures, real reviews, tested logistics, and the occasional toddler meltdown included. Now back home in Newfoundland, I’m sharing those adventures so other parents can skip the decision fatigue and get straight to the fun part.
