Visiting VanDusen Botanical Garden during COVID-19

We recognize the positive impact outdoor spaces have on the physical and mental well-being of our community members. A series of new operational measures have been implemented to ensure visitors can enjoy the garden safely.

COVID-19 update: VanDusen

Masks

Masks are mandatory indoors at all times, with the exception of those under the age of 12.

Proof of vaccination (ages 12 and older)

Proof of vaccination is required for entry to Truffles Café, Shaughnessy Restaurant, the Yosef Wosk Library, indoor rental events of 50 or more participants, and some in-person programming. Proof of vaccination is not required to enter the Garden or gift shop.

Check program and event listings before you visit.

Come prepared with your official proof of vaccination and government-issued photo ID.

Tickets are available online for designated entry times. Members are no longer required to book a reservation for VanDusen in advance.

If you're feeling sick, particularly if you're experiencing flu-like symptoms, please stay home.

Booking tickets

Tickets can be purchased online for designated entry times in advance. Capacity is limited.

Book now

We are not accepting the Tourism Challenge Privilege Pass, discounts, or coupons for garden entry.

A service fee of $1 will be added to each ticket for non-members. This fee allows us to offer ticketing from an online platform to ensure that we can manage capacity and provide our visitors with the safest, touch-free experience.

Passes and 3rd party ticketing

We are accepting Destination Experience Passes, the Park Board complimentary or gift pass (green or blue), and VanPass tickets at this time. Simply present your ticket at the VanDusen admission desk upon arrival.

To redeem your valid, not-expired, VBGA complimentary (Bring a Friend) guest pass, present the pass at the VanDusen admission desk.

We are not accepting the VBGA School Program Family Pass, the Tourism Challenge Privilege Pass, or coupons for admission at this time.

Planning a visit

General admission visitors are encouraged to reserve their entry time in advance. VBGA members are no longer required to book their Garden visit in advance, but will be required to scan their membership card at the entry point.

Entry times are available every 30 minutes. Visitors are welcome to arrive anytime within their designated one-hour entry time. Once visitors arrive on site, we recommend a 90-minute visit.

View our location and current hours of operation

If you require an attendant

You do not need to purchase a ticket for them. You may purchase your own ticket online in advance, and let our staff members know your attendant is accompanying you when you present your ticket for scanning.

Leisure Access Pass (LAP) holders

To visit VanDusen Botanical Garden under the Leisure Access Program (LAP) rate, present your valid LAP card at the VanDusen Admission desk and the cashier will process your ticket at the discounted rate.

Changes to entry times

Garden closure: you'll be contacted by MyZone and we will allow you to exchange your ticket for another date or time.
Rescheduling day or time: contact MyZone directly at vandusensupport@myzone.com. A service fee may apply.

Vancouver Botanical Garden Association members

Starting July 15, 2021, members are no longer required to book a designated entry time in advance.

Member cards are required at point of entry. Contactless membership scanning is enforced.

VGBA complimentary (Bring a Friend) guest passes

To redeem your valid, not-expired, complimentary (Bring a Friend) guest pass, present the pass at the VanDusen admission desk.

Complimentary (Bring a Friend) guest passes were not distributed after March 16, 2020. Only physical passes in current circulation with a valid not-expired date will be honoured at the VanDusen admission desk.

Questions?

Email membership@vandusen.org if you have any questions.

Visiting the garden

Visitors must arrive within their designated one-hour entry time. The entry time listed on your ticket is not a time slot.

The recommended visit time is up to 90 minutes.

We encourage you to present your ticket on a mobile device, but you can print it out too.

Affected activities and events

Parking lot: open for visitors
Outdoor and indoor rentals are available. Visit our outdoor rentals page or indoor rentals page for details. Email vandusenrentals@vancouver.ca for more details.
- Proof of vaccination is required for all indoor rental events of 50 people or more, with the exception of those under the age of 12.
Group photography is permitted during garden hours. Purchase a photo package at the admission desk. Group photography includes photo shoots for weddings, engagements, family groups, and graduations.
For more information on our current photography and film options, visit our commercial filming and photography page.
Maze: open (one person or household at a time)
The gift shop is now open Friday to Sunday, and on holidays, from 10am to 5pm. Capacity is limited for the safety of all patrons, so you may experience a wait time to enter the shop. Guests will be asked to hand sanitize before entering the gift shop and masks are mandatory. The gift shop is closed Monday to Thursday.
Truffles Cafe: open with new hours
Visitor Centre: open for washroom use and entering and exiting the garden

Physical distancing from others

Masks are mandatory indoors at all times, with the exception of those under the age of 12.
Markers are placed on the ground to show 2-metre spacing at each queue.
Stanchions are set up to ensure safe entry and exit of visitors through the Visitor Centre.
There are no wheelchairs available for borrow.
All regular garden rules still apply (including no pets, bikes, drones or other equipment). Review our code of conduct.

Cleaning and washrooms

The Visitor Centre washrooms, portable toilets, high-touch points, and ticketing huts are cleaned thoroughly throughout the day
The Education Centre washrooms are closed, but there are two portable washrooms within the garden with hand sanitizer and mobile handwashing stations available.

We are not recruiting volunteers at this time. Only a limited number of Park Board and VBGA staff are working on site.

Ticket disclaimer

Tickets are non-refundable, non-transferable (and so cannot be re-sold), and will not be replaced if expired, destroyed, lost or stolen.

The original ticket purchaser is solely responsible to ensure that this ticket is not duplicated or transferred in any way. Tickets obtained from sources other than our website may be lost, stolen, or counterfeit, and if so, are void.

If in our sole discretion, we determine that a person is re-selling any ticket(s), we reserve the right to revoke and cancel the order and the related ticket(s) and will not permit any future purchases by that person or any affiliated person. We also reserve the right, without compensation or refund of any amount paid, to revoke tickets, refuse admission, or dismiss, any person whose conduct management deems disorderly or fails to comply with policies or rules and regulations of the venue.

Code of conduct
General garden rules
- We recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes and weather appropriate clothing. Shirts and shoes are required.
- Walk and explore the garden along designated pathways and lawn areas only.
- To protect our botanical collections, please do not pick or remove any plant materials such as flowers, seeds or foliage. All plant material must be left in the garden.
- Dispose of waste in the garbage and recycling bins provided.
- Baby strollers, wagons and wheelchairs are welcome. Please leave rollerblades, skate boards, and tricycles at home and lock up bicycles outside the Visitor Centre.
- Working guide and service dogs are welcome. Leave pets at home.
- Do not feed or handle wildlife.
- Supervise children at all times. The minimum age to visit the garden without an adult or guardian is 13 years old (youth).
- One adult, senior, or youth can supervise and accompany up to a maximum of five children 0 – 4 years of age. For example, at least two adults, seniors, or youth must accompany a group of six to ten children in the 0 – 4 age category. This ratio is not applicable for daycares and school groups that have booked through our education department.
- Bring a picnic and a blanket to enjoy in the garden. Lawn chairs and coolers are permitted on the Great Lawn only. Portable grills are not permitted.
- Keep personal items with you at all times. The garden is not responsible for lost or stolen belongings. If you find something in the garden that does not belong to you, return it to a staff member or volunteer.
Prohibited at any time
- Use of drones
- Balls, frisbees, hula hoops, hockey sticks and other sports equipment.
- Swimming in the lakes, ponds and waterfall.
- Amplified music.
- Outside alcohol. Alcoholic beverages are available for purchase at on-site licensed establishments. Smoking of any kind, including vaping.
- Tripods in garden beds or pathways. They may only be used in grassy areas.
COVID-19 protocol
- Masks are mandatory in all indoor public spaces for those 12 and older, even if you are vaccinated.
- Stay home when sick
- Wash your hands
- Respect one-way paths in the garden

Connect with us

Ticketing questions

MyZone
vandusensupport@myzone.com

If you require urgent assistance, or have questions that do not relate to online ticketing, reach out to us through our social media channels.