Last Saturday The Girl and I visited the University of British Columbia and took in a nature walk at the Botanical Garden as well as participated in the Greenheart TreeWalk. Originally we had planned to visit the anthropology museum at the university but once we heard about the tree walk, we quickly changed our minds.
If you are afraid of heights you’ll probably want to pass on this little adventure. 😉 Even if you’re not afraid of heights, the idea of being suspended in air and walking on a galvanized path that’s held in place with netting, rope and aluminum trays is just a wee bit freaky.
But for the view… it’s totally worth it.
One thing that The Girl and I think is remarkably different in Canada {as well as Europe} is the “you’re own your own, don’t do anything stupid” mentality. If this same tree walk were in the United States you’d probably have to sign a waiver before embarking on the walk AND there would be guides in place at each section.  So in that respect… the walk was so much more peaceful and the go at your own pace made for a really enjoyable adventure.
The tree canopy walk hangs from Douglas firs, cedars and grand firs {many of which are over 100 years old} and is about 1000 feet above the forest floor.
The garden itself is beautifully maintained and you could literally spend hours exploring all the different side trails within the botanical gardens.
Another one of the features in the botanical garden was that almost all of the plants had stakes placed just beneath the plants so you could find out what they were if you were so inclined to do so.
Admission to the Botanical Garden plus Greenheart TreeWalk runs $20 CAD {16.75 CAD for students} and is well worth your travel dollars. There’s even a spot to enjoy a picnic lunch near the entrance/exit so don’t hesitate to pack one and enjoy the scenery and sounds of birds chirping while you’re there.
~Mavis
Do YOU have a favorite botanical garden here in the USA or abroad? If so I’d love to hear about it. We are always looking for new ones to add to our travel calendar.
Greenheart Treewalk at UBC Botanical Garden
6804 SW Marine Drive
Vancouver, BC Canada V6T 1Z4
Laura says
Yes! The Missouri Botanical Garden is fantastic, huge, and lots of fun to explore. Locally it is often referred to as Shaw’s Garden (the original landowner for the space). Well worth a trip if you ever find yourself in St. Louis!
erin in ia says
I agree with laura. Such a beautiful garden in St louis.
Kirsten G. says
Have you been to Brookgreen Gardens in Murrells Inlet, SC? Brookgreen Gardens is located between Myrtle Beach and Pawleys Island, South Carolina, off US Highway 17 Bypass, across from Huntington Beach State Park.
I have family in the area and they love it. They are regular volunteers there.
Kirsten G. says
Forgot the link: http://www.brookgreen.org/
Laura Z. says
I will have to check this out!
Megan C. says
The Frederick Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park for sure in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
http://www.meijergardens.org/
Laura Z. says
If you ever find yourself in Columbia, SC, go to the Riverbanks Zoo and Gardens. One ticket price includes admission to both the Zoo (which is really good) and a quaint botanical gardens. You take a free tram from one to the other. Really sweet!
http://www.riverbanks.org/botanical-garden/
Laura Z. says
Oh, and we have Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden here in NC!
Diane says
The Tilden Park Botanical Garden in Berkeley, California isn’t huge, but it’s in the gorgeous Berkeley Hills and is filled with fascinating, beautiful plants that don’t necessarily thrive in more northerly climes. A big bonus for traveling there is the Tilden Park merry-go-round, which is one of the finest carousels on the planet (the first one I ever rode on, at age three), and, last I knew, is open every day during the summer months. The park also has many great hiking trails.
Karen says
I second this garden! It is filled with plants native to California (and the surrounding states and Mexico), with grottoes and creek banks running through it.
Kathryn Hardage says
The Dallas Arboretum in Dallas, TX is a very formal botanical garden, very lovely. The Ft.Worth TX Botanical Gardens include a Japanese Garden, and across the way is the Horticultural Center. In Springfield, MO, you will also enjoy the Botanical Garden, and Fayetteville, AR has a wonderful education center as well as several themed gardens. Lubbock, TX has an informal garden. San Antonio, TX has sections in their garden including a wonderful scent garden and a series of tiny houses with appropriate seasonal landscaping.
Barbara Alward says
Have you been to the Bloedel Reserve on Bainbridge Island? Absolutely beautiful – serene and inspiring. Acres and acres of meadows, northwest forests, Japanese gardens, reflecting ponds, and a lovely estate house with stunning views of the ocean.
Katrina says
If you’re in the Olympia area there is the Watershed park that is close to the capitol. It’s not a botanical garden but reminds me of a little rain forest. It’s a nice walk with hills and flat area. They also have placards telling about plant life, birds etc..and no cost. There is also a bakery on Capitol blvd that would be fun to visit. Can’t remember it’s name though but it is a bakery and luncheon spot.
Lilypad says
You must be thinking of of Wagner’s European Bakery and Cafe. I love that place!! It’s very old school. We don’t get there very often but we love the cinnamon swirl bread so we always buy extra for the freezer. Also, the Olympia Farmers’ Market is amazing and worth a stop if you’re in the area on the right day of the week.
Laura says
I’ve been to Bloedel Gardens on Bainbridge Island. That was beautiful. My sister and I are going to Victoria BC in August so we can go to Buchart Gardens. I’m really looking forward to that.
Lilypad says
I love the Bellevue Botanical Garden. http://www.bellevuebotanical.org/ It’s lovely and while you’re there, it’s hard to believe you’re in one of Washington’s biggest cities. Plus, admission is free. There’s a suspension bridge too—nowhere near as high up or large as the UBC ones but still pretty cool. My son had the best time running back and forth over it when it first opened.
Carolina says
Here are my 3 favorite gardens from back here in the east: (1)United States Botanic Garden Conservatory in Washington, DC This is the place from my childhood that launched my love of gardens. (2) Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, PA (this is just outside of Philadelphia) (3) Fuller Gardens North Hampton, NH This last one is oh so close to Portsmouth, NH where you were a while back. Fuller Gardens is a private estate garden and only open in the summer. They all have websites that you can google. Hope to see reviews of your visits to some of them in the future.