Satisfy an itch: petting animals at Stanley Park's petting zoo

Got an itch to pet goats?  How about pigs, horses, donkeys, sheep or llama? 

The Stanley Park Children's Farmyard is the place to go in Vancouver to pet all sorts of animals.

Satisfy your itch - or the itch of your favorite farmyard friend - by visiting the Stanley Park Children's Farmyard, a petting zoo in Stanley Park.

And you don't have to be a child to enjoy this place.  If you find goats, donkeys and pigs entertaining, this is a fun stop for adults and even makes a good activity for couples. It is certainly a unique experience.

Where else can you pet a potbellied pig for fun?

The animals are very friendly and seem to love the attention (if they are not busy eating hay).  This Shetland pony saw kids and walked right up, looking to get his nose rubbed.

Getting to the Stanley Park Children's Farmyad

The Vancouver Park Board provides a map of Stanley Park to download here (PDF).  Besides nearby parking, if you are spending the day in Stanley Park, park anywhere.  The free Stanley Park shuttle loops around the entire park makes stops near the farmyard.

Things to know

The petting zoo is open for a limited time each day.  During the non-winter season, the petting zoo is generally open from 11AM to 4PM.  Avoid getting there are 5PM like the first time I tried to visit the Stanley Park petting zoo.  Oops.

See the park's website for the latest hours of operation.

The Stanley Park Children's Farmyard is near the Miniature Railway, a fun 10-minute train ride geared at kids.  To really fill up the day, visit the nearby Vancouver Aquarium.