Totem Poles

5963 reviews

Vancouver, BC V6G 3E2, Canada

vancouver.ca

+16048737000

About

Totem Poles is a Tourist attraction located at Vancouver, BC V6G 3E2, Canada. It has received 5963 reviews with an average rating of 4.5 stars.

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F.A.Q

Frequently Asked Questions

  • The address of Totem Poles: Vancouver, BC V6G 3E2, Canada

  • Totem Poles has 4.5 stars from 5963 reviews

  • Tourist attraction

  • "This display of nine totem poles is a tribute to the First Nations people of Canada"

    "So much has changed since my last visit but the Totem's are still beautiful and worth a few minutes of your day"

    "Indian Totem Poles: British Columbia Indian’s coat of arms carved from western red cedar and each carving tells of a real or mythical event"

    "This part of the city is amazing! You can drive to Stanley Park and visit the Totem Poles"

    "I grew up with Native Americans and so when I can catch some history with specific tribes, it's always cool"

Reviews

  • Bruce K.

This display of nine totem poles is a tribute to the First Nations people of Canada. They are impressive specimens especially when you consider the elements of British Columbia weather that they have endured. Some are recent. Some are 100 years old. All are amazing to view and appreciate. And you should keep in mind that as recently as 1935, there were indigenous people living in what is now Stanley park. The plaque reads, "INDIAN TOTEM POLES The totem was the British Columbia Indian's 'coat of arms.' Totem poles are unique to the North West coast of B.C. and lower Alaska. They were carved from western red cedar and each carving tells of a real or mythical event. They were not idols, nor were they worshipped. Each carving on each pole has a meaning. The eagle represents the kingdom of the air. The whale, the lordship of the sea. The wolf, the genius of the land. And the frog, the transitional link between land and sea." Each pole also has a caption with an explanation of its artwork and significance. The totems are easily photographable and thankfully, behind a low gate to keep people from touching or damaging them. And while we have the expression "low man on the totem pole" that typically means someone is junior or lowest rank, that's the opposite of reality. The lowest person on the pole is the most visible and most prestigious person on the pole because these are the representations that are seen at eye level.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

  • PNW Nikki

So much has changed since my last visit but the Totem's are still beautiful and worth a few minutes of your day. You can no longer walk up to the totems but the surrounding landscaping is beautiful. There are signs around with explanations for the totems. This has always been a popular stop so there is lots of parking. There is a small gift store, coffee shop and restrooms close by. Did not visit the coffee shop so not sure what kind of things they offer, outside of coffee. Getting to the seawall for a view of downtown Vancouver is really easy too. Beautiful area.

  • Sébastien

Indian Totem Poles: British Columbia Indian’s coat of arms carved from western red cedar and each carving tells of a real or mythical event. They were not idols nor were they worshiped. Each carving on each pole has a meaning. The eagle represents the kingdom of the air. The whale, the lordship of the sea. The wolf, the genius of the land. The frog, the transitional link between land and sea.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

  • Lucy Yep.

This part of the city is amazing! You can drive to Stanley Park and visit the Totem Poles. There are washrooms available and a little gift store to purchase suvenirs. The view amazing, you can cross the street and see North Vancouver and the River. Just come early to find pay parking. 100% recommended to bring your family and friends when visiting Vancouver!
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait

  • Roger Aba

I grew up with Native Americans and so when I can catch some history with specific tribes, it's always cool. Stanley park is busy. Parking can be difficult at times, but the Totem poles are right there. Pretty majestic IMO and with descriptions of what they represent is in front of them.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Not sure

  • Callum Kerr

Awesome totem poles with some shops and places to sit and relax. We arrived on an amazing day full of sun and were able to do a nice long walk along the sea wall. This was a great spot for us to pick up an Uber back to our hotel. Totem poles were really well designed and quite a few of them.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

  • Mohammed Syed

Beautiful! The totem poles are deeper into Stanley Park but were worth the visit. Vancouver has continuously impressed us with Indigenous art and artifacts around the city. We walked so it took us around 20-25 mins after entering Stanley park.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

  • Brandon Desnomie

Me and a group of people took the Equine tour around standly park. We stopped at the totems for a few minutes. They were bigger than i ever thought and the area had a gift shop/coffee ship available to, a must see if near stanley park B.C.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes

  • Arthur Duangsuwan

This place is very beautiful, nice atmosphere, nice view, you can admire the view of the sea. It's a good place to come for a walk and take pictures with the statues. and ancient sculptures I recommend this place
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
1 hr+
Reservation recommended
No

  • Karen Kendzierski

I was on a tour and we didn’t get to stop long but the totem poles are uniquely carved and pretty. There’s also a nice view of the downtown Vancouver skyline, a gift shop and restrooms.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Not sure

  • michelle g

Beautiful carved poles retelling First Nations history. This area was easy to reach and quiet. I enjoyed the information displayed about each pole, it's background, and explanations of the imaginary depicted in each pole.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait

  • Rina S

Great place to spend a few fun hours. A great spot to visit in Stanley Park is the Totem pole section. Very interesting to see native peoples work. Weekends can get crazy busy and FYI leaving the park will take about 2 hours, if after 5pm but you’ll get beautiful photos.

  • Shayan Emami

A place to appreciate native heritage around the beauty of Stanley park and downtown view facing Coal harbour. Take a walk around and enjoy the gift shop and maybe use the restroom.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

  • Somewhere Else

Great spot in Stanley Park where you can grab a great coffee and maybe a cake. Park is very clean. Aquarium is close too and the park is huge. Great to walk, get some air and chill.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

  • Rashmikant Bhavsar

Very few totem poles - just in one place! They’re beautiful to look at, but you cannot go close by. Not worth specifically visiting them. Rest of the park is nice to walk around.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

  • Denis Parker

Fascinating totem poles in Stanley park. Some information about them but could have some with more. Little cafe gift shop and toilets nearby. Can't touch them in fenced of area.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

  • Anthony Lamont

Great place to see a variety of totems and get the story of each part. the Gift shop is one of better gift shops around Vancouver to take some indigenous Canadian gifts back home. Good variety of style and price catering from kids to grandparents.

  • Benjamin White

Being able to see the Totem Poles was the highlight of my Vancouver trip. I was able to learn a lot more about the traditions of the First Peoples and the meanings behind each totem. Wonderful atmosphere, well located within Stanley Park,

  • Tanya Gelli

We were just wandering around in Stanley park and came to this point unexpectedly. But totally enjoyed the bohemian kind of poles, took a lot of pics!
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

  • Johnny L.

Totem poles - great attraction and description Great quaint place to hang /read, with a gift shop serving coffee next door. (Bathroom too)
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

  • Deborah Gray

Nice display and interesting explanation of meanings of symbols and identification of animals depicted. Restroom here! Pay for parking!
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

  • Charlie A

A free display of reproduction totem poles that help explain first nation history and beliefs. The gift shop also sells coffee and snacks that can be consumed on nearby picnic tables shaded by mature trees. More

  • Sarang Rakhecha

One of the most famous attractions if Stanley park. Make sure you read the road signs and go, they aren't easily visible on the seawall where most of the people are. A tiny detour takes you to totem poles. More

  • Artur Czerwiński

Great place to visit in Vancouver. Impressive totems and splendid views of the city. Don't miss this attraction!
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

  • Alex Weigel

Historic site in Stanley Park worth a visit to learn about the totems. Nice walk to get there
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

  • Roger Z

Cool place to visit. Extremely busy on this Saturday morning. Many tour buses. We walk the 2 miles from our hotel. Beautiful walk around the harbor. More

  • sunny ng

If you really look into the efforts of the craftsmen of totem poles, they did tell you a story individually. Read them carefully and you will be amazed!

  • Charles Eck

Part of a great park in Vancouver! Many choose to take walks here.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

  • Ken Cooke

Beautiful November day to see the poles in Stanley Park.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

  • TJ Harmony

Beautiful display of gorgeous craftsmanship and heritage. We drove and paid just under $5 for 1hr of parking in the lot very close to the

  • Eric M

Cool spot to stop and see various totem poles in Stanley Park. They have placards with information about them. Washrooms are nearby!

  • Marcelo Kemeny

Beautiful , so nice, unique place, views awesome. Nice shop, good coffee.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait

  • Alex James

Cool sport to see and learn more about totem poles with good informational signs. Parking is paid if you're driving. More

  • Lisa Wright

This was a cool exhibit, and very well done. Worth the walk from where the bus dropped us off.
Visite…
More

  • David Miranda Vargas

Free place to visit, it is the second place most photographed in Canada after the Niagara Falls
Visit…
More

  • Chittaranjan Gauba

One of the must-see sights of Stanley Park and Vancouver. Best visited and viewed in good weather.
Vi…
More

  • Brian Waskiewicz

Had a wonderful day walking around and observing the magnificent artwork
Visited on
Weekday

  • Linda Boulton

I visited here on a guided bus tour of Vancouver. It is a very neat place, although not historic.

  • Richie Calloway

An amazing day of native American totem poles. Well worth a visit.
Visited on
Weekday

  • Aayan Iqbal

Truly amazing structures. MUST visit In Stanley Park
Visited on
Weekend…
More

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