Two hours of paths, lawns and gardens in the middle of Vancouver — and, tucked away inside, a small apiary of two beehives we didn’t expect to find.
We visited on August 10, 2026, our first full day in Vancouver. The garden was the day’s first stop — a calm start while it was still cool. The whole day’s route is in our trip Vancouver in one day.
What It Is and Where to Find It
VanDusen Botanical Garden is a botanical garden within the city of Vancouver, at 5151 Oak Street. It’s a large stretch of gardens, lawns and paths where it’s a pleasure simply to wander without a plan.
Tickets: Cheaper Online
Tickets are sold at the desk and online, and an adult ticket is a dollar cheaper online. We bought online and paid $31.21 including tax for two.
April to October prices (before GST):
| Category | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult (19–64) | $15.81 |
| Senior (65+) | $12.65 |
| Youth (13–18) | $11.05 |
| Child (5–12) | $7.90 |
| 4 and under | free |
Winter and early-spring tickets are cheaper. Groups of 10 or more get 10% off. Regular tickets aren’t valid for special events.
Tickets: VanDusen Botanical Garden, Hours & Admission.
Opening Hours
- June – September 7: 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.
- September 8 – October 31: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- May: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- November – February: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Last entry is 30 minutes before closing. In summer the garden stays open late, so it works as an evening stop too if your morning is taken.
What Stayed With Us
It’s a wonderful place for a walk — spacious, well kept, with plenty of room to wander.
What stuck with us most was a small apiary of two beehives right inside the garden. You don’t expect that in a botanical garden in the middle of a city, and it’s details like this that make a place feel alive.
How Much Time to Allow
About two hours was enough for us, and we didn’t rush. If you like taking photos or want to sit out on a lawn, allow more.
Good to Know
- Pets aren’t allowed — only service dogs. Nika was resting back at the Airbnb that day, so it wasn’t an issue for us, but if you’re travelling with a dog, plan ahead.
- Picnics are welcome, blanket and all. Lawn chairs and coolers are allowed on the Great Lawn only, and grills aren’t permitted.
- There’s a café on site, Truffles Garden Cafe.
- Nearby, on Cambie Street, is the Bloedel Conservatory, a tropical conservatory with a separate ticket.
Quick Reference
| What | Details |
|---|---|
| Where | 5151 Oak Street, Vancouver |
| Tickets | Adult $15.81 before GST, April–October; $1 cheaper online |
| What we paid | $31.21 with tax for two, online |
| Summer hours | June – September 7, 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. |
| Time needed | About two hours |
| Dogs | Not allowed, except service dogs |
| Food | Truffles Garden Cafe; picnics allowed |
| Highlight | The two-hive apiary |
Last checked: September 2026. We visited VanDusen Botanical Garden on August 10, 2026, for about two hours. The price we paid, the time on site, the walk and the apiary are firsthand. We did not visit the café or the Bloedel Conservatory.
Sources checked: VanDusen Botanical Garden’s official hours, admission and visitor rules page. Prices and hours change — confirm before you travel.
