Montreal Botanical Garden — Attraction in Montreal

One of the largest, most complex and educational gardens I have visited! This place is heaven, green oasis or any other description you want to use, its all of that and more! There are more than 27000 plants here and too many dedicated sections to count! It's splendid, it's amazing and you will love it just as much as I did! As I said, there are a lot of sections to visit and here are some of my favorite's worth popping in!

I'd say it's a must to visit the food garden! I know it doesn't sound as exciting as visiting a tropical country glasshouse, but everyone should see at least once in a life see how peanuts grow, or what ginger plants look like or even how everyday herbs we use, smell like. It's amazing we all recognize the food in supermarkets, but how many of us recognize the plant? Part of the food section is a Dye-producing Plants garden showing visitors which plants we used for hundreds of years to color materials. That was eye-opening to me and a very exciting part of my visit.

I also liked the Toxic and Medicinal section of the garden - and as the name suggests you'll find plants here that might help you or end you! There are bilingual descriptions and signs, so you can read all about them. And not only here, these signs are all around the gardens, making this visit very informative!

The Alpine gardens are fabulous! And they feature a waterfall which is a beautiful addition to already stunning gardens! There are many subsections showing flora from different continents - there is alpine garden of South Africa, Italian Dolomites or Indian Himalayas. If you keep your eyes open and mouth shut, you might even see some birds here.

I guess the most attractive part of the Gardens would be either the Chinese Garden or Japanese Garden. I loved the Chinese garden, very well designed, with typical Chinese style pagodas spread around an azure blue lake. Stunning views and plenty to see and do around, but popular, therefore crowded. The Japanese garden was a bit let down. I didn't find it interesting at all and I have definitely seen better ones. If you are short with time, skip this one! I must say though, there are plenty of sitting areas and benches scattered around the gardens  as I have seen people relaxing and enjoying themselves.

Visiting the glasshouses is also a must as they are included in the daily ticket. They can be entered from outside the gardens, not the inside. The good thing about the ticket is you can re-enter the gardens as many times you want during the day, like we did. Anyway the glasshouse features many different sections, some with tropical fruit plants, some with succulents, and my favorite, with bromelias! This is also the first glasshouse featuring a living setting of plants and humans I have seen. What I mean is, there are house-like structures in the glasshouse and planting done cohesively around them!

We bought the tickets online, which helped us to skip the actual queue at the kiosk. Parking situation is excellent as there is parking right in front of the entrance! We came early in the morning and didn't have a problem finding space, but that might be different in peak hours. The flat daily rate of 13 CAD is great value! Grabbing a printed map of the gardens helps, but frankly it is not the best designed map, I ended up using the signposts around the gardens more than the map.

Unfortunately there are not many options to eat or drink here. There are no vending machines inside the gardens, not even in the visitors center outside. The only option is to grab a bite near the entrance (close to the Rose garden) or bring your own food. However they serve amazing vegetarian sandwiches and tastiest vanilla ice cream!

The visitors center features amenities such as a restroom, library and gift shop, however as I mentioned no food.

Be prepared to spend a whole day here! It's absolutely worth your time! Visited on a Saturday, July 2023.

PS: Don't look for the living plant sculptures, this was a temporary exhibition many years back and it does not...

Jardin Botanique is large and spread out. We started with the Aquatic Garden, then onto the nearby the Japanese Garden, then ambled through the Shade Garden (not much to look at but it was shaded as the name suggests) to the larger Chinese Garden. From there we thought we’d take a look at the toxic plants was but it was closed – kind of disappointing when we went out of our way to see it. On our way to the toxic plants, there was a family with a boy who was having a total meltdown yelling something like I’m not falling for that again and I’m not walking any more. We felt for the kid and kind of agreed with him. It just felt like a lot of walking. The garden did seem to be lacking kid friendly stations with hands on activities or fun exhibits like gopher holes (NY Botanical Gardens).

In Jardin Botanique, some years ago we had seen an impressive special exhibit called the Garden of Light. It was really special and we have such great memories of it. Without this exhibit, the gardens did not seem as interesting.

In terms of logistics, we drove because it’s too far away from city center to walk, the busses looked infrequent, an uber would have cost C$20 plus tip and the metro at C$6.50 round trip for 1 person didn’t make sense for a party of 4. The main parking lot is small and it was challenging to find a parking spot – it took about 15 minutes. Entrance is timed so while you can buy tickets online, we didn’t know our exact timing so we decided to purchase the tickets upon arrival. We waited in line for maybe 10 minutes. To be clear, this is to gardens and the other “museums” are separate entrances and fees. If you want the passport which includes all 5 museums (Jardin Botanique, Insectarium, Biosphere, Biodome and Planetarium), you get directed inside the nearby building undoubtedly to wait on another line. Admission costs C$22.75 adult, C$20.50 senior 65+, C$16.50 student 18+ with card, C$11.50 children 5 to 17y, C$62.75.25 family 2 adults 2-3 children. Children under 4y are free but you’ll need to get a ticket for them. CMM residents get less expensive pricing C$17 adult, C$16 senior 65+, C$13.25 student 18+ with card, C$8.50 children 5 to 17y, C$48.25 family 2 adults 2-3 children. We wanted tickets for the insectarium (same pricing as Jardin) but the sales rep indicated they were sold out but recommended that we head over to their ticket booth to check. It was odd because we went online via cell phone and purchased 4 tickets for entrance half an hour later. Once you enter the garden, you walk through a long gauntlet of white tents selling various items.

We doubt we will return to the gardens unless there is a special exhibit. But we will return for the...

The Montreal Botanical Garden is a must-visit destination for nature and culture enthusiasts. Spanning 75 hectares, it boasts over 22,000 plant species across diverse thematic gardens and greenhouses.  

A highlight is the annual “Gardens of Light” event held from mid-September through October. During this period, the Chinese Garden dazzles with intricate silk lanterns handcrafted in China, depicting themes from Chinese mythology. The Japanese Garden offers a serene ambiance with subtle lighting that accentuates its natural beauty, inviting quiet reflection. Meanwhile, the First Nations Garden features illuminated paths that celebrate Indigenous stories and symbols, creating a poetic journey through the seasons.

Beyond this event, the garden offers year-round attractions, including the Frédéric Back Tree Pavilion, which emphasizes the importance of trees in our ecosystem through interactive exhibits. The garden’s extensive collection and beautifully curated spaces provide a tranquil escape from the city’s hustle and bustle.

Whether you’re a local or a visitor, the Montreal Botanical Garden offers a unique blend of horticultural excellence and cultural richness. It’s a perfect spot for leisurely strolls, photography, or simply unwinding amidst nature’s beauty.

Best Time to Visit: • Spring (May to early June): Enjoy the blooming tulips, lilacs, and peonies. • Summer (June to August): Ideal for exploring the outdoor gardens in full bloom. • Fall (September to October): Don’t miss the “Gardens of Light” event, featuring illuminated displays in the Chinese, Japanese, and First Nations gardens. 

🕒 Planning Your Visit: • Arrive Early: To avoid crowds, it’s recommended to arrive by 10:00 AM. • Duration: Allocate at least 2-3 hours to explore the various gardens and greenhouses. • Tickets: Purchase tickets online in advance, especially during peak events like “Gardens of Light.” 

🚶 Accessibility & Amenities: • Wheelchair Access: The garden is wheelchair-friendly, with wheelchairs available for loan free of charge. • Picnic Areas: Picnics are allowed in designated areas, such as the space in front of the Lion statue.  

🚗 Getting There: • Public Transit: Accessible via Pie-IX or Viau metro stations. • Parking: On-site parking is available for a fee; alternatively, free street parking can be found nearby, though it may require...