bbobo

We have one full day in Vancouver and are dying to see Buchart gardens. The tours give us only 1 1/2 to 2 hours at most in the gardens and we want to have most of the day to wander, sit, photograph, and enjoy some food before going back to our downtown hotel in Vancouver. (sailing the next day-that's why Vancouver!) We can get a tour bus to pick us up, take the ferry, and drop us at Shwartz Bay but wonder about advisability of relying on public bus to get us from there to and from the gardens? Would we be better off renting a car when we fly into Vancouver and driving? I know we'd need ferry reservations. Thanks for all ideas!

laverendrye

If you only have one day in Vancouver, I'd forget Butchart Gardens. It's a lot of travel for one day.

Instead, I'd take in one or two of Vancouver's magnificent gardens--VanDusen Botanical Gardens, the Sun Yat-Sen classical Chinese Garden, the Nitobe Japanese Garden at UBC, and the UBC Botanical Garden.

Butchart Gardens are certainly worth seeing and if you think you'll never be back to BC, then go. I would be inclined to rent a car (making sure, as you mentioned, to reserve on the ferry). If you take an early ferry and return late, you'll have lots of time for the Butchart Gardens.

However, as a garden lover, I'd be more than happy to wander in some of the fine Vancouver gardens for the day.

bbobo

Will definitely consider your suggestions! Thanks.

Carmanah

Butchart are certainly the most famous gardens, but if you only have one day in Vancouver, you can definitely get a lot more out of visiting Vancouver's VanDusen Botanical Gardens in addition to a trip to Queen Elizabeth Park. Both are nearby each other and can easily be visited in one day. They're quite spectacular, really, and because they're not as famous, they're often overlooked by visitors, but honestly? With one day? There are so many gardens to see within Vancouver that are equally as beautiful, just lesser known.

Somebody who was in a similar situation recently posted some photos of of their trip to VanDusen. They too were debating whether to spend the $$$ to see Butchart or the $8 or so to see VanDusen:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/klanders2009

With exception to parking fees, Queen Elizabeth Park is a free city park, and like Butchart, was a former rock quarry turned flower garden. Well worth a visit after or before Butchart:

http://vancouver.ca/parks/parks/queenelizabeth/
http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=queen+elizabeth+park

Carmanah

Here's the official website for VanDusen Botanical Garden:

http://vancouver.ca/PARKS/parks/vandusen/website/

Carmanah

Oops. I should have previewed my post. I should have written

"With exception to parking fees, Queen Elizabeth Park is a free city park, and like Butchart, was a former rock quarry turned flower garden. Well worth a visit after or before ***VanDusen***

LoveItaly

Hello bbobo, although it has been some time now I have always found Queen Elizabeth Park to be as enchanting as Buchart Garden. I live in Northern California and my late husband and I use to go to BC about every other year. We consequently had the time to explore Vancouver as well as Vancouver Island. In that you have just the one day if it was my trip I would not attempt to visit Buchart Garden this visit. I would enjoy Vancouver and I honestly think that you would so enjoy the Queen Elizabeth Park. I cannot remember if I have ever been to the Van Dusen Botanical Garden or not, probably not since it doesn't seem familar. But oh how I love Stanley Park which if you have time would make for some delightful hours also. Best regards.

bbobo

Thanks everyone--will reconsider! Carmanah, your photos are great! we especially love birds, so are enchanted with the pics taken in the conservatory at Queen Elizabeth Park. We'll probably decide which way to use our time based on energy level after a long, late arriving flight from the east coast. I really appreciate the lovely options you've given us!! many thanks, everyone.