Vancouver Parks and Gardens
The City of Vancouver’s Botanical Attractions
The city of Vancouver with its beautiful coastlines and majestic mountains also boasts some picturesque parks with great views of the city landscape and botanical gems.
Stanley Park
This is Vancouver’s biggest and most well-known park. Located just west of the downtown core, Stanley Park with its many attractions is frequented by tourists and locals alike. Not to be missed is the seawall that circles the park. Whether you travel by bike, foot, rollerblade, car, or horse carriage, the sea wall offers great views of BC’s tall Hemlock and Douglas Fir trees and the Burrard Inlet. Make sure to stop at Brockton Point to see authentic First Nations totem poles built in the 1920s. The Vancouver Aquarium, Vancouver Rowing Club and Children’s Zoo are also located in the park.
Address: Enter Stanley Park on Georgia Street heading towards North Vancouver
Queen Elizabeth Park
This picturesque park is frequented by many couples taking wedding pictures. It is an ideal romantic location as there is a cascading waterfall behind a bridge plus many colourful impressively-planted flowerbeds. The park also offers a great viewing area of the Northshore mountains and the city of Vancouver. The Seasons in the Park restaurant and Bloedel Conservatory with a display of exotic plants and tropical flowers is also located in the park.
Address: 33rd Avenue at Cambie Street, Vancouver BC (604) 257-8570
David Lam Park
This city centre park is nestled between rows of condominiums in Vancouver’s trendy Yaletown district. Located next to the False Creek waterfront, the park is part of a long promenade that follows False Creek from Science World to the Burrard Street Bridge. The park has a large area used for ultimate or soccer games and outdoor concerts and festivals. Named after former BC Lieutenant Governor David Lam, the park also features a children’s play area and tennis courts.
Address: 200 Pacific Boulevard, Vancouver BC
Dr. Sun Yet-Sun Garden
Located in Chinatown, this Chinese garden was created based on the principle of harmony and ying and yang. The garden blends the four elements of rock, water, plants, and architecture in balance so one element does not over power the others. The most striking element of the garden are the limestone rocks. These water-worn and weathered rocks imported from Lake Tai in China exhibit rough beauty with their many crevices and textures. A large koi pond sits in the garden amidst the rocks and pagoda roof resting areas.
Address: 578 Carrall Street, Vancouver BC (604) 662-3207
VanDusen Botanical Gardens
VanDusen Botanical Gardens holds over 255,000 plant types from around the world. The garden displays plants native to the Pacific Northwest region but also features plants from as far away as South Africa and the Himalayas. This fifty-five acre garden has specified walkways for you to tour the magnificent flower beds and outstanding landscapes. The garden also holds botanical and horticulture education classes for adults and children. Walking tours are available through the various sections of the park including the Rose Garden, Rhododendon Walk, and the Mediterranean garden.
Address: 5251 Oak Street, Vancouver BC (604) 878-9274
