Vancouver’s VanDusen Garden is a 22-hectare urban oasis that is home to over 7500 plant species sourced from all over the world.
The vivid colours and sweet aromas are guaranteed to instill a sense of peace and tranquillity in visitors of all ages, making it the perfect foil to the hustle and bustle of downtown Vancouver.
To aid you in your journey, I’ve devised this quick guide to answer any questions you may have about your visit.
- Vandusen Botanical Garden
- Best Things to See
- Prices
- How to Buy Tickets
- Hours
- Blooming Schedule
- How to Get There
- Map
- VanDusen Garden Restaurants
- Visitor Tips
- FAQs
Visiting VanDusen Botanical Garden
VanDusen Garden is a stunning set of botanical gardens nestled in 22 hectares (55 acres) of space on Vancouver’s Westside.
The site has numerous amenities featured onsite, including a beautiful orchid-shaped visitor centre and gift shop, a coffee shop, and two restaurants, the casual Truffles Kitchen and the more upscale Shaughnessy Restaurant.
The garden itself houses a Korean Pavilion, a Stone Garden, the Scottish Shelter, and even an Elizabethan Maze, which is perfect if you’re visiting Vancouver with kids.
With more than 7500 plant species and over a dozen ponds and lakes interspersed throughout the garden, the area provides a diverse array of habitats for numerous species of local wildlife.
Visitors can anticipate sharing this beautiful space with turtles, fish, and frogs, in addition to a wide variety of birds, including herons, geese, and ducks, to name but a few.
However, it’s undoubtedly the incredible diversity of plant life that makes the VanDusen Garden one of the best things to do in Vancouver.
Looking for something even better? Check out our guide on planning a Day Trip to Butchart Gardens from Vancouver.
Best Things to See at VanDusen Botanical Garden
The Elizabethan Maze
Undoubtedly the highlight for children, the Elizabethan Maze is a 6ft tall hedge maze comprised of over 3000 Pyramidal Cedars.
It is a perfect spot for the kids to burn off some steam as they frolic through this life-sized labyrinth in pursuit of the center. There is also an observation area for pictures, parents, and less adventurous souls!
Remember to check out the peculiar Monkey Puzzle Tree that flanks the maze while your children meander amongst its pathways.
Curious yet? Read VanDusen Botanical Garden reviews from recent ticket buyers.
The Stone Garden
The Stone Garden is loosely themed on the Zen Gardens found throughout Asia.
These gardens employ a unique stylized landscape of rocks that represent islands in a “dry lake.” The site is a skillful use of what was formerly the home of the long-abandoned Point Grey Reservoir.
The Dr. Sun Yat Sen Classical Chinese Garden in Chinatown is another great option if you enjoy this style.
The Korean Pavilion
A gift from the South Korean people during Expo ‘86, this hexagonal structure is designed in conformity with the ancient principle of Dancheong.
Typical to many Korean temples, this unique style involves the use of intricate designs alongside pictures of spirits, monks, and dragons.
This eye-dropping pavilion sits adjacent to a variety of plants native to the Korean Peninsula, including Evergreen Azaleas, Hibiscuses, and The Rose of Sharon, the South Korean national plant.
VanDusen Garden Prices
The cost of entry to the garden varies according to season, and here’s the list:
High Season (Apr 1-Sep 30)
- Adults: $12.50
- Senior (65+)/Youths (13-18): $8.77
- Children (5-12): $6.25
Low Season (Oct 1-Mar 31)
- Adults: $10.53
- Seniors (65+)/Youth(13-18): $6.30
- Children (5-12): $4.52
*Children under 4 are free.
**Special pricing may occur during certain events, such as the Sakura Days and the Festival of Lights.
Where to Buy VanDusen Gardens Tickets
During peak times and special events, VanDusen Garden can get quite busy. So you might end up waiting in line before you get in.
To remedy this problem, we are happy to be able to offer you skip-the-line tickets via our friends at Viator:
VanDusen Gardens & Bloedel Conservatory Combo
Looking to combine your visit with the chance to see some exotic and vibrant foreign flora and fauna?
The Bloedel Conservatory is a little piece of the tropics right here in Vancouver. It includes three tropical climate zones that are home to 120 free-flying birds and 500 species of tropical plants.
Better yet, it is located 5 minutes away at Queen Elizabeth Park. To make things easy, our partners at Tiqets have provided this great combo package that includes admission to both attractions for one low price. To learn more, click the button below:
VanDusen Garden Hours
The VanDusen Garden is open 7 days a week, 364 days a year (except for Christmas). The hours, which vary according to season, are posted below.
- Winter (Nov- Feb): 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
- Low Season (Mar/Oct): 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Shoulder Season (Apr/Sep): 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
- May: 9:00 am – 7:00 pm
- Summer (Jun-Aug): 9:00 am – 8:00 pm
*There may be different hours for special events.
**We recommend budgeting at least two hours in order to enjoy all that the Garden has to offer.
VanDusen Gardens Blooming Schedule
Visiting Vandusen Garden in Spring
It goes without saying that spring in Vancouver is a time of rebirth, and this is likely more apparent at VanDusen Garden than at any other location in the city.
The site awakens from its winter slumber with over 1,000 different species of Rhododendrons bursting to life. The colours are simply extraordinary.
April also welcomes the ever-popular Sakura Days Festival, which celebrates the onset of Cherry Blossom season on the West Coast.
Additional fees apply; check out the VanDusen Garden Sakura Days page for more information.
Related: Visiting Vancouver in March: Festivals & Things to Do
Visiting Vandusen Gardens in Summer
Visitors lucky enough to visit Vancouver in the summer will experience the most spectacular colours and fragrant smells of any season.
Roses of all shapes and colours sit alongside Fuschias, Lilies, and a seemingly endless array of Perennials, all in full bloom.
You won’t be disappointed!
Related: Visiting Vancouver in August
Visiting Vandusen Gardens in the Fall
The onset of Autumn in Vancouver ushers in jaw-dropping displays of reds, yellows and oranges as the deciduous trees prepare to shed their leaves for Winter.
However, visitors need not worry. There are still plenty of flowers in bloom, with autumn crops, hydrangeas, and daisies still providing plenty of colour.
Related: Vancouver in October
Visiting Vandusen Gardens in Winter
Generally, Vancouver in winter tends to provide visitors with much more muted tones and fragrances.
However, Vancouver’s mild Winters are quite hospitable to many winter-blooming flowers. Examples include Viburnums, Jasmines, and Witch Hazel, to name but a few.
Moreover, the VanDusen Festival of Lights is one of the best things to do in Vancouver during Christmas, with over 100,000 visitors per annum.
This spectacular holiday event involves the display of more than one million Christmas lights throughout the Garden. With this in mind, Winter is actually one of the best times to visit the Botanical Gardens. Who would’ve thought?
If you’d like to visit, make sure to check out the VanDusen Festival of Lights page for more information.
How to Get to VanDusen Garden
VanDusen Garden is located south of downtown in the Oakridge neighbourhood. It can be found on Oak Street, which is a main thoroughfare—making it easy to reach with or without a car.
- Driving: VanDusen is located about 15 minutes from downtown. If you have wheels, click Google Maps to receive detailed directions. There is free parking available on-site in the VanDusen Garden parking lot.
- By Transit: The garden is a bit of a hike from the nearest Skytrain station. The best way to get there from downtown is the #17 Oak bus, which leaves downtown via Cambie Street. The bus can also be boarded from Bay #3 outside Broadway Station of the Canada Line.
- By Rideshare or Taxi: About 15 minutes from the City Centre. The ride should cost $15-20.
VanDusen Garden Map
The Botanical Garden is loosely organized into several different sectors that contain flowers and themes from various countries from all over the world.
For a quick overview of the layout, click on our link to the VanDusen Garden map.
The Western side of the Garden is dominated by the Sino-Himalayan and Japanese collections, which are located adjacent to the Korean Pavilion.
In contrast, the Eastern side, located near the entrance, contains a variety of stunning collections from the Southern Hemisphere. Examples include the Chilean, Australian, and New Zealand collections.
The two sides are divided by the Great Lawn, which was formerly part of the old Shaughnessy Golf Course. This is a perfect spot to relax, catch some sun, and maybe have a picnic.
The remainder of the Garden contains numerous plants native to the Pacific Northwest, in addition to European exhibits such as the Scottish Pavilion and Mediterranean collection.
VanDusen Garden Restaurants
Looking for a casual bite to eat after your visit? Or maybe something a little more refined?
It won’t quite make our list of Vancouver’s best restaurants, but you should be covered either way, with two restaurants located onsite.
- Truffles Cafe: Truffles Cafe offers stunning views of the surrounding botanical garden from its 58-person capacity room. In the Summer, there is also room for 40 more outside on their lovely patio. The cafe offers casual, locally-inspired entrees, artisan sandwiches, snacks, and house-made soups and salads.
- Shaughnessy Restaurant: Is it something a little more refined you’re after? The Shaughnessy Restaurant aims to provide a casual elegance and soothing ambiance alongside its stunning garden vistas. You’ll find a refined West Coast-inspired menu that is heavy on fresh local ingredients.
Hours
- Lunch (Monday- Saturday) – 11:30 am – 3:00 pm
- Happy Hour (7 days a week) – 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
- Dinner (7 days a week) – 5:00 pm till late
- Brunch (Saturday/Sunday) -11:00 am – 3:00 pm
To check out the menu or book a table, visit the Shaughnessy webpage.
Related: Best Food to Eat in Vancouver
Vandusen Gardens Visitor Tips
Before we bring this guide to a close, here are a few key tips to remember before you head to VanDusen Garden.
- 1) Take a self-guided tour: The Garden is spread over a surprisingly large space. With that in mind, we recommend taking advantage of the maps provided in the free leaflets handed out in the Visitor Centre.
- 2) Wear comfortable shoes: You’re likely to spend upwards of two hours walking around the grounds, so we highly recommend opting for comfortable footwear on your visit.
- 3) Buy your tickets online: If you plan on visiting during peak hours, we’d recommend purchasing our skip-the-line tickets from our friends at Viator.
- 4) Keep your eyes open for special events: Sakura Days and the Festival of Lights are likely the most popular events, typically drawing upwards of 100,000 visitors annually. The Easter Egg Hunt, Halloween Glow, and the Plant Sale are three other examples of events that will make any visit extra special. Just remember, extra fees may apply.
Visit Van Dusen’s event page to see what is scheduled during your visit.
How to Visit VanDusen Gardens FAQ
Where is VanDusen Garden?
VanDusen Garden is located at 5151 Oak Street in Vancouver’s Oakridge neighbourhood, about a 15 minute drive from downtown.
What time is VanDusen Garden open?
VanDusen Garden is open 7 days a week with hours that vary according to season.
Shoulder season hours (Apr/Sep) are from 9 am-6 pm, May hours are from 9 am-7 pm, and Summer hours are from 9 am-8 pm.
During the low season(Mar/Oct), the facility is open from 10 am-5 pm, while Winter hours are from 10 am-3 pm.
How much is VanDusen Garden admission?
Admission at VanDusen Garden also varies according to season.
During low season (Oct 1-Mar 31) admission costs $8 for adults, $5.50 for youths (13-18) and seniors (65+) and $4.25 for children (4-12).
During peak season (Apr 1-Sep 30), the rates are $11.25 for adults, $8.45 for youths (13-18) and seniors (65+) and $5.50 for children (4-12).
Children under 4 are always free.
How big is VanDusen Garden?
VanDusen Garden is 22 hectares or 54 acres in size and features over 7500 different plant species.
Thinking About Visiting Vandusen Gardens?
I hope I’ve managed to plant a few ideas in your head concerning your visit to this stunning urban botanical garden.
And remember, if you have any more questions, I’m always available on our Vancouver Planner Facebook page or in the comment section below.
Don’t be afraid to plant one on me 🙂
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