VanDusen Botanical Garden

A visit to VanDusen Botanical Garden requires a bit of planning for the best experience. The gardens change dramatically with each season, so visitors should consider what kind of landscape they hope to enjoy—cherry blossoms in spring, lush greens in summer, or vibrant reds and golds in autumn. Arriving early in the day can mean quieter paths and softer light. Transit options, parking, and gentle slopes make the space accessible for nearly everyone, though weekends and holidays may attract crowds. General admission tickets can be purchased at the gate, but online booking ensures no disappointment at the door.

• Best time to visit: Spring for flowers; autumn for foliage; early mornings for tranquility.
• How to get there: Easily reached by car with ample parking; direct public transit via the #17 Oak Street bus from downtown Vancouver; bike racks also available onsite.
• Accessibility: Flat paved paths for wheelchairs, strollers; benches spaced throughout; accessible restrooms and wide gates.
• Average visit duration: Plan for 2–3 hours, though plant lovers may linger longer.

VanDusen Botanical Garden bursts into life with themed plantings, rare botanical specimens, and charming nooks. Every path leads to a new world—from the shaded tranquility of the Asian Garden to the playful Children’s Garden filled with sensory delights. The Elizabethan hedge maze draws laughter and shouts from every age. Ornate arbors, lily-dotted ponds, and buzzing pollinator meadows offer endless inspiration for a camera. Every corner holds horticultural stories, rooted in decades of community passion and global plant history.

• Key sights: Elizabethan hedge maze, peaceful Stone Garden, dramatic Echium Towers in early summer, and the elegant Korean Pavilion.
• Unique experiences: Seasonal guided tours led by local volunteers, wildlife spotting in the ponds, interactive exhibits in the Visitor Centre.
• Photo-worthy locations: The floating boardwalk in the Livingstone Lake, beds of blooming magnolias, winding bridge over the ornamental creek.
• Cultural or historical facts: The land was once a golf course before being transformed by community activism in the 1970s; over 7,500 plant species are curated here representing six continents.