Getaways & Day Trips Guide › Day trips: Nature Spots

Royal Botanical Gardens

680 Plains Rd. W. • View on map »
Burlington
905-527-1158

On the border between Burlington and Hamilton, Royal Botanical Gardens (est. 1941) is a fine example of an instructional garden. A portion of the 2,700-acre garden is set on the Niagara Escarpment, and includes ravines, meadows, wetlands and 30 kilometres of nature trails. Specialty areas include an arboretum showcasing 120 different types of hedges and more than 600 cultivars of lilac. Spring is the best time to check out the rock garden, when its 100,000 tulips are in full bloom. The institution runs up to 250 programs, from art classes to environmental education. The pièce de résistance? The 3,000-bush rose garden, a dream of sight and scent from June to October.

When:: outdoor gardens, M–Su and holidays 10 a.m. to dusk (seasonal); nature centre, M–Su 10 a.m. to dusk year-round; indoor Mediterranean garden, M–Su 10–5.
How Much:: adults $6, seniors and youth 13 to 18 $4, children $2, under five free, families $20.
Tours:: group tours by appt.
Parking:: free parking and authentic double-decker shuttle bus between garden areas.

Location

680 Plains Rd. W. ,
Burlington
905-527-1158

Large map

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