Parks & gardens
Flourishing oasis to wander and pause
Tranquility within urban vibrancy. Reconnect with nature in serene escapes and let blossoms and blooms make your day.
The world of botanical gardens
Wander through parks, gardens and green spaces where natural and urban landscapes intertwine in Vancouver’s urban vibrancy. Temperate climate and soft, plentiful rains encourage exuberant growth, promising an unforgettable experience any time of the year. These parks and gardens showcase diverse botanical collections from around the world, blending international influences. Serene Japanese gardens and vibrant European-inspired floral displays each tell a unique story. Visitors are invited to explore and learn about the world of plants and communities that shape Vancouver’s green spaces.
Bloedel Floral Conservatory & Queen Elizabeth Park
Vancouver's Little Mountain, the city's highest point, is home to the peaceful Queen Elizabeth Park. Take a leisurely stroll through carefully designed flower beds and old cherry trees as you take in the city skyline. In the heart of the park you can find the Bloedel Conservatory, a stunning glass dome housing exotic flowers and tropical birds.
VanDusen Botanical Gardens
VanDusen Botanical Garden is truly a lush oasis where every path leads to vibrant flowers, trees and plants amidst picturesque landscapes. The park offers an array of educational programs and workshops to highlight the beauty and importance of plant conservation. Every year seasonal events draw visitors and locals alike to gather for celebrations, such as the Festival of Lights when spectacular light displays decorate the entirety of the park.
UBC Botanical Garden and Greenheart TreeWalk
The oldest and one of the finest botanical gardens in Canada, the UBC Botanical Garden combines many gardens in one, each with a different theme and character. Spread over 44-hectares (109-acres), the gardens take you on journey through the botanical world. The Garden is home to the Greenheart TreeWalk, a 310-metre (1,107-foot) path suspended from huge Douglas firs, Red cedars and Grand firs, many of which are over 100 years old. Walking between the platforms, visitors get a bird’s eye view of Vancouver’s coastal temperate rainforest.
Nitobe Memorial Garden
The Nitobe Memorial Garden is named after Dr. Inazo Nitobe, a Japanese educator, scholar and international diplomat whose personal goal was "to become a bridge across the Pacific" bringing Japanese culture to the West and western culture to Japan through his writing, lectures, and political work. This garden is one of the most authentic Japanese gardens outside of Japan featuring several types of cherry trees making them the ideal place to visit during cherry blossom season.
Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden
The Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden is a true retreat in the heart of Vancouver's bustling Chinatown. Built in the tradition of a garden home of a Chinese Ming Dynasty scholar, this treasure of tranquility is very rare. Built in 1986, the garden is the first full-scale classical Chinese garden built outside of China. All components of the garden were carefully selected from nature or hand-built by skilled artisans in China.