Beautiful gardens in the Greater Toronto Area

Gardens to visit in the Greater Toronto Area

Toronto Botanical Gardens

With 17 award-winning themed gardens within the grounds, the Toronto Botanical Gardens are designed to educate and inspire visitors with beautiful horticultural displays and regularly scheduled workshops.

Check out what’s in bloom among thousands of flowers across almost two hectares of the garden. Include a promenade through Edwards Gardens, which is adjacent to the Toronto Botanical Gardens. This former estate garden boasts walking trails, rock gardens and beautiful blooms, such as rhododendrons and roses.

The Toronto Botanical Gardens hosts many indoor and outdoor events and activities, such as garden tours, nature camps, courses and free outdoor music series.

Location: 777 Lawrence Avenue East, North York

Plan your visit: The garden is open daily from dawn until dusk and admission is free. Guided tours are offered from mid-May through to early October for a fee. There is paid parking available on site. Find directions to the botanical gardens online.

Allan Gardens

Founded in 1858, Allan Gardens is one of Toronto’s oldest parks and features 1500 square metres brimming with rare and exotic plants from around the world inside five cast-iron and glass greenhouses.

Take a stroll throughout the gardens and admire the large display of striking cacti and succulents. Discover a tropical oasis with plants such as hibiscus and green jade vine. Take in the exotic beauty of orchids and bromeliads and the fragrant greenery alongside a koi pond.

The Palm House is currently closed for heritage restoration. Two temporary entrances are available to enter the gardens. The plants have been relocated to Centennial Park Conservatory in Etobicoke until the restoration is complete.

Location: 160 Gerrard Street East, downtown Toronto

Plan your visit: Admission is free, and the garden is open year-round and daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Spadina Museum Historic House & Gardens

Explore the lush Victorian gardens and lavish architecture of Spadina Museum, a historic mansion that offers a glimpse of Toronto from the 1920s and 30s. Next door you’ll see Casa Loma’s gothic revival style architecture and its well manicured garden. The atmosphere and views at these lush heritage gardens are unbeatable with the elegance of Spadina House, the drama of Casa Loma and the backdrop of Toronto’s skyline.

Location: 285 Spadina Road, downtown Toronto

Plan your visit: The grounds of Spadina Historic House & Gardens are open on Wednesdays to Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Admission is free and there is paid parking available at Casa Loma.

Rosetta McClain Gardens

This fully accessible garden park features a curved pergola, an intimate gazebo, raised stone planters, an aromatic rose garden and a rock fountain. It’s brimming floral arrangements make the garden a popular spot for birds and butterflies. Situated on top of the Scarborough Bluffs, you’ll also find spectacular views of Lake Ontario.

Location: 5 Glen Everest Road, Scarborough

Plan your visit: Admission is free, and the park is open year-round. There is a parking lot on site.

Toronto Music Garden

This horticultural gem located along the inner harbour blends botany with Bach, resulting in one of Toronto’s most whimsical attractions. The undulating, swirling and lively garden design corresponds to the six movements of Bach’s First Suite in G Major, for Unaccompanied Cello.

Location: 479 Queens Quay West, Harbourfront, Toronto

Plan your visit: Admission is free, and the park is open year-round.

Centennial Park Conservatory

Formally opened in 1970, this west end attraction features three greenhouses that showcase over 200 varieties of exotics such as cacti and succulents, and tropical plants like palms and fruit trees. Additionally, special seasonal displays can be found in the North Wing greenhouse.

Location: 151 Elmcrest Road, Etobicoke

Plan your visit: The park is open year-round and daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Admission is free, and parking is available on site.

Parkwood Estate and Gardens

Built by the founder of General Motors of Canada over a century ago, this mansion is now preserved for future generations to enjoy as one of the last remaining grand heritage estates of Canada.

The early 20th Century Beaux-Arts mansion encompasses nearly 4,600 square metres and the beautiful surrounding garden and landscape design draws inspiration from the English Arts & Crafts gardening movement. During the summer, enjoy lunch, light snacks and afternoon tea in the gardens at The Tea House.

Location: 270 Simcoe Street, Oshawa

Plan your visit: The gardens are free to visit, guided tours are available for a fee. Visit their website to view their seasonal operating hours.

Public Gardens at Evergreen Brick Works

Nestled in Toronto’s Don Valley, this former quarry and brick factory is now a cultural hub that celebrates the revitalization of industrial sites into green and sustainable community spaces.

Each garden at Evergreen Brick Works aims to make a positive impact on the local community. The food garden provides fresh produce while the pollinator garden fosters biodiversity. Experience a strong connection with nature at Koerner Gardens and The Healing Gardens.

Free, self-guided audio tours are available for a more immersive experience that unlock hidden gems.

Location: 550 Bayview Avenue, Toronto

Plan your visit: Admission is free, and the gardens are open daily. Evergreen Brick Works is easily accessible by public transit, bike or walking trails and there is limited on-site parking available.

Aga Khan Park

The formal landscape surrounding the Aga Khan Museum and Ismaili Centre was designed by renowned landscape architect Vladimir Djurovic, who drew inspiration from Persian and Mughal-style gardens. Clean lines, reflecting pools, rows of trees and cedar hedges, stone features and the mix of manicured and wild lawn strike the perfect balance between the natural and the constructed.  

Stroll along the park’s two-kilometre walking path or enjoy a picnic in its expansive green space. This garden offers a moment of peace and tranquility in the middle of a busy urban setting.

Location: 77 Wynford Drive, North York

Plan your visit: The gardens are free to visit. They are open daily from dawn to dusk between November 1 and March 31 and from dawn to 10:00 p.m. from April 1 to October 31. Guided tours of the park are also available. There is paid parking available on site.

High Park Gardens

High Park is Toronto’s largest public park and a popular spot to visit. Discover the Sakura tree cherry blossoms, numerous themed gardens, forested walking paths, the zoo and pleasant picnic areas.

The park grounds extend between Bloor Street and the Gardiner Expressway and feature several distinct and beautiful garden designs. View the elaborate designs in the hillside ornamental gardens, the impressive maple leaf flowerbed, the serene rock gardens, the formal water features and hedges in the sunken garden and the light-filled hanging garden. Spend the whole day exploring this iconic park in Toronto’s west end.

Location: 1873 Bloor Street West, Toronto

Plan your visit: The park is open year-round, and there is no admission fee to enter. There is limited parking, and no vehicle traffic is allowed on public holidays and weekends. It’s easily accessible by transit.

Humber Arboretum

Located in the Humber River watershed in North Etobicoke, this arboretum contains nearly 100 hectares of thriving natural ecosystem. You’ll encounter ponds, picturesque bridges, gazebos, striking annual and perennial displays, a collection of gorgeous spring blossoming trees and shrubs, a Tranquility Bird Garden and a native pollinator garden.

Location: 205 Humber College Boulevard, Etobicoke

Plan your visit: The grounds of the arboretum are free to visit and are open daily, year-round, during daylight hours. Parking is limited but the arboretum is easily accessible by public transit and cycling trails. The arboretum also offers a variety of self-guided activities.

James Gardens

Once a private estate on the banks of the Humber River, James Gardens is now a public green space with lovely rose gardens and terraced stone pathways alongside sparkling pools and streams. Additionally, it features a lookout point with an amazing view over the Humber Valley to downtown Toronto. James Gardens is also a top spot to see a variety of bird species.

Location: 99 Edenbridge Drive, Etobicoke

Plan your visit: Admission is free, and the gardens are open year-round. Limited parking is available, and it’s easily accessible by public transit.

Brueckner Rhododendron Gardens

Lake Ontario serves as the backdrop for this seven-hectare outdoor garden housing one of the largest public collections of rhododendrons and azaleas in Canada. The flowers are usually in full bloom early May through June, but it’s a lovely spot to explore any time of the year to enjoy walking trails and lake views.

Location: 660 Lakeshore Road West, Mississauga

Plan your visit: Admission is free, and the gardens are open year-round from dawn to 11:00 p.m. Parking is limited, but the gardens are accessible by Mississauga Transit from Port Credit GO station. The gardens also connect to the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail.

Know before you go

Whether you’re planning ahead or taking a last-minute trip, here are some general guidelines and etiquette for visiting public gardens.

Check in advance of your visit for operating season and hours, washrooms, accessibility facilities and acquiring professional photography permits.

Be respectful of the outdoor space and obey all signage.

Typically, outside food and drink are not allowed inside conservatories.

Pets are not always permitted on the grounds, but service animals are welcome.

If you’re able, many GTA gardens encourage visitors to travel using sustainable forms of transportation like public transit, biking trails and walking routes.

Respect the privacy of other guests at the garden when you’re taking photos and videos.