Imagine a Train in The Forest… in the heart of Downtown Vancouver.

My son’s had a passion for trains since he was a baby.  We were thrilled to host his party at Stanley Park Railway’s brand new Birthday Train in a relaxing, spacious forest setting in the heart of downtown Vancouver.

We’re based in South Surrey and invited the little guy’s kindergarten class to his 6th birthday. Despite the hour-long drive to get there, the parents and kids all loved it! Most saw this as a unique, special chance for their families to spend the rest of the day to explore Stanley Park.

Birthday party package: $250

• Train rides for up to 30 people (mix of kids and adults)
• Reserved party tent for 2 hours to keep everyone cool + dry
• Meals for 10 kids (hot dogs or grilled cheese, chips, and drinks included – you can order meals for larger groups!)
• You are welcome to bring in your own food as well.
• Private location, lots of room to run around, proximity to concession, train platform, washrooms, picnic benches and tables offering plenty of seating, space to put out food and presents +  goodie bags.
• 2 hours of fun
• Fantastic location, close to other great sites and experiences in world-famous Stanley Park

Have your own ideas for your event? They can customize the perfect party for you!

Book Your Kid’s Birthday Party Soon; Spots Are Filling Up Fast!

Email: stanleyparktrain@vancouver.ca

Call: 604-257-8530

Website: https://vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture/birthday-train.aspx

Stanley Park Railway’s address 610 Pipeline Rd, Vancouver, BC V6G 3E2. Pay parking is in effect throughout Stanley Park.

Parties are available Saturday and Sunday from 10:30am – 12:30pm and 2pm – 4pm.

Riding The Stanley Park Train | Steve Attard Photography

The Special Touches Count:

We were thrilled with that our son was presented with a gift of a Stanley Park Railway wooden train whistle and train-shaped chocolate treat.  In addition to the relaxing ambiance I’ve already gushed about, I also loved the custom wooden 6th birthday cake sign that was set up for us.

Accessibility

In addition, I’m happy to share that the entire site is wheelchair accessible. The train has a special carriage with room for two people in wheelchairs and seats for their companions. They help passengers in need of assistance to board the train. Stroller parking is also available.

One of A Kind Heritage:

Riding the Stanley Park Train allows passengers to appreciate nature from a relaxing seat on a replica of Canadian Pacific Railway Engine #374, famous for pulling Canada’s first transcontinental passenger train into Vancouver in the late 1880s. The train was built in 1964 after Typhoon Frieda blew down a clearing of fallen trees in the Stanley Park forest. It’s one of Vancouver’s most popular attractions, welcoming over 200,000 visitors per year. Kids young and old love travelling over trestles and through tunnels on the two-km winding journey.

Also Be Sure To Check Out:

The area also offers a scenic Railway Loop Trail, under a 1km walk around the train tracks and fun bubble blowers for kids to run through. There’s also a large wooden playground, refreshing water park and of course the Vancouver Aquarium + Sea Wall.

Our Creative Idea for Birthday Gifts:

We were moving the next weekend and have been trying our best to declutter, so decided to make this a Two Toonie Party, asking guests to please give two $2 coins in lieu of gifts. My son chose to donate half to the BCSPCA to “buy an otter dinner” as part of their Wild Animal Rehabilitation Centre Program (this provided a great opportunity for discussion about the concept of ‘donation’, as well as the different not-for-profits that he could choose to support!) In previous years, he’s chosen to donate to the Alberni Aquarium + Stewardship Centre and the Alberni Valley Museum

He spent the other half on a larger gifts for himself, which turned out to be a plant for his fish tank, a Robert Munsch Anthology, and some Pokemon cards.

Steve Attard Family Photography

I am SO grateful to have brought in a professional photographer capture our birthday party, as it let me just relax, have fun and be present! Steve focuses on unposed, authentic moments and made it easy for us to feel natural with him taking our photos.  We also got to meet his lovely wife and daughter, who joined us for train rides and hot dogs!

Learn more about Steve Attard Photography HERE

Thanks again to the Stanley Park Railway for hosting our birthday party!

Special Thanks To Sonny from Stanley Park Railway who made this happen (and who doesn’t like his picture taken!) We got ya, Sonny!

Disclaimer: Even though this is a sponsored post, the opinions in it are my own.