Tour 9 of Canada’s Most Spectacular Public Gardens

The Ontario city of Niagara Falls may be best known for its majestic waterfalls of the same name, but once you’ve seen it, visiting the botanical gardens is a must. Pack a picnic, take a stroll and be prepared to be in awe of its perfectly groomed French-inspired landscape.

One of the prettiest gardens in the country has to be the Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington, Ontario – which, at over 2,700 acres, also happens to be the largest. Spend an afternoon exploring the spectacular grounds, from the variety of historical plant collections to 27 kilometres of nature trails.

Spanning more than 185 acres, Quebec’s Montreal Botanical Garden boasts 22,000 plant species along with a variety of greenhouses and themed gardens (from a Peace Garden to an Aquatic Garden). There’s plenty to see and do year-round, but the summer months are when this natural beauty shines brightest.

In the heart of Halifax, Nova Scotia lies a historic public garden that residents cherish. The picturesque green space officially opened in 1867, and is said to be one of the most notable surviving Victorian gardens in North America. The sight is easily spotted thanks to its wrought-iron fence and ornate set of gates.

The town of Annapolis Royal in Nova Scotia may be small, but it happens to have one of the country’s most impressive botanical gems. The gorgeous 17-acre historic garden is also home to the largest rose collection in Eastern Canada, showcasing more than 270 cultivars.

A 27-acre horticultural wonder, this incredible public garden in New Brunswick has been open since 1998, and quickly became one of St. Andrews by-the-Sea’s top tourist attractions. It’s not hard to see why! Nearly every corner of this gorgeous spot calls for an Instagram moment.

Lethbridge, Alberta is home to a little slice of Japan thanks to the Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden. Built in 1967 as a tribute to the area’s Japanese culture, the garden boasts gorgeous rock formations, beautifully groomed trees and shrubs and even hosts concerts and events in the summer months.

When a garden comes with a suspension bridge, you know it’s worth visiting. Such is the case with the UBC Botanical Garden in Vancouver, which features the Greenheart TreeWalk, a canopy walkway that overlooks a meadow. The green space (Canada’s oldest university botanical garden) features a food garden, a woodland garden and plants and flowers from all over the world for visitors to experience.

A breathtaking garden that was transformed from an abandoned quarry into one of Canada’s most well-known green spaces can be found in Victoria, BC. Stroll through the famous Japanese garden by the sea, the elaborate Italian garden, or the most lovely rose garden on Vancouver Island.