Attraction
Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal
Gothic Revival basilica on Place d'Armes in Old Montreal, known for its deep blue, star-studded vaults, its 1891 Casavant organ and the AURA evening light show.
Montreal Botanical Garden
A 75-hectare botanical garden founded in 1931 beside the Olympic Park, with Chinese, Japanese and First Nations gardens, year-round greenhouses and the Insectarium.
At a glance
- Type
- Botanical garden
- Area
- Rosemont, Montreal, Canada
- Official site
- espacepourlavie.ca
Good to know
- Chinese Garden
- Japanese Garden
- First Nations Garden
- Greenhouses
- Insectarium
Why we recommend it
The Montreal Botanical Garden covers 75 hectares on Sherbrooke Street East, opposite the Olympic Park. It was founded in 1931 by the mayor Camillien Houde after years of campaigning by the botanist Frère Marie-Victorin, and its grounds were laid out by Henry Teuscher. It is part of Space for Life, the City of Montreal's group of nature museums, alongside the Biodôme, the Insectarium, the Biosphère and the Planetarium.
The themed gardens are the main draw. The Chinese Garden, 2.5 hectares in the style of the Ming dynasty, was built in 1990 and 1991 by artisans from Shanghai. The Japanese Garden, also 2.5 hectares, was created in 1988 under the designer Ken Nakajima and includes a tea house and a koi pond. The First Nations Garden opened in 2001 to present the cultures of Canada's Indigenous peoples. Others include the Alpine Garden, the Quebec Corner and the Medicinal Plants Garden.
When the weather turns, the greenhouse complex keeps plants from around the world on show all year. The Montreal Insectarium is also on the grounds, so a single trip can cover living plants and insects.
Each autumn the garden stages Gardens of Light, a night-time trail that begins at dusk. In 2026 it ran from 3 September to 1 November, so check the Space for Life calendar for future dates if you are planning an autumn trip.
The garden suits families, keen gardeners and anyone who wants a calm half day away from downtown. The garden is part of the same network as the Insectarium on its grounds, so families can easily add insects to a plant-focused day. Allow two to three hours to see the main themed gardens and the greenhouses, longer in summer when the outdoor collections are at their best. Wear comfortable shoes, as the distances between gardens are significant, and bring a layer in spring and autumn.
Opening hours change through the seasons and Space for Life publishes them week by week, so check before you travel. The Biodôme and the Olympic Stadium are across Sherbrooke Street, which makes it simple to pair the garden with another Space for Life museum on the same day.
Montreal Botanical Garden FAQs
How big is the garden?
It covers 75 hectares.
When was it founded?
In 1931, by mayor Camillien Houde after a campaign by Frère Marie-Victorin.
What are the main themed gardens?
The Chinese Garden, the Japanese Garden and the First Nations Garden, plus the Alpine, Quebec Corner and Medicinal Plants gardens.
Is anything open in winter?
Yes. The greenhouses show plants from around the world all year.
What is Gardens of Light?
An autumn night trail at dusk. In 2026 it ran from 3 September to 1 November.
Is the Insectarium nearby?
Yes. The Montreal Insectarium is on the garden grounds.
What can you combine it with?
The Biodôme and the Olympic Stadium are across Sherbrooke Street.
How do you check opening hours?
Space for Life publishes opening hours week by week on its website.