VanDusen Botanical Garden

VanDusen Botanical Garden is a 55-acre garden at 5251 Oak St in the Shaughnessy neighbourhood of Vancouver, British Columbia. Its paths wind past lakes and lawns and through themed collections, including the Sino-Himalayan Garden, a Canadian Heritage Garden, a Mediterranean Garden and a large rhododendron display. The Elizabethan Maze, a hedge labyrinth of pyramid cedars, is a favourite with families, and the Rose Garden and the Korean Pavilion offer quieter settings. Seasonal highlights shape the visit: magnolias and rhododendrons bloom in April and May, the maples colour in October, and in December the garden hosts the separately ticketed Festival of Lights. A first visit normally takes between 1.5 and 3 hours, and a loop of the main paths is easy for most walkers. Good photo spots include the Lakeside views near the visitor centre, the Sino-Himalayan Garden with its stone-rimmed ponds and the sweeping lawns beneath mature trees. Crowds are modest most of the year and are heaviest on spring weekends and during the winter festival, when timed entry may apply. Weekday mornings are the most peaceful. Admission is roughly CAD $12 to $16 for adults depending on the season, with lower child rates. The garden is reachable by bus 17 on Oak Street or the 33 along 41st Avenue, and the Canada Line to Oakridge-41st plus a 20-minute walk. Picnicking is typically limited to designated areas, and the garden has a cafe and gift shop near the entrance. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes, as the grounds are large and some paths are gravel.