VanDusen Botanical Garden Vancouver
A 55-acre urban oasis in Vancouver, showcasing over 7,500 plant species from around the world with themed gardens and a fun maze.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Peak bloom season
VanDusen Botanical Garden Vancouver
Best Time
Peak bloom season
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A 55-acre urban oasis in Vancouver, showcasing over 7,500 plant species from around the world with themed gardens and a fun maze.
"An amazing garden! An oasis in the middle of a busy, noisy metropolis."
🎯 Beat the Crowds
Visit on a weekday to enjoy a more peaceful experience, especially during peak seasons .
📸 Perfect Photo Ops
The garden offers stunning backdrops year-round, but early June is ideal for vibrant colors .
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Laburnum Walk
Specific section within the garden
Experience a magical tunnel of golden blooms, a photographer's dream in late spring.
The Maze
Central area
Get lost and found in this fun, hedge-lined maze, a hit with kids and adults alike.
Seasonal Displays
Various themed gardens
From spring blossoms to fall colors and winter lights, discover a world of flora.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Timing is Everything for Peak Blooms
Getting There & Parking
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🎯 Beat the Crowds
Visit on a weekday to enjoy a more peaceful experience, especially during peak seasons.
📸 Perfect Photo Ops
The garden offers stunning backdrops year-round, but early June is ideal for vibrant colors.
🚗 Free Parking Available
Enjoy the convenience of free parking, a pleasant surprise for visitors.
✨ Festival of Lights
Don't miss the enchanting winter light display during the holiday season.
Tips
from all over the internet
🎯 Beat the Crowds
Visit on a weekday to enjoy a more peaceful experience, especially during peak seasons.
📸 Perfect Photo Ops
The garden offers stunning backdrops year-round, but early June is ideal for vibrant colors.
🚗 Free Parking Available
Enjoy the convenience of free parking, a pleasant surprise for visitors.
✨ Festival of Lights
Don't miss the enchanting winter light display during the holiday season.
🗺️ Kid-Friendly Fun
Kids love the maze and following the garden map to discover new plants.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors consistently praise VanDusen Botanical Garden as a stunning and well-maintained oasis in Vancouver. Highlights include the diverse plant collections, the engaging maze, and the peaceful atmosphere. While beautiful year-round, specific seasons offer unique blooms and events like the winter light show.
"What a great place ! I didn't know what to expect after I've done several gardens in different cities but this was definitely an amazing one. It's bid enough for you to wander for a couple of hours, it has a restaurant, a café and you can even bring your own picnic basket or buy one there so you can enjoy a sunny afternoon with family or friends. The garden is very well maintained with different zones representing different countries and continents, I love that it reminded some of the plants I've seen during my travels. Overall I'd highly recommend paying them a visit!"
Mikael Besse
"This is an amazing garden! Celebrating 50 years this weekend, Van Dusen is an oasis in the middle of a busy, noisy metropolis. Once you're through the gate, the world outside just drops away and you are immersed in beautiful serenity. Flowers and trees of all kinds, bees and hummingbirds busily feeding on nectar.... Just wonderful! An added bonus is that the parking in the lot is actually free, in a world of overpriced parking fees, it was a pleasant surprise. We thoroughly enjoyed our walk through nature and we're actually surprised how much is still flowering so late in the season!"
Kat Sykes
"At VanDusen Botanical Garden, you can explore a stunning variety of plants, trees, and flowers. It’s a wonderful place to feel like a small part of nature and marvel at its breathtaking beauty. Kids will love following the map you can pick up at the entrance from the ticket desk, checking off everything they’ve seen from the list, it’s so much fun for them! The maze feels like something straight out of a Harry Potter movie!"
Liia
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
VanDusen Botanical Garden is easily accessible by public transport. Several bus routes stop nearby, making it a convenient option. If you're driving, there is free parking available on-site.
Yes, the garden is easily reachable by car and offers free parking, which is a significant advantage in Vancouver.
You can reach VanDusen Botanical Garden via various bus routes. Check TransLink's website for the most up-to-date route information for your starting point.
VanDusen Botanical Garden is considered very safe, especially during opening hours. Access requires a ticket, and it's a well-maintained public space.
Yes, you can bring your own picnic basket to enjoy in designated areas, or purchase food from their cafe or restaurant.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Opening hours vary seasonally. It's best to check the official VanDusen Botanical Garden website for the most current hours before your visit.
Admission fees apply, and prices can vary. Check the official website for current ticket prices and any potential discounts. Memberships are also available for frequent visitors.
While not always mandatory, booking tickets in advance, especially for special events like the Festival of Lights, is recommended to guarantee entry and avoid queues.
Yes, VanDusen hosts various events throughout the year, including the popular Festival of Lights during winter and the All British Field Meet in May.
Refund policies can vary. It's advisable to review the terms and conditions at the time of booking or contact the garden directly for specific inquiries.
📸 📸 Photography
The garden is picturesque year-round. For vibrant colors, aim for spring (late April-May for Laburnum) or early June for peak blooms. Fall also offers beautiful foliage.
Generally, personal photography is allowed. However, commercial photography or drone usage may require special permits. Check the garden's guidelines for details.
Popular spots include the Laburnum Walk,
the various themed gardens, and the tranquil ponds. The architecture of the Visitor Centre is also noteworthy.
Tripod usage policies can vary. It's best to check with the garden's visitor services upon arrival or on their website to ensure compliance.
Absolutely! The garden showcases a wide array of plants that change dramatically with the seasons, offering unique photographic opportunities throughout the year.
🎫 🌳 Onsite Experience
Wander through diverse themed gardens, explore the maze, enjoy the seasonal blooms,
and visit the Visitor Centre. Special events like the Festival of Lights are also highlights.
Yes, children often enjoy the maze and following the garden's map to identify plants. The open spaces are great for them to explore.
You can spend anywhere from 1-2 hours for a casual stroll to 3-4 hours if you wish to explore thoroughly and enjoy the cafe or restaurant.
Yes, there are plenty of benches scattered throughout the garden, offering numerous spots to sit, relax, and enjoy the scenery.
The garden features diverse sections like the Korean Garden, Japanese Garden, Mediterranean Garden, and more, representing flora from around the world.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Consider visiting during the Festival of Lights for a magical holiday experience, though it can be crowded.
📸 Photography Enthusiasts
Beyond this, the garden's diverse themed areas provide endless opportunities for capturing unique flora and landscapes throughout the year. The changing seasons offer distinct palettes, from the vibrant greens of summer to the rich hues of autumn and the delicate frost of winter.To get the best shots, aim for weekday mornings when the light is often soft and the crowds are minimal.
🚶♀️ Solo Travelers & Peace Seekers
To maximize the serenity, plan your visit for a weekday morning.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Seasonal Splendor: Blooms and Beyond
which creates a stunning golden tunnel, the garden's beauty extends far beyond this single attraction. Early June is often highlighted as a peak time for a wide array of colorful blooms, making it ideal for photographers and nature lovers alike.Beyond the flowers, the garden's design itself is a major draw. It's meticulously maintained with diverse sections representing different continents and climates.
For those planning a visit, understanding the seasonal nuances can greatly enhance the experience. If you're chasing specific blooms like the Laburnum, timing is crucial, with late April to May being the window.
Navigating VanDusen: Practical Tips for Visitors
Once inside, the garden is designed for exploration. Visitors can pick up a map at the ticket desk, which is particularly helpful for families with children who enjoy the interactive aspect of checking off different plants and features.
When planning your visit, consider the crowd levels. While the garden is large enough to absorb many visitors, weekends and special events can get busy.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit