Alan ‘Bo’ BorensteinQueen Elizabeth Park, perched atop Little Mountain, isn’t just your average park. It sits at the highest point in the city.
For bright colors, pleasing scents, and panoramic views, it’s the place to be! Whether you’re a nature enthusiast or someone looking for a peaceful spot to escape in, look no further.
So lace up your boots and pack your park essentials as we explore for a perfect day at Queen Elizabeth Park!
Exploring Queen Elizabeth Park
Queen Elizabeth Park is a municipal park in Vancouver that spans 52 hectares and at 125 meters above sea level.
The park is not only known for offering breathtaking views but also for its history. In the early 1900s, basalt quarries were carved to collect materials for the city’s roadways.
Thirty-six years later, the BC Tulip Association proposed the idea of creating sunken gardens within the old quarries. The Vancouver Park Board embraced this vision, and by the end of the decade, the site was officially handed over to them.
A pivotal moment in the park’s history happened in 1939 when King George VI and Queen Elizabeth (the mom of Queen Elizabeth II) dedicated the park during their visit to Vancouver as the reigning monarchs of Canada.
This event marked the official christening of what would become Queen Elizabeth Park. After this, the park underwent more repairs and additions to transform the hillsides into the now-beloved quarry gardens.
These gardens quickly became a favorite among locals and visitors alike, becoming the Queen Elizabeth Park we know and love today.
Address: 4600 Cambie St, Vancouver, BC V5Z 2Z1, Canada
Phone Number: +1 604 873 7000
Hours: Open everyday from 6 am to 10 pm
Things to Do at Queen Elizabeth Park
Enjoy the Beauty of Nature
If you make your way to the park’s north and north western sections, you’ll find the country’s first official civic arboretum.
Dating back to 1949, the arboretum is now home to a rich tapestry of flora. Timber species like ponderosa pine, subalpine spruce, and Douglas fir were the first to be planted and have now grown into adult trees with ages nearing 100.
As you explore, you’ll encounter other towering trees like coast redwood. There are about 1,500 trees representing various species there now, some local to Canada and some imported from other countries.
Beside well-loved Western red cedar trees, you can find more exotic varieties like gingko trees, Persian silk trees, cherry trees, and katsura from Japan.
If the different hues of tree leaves don’t satisfy you, you can head to the south west part of the park. The Rose Garden, which was built in 1967, adds a burst of color by showcasing diverse varieties of roses, including hybrids developed in Saskatchewan.
You can find Parkland and Explorer roses scattered among local ones while you take a leisurely stroll around the garden.
Get Physical by Playing Sports
Queen Elizabeth Park offers a diverse range of sports facilities, ensuring both sports enthusiasts and casual visitors find something to enjoy.
The Pitch & Putt course not only provides golfers with stunning panoramic views of the city but also offers an inviting terrain with 18 short, contoured par 3s. Golfers of all skill levels can enjoy a hazard-free round.
Beyond golf, the southern part of the park has 17 public tennis courts with a practice wall, which accommodate players as they come, with no reservations needed for a max of 30 minutes if there’s someone waiting.
If you enjoy lawn bowling, the club is sometimes open during the summer months, but you’ll have to check onlie to confirm as the schedule changes depending on weather.
The park extends its sports offerings with 2 outdoor roller hockey courts and 3 basketball courts. If you prefer a relaxed game of Frisbee or disc golf, they also have dedicated areas for them.
Explore the Pieces of Art
Queen Elizabeth Park is also known to hold a collection of public art. One of the most famous ones is the bronze statue taking a photo of 3 other people. Most locals pose for their own photos next to the foursome.
Don’t miss the Knife Edge-Two Piece by British sculptor Henry Moore, the park’s most famous piece near the east plaza.
The Love in the Rain sculpture placed above the Quarry Garden is a favorite for couples who want to do something romantic because couples can place their own padlock on the structure.
If you visit during the spring and summer, make sure you pay a visit to the Painters’ Corner which serves as an open-air art gallery, where different artists display their art for sale.
Visit the Bloedel Conservatory
One of the must-see things when you go to Queen Elizabeth Park is the iconic glass dome of Bloedel Conservatory. Inside of it, you’ll find an indoor garden with its temperature and humidity controlled for the wide array of plants that call it home.
There are over 500 exotic plants and flowers from tropical islands. Among them, you’ll find more than 100 birds freely flying around making nests on the branches of the trees. It gives you the experience of visiting a rainforest without having to step into one.
As you wander through the conservatory, you’ll probably encounter some macaws, pheasants, cockatoos, and canaries. Keep an eye out for the large parrots and finches too.
The dome itself is a sight to see, made with 1,500 pieces of plexiglass, but the entire structure was designated as a heritage building.
Have a Picnic with a View
If you’d rather have a more formal picnic, you can find a designated picnic area near the Arboretum trees. Equipped with picnic tables and even pits for barbecues, it’s an ideal spot for a relaxed outdoor meal.
For a more romantic picnic, head near the top of the park. There’s a spot facing west surrounded by manicured gardens and bathed in sunlight. This location also gives you a full view of the Japanese cherry trees which fully bloom every April.
You can also set up near the plaza. It’s a great place to sit and enjoy the water fountain which has been a prominent feature of the QE Plaza since 2007 which was built on top of Vancouver’s primary reservoir for drinking water.
Just next to the Bloedel Conservatory, the Dancing Waters Fountain is a sight to see both during the daytime and in the evening. Powered by 70 water jets which can shoot water in different heights uses 85,000 liters of water which is recirculated.
Check out the Quarry Gardens
The Quarry Gardens stand on a site of an old mining rock quarry. The main Quarry Garden which you can find on the left side of Bloedel Conservatory is a unique garden you’ll have a hard time finding elsewhere.
What was once a huge excavation is now a sunken garden of sorts which holds a wide array of plant life from shrubs and trees to perennials and annuals. To top it off, there’s a small waterfall that trickles into a stream that runs through the garden.
Just below, you’ll find a smaller one called the North Quarry Garden. This one is more inspired by Asian design and architecture with a bridge that hangs over a streambed.
Things to Remember Before Going to Queen Elizabeth Park
- Entry to Queen Elizabeth Park is free and the entire park is open to the public.
- If you want to explore the entire park and all the featured activities and amenities, we suggest making plans to stay there the entire day.
- For those who want a quick bite and don’t want to leave the park, you can try the Seasons in the Park which is perched right on top of the park grounds with great views.
How to Get to Queen Elizabeth Park
By Car
If you’re driving to Queen Elizabeth Park, you can get to the park by making your way to Cambie Street, 33rd Avenue, or Main Street depending on where you’re coming from.
There is paid parking available within the park grounds. But, you can find free parking along Cambie Street, 29th Avenue, and Midlothian Avenue.
By Bike
You can get to Queen Elizabeth Park by taking the north-south Ontario Street bike route and entering through the east side.
By Public Transportation
You can take the Canada Line and get off at the King Edward Station. From there, it’s an 8 minute walk to the park.
Getting on Bus Line 15 will take you to Cambie Street where you can get off at the stop on the intersection of SB Cambie Street and West 33 Avenue. Queen Elizabeth Park is a 2 minute walk along West Avenue.
The Best Time to Go to Queen Elizabeth Park
The best time to visit Queen Elizabeth Park is during spring or fall. Spring is perfect if you want to see the most flowers in bloom, while fall lets you see the tree leaves change colors.
Early morning during weekdays, lunch, and dinner time see the fewest people at the park, so if you want to avoid the crowds, try to time your visits then.
Places to Eat Nearby Queen Elizabeth Park
BBQ Chicken & Pub Main Street
Address: 4470 Main St, Vancouver, BC V5V 3R3, Canada
Phone Number: +1 236 521 8256
Hours:
- Sunday to Thursday from 12 pm to 11 pm
- Friday to Saturday from 12 pm to 12 am
Even with the array of choices in Vancouver, there’s still something extra special about ending the day with a plate of crispy fried chicken. BBQ Chicken & Pub on Main Street, serves us Korean style fried chicken that we have learned to love.
You can have your chicken fried with or without breading. You also get to choose if you want sauce on your chicken or on the side. There is also an option to have your chicken seasoned with powder seasoning.
Chaise
Address: 4444 Main St, Vancouver, BC V5V 3R2, Canada
Phone Number: +1 604 874 7114
Hours:
- Monday to Friday from 11 am to 12 am
- Saturday to Sunday from 9 am to 12 am
Chaise is the place to be if you want to have a casual night out with comfort food and a few bottles of beer. After exploring everything the Queen Elizabeth Park has to offer, Chaise offers a relaxing place to enjoy good food to end the day right.
They have a weekly feature sheet that you can check online that features seasonal dishes made from local and fresh ingredients that you should try. But, if you’d rather have something tried and tested, you can’t go wrong with their cheese quesadilla.
East is East
Address: 4433 Main St, Vancouver, BC V5V 0A2, Canada
Phone Number: +1 045 654 401
Hours:
- Sunday to Thursday from 12 pm to 10 pm
- Friday and SAturday from 12 pm to 10:30 pm
East is East, created by 2 Afghan survivors of the Soviet War who escaped to India, offers a menu selection just as exotic as the story of its founders. The menu takes you on a flavor trip through the dhabbas or eateries along the ancient Silk and Spice Road.
The dishes here have influences from India, Istanbul, Mongolia, Persia, and Tibet. Local favorites from each category include their Quinoa Tabouli Salad, Dahl Soup with lentils, Chana Masala, and Lamb Curry.
They also have a selection of roti rolls and rice bowls that we always come back for.
Chickpea Restaurant
Address: 4298 Main St, Vancouver, BC V5V 3P9, Canada
Phone Number: +1 604 620 0602
Hours:
- Monday to Thursday from 10 am to 10 pm
- Friday to Sunday from 9 am to 11 pm
If you’re looking for a vibrant eatery where vegan dishes take center stage, then you can head to Chickpea Restaurant. The upbeat atmosphere sets the tone for a menu featuring main courses made completely out of chickpeas.
They have burritos, salad, pita, rice bowls, and platters which you can order with a choice of vegetable salads or chickpea fries. If you want some variety, they also have vegetarian dishes like Baba Ganouosh with eggplant and Mediterranean spices.
MeeT on Main
Address: 4288 Main St, Vancouver, BC V5V 3P9, Canada
Phone Number: +1 604 696 1010
Hours:
- Sunday to Thursday from 11 am to 10 pm
- Friday and Saturday from 11 am to 11 pm
MeeT on Main is a great option for vegetarian and vegan dining in Vancouver after your adventure at Queen Elizabeth Park. The menu is a collection of creative and flavorful dishes prepared bistro style, except everything is plant based.
The food here doesn’t only taste good but also challenges preconceived notions about vegetarian cuisine being boring. The Crispy Chick-un Burger and the Ginger Beefless Bowl tastes like the real deal without the guilt.
They even have great drinks both alcoholic and non-alcoholic that you should try.
Places to Stay Nearby Queen Elizabeth Park
Hilton Vancouver Metrotown
Address: 6083 McKay Ave, Burnaby, BC V5H 2W7, Canada
Phone Number: +1 604 438 1200
Pricing:
Nestled right in the bustling center of Burnaby, the Hilton Vancouver Metrotown is located just minutes away from hotspots like the Metropolis at Metrotown and SkyTrains that can take you into downtown Vancouver or to the Rogers Arena for sports fans.
Aside from its convenient location, the hotel rooms themselves are pretty spacious with comfortable beds and updated appliances. The hotel’s amenities include a pool that’s free to use for all visitors and a fully equipped fitness center.
Element Vancouver Metrotown
Address: 5988 Willingdon Ave, Burnaby, BC V5H 2A7, Canada
Phone Number: +1 604 568 3696
Pricing: $ $
In close proximity to the commercial district and the shopping center, this is a great place to stay if your idea of a perfect day is defined by a walk at the park followed by a walk from store to store while engaging in retail therapy.
Element Vancouver Metrotown offers plenty of shopping opportunities after your visit to the Queen Elizabeth Park. It also offers direct access to downtown Vancouver.
The rooms themselves have all the appliances you’ll need for your stay while the on site amenities like the 24/7 pantry for on the go meals and a gym take care of any other needs you might have during your stay.
Holiday Inn Express Vancouver-Metrotown (Burnaby), an IHG Hotel
Address: 4405 Central Blvd, Burnaby, BC V5H 4M3, Canada
Phone Number: +1 604 438 1881
Pricing: $ $
After a day of exploration at the Queen Elizabeth Park, we suggest the Holiday Inn Express Vancouver – Metrotown in Burnaby for a great place to stay. The hotel is positioned across from the SkyTrain for easy access to transportation to and fro.
This hotel is great for families with kids too! They offer free stays for kids under 19 years old who are accompanied by an adult. There are separate spaces to mingle, eat, and sleep in the rooms for maximum comfort.
Best Western Plus Burnaby Hotel
Address: 5411 Kingsway, Burnaby, BC V5H 2G1, Canada
Phone Number: +1 604 438 1383
Pricing: $ $
A mere 14-minute walk from the city center, Best Western Plus Burnaby Hotel offers a hotel stay at a convenient location. You can access different dining and entertainment options easily from the hotel.
The accommodations are equally convenient and pretty straightforward with each room getting its own Wi-Fi access, flat-screen TVs, minifridges, and coffeemakers. If you want to need more, there are suites with kitchenettes or sofa beds for added comfort.
Granville Island Hotel
Address: 1253 Johnston St, Vancouver, BC V6H 3R9, Canada
Phone Number: +1 604 683 7373
Pricing: $ $ $
Built right along the picturesque False Creek with panoramic views of Downtown, Granville Island Hotel is a great place to stay if you’re looking for contemporary yet chic hotels. The rooms are posh and feature 42-inch flat-screen TVs and Wi-fi.
You can opt for the suites which come with living rooms while penthouses come with fully equipped kitchens, fireplaces, and whirlpool tubs to elevate the experience. You get to enjoy dishes with the views at the restaurant they have on site to finish off your day.
It’s also a short 2-minute walk to the Aquabus which can take you around the city!
