City of Vancouver Website Skip Links
Home > Parks, recreation, and culture > Parks and recreation > Parks, gardens, and beaches > VanDusen Botanical Garden > What to see and do
Parks, recreation, and culture
- Parks and recreation
- Holiday hours
- Facilities and schedules
- Recreational activities
- Passes, discounts, and gift cards
- Parks, gardens, and beaches
- Plan and book an event
- Improving parks and recreation
- Report park issues
- Arts and culture
- Things to do
See what our garden has to offer
By City of Vancouver
-
Bring your binoculars and visit the Backyard Bird Garden
By City of Vancouver
-
Let your kids try the new Junior Birder Challenge
By City of Vancouver
-
Spot and photograph local wildlife
By City of Vancouver
-
Enjoy a picnic beside one of our picturesque lakes
By City of Vancouver
-
Find your way through the Elizabethan hedge maze
By City of Vancouver
-
Relax in a serene setting with inspiring architecture
By City of Vancouver
-
Discover over 7,500 plant species and varieties from around the world
By City of Vancouver
-
Experience the 55-acre oasis in the heart of Vancouver
By City of Vancouver
-
Look for sculptures
By City of Vancouver
VanDusen houses a significant sculpture collection, featuring artists such as Bill Reid, David Marshall, and Sebastian. The International Sculpture Symposium, held here in 1975, created 11 original works to begin the permanent collection.
-
Browse the garden-themed gift shop
By City of Vancouver
Enjoy a variety of experiences at VanDusen Garden.
The Visitor Centre, Administration Building, Floral Hall, Shaughnessy Restaurant, and many paved garden paths are fully accessible to wheelchairs, scooters, and walkers.
Pets are not permitted in the garden, except for clearly identified service dogs.
What to see and do
Visitor Centre: the gateway to the Garden
Our visitor centre is free to the public and contains a casual dining cafe and gift shop. The centre has educational exhibits, a library, a classroom, and rental space.
Featuring advanced technology, a green roof, and beautiful orchid-inspired design, the building is targeting LEED Platinum status.
Get a visitor guide and map at the Visitor Centre admissions desk or download the map 
(2 MB).
Dining
Truffles Café
Situated inside the Visitor Centre, Truffles Café offers a stunning view of the surrounding domestic and exotic flora. The inside space accommodates 58 people and the patio 40.
Aligning perfectly with VanDusen’s “Living Building” philosophy, our café offers Fair Trade coffees, handcrafted hot and cold beverages, locally-inspired epicurean entrees, and flavourful lunches and snacks.
Find more information on catering and events 
Shaughnessy Restaurant
Shaughnessy Restaurant provides a retreat like no other – casual elegance, soothing ambiance, and picturesque garden vistas.
Meet friends for lunch, enjoy brunch with family, spend an evening overlooking the gardens accompanied by a brilliant dinner, or just have a casual tea midday.
Learn more about Shaughnessy Restaurant
Take a guided tour
Guided tours are the best way to see and appreciate all that the garden offers.
- April 6 to the end of October: Daily starting at 2pm (Wednesdays starting at 10:30am)
- Thanksgiving to March 31: Sundays at 2pm
Tours are weather permitting.
Group walking tours
Group tours are available for groups of 10 or more from Monday to Saturday and they must be booked at least two weeks in advance.
To reserve your group tour, phone 604-257-8162 (no messages, please) or visit the Information Desk between 10am to 4pm. There is a nonrefundable $10 reservation fee.
Self-guided tours
Inquire at the Information Desk about seasonal self-guided tour pamphlets.
These highlight plants or plant families that are at their peak in any given month.
Cart tours for people with mobility issues
Cart tours are available from April 13 to Thanksgiving, every day at 1pm, 2pm, and 3pm (weather permitting).
Advance booking is only available for weekday tours and strongly recommended.
To reserve your cart tour, phone 604-257-8162 (no messages, please) or visit the Information Desk between 10am to 4pm. There is a nonrefundable $10 reservation fee.
Cart tours are not available during special events.
See what our visitors are posting at the garden
New Visitor Centre
Green roof install time lapse
Help preserve our parks
Connect with us
Activities and classes
The Vancouver Botanical Gardens Association (VBGA) offers courses and classes for adults and children at VanDusen Garden including, art, photography, gardening, botany and ecology. Summer camps and a nature school programs are offered for children.
Visit the VanDusen Garden website for more information on courses and activities.
