The Butchart Gardens

It's exactly as advertised: a large and beautifully manicured garden with a centerpiece of a stunning sunken garden. It used to be a quarry and was developed over time into the diamond garden or now is. It's a wonderful place to go to see the plants, but also to go for a walk that feels like an escape from the every day. There are great shops to find special gifts and souvenirs. The cherry on top is the incredible cafe/tea house where you can get fantastic hot bevvies and delicious food. They have a phenomenal High Tea. My friend has been to it: she gave it very high praise. It costs half of what a high tea at The Empress costs, and according to my friend, the good is way better. It's a "must-do" again and again in Victoria. In the summer they have an exceptional live music program. They also offer membership, which pays for itself in very few visits. Go!!!

experience and an absolute must-visit when you’re in Victoria. Just a short drive from downtown, the gardens are a breathtaking showcase of color, design, and nature’s beauty. Every section — from the Sunken Garden to the Rose Garden and Japanese Garden — feels like stepping into a new world, each one more stunning than the last. What makes it special is the harmony between the landscaping and the natural surroundings. It doesn’t feel overdone — everything is carefully crafted yet respectful of the environment. You can sense the love and care that has gone into maintaining it for over a century. The walking paths are easy to follow, making it enjoyable for all ages. We especially loved how different viewpoints offer fresh perspectives of the same gardens. Depending on the season, the floral displays change, so it’s a place you could return to again and again. Pro tip: If you visit in the evening during summer, the illuminated gardens and fireworks shows add a whole new layer of magic.

Butchart Gardens is absolutely breathtaking and a must-visit when in Victoria. Every corner feels like stepping into a painting, with colorful blooms, peaceful pathways, and beautifully maintained landscapes. The Japanese Garden and Rose Garden are especially stunning, offering so many perfect photo spots. It’s a place where you can slow down, take in the fresh air, and just enjoy nature at its best. Whether you’re walking with family, friends, or on your own, the gardens leave you feeling refreshed and inspired. Truly unforgettable!

Great place to spend a day. Acres of beautifully landscaped & maintained gardens. Music every night in the summer & weekly fireworks in July & August. Christmas lights all December. Fine dining, afternoon tea, restaurant & coffee shop. Annual pass is great value & gives discounts at food & retail outlets. Locally crafted carousel is a work of art & fun for all to ride.

Butchart Gardens really is one of those jaw-dropping, “wow I’m here” moments. Everywhere you look is like stepping into a postcard — the colors, the scents, the perfectly designed gardens. A few things to savor while you’re there: Sunken Garden 🌿 — the most famous view. Walk down into it and then look back up from the stairs for the best photo. Rose Garden 🌹 — late summer roses are still blooming, and the arches are magical. Japanese Garden 🍂 — calm, shaded, with winding paths that feel serene after the bright floral displays. Italian Garden 🍋 — small but charming, with fountains and flowers tucked into every corner. And don’t rush — part of the magic is just slowing down and wandering, letting the paths surprise you. Even benches there feel like they were placed for perfect daydreaming spots.

10/10 Experience. The best part was the whole thing. It didn’t get boring at all, every new place was a new was to showcase the beautiful flowers and nature they had. The place was extremely clean, and extremely well maintained. The flowers looked super healthy, and the pictures were amazing. The gift shop was also unique and cool. I think this place has spoiled any future garden I go to. That’s the only con. 10/10 would recommend.

I’ve always loved places that truly respect and celebrate nature, and Butchart Gardens is definitely one of those special places. My most recent visit was during winter for Lights of Wonder, and I was so impressed by how beautifully the gardens were decorated with lights. Every section tells its own story, and wandering through it felt magical and meaningful. 🌠✨⛲️🪴 I’m slightly delayed in sharing this review, as Lights of Wonder is a seasonal winter event, but I absolutely recommend it if you’re visiting during that time. The garden completely transforms in summer too as it’s like stepping into a different world! ☀️ The facilities are great as well like washrooms, cafeterias, and a lovely gift shop. There’s also a charming tea house where you can book a high tea experience 🍵 (if I remember right, it’s around $50-$60). Butchart Gardens is a must-visit whether you’re local or a visitor! 😋

Truly Like Heaven on Earth – A Must-See in Victoria! We visited Butchart Gardens on a sunny July day, and it was nothing short of magical. The entire place felt like stepping into a dream—absolutely beautiful in every direction. The gardens are filled with an incredible variety of flowers, all perfectly arranged and bursting with color. Every corner reveals something new and breathtaking. The environment is so peaceful and inspiring—a perfect place for a relaxing walk, taking photos, or simply enjoying the beauty of nature. With the warm sunshine and gentle breeze, it was an ideal day to explore the gardens at a leisurely pace. I’ve visited many botanical gardens across Canada and the U.S., but I can confidently say Butchart Gardens is truly one of the very best. The attention to detail, the thoughtful layout, and the vibrant atmosphere make it stand out in every way. Highly recommend this unforgettable experience to anyone visiting Victoria. Whether you’re a plant lover or just someone looking for beauty and tranquility, this place is pure paradise.

Came here this month for the Christmas lights. It's definitely a great time to visit! Bought tix online which means we were able to get right in and not have to wait. Came here when they first opened as it took us about 2 hours to walk through and it was dark within 30 minutes. Also beat the crowds and closer spot to park. Browsed the gift shop afterwards and got some postcards to send out. Some were $0.25/each. There's a carousel for the kids to ride. Definitely a place to visit whether it's summertime with all the flowers or winter just for the lights.

Always wonderful and amazing no matter what the season. First time visiting during holiday light season. Entrance and parking went smoothly. Walking was pretty congested at the start through the sunken garden but spaced out more after that. 12 days of Christmas theme was nice. I was getting frustrated thinking we had somehow missed the 12 drummers but you see them as you leave parking. Live music is a nice touch as well. Had complimentary clear umbrellas which was nice if needed.

I have been to Butchart Gardens several times in my lifetime. Every time I come here it's more gorgeous than before. I probably been here once every season. During winter, you get the luscious greenery from the pine trees and Maple trees. During spring, you get the beginning of the flowers and roses that are in bloom. During summer, which is one of my favorite times visiting this garden you get all sorts of blooming flowers, fragrant roses, Beautiful, hydrangeas, epic, greenery, and luscious fountains and waterfall. During fall, you get a little bit of the late summer blooming florals as well as freshly greenery. Pretty much a spectacular and beautiful 360° gorgeous views all around. They have the sunken garden which is so amazing and breathtaking. There's just so much to see and take photos of I can be here for hours just enjoying the sunshine and the fresh air produced by these fresh greenery and love being surrounded in Nature. This is one of the most calming gardens I have ever been to in my life and I love coming back and visiting Butchart Gardens. There is one main gift shop located on this property and you can buy souvenirs, calendars, prom, swag for all your friends and family. Staff here at the gift shop is super friendly and quite knowledgeable. There is also a few restaurants on site. We got the pasta and salad which were both delicious for and for a reasonable price. For ADA there are electric carts that you can rent and use for the full day. This 55 acre display garden is located in Brentwood Bay British Columbia and it was created by Jennie Butchart. Still privately owned and well maintained garden. During the summertime they have fireworks every Saturday evening in July and August So it's a nice site to see. Daily admission for adults range from $23.60-42.75 Canadian pricing with the higher pricing during summer time. You can also buy tickets online. For kids it ranges from $11.80-21.38 Canadian pricing. They have an online calendar where you can actually see what rate you will end up paying on specific days. Overall a wonderful and memorable experience. I am still looking forward to my next trip back here soon.

Discover The Butchart Gardens: A World of Floral Wonder! Just a 30-minute drive from downtown Victoria, this 100+ year-old garden is a stunning 55-acre wonderland filled with vibrant blooms, lush landscapes, and rich history. Designated a National Historic Site, it's a perfect spot for a relaxing self-care day, a romantic date, or an adventure with friends and family! Parking 5/5 Ambiance 5/5

Do NOT pre-order/pre-purchase your Gardens tickets! If someone in your party is sick and cannot make it, they will NOT refund you. I wish the employee at the gardens ticket booth had not mislead me into believing I could receive a refund with a simple email to the ticketing department because I would have tried to sell my tickets to another customer in line.

Stunning gardens! More impressive every visit! I have always been in spring or summer and this was the first year seeing the place in the fall. I loved every part of it, and so did my folks! We had lunch at the main restaurant and it was pretty decent along with being fairly priced. Parking was plentiful and did give us a warm up for all the walking we did in the park. Always a joy - can't wait to return again!

Butchart Gardens is truly a gem--beautiful beyond words. From the moment you enter, the stunning landscaping and vibrant blooms transport you to another world. This is one of those places where photos don't do justice to the beauty that surrounds you. The Gardens Every section of the gardens is meticulously maintained and awe-inspiring, from the serene Japanese Garden to the colorful Sunken Garden. The fascinating history of how this once-abandoned quarry was transformed into a world-class garden adds another layer of appreciation to the experience. Afternoon Tea We had afternoon tea in the restaurant, and while it is on the pricier side, it was absolutely worth it. Sipping tea and enjoying delicate treats in such a picturesque setting was an unforgettable experience. The service was excellent, and the tranquil ambiance of the gardens made it feel extra special. Overall Butchart Gardens is a must-visit for anyone who appreciates nature, history, and a touch of elegance. Whether you're exploring the grounds or indulging in a lovely afternoon tea, it's an experience you'll treasure.

The world famous Butchart Gardens did not disappoint. Even though there was no roses in the rose garden in the middle of October, but there is still a lot to see. There are literally like 5 gardens in one: Mediterranean, Japanese, Sunken, etc. We hired a limo driver from the cruise ship dock that's about 1 hour away, but definitely worth visiting. We only had 1.5 hours to explore, but would love to stay longer next time. We didn't get to spend any time for tea, gelato, or at the gift shop. So I will have to return back soon to experience it all.

The gardens are a bit of a ways from the port if you are on a cruise but it's worth it for the vast array of beautiful plants and trees you get to see when walking around here. I came as part of a tour group and for the amount of time it took us to get here I would have liked to spend more time doing a more leisurely stroll instead of trying to see most of the gardens at a quicker pace. As preferred by the original owner of the gardens, none of the plants are labeled but they do have paper guides you can use if you are interested in knowing what species are here. Since we were on such a short time schedule we weren't able to indulge in their afternoon tea service either but if we were to visit again I'd be interested in trying it out.

Not much to say about these #gardens other than wow. Very well organized. Beautiful surroundings and history. Plan for an all day trip.

We enjoyed our visit to Butchart Gardens. There were people directing us to the free parking and it was a short walk to the entrance where there's a cafe, gift shop, washrooms, and a sign that's a great backdrop for photos. The Gardens wasn't too busy so we were able to walk at our pace and stop for photos where we wanted. Traveling with elderly people, I was also happy to see they have accessible paths to bypass stairs and also many benches around the Gardens. There are many beautiful flowers and you can see the staff working and taking pride and care for them. I was disappointed we didn't see any flowers in the rose garden, but maybe next time. We spent over 2 hours here and enjoyed all the beauty!

Went for a day trip to Victoria and finally visited the famous Butchart Gardens! It was pretty similar to VanDusen in Vancouver, but bigger! They had a Japanese garden, Italian garden, mediterranean garden, rose garden, and many more. We went there on a weekday so it wasn't too crowded and luckily pretty sunny! My favourite was their Japanese garden.. it was truly very zen. It is a very family friendly place and definitely a must-see spot in Victoria! A very good spot for a wedding photoshoot or even an Instagram photoshoot! Only thing, I wish they had more information about the flowers and plants so that we knew what we were looking at. They have two restaurants, a few gelato places, and cafes in the garden which is helpful because you definitely get hungry after all that walking!

This garden was recommended to me when visiting Canada in a brochure add and decided to give it a visit . It was of course beautiful all the flowers and clean garden , I of course enjoyed the Japanese garden as it really made me feel like I was in Japan and loved the ambiance . I went in March and of course it was cold still by then , however I still enjoyed walking around , I loved the gift shop it was cute and different for me I loved their souvenirs and their lovely teapots they had for sale and other gardening items . I purchased a cup from them that was very colorful and neat

We've been lucky enough to visit in different seasons and worth it every time. Every part of the gardens is planned so well that there are things to see and smell year round. We were there in October this time watching the beginnings of the intense set up for Christmas start and now want to return for that! It's the only season we're missing. Go, take pictures, smell all the things.

The Butchart Gardens are amazing! It cost $41.50 per adult when we went, with plenty of free parking spots in the lot. The gardens themselves were absolutely beautiful. Everything, from the clean, neat paths and grass lawns to the plethora of flowers and trees, were immaculately maintained. The highlights of my visit were the Rose Garden and Sunken Garden. I was blown away by the bright colors of all the flowers and the patterns in which they were planted. Even though there was a lot of foot traffic, I was still able to enjoy my visit here, taking in all the sights and breathing in the fresh air. They have fireworks on select weekends in the summer, which are listed on the website. The 30 min fireworks show consisted of all kinds of fireworks, lights, and music. Be sure to get there early to grab a free blanket or bring your own to sit on the grass to enjoy the show! I am usually wary about restrooms in parks and gardens but was pleasantly surprised by the one I used here. It was relatively clean and stocked with toilet paper, toilet seat covers, soap, and paper towels.

Beautiful garden. You can stay here as little as 1.5 hours to 3 hours especially if you like to take photos here. This place is pretty big and so much to see. Each section you go, you just want to take pictures of everything since each flower or section are unique in their own way. And everything is so pretty too. They have a restaurant here which require you to do reservations or you can hang out by eating ice cream to take a break. You do have to pay to get into this garden but its worth it to visit this place

Must see garden, especially the sunken garden. The flowers seemed just planted. The rose garden mid June was in full bloom. The Japanese garden felt a bit compact and too full to be a true Japanese garden. The afternoon tea at the dining room is worth it! The price is half of Empress Hotels. Not sure the quantity difference but we were very full after this afternoon tea. You can buy postcard stamps at the visitor center. You can also leave your phone and charge your phone there and pick up later. Also bags apparently.

first time here with family! The garden and flowers aren't really my thing, but I really liked what it had to offer

This is always a MUST go when in Victoria! Flowers were just beautiful, weather was perfect, sunny but cool. Not too busy as we strolled through each section taking in all the flora. Had lunch at the Poppy restaurant and enjoyed the food & drinks. Got meet my first Instagram celebrities (kitties) lewis.clark.explorer.cats!! What a great day! Easy to drive to from Saanich where we were staying (5mins)

Visited April 2024 and it was absolutely stunning with daffodils, hyacinth, tulips and cherry blossoms. It was a cloudy and misty day, but there were no crowds and it was a truly an enjoyable experience; they even provide courtesy umbrellas for free! I recommend visiting in April/May during bulb season and prior to the summer crowds. However, the Blue Poppy Restaurant was not open yet for high-season so we ate at the Coffee Shop and it was a cute eatery but with mediocre food.

Beautiful.... Absolutely beautiful! This spot was an unexpected surprise for this Arkansan/Louisiana family. We booked an excursion from our cruise ship the last day of the cruise. The gardens are beautiful, the cafe scrumptious and the gift shop the perfect spot for Canadian souvenirs. This is a spot we would love to come back to and spend more time, one hour was just not enough!!! We took a quick walk through the rose garden there was an outdoor concert going on you could tell the locals knew what to do as we say lots of lawn chairs headed to the lawn to enjoy the ambiance of the beautiful landscape. I will be reading up in this spot for more history and Lord willing a return trip on day!

Simply amazing flowers trees and plants. We took a ferry from Vancouver and drove to the gardens The ferry is about 216 round trip. You can take a bus or book a tour. Wonder from the gardens starting point and explore. We have seen the gardens at night and in the daytime. Daytime is the best you need to see to believe slow about 2.5 hours to explore more if you want to shop or eat

Butchart Gardens is a feast for the senses and an absolute must-visit for anyone who appreciates natural beauty. From the moment you step through the gates, you're greeted with an explosion of color and fragrance that is nothing short of breathtaking. Each garden within the estate offers its unique charm, from the tranquil Japanese Garden to the vibrant and meticulously designed Sunken Garden. The sheer variety of plants and flowers is astounding, and the careful attention to detail in every aspect of the gardens' design is evident. Everywhere you look, there's a new discovery to be made, whether it's a rare bloom or an artfully placed fountain. The sensory overload is real; the mix of colors, scents, and textures creates an immersive experience that delights at every turn. In addition to the visual splendor, the gentle hum of nature, the rustling leaves, and the occasional bird song add to the overall ambiance, making it a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The staff is knowledgeable and friendly, always ready to share insights or help you capture the perfect photo. Butchart Gardens isn't just a place to visit; it's an experience to savor. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or simply someone who loves to be surrounded by beauty, this garden is sure to leave a lasting impression.

Bucket list destination. Check!! The Sunken Garden at the beautiful Butchart Gardens in Victoria BC Canada was a sight to see. The photos do not do it justice. One must walk through the garden to fully appreciate its grandeur beauty. I'm so glad we were able to visit this past summer on Sept 2, 2023, and was told I should come back and visit during other seasons, especially in the spring. I must say that after living in the desert for 3 years (Las Vegas, Nevada, USA), anything green and colorful makes my heart happy! How did we get here? We planned a day trip from Seattle (Port Angeles) to Victoria via the Black Ball Ferry Line. It made for a long day and reservations are required in advance, so plan ahead. We spent ~3 hours at the gardens. Between the Sunken Garden, Rose Garden, and Japanese Garden, we worked up an appetite and took a snack break at the coffee shop (reviews weren't so great for the Blue Poppy Restaurant). Turkey sandwich, chili dog, and Italian soda were fine. The souvenir shop is wonderful! I picked up an ornament, annual seed mixed for my mom, and a 2024 calendar for friends and family. Keep in mind you'll need to go through customs when returning to the USA.

National Historic Site of Canada [Victoria BC] This was my second time visiting the Butchart Gardens in Victoria BC (the first time now being a distant memory in 1984 on a roadtrip with my family). Came back to visit almost 40 years later in September 2023 with my husband where I came to appreciate the real beauty of the gardens. I love botanical gardens. Flowers are always great subjects for photos. Our visit was on Labor Day. Mother Nature was kind to us because the weather was sunny and beautiful since it rained the day before. We were given a map and off we were on a self guided tour of the beautiful grounds. This used to be a limestone quarry turned into a beautiful arboretum. This place has been around over 100 years and is still run by the same family. Some areas of the gardens have staircases so may not be accessible for wheelchairs. Tickets were $39.50 CAD (US conversion came out to $29.00 which was reasonable. We enjoyed visiting the Sunken Garden and seeing the Ross Fountain. I also liked the Japanese Garden. The crowd was not too bad. We toured every nook and cranny of that garden LoL! We made sure we got our money's worth and get our steps in at the same time. Review #3169

Highlight of my day tour to Victoria. We visited downtown first and came to the gardens around 3. It was pretty quiet on a Friday afternoon and oh my gosh was I blown away by the experience. I can't imagine rushing through this beautiful place when it's crowded with visitors. If you are able to find a quiet moment in the gardens, savor the sweet scents of blooming flowers and the soothing sounds of flowing water.

Came here for Afternoon Tea in late May. Roses are not in bloom and it rained throughout the day but the garden has plenty of umbrellas available for guests to use. Afternoon Tea was delightful. Reserved a table through the Open Table app. Service was great with plenty of tea and wine pairings. I had the Bachelor Button tea (Green and black tea, strawberry and bergamot flavouring and cornflowers). The Buchart Garden gift shop has the tea blends for sale if you really enjoyed them.

Every plant, every shrub, every flower, every petal - detail planned in place growing and nanicured perfectly. I'm talking landscape extreme care! Never seen a garden, so immense so much beauty and awe. Simply beyond stellar. Can you believe the vision of Mrs. Burchart in 1908 conceived the idea of transforming a barren pit into a lush spectacular sunken garden. Blown away, breath-taking beautomus step by step by step. I want to take it slower and slower and experience every flower, every petal - goodness gracious all the colors blended into a dreamy landscape. Hybrid tea roses, marked with the name, country of origin and year smell delicious. May be a little past prime flowering. The Japanese garden is green green featuring lots of runeks, cascading waters and unique water features. Mistly in the shade. The Japanese garden was designed by Isaburo Kishida in 1906. 55 Acres flowerful bliss - do not miss!

Came on a dark and rainy day to kill two birds with one stone- our cousin had come along on our Alaskan cruise and going to Buchart Gardens has been a bucket list item for her and Mom wanted to visit again, so instead of driving all the way over from Olympia, WA, we just had to get off the cruise ship and jump on the shuttle. It was a little hard getting around in the rain, but it was light for most of the trip. The garden provided little umbrellas in the parking lot and all at the entrance so if you didn't have a rain jacket, you could stay somewhat dry. In spite of the weather being the fall and tending towards freezing, the grounds had beautiful flowers out. You could see where a lot of parts of the gardens were dug out and getting ready for a winter's sleep, but there were lot to see. Mom's scooter almost ran out of battery, so we went to the information office and they kindly let us plug in. We waited in the cafe to enjoy a warm hot chocolate and seats by the fire and soon enough, it was time to go. We had just enough time to see everything we wanted; that in spite of having to push around a wheelchair. The grounds are accessible and even dog friendly, so maybe I will return in the summer with the pooches. The souvenir shop was huge and had all the souvenirs we could want since for some, this would be the only chance to get souvenirs in Vitoria before returning to the cruise ship.

This place is gorgeous! My family and I spent the afternoon exploring here. I dragged them to this garden. It lived up to their reputation. Worth exlvery penny. Photogenic flowers everywhere. So much wildlife everywhere. We saw bees, dragonflies, and deer. They have a tea room and dining restaurant. We did not partake in them. Heard the ice cream was really good. The giftshop had such lovely items for everyone. It even has a seating area for those waiting on shoppers.

I almost didn't go here, because the admission is quite high, and because Kew Gardens had been a letdown for me. I was affraid Butchart would be a repeat of that experience, but it wasn't. Butchart is even more expensive than Kew, but it's beautiful! The Italian Garden was my favorite part. It's quite small compared with the famous Sunken Garden, that you see in all the photos, but really lovely! I spent three hours at Butchart, but you could easily stay longer. I didn't go to either of the restaurants, and took only a brief glance at the gift shop.

Take bus 75 from the ferry station and just go! WOW... exceptional- the vibrancy, smells and sound's throughout the entire location are calming & rejuvenating. The Sunken Gardens! Japanese Gardens, Rose Gardens ... I can't pick a favorite. Food at walk up Places is so reasonable & delicious- water refill stations are also throughout. We truly enjoyed about 4 hours here not rushed and saw almost everything

One of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. Around every corner, every bend in the path, up every set of stairs, or down a hidden trail, you will discover beauty so out of this world, and leave inspired to replicate some of the gorgeousness in your own garden. My daughters and I love flowers, trees, butterflies, water, and discovering new plants. Wandering through the gardens was kind of out of this world, in that the beauty everywhere made you feel as if you're in some imaginary place. A scoop of lavender honey blossom gelato at the end of the visit was perfection on a warm summer day. Cannot recommend a visit enough. You will not be disappointed and you'll leave a better person for your experience here surrounded by so much beauty and glory.

This place is okay, just okay. Depends on where you are from will help with the experience here. If you are from a place rich with vegetation and exotic growth, you won't go crazy over this place. If you're from a place with not a lot of nature or a lot of variety within nature, you will appreciate rhis place more. The sunken garden and the japanese garden are the only decent ones, everything else is a skip.

Gorgeous garden! We went on Saturday and got to see the best firework show! Make sure you bring a blanket to sit on a grass.

A must see when in Victoria, British Columbia. We were on a one night trip from Seattle and this was recommended by our tour guide. So my husband and I decided to go and we loved our time here. Everywhere you look is picturesque. I couldn't stop taking pictures even though you can't really capture the beauty in photos. It's something that must be seen and felt. So if you are planning a trip to Victoria add this to your itinerary. You won't regret it , it's totally worth the visit. A cute gift shop and a cafe by the entrance.

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It is easy to see why these gardens are a Victoria must do. They are lush, fresh and feature different varieties and types of gardens. There is so much to see and I think it is safe to say there is something for everyone's taste and aesthetic. My personal favorites were the sunken gardens and the Japanese gardens but all of it was a delight. They have an adorable gift shop, plenty to eat and drink, and a darling carousel to ride (which we did and loved! Fun for all ages). We opted to drive to the gardens versus taking the shuttle. The drive from downtown Victoria was a little under a half hour, and it was nice to come and go as we pleased. There is plenty of parking, and the parking lots are sorted by animal logos. Don't forget to stop at their gift shop!

Really quite stunning. I loved how there are so many different flowers planted together. Just gorgeous. And we got a nice rate by bundling it with the shuttle and ferry from Port Angeles!

Gardens were incredible, but not a great value. We went on a Sunday in late July and arrived at 11:00. The place was mobbed with a cruise ship crowd and the parking lot was also mostly full. You could t walk around at your own pace because of the crowd. It took away from the peaceful nature of the gardens. But it was beautiful. Thankfully we had a reservation for Tea in the dining room. The tea as amazing and was the highlight of our visit. I would go again, but would go in the evening after the crowds and cruise ship groups are gone.

Beautiful, serene. A truly amazing experience. Lovely flowers, amazing fountains. Huge variety of plants.

I wasn't sure it was worth the distance and cost to visit, but this is really an outstanding and unique gardens. All the different areas have well done themes, and the sunken area that had been a rock quarry is like a transformed world. Easy access and friendly folks everywhere. The freely available umbrellas to use are a good touch.

We visited the gardens on a bus tour. They are truly gorgeous gardens and beautifully designed & landscaped. Well worth the price & time. A few nice restaurants for lunch or a quick coffee/ snack Clean rest rooms The gardens are well marked and easy to follow. Information desk very helpful and a beautiful gift shop. We spent a very nice 2 1/2 hours there. the great thing is that they have five seasons there so different flowers every season which is remarkable for its size ( 55 acres)

The Butchart Garden is AWESOME! The fall colors were absolutely beautiful. We arrived on a wet day and the garden provides clear umbrellas for all guests throughout the property. The little cafe offered various hot drinks & meals. We visited the gift shop for souvenirs and left very happy. We had booked our tickets through the Clipper so transportation to the garden was included- our driver was very pleasant, told amusing stories and gave lots of information about the area. ( Shout out to Greg! )

Gorgeous gardens. Honestly felt like a piece a of heaven on earth. Be sure to check out the sunken garden. About 25 minutes if driving by car from downtown Victoria. May take up to 50 minutes or so if going by bus. Plan to spend *at least* an hour and a half to two hours at the gardens. Worth seeing if visiting Victoria for the first time. Hard to find a place at The Dining Room if you haven't booked well ahead of time. Wait times can be around 2.5 hours.

I'm a resident annual pass holder and learned that I would have to leave the premises by 4pm to ensure that I wouldn't sneak into this Saturday evening musical & fireworks event. Otherwise, I'd have to invest in another expensive one-night ticket! On review, I now realize that this was made clear in the Terms & Conditions, but that doesn't make it right or common sense. Considering that the incremental cost to your very profitable entreprise for having one extra local body sitting in the grass is $ZERO, I find this exclusionary policy insulting to us local supporters who purchase annual passes. This will be my last. Enjoy your fireworks!

Coming from southern California me and my partner love exploring the local botanical gardens. The Butchart Gardens blew us away with how beautiful every area is. Very impressed and highly recommend.

Butchart Gardens were absolutely beautiful!! It was $41 Canadian for entry but totally worth it. The grounds are meticulous and beautiful!

We almost missed this opportunity due to scheduling, however, we walked in to the restaurant and heard beautiful music from the grand piano. Jason our server was engaging and helpful with menu suggestions. Our table had the rack of lamb, the filet and the eggplant/pasta dish, all done to perfection! The drinks were on point and we brought desserts home that were immediately gone even though we were all still full! This place in general even beyond the restaurant was a complete delight and wonderful experience . Caroler's and breathtaking gardens and lights. Get there before your reservation and take the stroll. You could not possibly be disappointed!