Queen Elizabeth Park, Vancouver, B.C.

Queen Elizabeth is a stunning urban park situated within a 15 minute drive of downtown Vancouver. Located at the top of Little Mountain, the highest point in the city of Vancouver, this beautiful park provides the visitor with a spectacular conservatory to wander in, a variety of gardens to enjoy, and some of the best views of the city. At over one hundred acres this park also has a bowling green, tennis and pickleball courts, a pitch and putt, a disc golf course and a restaurant with spectacular views of the city.

Opened in the early 1960’s, the main sunken garden is situated in a former basalt quarry and can be enjoyed from above and below. Here you will find ponds, bridges, and an incredible selection of flowers and trees.

The gardens can be enjoyed during any season, with spring and summer being the most popular due to the variety of flowers in bloom. There is also a rose garden located in the park providing the visitor with the sweet fragrance that those flowers bring to the air.

As mentioned above Queen Elizabeth Park is also home to the Bloedel Conservatory. This domed greenhouse and aviary houses more than 500 tropical plants and over 100 birds. The dome shape of the conservatory was built in Ottawa and shipped 3000 miles across Canada before being constructed at the top of Queen Elizabeth Park. It was opened to the public in December 1969.

The conservatory houses plants native to different rainforests…

and desert climates.

Take your time meandering around the pathway. Make sure to look up…

and down…

There is a small waterfall cascading over some rocks that is almost hidden amongst the vegetation…

and an absolutely incredible selection of flowers and foliage no matter which way you look.

There are also other pretty features to photograph…

and some very unique and beautiful plants to discover.

And while you’re there make sure and say hi to some of the resident parrots. They will keep you amused with their antics and their chatters.

Both Queen Elizabeth Park and the Bloedel Conservatory make for fantastic outings. There is plenty of pay-parking available throughout the park area. The conservatory is open year-round except for Christmas Day. For more information visit their website here https://vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture/bloedel-conservatory.aspx