Bloedel Conservatory

Housed at the highest point of picturesque Queen Elizabeth Park, Bloedel Conservatory (vandusengarden.org; adult/child $10/5) is a delightful destination on a rainy day. Here you'll find tropical trees and plants bristling with hundreds of free-flying, bright-plumaged birds. Listen for the noisy resident parrots, but also keep your eyes peeled for rainbow-hued Gouldian finches, shimmering African starlings and maybe even a Lady Amherst pheasant with dramatic plumage sneaking through the undergrowth. Ask nicely, and the attendants might even let you feed the smaller birds from a bowl. If the kids get antsy, ask for a free scavenger hunt sheet so they can track what they spot. The walkways are accessible for strollers, so this is a good place to bring the family.