Need to plan a trip to Vancouver and Victoria and need information on best month for fewer people and decent weather. We want to visit Butchart Gardens hoping flowers will be in bloom. Thinking end of May into week one June, summer will be better, but busy. Will we be disappointed in flowers? Any help appreciated. Also, any recommendations on things to do. Plus, what would be easiest way to go onto Seattle without a car?? Train? Fly?

Hi momburd

So much to do in Van & Vic, hard to know where to begin. Experiences I have loved: Biking in Stanley Park and along the seawall, Lynn Valley suspension bridge, Capilano Suspension Bridge & cable car up Grouse Mountain (not inexpensive!), Granville Island, Queen Elizabeth Park & Bloedel conservatory, boat to Bowen Island with hiking, sushi (VAN). Beacon Hill Park & Dallas Road, strolling by the Parliament buildings in Victoria harbour, West Bay Path (VIC). I’ve never been to Butchart Gardens that week (later in June yes) but I’d be shocked if you don’t have some gorgeous blooms last week of May/first week of June. I’ve been in Victoria even the first week of March and seen gorgeous flowers…Victoria and Vancouver truly have a less harsh winter than elsewhere in Canada. I’ve only taken a bus from Vancouver to Seattle (nothing to write home about) but some people do like the train on that route. However, if this sounds appealing, I have enjoyed the Victoria Clipper (a boat) from Victoria to Seattle—beautiful along the Juan de Fuca Strait & Puget Sound.

Best wishes,

Daniel

I thought it was fun to fly in a float plane from Victoria to Seattle. Its not inexpensive but you might be able to find specials. Its been awhile since I did that but I know there was a weekly special. You would depart from Victoria Harbor and land in Lake Union.
So much to see and do in both cities but I am mostly familiar with Victoria. Its a very walkable city and I have walked a lot of it.
Check out website Discover BC for some ideas on what to do. I like walking from Dallas Rd to Beacon Hill Park.

If you're aiming for fewer crowds and beautiful flowers, late May to early June is a great time to visit. Butchart Gardens should absolutely have plenty in bloom. It might not be every section at its full summer peak, but it's still a magical time to go. May and June are both excellent for flowers. In fact, the bloom season here stretches from March through to November thanks to the mild coastal climate. You’ll see everything from cherry blossoms in early spring to dahlias and fall roses well into autumn. So there isn't just one season for flowers. Different seasons bring different flowers.

If you're more focused on hot, dry, reliably sunny weather, July through September is the best window. That’s when the skies are clearest and rain becomes rare. But it can also come with heat waves, drought, parched forests, and on occasion, wildfires and smoke. May, by contrast, is lush, green, and alive with new growth. You might still get some rain, but it's usually light showers or coastal mist rather than anything heavy. That moisture is part of what makes everything so vibrant and fresh.

In Vancouver, the gardens are truly stunning in May because it's when you have late season cherry blossoms, rhododendrons and magnolias in bloom. VanDusen Botanical Garden is a personal favourite, with something blooming in every corner, especially the laburnum in mid-late May. Queen Elizabeth Park offers panoramic views of the city along with beautifully landscaped gardens and the Bloedel Conservatory. UBC Botanical Garden is more natural and forested, with massive magnolia trees and rhododendrons, as well as a great canopy walkway. You can see my photos of these gardens here.

As for crowds, Alaska cruise season begins in May and runs through to early October. That brings a steady flow of visitors, especially around downtown Vancouver, Granville Island, and Victoria’s Inner Harbour.

To get to Seattle without a car, you have a few solid options. From Vancouver, the Amtrak Cascades train is scenic and relaxed, but there's only one departure a day. From Victoria, the Victoria Clipper is a lovely ferry ride across the Strait of Juan de Fuca into downtown Seattle. Or, if you’re up for a splurge, the Kenmore Air floatplane from Victoria’s Inner Harbour to Seattle’s Lake Union is quick, beautiful, and would be unforgettable on a clear day.

Hope that helps with your planning.

We visited at the end of September and enjoyed everything. I believe that every month has its advantages.