University of British Columbia Botanical Garden

University of British Columbia Botanical Garden Review

Ten thousand trees, shrubs, and rare plants from around the world thrive on this 70-acre research site on the university campus, which edges on Pacific Spirit Park. The complex feels as far away from the city as you can get, with forested walkways through an Asian garden, a garden of medicinal plants, and an alpine garden with some of the world's rarest plants. A Walk in the Woods is a 20-minute loop that takes you through more than 1,000 species of coastal plant life while a fabulous 17 ½-mile-high, swaying canopy crossing takes you over them, weaving its way between ginormous cedars and gargantuan hemlocks. The walkway is open June to September and adds enough thrill factor to get kids interested in garden fare. The garden gift store is one of the best of its kind. Guided tours can be arranged in advance.