For my birthday in October of 2021, we spent a week in the Buffalo area and were thrilled to visit Niagara Falls. They are amazing and I was very happy to be able to finally see them in person. While in the area we were lucky enough to be able to head into Canada and see them from the Canadian side. Both sides are beautiful and so glad we decided to take our trip internationally and went to Canada. Since we were already in Canada, we decided to spend part of the day checking out waterfalls, Lake Ontario, and such in the city of Hamilton which. It is a little city about an hour away but sadly we weren’t able to do that because you had to have reservations (thanks to the sadist Chinese “leader”, NOT) but ended up visiting the beautiful Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington/Hamilton area. It was a very wonderful alternative and perfect day weather-wise to be strolling through their gardens.
Royal Botanical Gardens Centre
Hendrie Park
David Braley & Nancy Gordon Rock Garden
Arboretum
Laking Garden
Spring:
Magnolia – Arboretum
Japanese Cherry – Arboretum and Rock Garden
Crabapple – Arboretum
Lilac – Arboretum
Late Spring/Early Summer:
Iris – Laking Garden,
Peony – Laking Garden
Summer:
Rose – Hendrie Park
Lily – Hendrie Park
Fall:
Brilliant Fall Colours – Gardens and Natural Lands
Winter:
Mediterranean Garden – Royal Botanical Garden Centre
The Breezeway – Royal Botanical Garden Centre
Royal Botanical Gardens Centre Visitor Information
Address:
680 Plains Rd W, Burlington, ON L7T 4H4, Canada
Phone:
1-905-527-1158
1-800-694-4769
Hours:
Hours vary due to time of year, each specific garden, special events, etc. The best advice is to check out their website with updated hours.
Price:
Visitor | General Admission |
---|---|
Adult | $19.50 |
Youth/Student* | $16.50 |
Senior** | $16.50 |
Children aged 4 to 12 | $11.50 |
Children under age 4 | FREE |
Family (2 adults and up to 2 children under age 18) | $44 |
- All rates include HST.
- Student ticket requires showing a student card indicating full-time attendance in a recognized post-secondary institution.
- RBG considers a senior to be a person of 65+ years of age.
Directions:
Car:
From Toronto and East
Queen Elizabeth Way to Highway 403 West (Hamilton). Exit at Waterdown Road. Travel 800 metres south along Waterdown Road to Plains Road West. Turn right onto Plains Road West and travel 2km. Turn left into the RBG Centre parking lot.
From Kitchener-Waterloo and West including Detroit (U.S.A.)
Highway 401 East to Highway 6 South. Follow Highway 6 South for about 25 km. Exit onto York Road, make a left and then a right on the new Plains Road and drive south crossing over the 403. Turn left at the lights to continue on Plains Road West for about 1 km, passing the glass building. Turn right into the RBG parking lot.
From the Niagara Region and Buffalo (U.S.A.)
Queen Elizabeth Way to Highway 403 West (Hamilton). Exit at Waterdown Road. Travel 800 metres south along Waterdown Road to Plains Road West. Turn right onto Plains Road West and travel 2km. Turn left into the RBG parking lot.
Bus:
Burlington Transit Plains 1 buses stop directly in front of RBG Centre / Hendrie Park (note that the Plains 101 Express no longer makes stops along Plains Road).
Burlington Transit and HSR buses connect seamlessly via free transfer in downtown Hamilton, and all local buses are equipped with bike racks. Please note that public transit does not stop in front of Rock Garden, the Arboretum or Laking Garden at this time.
Train:
RBG Centre is located ~9 km from the Burlington Train Station, accessible by GO Transit and VIA Rail. The Burlington Transit Route 1 Plains to Hamilton bus is available to transport you from the Burlington station to RBG Centre.
Please note, there are no buses that run from Aldershot GO to RBG at this time. It is possible to walk 1.2 km from the Aldershot station to Plains Road to catch the Route 1 bus from there. Please see the Burlington Transit Trip Planner for details. Travelers arriving at Aldershot GO may also consider taking a cab or rideshare to the Gardens (4 km distance).
Parking:
Free parking is available at each Garden Area in the lots with paid admission. Please note that driving or taking transit is recommended to travel between garden areas during your visit. Please place the parking pass on the dashboard of your vehicle for the duration of your visit. Neglecting to do so may result in a parking ticket.
So beautiful. We visited Niagra Falls in October, as well, but we were driving through and only stopped for a few minutes then grabbed a meal and left. It was breathtaking!
beautiful post! botanical gardens are so interesting. We recently visited the Lewis Ginter botanical Gardens in Richmond. VA