The holiday mood is in full swing here at Lord Stanley; there’s our Christmas tree illuminated with twinkling lights in the Breakfast Room and in our Lobby area, Yuletide accoutrements are festively displayed. When you venture outside, it’s evident that Vancouver is celebrating the season, too. Go for a walk or hop in the car to take in the dazzling downtown decorations; and if you have a chance, go and see our top 3 picks, all located in the downtown area:
Jack Poole Plaza (at the Vancouver Convention Centre): literally a stone’s throw away from the scenic Coal Harbour waterfront and home to the Olympic Torch installed during the Vancouver 2010 Games, this year’s tree is 50 feet high (with three smaller trees stand flanking it) and is illuminated with 64,700 lights! A great place for a holiday photo op.
George Wainborn Park (at the foot of Richards St; False Creek North): probably one of Vancouver’s best kept secrets and the most spectacular; this 50 foot live Sequoia situated in this mini park is our version of Rockefeller Center’s tree, only better! 5000+ dazzling white lights illuminate this stately tree which can be seen from miles away! And in the daytime, catch a panoramic view of Granville Island across the water.
The Tree at English Bay (Beach Ave at Bidwell St): Just a few blocks away from Lord Stanley, this is a truly incredible display of lights: If you are walking on the seawall or driving along Beach Avenue at night you won’t be able to miss what looks like a single massive tree beautifully decorated with more than 12,000 multicolored lights. In the daytime, this Christmas tree is actually a group of stately elm trees (better known as Elm Grove). Take your camera to capture gorgeous views of English Bay and the beach just a few steps away and don’t forget to pose beside the Inukshuk stone statue perched right at the water’s edge!