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Queen Elizabeth Park
Category: Active Life Parks Parks [Edit]
Cambie St & W33rd Ave
Vancouver, BC V6J 5L1
Neighbourhood: South Cambie
(604) 257-8584
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
39 reviews for Queen Elizabeth Park
39 reviews in English
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Review from Dru C.
4/16/2012 1 Check-in Here
LOVE LOVE QE PARK. The 2nd best park within Vancouver; hands down and no doubt about it. This place is beautiful for photos on a lovely day. The well known parking at the very top with the fountains is where I took my prom and grad pictures with me and my friends when I was in High School. The most iconic spot ever.
The conservatory of birds is such an appealing place that I have always wanted to go to when I was a kid, and I still haven't go to it yet. I should soon :P The view here is lovely too as the mountains looks ravishing as they roll across the sky with small white peaks at the top of each one. The green here is never greener, and the trees are not as big as Stanley Park but they are beautiful and very royal looking, just like the name itself.
Funny, because if I remember correctly; Queen Elizabeth is located right on an inactive volcano :P I remember studying this in High school many years back and that the ash and sulfur that was left behind by the volcano create lovely environments. I think that is why Queen E looks so amazing as the years go by.
I love the rose garden that is at the very top of the mountain as well, go with a group of friends and have a great picnic. Take a lot of pictures and have tons of fun!
I have to visit "Seasons in the Park" too as well for brunch. I think I'll do that soon :P Love the park, I hope to visit more with my future husband and children as this place will be where I will take my wedding pictures and make tons of memories for the coming years :D -
Review from Kenneth E.
Vancouver, BC
4/8/2012 2 Check-ins Here
what other city can you get all of this beautiful nature & view, admission-free AND right in the city? Other cities one has to drive to the outskirts...and apparently tourists even fly here just to see QE...
Usually only here for weddings, my friend's from 3-4 years ago, so thought i should really bring my parents here too, good exercise for them too. Not surprisingly on a weekend, place was bonkers. Amazing north view of the mountains and city.
even the parking of $2.50/hr is well worth it. Recall the good old days of free parking towards the 'lower' level but signs everywhere that parking payment is required.
Also a great place to bring chicks too ;) -
Review from Brian S.
3/10/2012 2 photos
Today we wanted to scout out if there where any great spring blooms yet. What better place to see if Vancouver is in Bloom then Queen Elizabeth Park. Right now the park is lush and green almost tropical if it was not cool and rainy outside.
The walk in the park included checking out the reservoir cap. With Seniors Doing there morning exercises then past Bodell conservatory into the main garden that is wonderfully landscaped. Then I walked through the quarry gardens.
It made for a nice morning break I saw some cherry blossoms where just starting to come out. Spring is right around the corner -
Review from Robin M.
5/26/2012
Royal tennis, royal lawn bowling, royal golf, royal flowers. Yes please, Queen Elizabeth. Yes, please.
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Review from Derek W.
11/13/2011 ROTD 1/6/2012
Queen E. is built in the tradition of the great arboretums, garden parks and walking parks of the world. It isn't a place to take a hike, but a place to take a stroll among the gardens. It isn't a place to toss around a football in a field - the sports available here are of the more refined type - tennis, golf, lawn bowling. Imagine how wealthy city-dwellers used parks in the 1930s, and you will be on your way to understanding how to appreciate the charms of the Queen Mum's namesake park.
If Stanley Park exists as a strip of civilization surrounding and occasionally protruding into raw nature, Queen E., as the "other" great park of Vancouver, is the legacy of what people can do when they remake nature into a well-tended garden. It is build on an old quarry, and as one of the highest points in the City of Vancouver proper, it functions as the city's emergency water reservoir.
Queen E. is one of my favorite walking parks, particularly at night. Stargazing from the heights is lovely. -
Review from Eugene G.
1/14/2012
Enjoyed the park today despite the 1 - 2 inches of snow. We saw some families taking the little ones to go sliding down the hills. The whole park was transformed to a winter wonderland and the pictures you could take around the park were just amazing. There are lots of views to be appreciated here and I imagine it is a beautiful place to go for a jog to get in shape.
Some of the trees were saran wrapped with some resin to kill some crazy moth. I'm all for protecting the trees!
The conservatory is a bit small, but it is a nice way to get warm and enjoy the tropical plants and beautiful birds who seem to be used to humans and aren't afraid to pose for the camera. -
Review from Wilbert O.
3/20/2012
A few days ago, I was waiting for some friends, and I needed some place to kill time, I decided to scroll in this park, a bit cold at start, and found myself bored around the park. However when I came up the top of the hill, I saw the panaromic view of Vancouver, which was a good boost. Shortly after, I spotted a small garden, quite lively. Some tree was blooming (might be Magnonia, I am not good at plants), and my moods was totally changed. I quite enjoyed the trail in the park.
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Review from Henry B.
Vancouver, BC
QE Park, second to our beloved Stanley Park is an oasis within our city. It's like the lesser known sister to the almighty Stanley. It's more accessible then Stanley Park since it's the middle of our city and there is so much to rediscover for Vancouverites since we take it for granted. During the summer, I always go there to play a few games of tennis or the pitch n putt.
If you visit QE early enough, you often see the elderly perfecting their tai chi. In the Spring and Summer, newlyweds are posing for their wedding portraits. You see kids playing in the water fountains in the hot days of summer or families picnicking.
There is a small rose garden in the southwestern perimeter of the park. There is also the Bloedel Floral Conservatory on the top of the park that house many tropic plants and birds.
The highlight to end a day at QE could be having dinner at The Seasons in The Park restaurant or have an afternoon brunch. They make great food and have one of the best views of the Vancouver skyline. -
Review from Jacqueline T.
8/5/2011 1 Check-in Here
[Non Food]
Great view of what Vancouver, and Beautiful British Columbia is all about! The plant/bird dome is a mere $5-6 to go in and say hello to some Parrots. The fountain is great to frolick in and cool your feet during hot sunny days. Great for ones who love to take advantage of the scenery for photographic opportunities!
If you're hungry.. Season's in the Park is located right there.. Great food, Great place, and only $$Listed in: Best of Vancouver Tourism
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Review from Macey W.
2/7/2012 3 photos
This park was absolutely gorgeous when I visited in June 2011. It is very large, with a variety of different features. My most favorite parts were the unique, architectural benches in the front, as well as the sculptures of typical tourists trying to take the perfect picture. It's fun to join those sculptures for a picture of your own! There is also a beautiful fountain out front with an interesting black sculpture. A little deeper into the park, there is also a conservatory, but there's not much going on in there. Past that, there's a huge area to walk around, with varying elevation, bridges, streams, plants...it's a nice, peaceful stroll. I definitely love coming to Queen Elizabeth Park, and can't wait to come back again!
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Review from Sarah O.
10/18/2011
Queeny park is a lovely place to visit on a sunny day. Lots of interesting flowers and plants to browse through. It's peaceful and relaxing until you walk down too far and see the cars whizzing by, at which time, you must turn around and walk back into your secret garden adventure. Overall, a great spot.
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Review from Kas D.
Vancouver, BC
5/28/2011
A lovely spot to go for a stroll, smell the roses (literally) and bask in the glow of the sun on a lovely Vancouver day. There are some great views of downtown, and lots of benches that you can sit on.
Today I saw a man in a skimpy speedo lying on the grass in the middle of the park. Oi vey. But my sore eyes soon recovered and I really did have a lovely day. Totally going to pack a picnic lunch next time and make a day of it! -
Review from Christopher L.
Vancouver, BC
4/9/2011 88 Check-ins Here
I believe there should be separate reviews for the various features such as the Conservatory, Seasons, Pitch and Putt, they do make up the whole experience of a complete park where there is something for everyone - from newlyweds to dogs.
As my nearest park, its great for the usual morning jog, just be careful when jogging through the area where dogs roam free. The tennis courts are relatively well-maintained in the summer.
Other than Seasons and possibly rolling food concessions, I believe there there are no permanent food concession outlets like Spanish Banks, which I think is a positive. After all, you should pack your own picnic in the park, no?
The Law always returns as it is next door... -
Review from Steph C.
10/28/2010
I had lunch at Seasons in the Park, and when I arrived I saw a wedding navigating the park in the rain. I felt a little bad for the bride. While I ate, though, the day cleared up and the beauty of the place became more and more apparent. The views of the Vancouver skyline were pretty wonderful, and the park itself rich with flowers, ponds, and greenery.
Queen Elizabeth isn't like Stanley Park in that it isn't the sort of place that you have to seek out if you happen within a twenty mile radius. It is, however, pretty gorgeous, and I would recommend it for a long stroll. -
Review from Justmarried i.
Vancouver, BC
12/21/2011
The review pertains to the Celebration Pavilion only (not the beautiful park):
I just got married and had my ceremony at Queen Elizabeth Park - the Celebration pavilion. The location is no doubt beautiful BUT the service from the Chapels was horrible. Once they have your money they are unresponsive when you have concerns or complaints (they totally mess up my cake reception which I should note was NOT worth the price you pay for, they don't respond in a timely manner if at all when you have concerns or complaints).
I have been happy with all my vendors and even with little hiccups but with the Chapels their attitude was so poor and upsetting (esp AFTER the wedding) that I don't recommend anyone to use them - sadly you have to also pay in full a month before your wedding so it's not like you could hold back money for giving you a cake that was not what you wanted, for failing to deliver what was promised (the lady at the chapels even blamed ME back saying that champagne flutes were short stubby cups when i even told her earlier what i was envisioning AND they even defensively argued they had set up napkins and plates as indicated on the list of what they would provide when i have so many guests, photographs and MYSELF to prove none of that was provided).
our commissioner also made inappropriate comments that my husband and i did not appreciate nor the guests and the response from the chapels didn't seem to care when i raised that.
All in all - You would expect at the very least they would try to listen to what went wrong for future weddings but i just got a snarky well nothing we can do and hope you have a good marriage life. So brides to be BEWARE!!!!! -
Review from Christopher J.
4/20/2011 14 photos
==Queen Elizabeth Park==
The first thing I noticed when I visited Vancouver and this park, was their no Idle sign :P Very clean air all around here as always with the enforced law to keep the pollution down.
This park has many nice flowers and plants and greenery. There are paths you can follow and wander around enjoying the beautiful scenery. There is also a map posted to help you find your way to a specific location. As a tourist I enjoy my two hours here.
PROS::
1] Beautiful plants, flowers and greenery
2] A map is posted to lead you in the right direction
3] It's just nice to walk around in the flat open grassy areas to enjoy the breeze
CONS::
None, just enjoy it -
Review from Ed U.
8/8/2010 8 photos
So there are two reasons for a tourist to make a special trip to Queen Elizabeth Park, the "other" green space in Vancouver since Stanley Park is the perceived end-all for all things bucolic in the city. First, there are panoramic views of the Vancouver skyline on top of the hill that dominates the park, an escarpment that was quarried for its rock to make the city's first highways. The second reason is related to the first because there is a nice restaurant on top called Seasons in the Park (see the recent review of my dining experience there: http://www.yelp.ca/biz...) which offers, you guessed it, panoramic views of the skyline.
It is a nice view, for sure, but be prepared to pay for parking. It ain't free. At the same time, when you get to the top of the hill after a bit of a winding drive, there is a nice fountain, a Henry Moore sculpture, and an impressive geodome conservatory housing all sorts of flowers and plants. It's really no wonder you see a lot of young couples taking their wedding photos here. There are a series of long-back benches that surround the fountain and give you an opportunity to park your keester as you ponder what next great sight you plan to see in Vancouver.Listed in: Vancouver, Victoria, Veni,…
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Review from Christine R.
New Westminster, BC
5/15/2009
Have I really lived in Vancouver all my life and only been to Queen E Park a coupla times? Well, what can I say that hasn't been said, it's a lovely place. Views in all directions, gardens, a grove of cherry blossom trees - which was why my friend and I stopped in one recent spring evening - and the so-out-of-place-it-works architecture of the Bloedel Conservatory and fountains.
It's also on the midtown bike route (along 37th), so makes an excellent stop for a summer picnic to reward myself for making it up that killer hill.Listed in: Bicycle!
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Review from Dani B.
4/9/2009
I love this place during the summer. They have over 15 free outside tennis courts, pitch n' put golf, a beautiful garden to walk though, a green house w/ exotic animals and plants (best for the kiddies) and tons of fields, etc. for you to play bacci ball, frisbee or just have a picnic. They also have a frisbee golf field, so the possibilities are endless at Queen Elizabeth Park.
I used to bring my roommate's dog here and it's great for long walks.
Nat Baily stadium is also close by and they host baseball games and farmers markets.
This is a definite hot spot during the summer. -
Review from Tim L.
8/24/2008
This is a pretty common stop when there are out of town guests and for good reason. With an exceptionally landscaped main garden filled with vibrant colours found in a vast variety of flora & fauna it presents a prime example of "Beautiful British Columbia".
The new renovations and construction seem to have come to an end and offer a pretty interesting "dancing" fountain and the dated but still relevant conservatory is a charmer.
For locals however we're probably here more often for the pitch 'n putt and possibly a few weddings at the new Celebration Pavillion. All in all it's a very nice green space to spend a lazy afternoon smack in the middle of the city. -
Review from Andy H.
Vancouver, BC
4/13/2010
Q.E Park!!!!!!!
Go pitch and putt if you get a chance. 13.00 and 2 dollars for club rental. They have a well kept 18, par 3, course. Bring my friends Gary P. and Eugene S. to play because they will make you look like Tiger Woods minus the adultery. -
Review from Alex K.
7/7/2011 3 photos
I really like QE Park. It's a lot easier to get to than Stanley Park, and it's in the middle of the city. The conservatory at the top of the hill is a surprise, and there's a nice sunken garden on the other side, as well as a fantastic view of the skyline. It's peaceful and idyllic.
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Review from Nina H.
11/3/2009 4 photos
I went here on my day trip to Vancouver BC yesterday with my mom and her two friends. We all really enjoyed the park because it was so beautiful! I'm sure it's easier prettier in the spring/summer time but we had no choice but to settle for the rainy weather and dying flowers.
But on the other hand, the autumn color were so brilliant! Orange, red, yellow, green were among us and we were so pleasantly surprised by the variety of plants and flowers the park had. The panoramic view of Vancouver was also superb, definitely very photo-worthy.
The fountain by the Bloedel Conservatory was really fun too. We kept waiting for the water to splash higher so we could take cool photos.
At the end of the day, it was a great walk around the park and cheap parking too!Listed in: Vancouver BC Eats
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Review from Mark H.
This park has a view of Vancouver that I never knew existed. Head to the top and you'll go Wow guaranteed. No wonder why there were so many wedding parties and prom kids here today.
Originally came here to do the Pitch 'n Putt, but through poor sign directions (or I guess combination of me getting lost easily), we got an unplanned tour of most of the park.
It was pretty busy at the Pitch 'n Putt, had to wait a good 20 min to start, but met a cool couple who gave us lots of good advice/tips on golfing. Heck, I even hit the ball straight most of the time! Those who are intimated by regular golf courses should definitely check out this one. Most people are beginners and just wanna have fun. It took us a good 3-4 hours to finish the 18 holes, but it was fun. -
Review from Megan S.
11/24/2008
This place is beautiful and big enough to spend hours exploring. I spent my time in the upper and lower quarry gardens. They're extremely well manicured. If this is what tax dollars pay for- then I'm ok with the
obnoxious PST. There's many choices of winding paths. Some of the paths have stairs- in which case they have wheelchair friendly alternatives, but... some of the ramps look a little steep. So people in wheelchairs, bring a friend to push you up those steep inclines! Being wheelchair friendly, I imagine it's a great place to wheel a little one in a
stroller. 2 parts to definitely check out: the duck pond and the fountains up by the conservatory (great mountain/city view).
Beautiful, big, and right in the middle of town (Cambie, right around 30th or so). -
Review from Alison S.
1/14/2010
I always feel nostalgic about QE Park. My grandparents would take me and my little brother for walks there when we were kids [only so much steam a kid can work off by running in circles in their kitchen]. Back then we'd mostly just run up and down the hill bordering 37th Ave until we were tired (easily amused children), but there's really so much more to see! Now that I'm older my boyfriend takes me on walks there [I guess I still have some restlessness issues], and I've been able to explore it a lot more. It's just a great green space to hang out on a leisurely afternoon.
I love the quarry and rose gardens, the walk up to the conservatory, the duck pond, and the fact that it's a mere 5-10 min walk away from delicious Vietnamese subs on Main Street. -
Review from Susan D.
7/27/2010
Firstly, they are very serious about paying the parking meter. Don't even think about skipping it or leaving it for later.
The view isn't that spectacular or high up. There is a nice Japanese-like garden. Be careful because the steps are steep and one of my friends slipped and that meant that it affected everyone else's time. -
Review from BB H.
Burnaby, BC
5/25/2010
This is only about the tennis courts. There are 18 of them off 37th Ave. at the SE part of QE Park. Throw in a couple of lacrosse/hockey boxes as well as basketball courts and hoo ha! This is one great place to play some sports.
Courts are in decent condition and certainly not as cracked and dried out as the ones at Kits. Well worth the effort to go here. Plenty of parking and easy as pie to get to via bus/Canada Line off Cambie. -
Review from Noa G.
Vancouver, BC
10/21/2008
Queen Elizabeth Park is located on Vancouver's highest point, and features spectacular views of the North Shore, the mountains, and Vancouver's skyline, as well as a multitude of flowers, quiet ponds, ducks, wild birds, and butterflies.
The silver-domed Bloedel Floral Conservatory features numerous climactic zones, including a desert area and a simulated tropical forest, with plants, birds, and fish from South America, Mexico, and Africa.
The park also features a gift shop, restaurant (Seasons - dee-lish!), mini golf, tennis courts and Frisbee golf. -
Review from Luisa S.
Vancouver, BC
10/24/2008
I can't believe I haven't already reviewed Queen E. For shame! This is the site of so many childhood memories. Cherry blossoms in the spring, feeding ducks in the summertime, multi-hued leaves in the fall and tobogganing in the winter... ah, the seasons of my youth (geez, I make it sound as though I'm eighty). Oooh, and field trips to the botanical garden with my elementary school classmates!
Located in the middle of the city, and unfortunately very close to where that bloody Cambie monorail thing, it's the perfect place to wile away the hours no matter the season or your age. -
Review from Richard D.
Vancouver, BC
9/2/2008
Once a quarry, the area was turned into a park with a beautiful garden. The park is on a hill a few kilometers from downtown, so visitors get a great view of the city. The kids will love playing in the fountains near the parking lot, and security guards don't bother them as long as they don't sit on a fountain.
Get a picture next to the statue of a person posing for a photo. Not only is the statue cool, but it's in that location because it offers a great view of the city. I would recommend eating at Seasons in the Park (reviewed separately.) -
Review from Annie Y.
3/26/2010
What a lovely place.
I went during the season of Fall. The views you get at this park is amazing.
A gift shop and restaurants to complete your day at the park.
Absolutely beautiful! -
Review from Cyndi H.
Vancouver, BC
10/18/2010
Awesome view of the city. Great place to play frisbee-golf. Stellar place to take family pictures or have that rotic picnic you've been wanting to have (rotic= romantic, but without the man). So purdy and undervisited. Get out here, people!
Listed in: Your Mom, Random Adventures, Pic-worthy places
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Review from Vanessa G.
12/17/2010
In an attempt to find some quiet space to wander in the downtown area i decided to venture here on a date. Wander we did but never off the cement path. So much cement for a park! I was looking for those photo op places and really couldn't find one. I guess i have been spoiled and always opt to go to Stanley Park where you can sort of get lost sometimes, but here you cannot. I know in the summer it must be much nicer but it is really limited. It looks like a place that has been built to have tour buses drive through. The Season's restaurant looked pretty swanky and nice overlooking the cliff and the city.. next time my date will have to take me their!
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Review from Alisha E.
Vancouver, BC
10/13/2009 7 photos
What a perfect place for a Sunday afternoon stroll on a crisp, sunny, autumn day! Even though i've been living in Vancouver for four years it was my first time visiting this beautiful park. We wandered around the rose garden and through some quaint paths covered in the lovely orange, yellow and red fall trees and leaves all the way to the top of the park. I was surprised at the top to see the whimsical waterworks and conservatory dome. We decided to check out the garden conservatory and the instant I stepped in I took a big breath in of the moist highly oxygenated air then ventured over to the wishing well and tossed in a shiny new penny. The plants were beautiful and the parrots were gorgeous! I also noticed a cute little pavilion at the top of the park that is used as a wedding venue!
We only spent a couple hours at the park but I saw that there were so many things to do there, disc golf, pitch and putt, tennis, feeding the ducks! We will definitely be visiting this lovely park more often :) -
Review from Esther Y.
8/29/2008 5 photos
Beautiful gardens in this park, with a cool looking observatory at the top and fountains. But I thought that being the highest point in Vancouver, you'd be able to SEE Vancouver. You can barely see anything. That was a little disappointing, but the beauty of the well-maintained gardens made up for it. Another great free place to go! Photo/modeling opportunities abound!
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Review from David L.
7/28/2010
I used to go to Q.E. Park almost everyday when I literally lived right across the street beside Q.E. Park. There has been so much change to the park, that it's sad that they didn't preserve the old. For those who don't know, Q.E. Park used to have a huge water fountain area with little artificial rivers between the main parking area and bloedel conservatory. It has been destroyed to make one large fountain. Also the wooden covered walkway in that area made out was completely removed and it was never rebuilt. Instead, they decided to use the area for a larger parking lot. Very very very sad because I had a lot of childhood memories walking and running on the walkway with my grandpa. It was really nice because it provided shade and it was very unique. The Bloedel Conservatory is an bit of a downer. Parrots and Koi fish are the only unique animals you'll encounter. There has been no change to the Bloedel Conservatory for over 25 years. Am I surprised? Nope, because the Vancouver Park Board is broke and they did finally save the Bloedel Conservatory from closing. It would be neat if they added a monkey or two like what you'll see in a public Hawaiian garden.
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Review from Scott S.
7/27/2010
Fantastic views of the city. It's all uphill from downtown if you're biking, but the good news is that it's downhill all the way back! A good route back is to head from QE Park to Kits beach and around the coast to Granville Island.
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Review from Mike O.
Port Moody, BC
9/3/2008
If you're looking for a quite place to sit, have a picnic or run with the dogs, Queen Elizabeth Park is the perfect spot. It's probably the most central point of Vancouver, but it looks like the rolling green hills of some Austrian countryside. It's one of the highest points in Vancouver as well, so you get a great view of the North Shore Peaks. There's always something going on at the park. Concerts, tons of people, weddings. They open the park to anyone for positive community events. There is a huge, silver dome (don't know the name) it's a floral conservatory. Inside you'll encounter a variety of different flowers and plants, but watch your head, there are birds flying around freely. The park has a restaurant that isn't bad, but if you really want to have a good time, bring a packed lunch and sit out on the grass by the duck pond or one of the many sunken gardens along the park's paths.
