VanDusen Botanical Garden is a 55-acre oasis in the heart of Vancouver with over 7,500 plant species and varieties from around the world! Spot and photograph local wildlife, find your way through an Elizabethan hedge maze, unwind in a serene setting, or dine on the patios of Truffles Cafe or Shaughnessy Restaurant. Pick up a bloom guide and follow the map to find the best blooms at the time of your visit. VanDusen has something for everyone to enjoy!

The garden’s multi-award winning LEED Platinum Visitor Centre was named Most Sustainable Building of the Year in 2014. Shaped like an orchid when viewed from above, its organic lines echo the way nature and conservation have been considered at every turn.

Visitors are welcome to purchase their tickets online at vandusengarden.ca or at the admission desk upon arrival.  Check VanDusen Garden’s website for seasonal hours of operation.

For guests looking to dine during their visit, both Shaughnessy Restaurant and the Garden Café are located on site with stunning views of the Garden. Shaughnessy Restaurant’s menu is seasonal, innovative and features elevated comfort classics created by Chef Matthew Phillip. Some menu items even include produce from VanDusen Botanical Garden’s Vegetable Garden – look for the VanDusen logo on their menu to try one of these garden-to-table feature dishes. For those looking for something more casual, the Garden Café is located in the visitor centre offering grab-and-go food such as sandwiches, soups, salads, a variety of beverages and more. Visitors can also enjoy high tea on the Garden Café patio, or pick up a picnic basket to take into the Garden.

If you’re looking for a place to stay, check out the Westin Bayshore Vancouver, which is located next to Vancouver’s Seawall, with easy access to Stanley Park, a 1,000-acre haven recognized as one of the greatest urban parks in the world. Stanley Park Pavilion, nestled next to the rose garden, is a relaxed restaurant with an excellent patio under the trees. Lift is a sleek eatery offering upscale Pacific Northwest fare plus views of Stanley Park.

The Fairmont Waterfront Hotel is another accommodation option, with its own herb garden and bee sanctuary. The bees here and at the Vancouver Convention Centre (their six-acre living roof may also be worth checking out) pollinate the downtown core.

Granville Island Hotel is a boutique hotel with lovely views overlooking False Creek. Visit Eklectic Finds Home & Garden, grab a delicious meal at Granville Island Market or on the Bridges patio, and catch an Aquabus or False Creek Ferry up and down False creek to see the many urban parks nestled along the shore. Hop off at Vanier Park to take in the sunset over English Bay.