If you find yourself in the Vancouver area looking for things to do, there’s no need to look any further than Van Dusen Gardens. Whether you live locally or are just visiting, this award-winning venue will give you plenty of reasons to visit again and again! There are so many unique features that it can be overwhelming to choose where to start. To help you get the most out of your time here, here are some important things to know about Van Dusen Gardens.
1. History
Founded in 1913 when Charles MacMillan donated his estate to the City of Vancouver for use as a public park and garden, today, the Garden is still privately funded but operated as a non-profit organization overseen by an elected Board of Trustees.
Van Dusen Gardens is a botanical garden located on an elevated site near the University of British Columbia. The gardens are open year-round, with a focus on seasonal displays. The Garden’s 65 acres include a two-mile (3 km) jogging path and over 6,000 types of plants and trees worldwide.
2. Why Visit Van The Dusen Gradens?
If you are looking for a botanical wonderland, look no further than Van Dusen Gardens. This world-renowned attraction, located just minutes from downtown Vancouver, is one of North America’s most beautiful and unique gardens. With more than 10,000 plants on display, an abundance of beauty awaits visitors.
There are three main gardens: The Terrace Garden, The Rose Garden, and The Rock Garden. In addition to these lush green spaces, there are 40 acres of magnificent forested trails lined with blooming magnolia trees, cedar forests, ponds, and waterfalls to explore.
If you’re lucky enough to visit during winter, we highly recommend checking out the Snow Garden. Every December, this garden magically transforms into a stunning snowscape with lights, pine trees, and an ice skating rink. Visitors can also enjoy fresh hot chocolate or soup from the cafeteria before returning to the cold. So whether it’s a family outing or romantic rendezvous, Van Dusen Gardens is the perfect place.
3. How To Make The Most of Your Visit to Van Dusen Gardens?
Van Dusen Gardens is a botanical wonderland that you’ll be glad you made time for. Here are our tips to make your visit easy and enjoyable:
- Make sure you bring comfortable walking shoes and some water; it’s a great way to explore this gorgeous garden.
- As with any attraction, it’s best to book ahead if possible; there’s no need to buy tickets at the gate when they’re available online with plenty of advance notice.
- Van Dusen Gardens has three main areas – Floral Display Greenhouses (where tropical plants can be found), Alpine Garden (featuring succulents), and Rock Garden (which includes rock formations). You should plan before making the most of your visit.
4. Unmissable Plants and Flowers in Van Dusen Gardens
VanDusen has an ever-changing garden display, but some highlights include the following:
- The Children’s Garden features a water wheel, tree house, and pirate ship for children to explore and play.
- In the Tropical House, visitors can enter a greenhouse filled with palms, bamboo, and even orchids.
- And the outdoor gardens are home to one of Canada’s largest cactus collections. With over 400 species on display, you’ll want to put this on your list if you’re visiting from out of town!
5. What To Expect At The Van Dusen Gardens
Van Dusen Garden is the perfect place to take a break and forget about your busy life. It’s a botanical paradise full of flowers, trees, and other plants worldwide. If you want to see something really special, be sure to check out the conservatory. The conservatory is home to one of Canada’s largest indoor plant collections. You can find orchids, cacti, bromeliads, and many more plants here. There are also plenty of benches to sit on while enjoying the beautiful sights.
These gardens have so much beauty that it would be impossible for anyone to write about it all. So I hope I have convinced you by now to experience them for yourself! Next time you’re looking for a way to escape the daily grind, head down to Van Dusen Gardens and prepare for a truly breathtaking time. If you love parks and gardening, this is definitely worth the visit.
If you love nature, this is definitely worth the visit. If you love pretty things, this is definitely worth the visit.
Or if nothing else appeals to you – please trust me on this one- go see it yourself because I don’t think anyone could ever regret visiting this garden gem. With its abundance of flowers, green space, and plants, there is something for everyone at Van Dusen Gardens. They’ve got it here, no matter who you are or what you’re looking for. Don’t let anything stop you from making this the next stop on your itinerary!
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6. Location Details
Van Dusen Gardens can be found at 4911 Oak Street in South Burnaby. Van Dusen Gardens was originally a large estate that was turned into a public garden in 1947. The gardens are home to over 7,500 trees, shrubs, and more than 20,000 plants. There are also many different themed gardens like the Japanese Garden, Rose Garden, and Italian Garden. It is one of the most popular attractions in Vancouver, with over 1 million visitors annually.
You can experience it all for yourself by taking one of the guided tours available throughout the year or just walking around and admiring everything at your own pace. Either way, you will be impressed by how much beauty there is to see here no matter what time of year you visit. This past fall, I had the pleasure of visiting Van Dusen Gardens and seeing some of its hidden gems firsthand.
It’s easy to get lost wandering through the beautiful grounds looking at all the plant life. There are plenty of other things going on during this time too, including concerts, workshops, gardening classes, art shows, and more so make sure you plan if you want to fit it all into your day.
7. Accommodation Details
Van Dusen Gardens is a botanical wonderland located just north of downtown Vancouver. The gardens cover an area of over fifty acres and include 16 themed gardens, a rose garden, two conservatories with over 3 million plants, and a children’s garden.
Van Dusen Gardens is open year-round with many attractions for different seasons. In summer, you can see flowers like peonies, dahlias, and lavenders from Canada; in autumn, there are bulbs and mums to enjoy; winter sees the arrival of flowering fruit trees like apple blossoms and cherry blossoms. If you’re looking for romance, visit on Valentine’s Day when roses and red carnations fill the grounds.
Van Dusen also offers annual special events, including festivals, musical performances, and exhibitions. You might want to spend your birthday at Van Dusen gardens if it falls between July 8th and September 30th – your admission fee includes a birthday cake!
If you’re interested in buying any plants or seeds grown at Van Dusen, head to its greenhouses, where more than 12 acres have been developed into plant nurseries since 1913. Visitors will find plenty to do at Van Dusen during all four seasons!
8. Tips Before Visiting The Van Dusen Gardens
If you plan to spend a full day exploring. There’s plenty to see, and you don’t want to miss out on any of it. Here are some tips before visiting this wonderland:
- Dress appropriately: wear comfortable shoes and clothing that you don’t mind getting dirty.
- Be prepared for crowds: the gardens are an attraction for locals and tourists alike, so be aware that there may be long wait times at certain points during your visit. Don’t forget your camera! You’ll want to take lots of pictures with friends, family, and strangers because this garden is absolutely beautiful.
- If you have time left over after touring the gardens, head over to the nearby Bloedel Conservatory or Queen Elizabeth Park just down the street. These other attractions will allow you to appreciate Mother Nature differently without spending all your energy in one place. Enjoy your experience, remember to take photos, enjoy every moment, and make some new memories while visiting Vancouver’s most beloved botanical garden.
9. Conclusion
The crown jewel of Vancouver’s park system, and one of the most popular tourist destinations, Van Dusen Gardens is a 55-acre botanical garden with over 8,000 plants from around the world. It is an oasis for both locals and visitors alike. Not only does it have many flowers that bloom all year round, but it also has some great outdoor areas to escape the busy city life. With its scenic views and flowery aroma, this place is worth visiting at least once during your stay in Vancouver!
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