You'll find trees, shrubs, flowers, succulents and more from across Canada, the Mediterranean, South Africa and the Himalayas at VanDusen Botanical Garden (vandusengarden.org; adult/child $10/5), many of them identified with little plaques near their roots. Opened in 1975, this 22-hectare (55-acre) green-thumbed wonderland is home to more than 250,000 plants representing some of the world's most distinct growing regions.
It's not just humans that are hooked by this sparkling nature spot; this is also a wildlife haven. Look out for turtles, herons and a variety of ducks in and around the main lake. A stroll through the Elizabethan Maze is also a must. Grown from more than 3000 pyramidal cedars, VanDusen's giggle-triggering garden labyrinth is the perfect spot to get lost.
On-site are an excellent gift shop and a popular cafe. If you're here from the start of December onwards, you'll also find one of the city's top Christmastime lures, complete with thousands of twinkling fairy lights and shimmering installations strung on and around the wintering plants.
