VanDusen Botanical Garden

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Discover a 55-acre oasis in the heart of Vancouver, showcasing a world of plants and stunning landscapes year-round.

VanDusen Botanical Garden with North shore mountains in background cc licensed photo by Stan Shebs

Once a golf course slated for development, the VanDusen Botanical Garden was saved in the 1970s through the passionate efforts of citizens and the Vancouver Park Board, with significant funding from philanthropist W.J. VanDusen. Opened in 1975, this spectacular 55-acre garden has gained an international reputation for its beautiful setting and diverse collection of over 7,500 plant varieties from around the world. It's a true Vancouver gem.

Why Visit VanDusen Botanical Garden?

A World of Plants: Explore curated collections representing ecosystems from around the globe, from the Himalayas to the Mediterranean.
A Peaceful Escape: Wander through serene landscapes with tranquil ponds, impressive rock work, and beautiful lawns, all with views of the North Shore mountains.
Year-Round Beauty: The garden is designed to be stunning in every season, from the spring bloom of rhododendrons to the autumn colours and the festive lights of winter.
Award-Winning Architecture: The visitor centre itself is a marvel, with an orchid-inspired design and leading-edge environmental standards.

What to See & Do

Get Lost in the Elizabethan Maze: One of only a handful in North America, this hedge maze is a fun challenge for all ages.
Explore Themed Gardens: Don't miss the Korean Pavilion, the fragrant Rose Garden, the tranquil Japanese Maples, and the Stone Garden.
Walk the Trails: Meander along the numerous paths that wind through different botanical zones and past beautiful water features.
Seasonal Events: The garden is famous for its seasonal events, especially the magical Festival of Lights during the holiday season and the Glow in the Garden event for Halloween.

Food & Drink Options

Shaughnessy Restaurant: Located in the garden, this restaurant offers elegant dining with panoramic views of the park. Perfect for a special lunch or dinner.
The Garden Café: For a more casual option, the café in the visitor centre offers coffee, pastries, and light meals.

Pro Tips & Local Insights

Buy Tickets Online: Purchase your tickets in advance online to save time, especially during peak season or for special events.
Check What's in Bloom: The garden's website has a "Bloom Calendar" so you can see what to expect during your visit.
Allow Plenty of Time: The garden is large. Plan for at least two to three hours to explore it comfortably.

Nearby Attractions (Transit-Friendly)

Queen Elizabeth Park: Another of Vancouver's premier parks, offering stunning city views and the Bloedel Conservatory, is just a short bus ride away.
Oakridge Park: A major shopping and urban hub (under redevelopment) is located one stop south on the Canada Line from the #17 bus route.

See the complete line of Vancouver Experiences on Viator

Facts For Your Visit

Fee: Yes

VanDusen Botanical Garden Hours:
Opening hours may differ on holidays

Monday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Sunday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Address: 5251 Oak St, Vancouver, BC V6M 4H1, Canada

Phone: (604) 257-8463

Official Website: VanDusen Botanical Garden

VanDusen Botanical Garden Reviews

Rated 4.7 out of 5 Star Rating

5 Star Rating 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 - a week ago

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5 Star Rating 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 - a month ago

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5 Star Rating Very beautiful gardens, very clean, nice paths and the fragrance from the flowers are so lovely. Free parking. The Maze was cool and the restaurant is very nice. Reasonable admission fee. I’d a great time.
Lilia Flores - a week ago

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5 Star Rating The garden was beautiful and definitely worth the $15 per adult. We had so much fun and spent a good amount of time exploring. I just wish they highlighted some of the must-see spots better on the map, like the waterfall, pond, maze, and rose garden. Overall, a lovely place to visit!
Sally K - a month ago

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5 Star Rating Amazingly beautiful garden. Thousands of plants specious, ponds, flowers, statues, maze and etc can fill your time for hours in the best. The Hedge Maze is small but wonderfully entertaining! Trails designed to walking you through all the landscapes and sections. Benches give you chances to sit and enjoy surroundings. This place is for everyone who's enjoying nature in any ages in the heart of Vancouver with free parking and a reasonable price.
Mehrdad Arastoo - 3 weeks ago

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Directions

Skytrain and Bus Line	Nearest Station	Walking Time
Canada or Expo Line -> #17	Vancouver City Centre or Granville Station	1 Minute

How to get to VanDusen Botanical Garden by Skytrain and Bus

From Granville or Vancouver City Centre Station in downtown Vancouver, catch the #17 Oak bus northbound on Granville Street. Get off on Oak Street at West 37th Avenue, right beside the garden's main entrance.