11 Best Parks in Vancouver | Condé Nast Traveler

"Built in 1975 on a former golf course, VanDusen Botanical Garden is spread over 55 acres in Vancouver’s exclusive Shaughnessy neighborhood, about a ten-minute drive from the city’s downtown core. The sheer variety of plant life on display is incredible, and as you meander the garden’s paths you’ll encounter over 7,500 plants and trees from seven separate geographic regions. But it’s more than just another “plant museum,” so to speak: from the meditation garden and Elizabethan maze to the bubbling streams that cascade from the park’s waterfall, this is one of the more stunning and serene spots in Vancouver. Guided tours are available (month and weather permitting), and if you'd rather simply enjoy a meal in a peaceful setting, there's a casual dining café with an outside patio, as well as Shaughnessy Restaurant, which offers upscale dining in a second-to-none setting. (If you visit in December, don’t miss the month-long Festival of Lights, a park-wide holiday lights display that’s a favorite with locals and visitors alike.)" - Guy Saddy