Vandusen Botanical Garden

Vancouver's favorite ornamental green space, this 22-hectare idyll is a web of paths weaving through 40 small, specialized gardens: The Rhododendron Walk blazes with color in spring, while the nearby Korean Pavilion is a focal point for a fascinating Asian plant collection. There's also a fun Elizabethan maze, walled by 1000 pyramidal cedars, and an intriguing menagerie of marble sculptures. Free tours are offered daily at 2pm. The gardens are a Christmastime magnet, with thousands of fairy lights illuminating the dormant plant life. Check the website to see what's in bloom seasonally and consider dropping by the bustling June Garden Show (www.vancouvergardenshow.com).