A photo tour of a recent visit to the Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington, Ontario.
The Royal Botanical Gardens (the “RBG”), located in Burlington, Ontario, is both the largest botanical garden in Canada and a National Historic Site. The RBG is described as a living, interactive museum with 1,100 hectares (2,700 acres) of gardens and nature sanctuaries and features numerous events, entertainment and public programs that appeal to gardeners, nature lovers and families.
There is far more to do at the RBG than anyone could possibly fit into a single visit (or two or three) so it’s a good idea to plan activities ahead of time. On the day of our visit, it had been raining sporadically all day and the skies were threatening once again so we opted for a quick self-guided walk through Hendrie Park which is accessed via the RBG Centre.
Hendrie Park
As visitors exit the RBG Centre, they are treated to a lovely view down through the gardens and of the two reflecting pools in Hendrie Park. The park has a number of unique gardens to visit including the Centennial Rose Garden, the Morrison Woodland Garden, the Helen M. Kippax Garden, Veggie Village, the Scented Garden and more.
Centennial Rose Garden
Our walk began in the Centennial Rose Garden which is at its peak June through October. This garden features a variety of hybrid roses that are suited to local growing conditions.
We wandered the pathways and took a lot of photos of beautiful flowers in the gardens.
The flowers were all so beautiful and because of the on and off showers that day many of them that were in the shade were glistening with raindrops. As soon as Emma noticed this she announced that we had to get a photo of “Raindrops on Roses” and that started our quest to get the perfect picture of a rose dripping with raindrops. This is the one that we liked best.
Morrison Woodland Garden
The Morrison Woodland Garden provides visitors with the opportunity to stroll forest pathways in the middle of the city.
Turner Pavilion Tea House
We wrapped up our visit to the Royal Botanical Gardens with a walk around the pathways near the Turner Pavilion Tea House and, of course, we had to pause for a snack.
At the end of a long day of sightseeing in Hamilton and Burlington, we only had the energy for a brief visit at the Royal Botanical Gardens but we will certainly be back soon to explore a bit more.
What You Need To Know
- The Royal Botanical Gardens are located at 680 Plains Road West in Burlington, Ontario.
- The Gardens are generally open daily 10am – 8pm. Check the RBG calendar for special events.
- Admission pricing is available on the website. Admission is free for children under the age of 5.
- The property is smoke-free.
- Dogs on leashes are allowed in designated areas.
- The RBG is committed to accessibility. Wheelchairs are available for use free of charge. Service and companion animals are permitted in all buildings and garden areas. Persons with disabilities are required to pay full price, however, one attendant/caregiver receives complimentary admission.
We were provided with complimentary admission to the Royal Botanical Gardens.
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Mishele
The pictures are beautiful. Do you have to be a Canadian citizen to use the Canadian Heritage Passport?
Lisa Goodmurphy
Hi Mishele,
I don’t believe that there are any restrictions on who can use the Canadian Heritage Passport. The offers can be downloaded from the website.
Nancie
WOW! What a gorgeous garden. I had no idea it even existed. This seems to be a good reason to visit Burlington!
Sophie
I love wandering about in botanical gardens. They are so peaceful and pretty, and smell lovely.
Muza-chan
Beautiful garden “_
jenny@atasteoftravel
The gardens look lovely. I can’t believe how big they are. Emma’s ‘Raindrops on Roses’ quest paid off…it’s a beautiful photo!
Michele {Malaysian Meanders}
Your search for the perfect Raindrops on Roses flower turned up a great one! I also like that Woodland Garden. It seems so peaceful.
Marisol
Hi Lisa, I love botanical gardens. This one looks so enormous and magnificent! I like the variety of landscapes. Your “Raindrops of Roses” shot is beautiful. Good idea, Emma!
Jennie @ Got My Reservations
A beautiful garden shown off in your beautiful photos… makes me want to get my camera and head out to the Chicago Botanic Garden!
Marcia
This is a beautiful garden, Lisa. I love the serenity of the reflecting pool and the colors of the flowers. That raindrops on roses pic is beautiful.
Love the idea of a Canadian Heritage Passport. Wish I were headed to the Hamilton area to take advantage of it.
noel
That looks like a fun tour of the gardens, and I’m sure tea time is a nice way to also enjoy the afternoon there
I’m inviting you to join us for Travel Photo Mondays it runs a whole week starting on Mondays, come link up with us 🙂
Lisa Goodmurphy
Thanks, Muza-chan!!
Lisa Goodmurphy
It is beautiful and we only visited just a small part of it. There’s an entire nature sanctuary that is incredible as well.
budget jan
I can almost smell the roses with raindrops – well spotted Emma. I like the pond and grasses photo of Helen M. Kippax Garden.
Lisa Goodmurphy
I love gardens too, Sophie – I should really make time to visit more often!
Lisa Goodmurphy
Thanks, Jenny – there was no way that I was going to leave the gardens without a photo that was to her satisfaction!
Lisa Goodmurphy
Thanks, Marisol, we only scratched the surface – we need to go back to explore more of the gardens!
Lisa Goodmurphy
Gardens are the perfect place for a photography tour, aren’t they? It’s impossible not to get a pretty picture!
Lisa Goodmurphy
The Passport is a really great idea – the savings are quite good and there’s a long list of diverse attractions to choose from!
Lisa Goodmurphy
Thanks, Noel – I didn’t realize that I could post past Monday – I never seem to be organized enough at the beginning of the week.
Lisa Goodmurphy
The roses were lovely, Jan, and the raindrops made them even better! The pond and the grasses and wildflowers were a favourite of mine as well.
Lisa wood
oh gosh the raindrops on the roses is the best! You sure have some great pics there of the Botanical Gardens – I could imagine spending hours walking through and admiring everything, wanting to stay forever.
Roses with raindrops is my favorite photo, thanks for sharing the Royal Botanical Gardens
Mary {The World Is A Book}
What a beautiful and diverse garden. I can spend days here especially on a nice spring or summer day. I love botanical gardens and this one is wonderful. Love the Raindrops on roses and that last reflection shot. The Canadian Heritage Passport is a great value!
Cathy Sweeney
Beautiful place to spend some quality time with your daughter. I liked your raindrops on roses quest. Once in rose garden at Regents Park in London we got there after a rain. We got lots of pics of roses with raindrops and they are some of my favorite floral shots.
Jackie Smith
Love these botanical gardens. . .sigh, they just make my pitiful efforts in our garden somewhat pale in comparison. A great tour today.