What's This Place?

Did you ever wonder what that triodetic dome was in Queen Elizabeth Park? It's the Bloedel Floral Conservatory. It's a lush tropical environment that provides a wonderful break to Vancouver's "occasional" wet days. It houses countless varieties and species of plants, birds and fish. You could spend an hour or so here, exploring the flora and fauna. And, depending on the weather, when you're finished, you could take a stroll around in Queen Elizabeth Park.

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Highlights

• there are some 100 tropical birds that fly freely about.
• three similated climates: tropical rainforest, sub-tropical, and desert.
• intertwining pathways through the facility to explore.

Hours of Operation

The Bloedel Conservatory is open 364 days per year. It is closed Christmas Day.

Price of Admission

Where Is It?

The Conservatory is located at the top of Queen Elizabeth Park, which is located at 33rd and Cambie in Vancouver. Find it on a map from www.mapquest.com.

How Can We Get There?

Parking

Paid public parking is available adjacent to the Conservatory.

Public transit

BC transit buses - Go to www.coastmountainbus.com for maps, schedules and other information.

Tips For a Good Time

1. There is no cafeteria in the Conservatory, so if you'll be there around snack time, you'll need to provide your own. There are lots of benches to sit down.
2. It can be quite busy in the spring and summer, particularly if a tour bus arrives. Large groups generally reserve, so you can call the Conservatory to see if there are any large groups anticipated when you're planning on going.
3. Be sure to pick up their two pamphlets: the Self-guided Tour of the Bloedel Conservatory; and the Birds of the Bloedel Conservatory.
4. The Conservatory is stroller-accessible, but bring your own as there are no rentals.
5. Since the Conservatory is in Queen Elizabeth Park, there's plenty to explore outside the dome.

Ideas For Different Ages

Babies: What an eye- and ear-full for babies! Their first visit to the tropics without getting on a plane! Babies will enjoy the sights and sounds of the Conservatory; watching the play of light through the leaves of the plants, the Japanese Koi Carp swimming in the pond, the colours and sounds of the birds. A great place for a parent or caregiver to take a baby for a walk "outside" but sheltered from the elements.

Toddlers: Toddlers will enjoy walking the paths of the Conservatory and discovering what's lurking beyond, peering over the footbridge at the fish, catching sight of the many birds. This is a great place to play "I Spy".

Older children: Pick up the Self-guided Tour and the Birds pamphlets and let your older children try to identify the different plants and birds. If they can't read yet, you can read the descriptions and let your kids find what you're describing.

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