Allan Gardens is one of the most surprising hidden gems in Toronto! Most people never or seldom have heard of it and chances are if they had, they never visited. While places like the Art Gallery of Ontario have 49 reviews, this oasis of multiple climates in a city like Toronto only has 12 as of this writing; and the last one was 6 months ago! Why? Decreed into being free for perpetuity after Allan donated the land back in 1857 the park/land was almost rejected as it was considered way too far in the 'burbs' back then. (Ha!) Now the thing is smack downtown and for the most part it is run by volunteers and it is generally always empty. So... The Conservatory is a great place to go and just sit. Or if you never been, walk around an just take in that delicious greenery smell. Remember to bring your camera. Word for the wise, the park surrounding the conservatory has a dog park where you can let your dog run free free-reign. The grounds are also home to Toronto's largest flock of pigeons and a decent number of loitering homeless people. Not so keen on that last one though. As for the actual conservatory/gardens, they are divided in 6 sections. One being a teaching area. The other five are full of glorious plants from desert cacti, tropical banana, bamboo to orchids and a few endangered species (as if orchids themselves are growing everywhere) like Jade Vines! This is one of those places that really makes you feel proud to be a Torontonian and I enjoy visiting often. Fun Fact: Crazy yet lovable Oscar Wilde gave a lecture here back in May 1882. read more

Bounded on four sides by Jarvis, Gerrard East, Sherbourne and Carlton streets, the botanical garden, located in the Allen Garden park at the edge of downtown, is an easy find but not many people know about it. The Allen Gardens park around the conservatory has a play area for children and off-leash dog park as well. This place is a great stumble upon while you are exploring the city's Gay village, Cabbagetown, Regent park or Garden district all of which are located in the surrounding neighbourhoods; when I take visitors on a tour of the city, we often end here. In the middle of a snowy chilly winter, the conservatory provides a welcome break. Leave your jackets behind and strip down to your t-shirt because this place is warm and humid. During summer I sometimes come here for lunch in the leafy park. I think the foundation that runs this place is doing a great job of keeping it going and best of all, it's free to visit! The botanical gardens has four (or five?) major sections - the tropical house, cool house, palm house and cactus house. There is also an area for training or facilities maintenance. Who knew there could be public space, in downtown Toronto, that is well kept and maintains rare tropical plants from all around the world in a little 16,000 sqft area. Check it out! http://finaltransit.com/blog/2010/10/26/toronto-tuesday-02-13-allan-gardens/ read more

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This is a real gem in downtown Toronto. It's not too big of a conservatory, but it fits in a lot of plants into the space it has. Palms? Check. Cacti and other succulents? Check. Orchids? Check. Koi? Check-and turtles, too! And it's free to visit! I've paid admission to enter smaller, less lush conservatories in other cities. It didn't take too long for my husband and I to visit all the rooms, but we lingered for a while on one of the benches in the Palm Room, because we didn't want to leave. If I lived in Toronto, this would be my getaway spot, whenever I needed a quick escape. read more

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Beautiful old Victorian botanical greenhouses. Large & extensive, with several different types of biomes such as tropical and desert climes represented. Plants all look lush, healthy, and many flowering this time of season. Well kept and labeled specimens -- great big jade plants, aloes, and clivia were cool to see and astonishing to what size they can achieve. Loved the small glassed-in orchid exhibit! There are also several water features within the greenhouses such as a small koi pond, a painted turtle pond, and other quiet and lovely waterworks. Free to public. However, we noted several indigents around the grounds on park benches -- we didn't experience any problems nor threatening feelings, but just something to be aware of. read more

Allan Gardens - Parks Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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Picture this! Toronto, it was super cold outside, right in the middle of the winter. There I was walking around in a garden without wearing a down jacket. No, I'm not describing a scene from a future global warming effect. I'm talking about a little gem right here in Toronto. Allan Gardens Conservatory took me by surprise from the moment I stepped inside. Greeted by bamboo, palm and banana trees (and a rush of warm air), I was wowed by the collection of plants from different climate. The cactus house will make you feel as if you are in a desert paradise. The tropical house is filled with colorful warm climate plants and flowers such as hibiscus and orchids. One of my favorite green houses is the seasonal house. Right now, it is filled with spring flowers. I also love the quietness within the conservatory. For about an hour, I forgot that I was in the middle of a city. It's open all year round, and best of all, it's Free! read more

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Such a gem in the middle of the city! Need some colour and warmth during a typical bleak Toronto weather? Make the trek over to the Conservatory and be enveloped by the flowers and foliage in the greenhouses that make up the site. Can't argue with the price: it's free! The Conservatory does close at 5 p.m. and can be congested sometimes on the weekends or during wedding shoots. The floral themes change throughout the season with different Flower Shows so there's always something new on exhibit whenever you visit. Quite an under-appreciated jewel we have in Toronto, take a break from a mall and hop on the streetcar over to Carlton and Jarvis soon. read more

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If you haven't been to Allen Gardens, you are really missing out. First of all, this gem is FREE OF CHARGE! There's not many things you can do for free these days, so take advantage of this one while you still can. Even if you're not that into flowers, this is a nice place to have an afternoon stroll or a relaxing place to read a book. The greenhouse has multiple rooms with different types of flowers, plants and cacti. They even have turtles. It took me about 30-45 minutes to walk through but you can spend as much time as you want in there. read more

Green warm views on a chilly Sunday Toronto afternoon. Never did I know that Allan Gardens is actually a really close place to Dundas Square, but more importantly, I don't think I ever knew that Allan Gardens was FREE. F-R-E-E, yea, FREE. Strolling along, I marvel at this beautiful large glasshouse with slight scratches and slightly dirty windows now, I'm amazed to know that Allan Gardens has been around for quite some time. A lot of people will be in here taking professional photography, and there aren't too many benches, of which they will probably always be taken, so don't expect to find a seat here unless maybe on a weekday morning or afternoon? They have a wide variety of plants, and some animals including turtles and koi. In addition there are different regions for different types of plants - to ensure that they have a similar temperature kept inside. I am a big fan of visiting the Allan Gardens during the winter, I'm not sure if it might be too hot and stuffy during the summer. read more

Great place to check out all sorts of trees and plants. They even have a coconut tree. read more

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My favorite place to go in Toronto . Friendly staff, open for everyone( free) I love the layout. There are so many compliments for that place . I can't write it down all. Just visit and enjoy the fresh and free oxygen :-) read more

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Lovely garden perfect for a casual stroll or a date. Larger than life plants making it a fun and flirty experience, not to mention perfect for insta photos! read more

Very splendid park areas, green houses, horticulture centre is full of vitality w/ many different species of plants and flowers, fresh air, brilliant colours very well kept... Many folks walking around w/ their dogs, children, and families and friends; a really beautiful safe free place in Toronto. read more

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This place is brilliant. A real gem in Toronto. I wish more cities had places like this. The Conservatory is a large, multi-zone entity where you can find banana trees, palm trees, Nepenthes and other carnivorous plants, gorgeous flowers, cacti, and countless plants I don't know of. It's a place where you walk around admiring stuff, or sit on a bench to read/be enveloped by natural beauty and tranquility. Also, a warm, free place to come and brighten your day in the winter! read more

Allan Gardens - Amazing Nepenthe! - Parks Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

I can't believe I waited so long before visiting Allan Gardens! In spite of its proximity to the most infamous Harvey's location in Toronto, this gorgeous respite offers a nearly complete escape from the hustle and bustle...absolutely FREE of charge. This is a great spot to visit with out-of-town guests, and I highly recommend the Christmas/Holiday flower display. It's a stunning display! I'm in awe of whoever keeps the plants looking so luscious here; I'm sure it's a full-time job for several people, but the result is incredible. It's hard to fault a garden this beautiful that charges no admission, but I can't lie--this is a hot spot for parents looking to partially offload bored children on strangers. Every time I visit, there are at least a handful of hellions in various stages of meltdown, which is hardly a surprise. I suspect parents know their children won't enjoy being here, but it's free, and babysitters aren't. read more

How can you say no to free? Essentially a series of connected greenhouses, Allan Gardens are a great way to spend some time inside on a chilly winter day. The building itself may not be as architecturally appealing as it could be, but there's more than enough plants to keep you interested. They also had some Christmas/holiday specific set ups when I visited. One problem I had was a lack of available parking in the free lot. read more

Good place for dating and taking pictures! It's really warm and the space is actually quite big! The staffs are really friendly. My friend and I came in the last minute and it's really much better than what we've thought. read more

Allan Gardens - Parks Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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M surprised me by taking to Allan Gardens! What an amazing surprise! This place is absolutely beautiful and there are so many different plants and flowers to see! I was in awe at how they managed to grow a banana, a papaya and a lemon tree in Toronto. I wish there was a little more space to walk though cause I felt like I was trampling over people. I also love taking selfies with my love and sometimes I felt like we were sticking our phones other peoples faces. I also wish there was more sitting areas and other sculptures. There was one couple that hogged the area around the sculpture of some goddess. Other than that, this is a must see!! read more

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Beautiful colourful oasis in the middle of downtown. Perfect for when you need to escape the city for a while. It has benches to relax and a little pond with tortoises and fish. The whole place is stunning and great for pictures. And all for free! read more

Allan Gardens - ceiling, main room - Parks Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

Conveniently located in the heart of downtown. It's a wonderful place to relax and explore some of the greenery found around the world. They have a few different houses with different themes such as cactus/desert plants or the orchid house etc. There were some kids there but they seemed bored and some were destructive. Sad to say their parents were not respectful of the garden. I would say not to bring your kid unless they know how to be respectful of a space like this. The space is a bit tight in some areas but overall it was a very beautiful experience read more

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I can't believe it took me this long to check out Allan Gardens but I'm so glad I finally made it out here! It's absolutely gorgeous, free admission, and easily accessible by public transportation. I went during the Spring Flower Show over Easter weekend and it was the cutest! (Bit of a late review ) My friend and I spent about three hours here wandering the different sections of the Gardens, admiring the flowers and turtles, and, of course, taking pictures. 100% would recommend and come back! read more

Allan Gardens - Parks Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

Allan Gardens Conservatory is not necessarily the top thing on my list of fun places to visit but I just happened to be taking a walk downtown when I came across it and decided to see what it was like. I mean, I couldn't beat the price...Free! The grounds outside of the conservatory were absolutely beautiful. It hosts a nice dog park where people can bring their companions for a little run around time. As with other parts of the city, you may find some interesting people out wandering around the park. I have been to a couple of conservatories in the states, but in no way could they compare with this place! The layout was beautiful and although the day that I attended Allan Gardens was very cold, it was warm enough inside to only be in a short sleeve shirt. It was like stepping out of Toronto and into the tropics. I love the variety of plants that they have there! Most of these plants I would probably never have the chance to see unless I took a world trip and studied the local flora. Since that is not likely to happen I am content with the wonderful job they have done displaying them here. The information plaques are also helpful in gaining some knowledge that you wouldn't have otherwise had. This would also be a great place to just come and relax. That is one of the reasons I will come back. It's great for someone looking for somewhere to go if they are vacationing in Toronto, but it could also be an oasis for those who live in the city. They have benches you can sit on and simply relax and enjoy the atmosphere. This will now be one of my regular spots to unwind. The conservatory is only open until 5 PM so be sure to plan accordingly. The gardens have a very laid back flow so take your time and enjoy the surroundings. There wasn't many people when I went so I was able to relax and really take it all in. read more

What was a few years ago a nice quiet place has changed with times. My visit here was semi-pleasant. Our dog loves to play at the large off-lease dog park but the approach from the corner of Gerrard and Sherbourne is not so great. There are a lot of homeless people which is sad but understandable. What annoys me is the number of hooligans smoking up and maybe even doing drugs in various nooks of the park. Me and my wife were confronted by one such semi nude possible high fellow and he blocked our path and scared the sheets out of us. read more

After my morning coffee at Mylk Uncookies I walked around Allan Gardens since I'm hardly in this area and with an hour to kill I decided it was a great time to sight-see for a while. There are no signs that indicate where it is you're walking in to and the glass dome you're walking towards looks mendaciously devoid of life until you're just a few feet from it. Being a weekday morning there was no huge crowd and I had no idea what to expect and in what scope. You walk in and you're in the outer layer of the circular area beneath the dome whose centre is occupied by a small empty space with a bench and flowers to it's backdrop, this area is filled with taller plants/trees including banana and palm trees. Stemming on both side from this central area is a large area filled with intimate walkways that bring you up close to a surfeit of plants, many of which reminded me of plants found back in Sri Lanka. I might have gone a little overboard taking pictures since the morning sun was at a great angle for some of the plants and just gave some great photo ops. Very good diversity of flora even including a cacti Some highlights for me were the small ponds in the labyrinth of walkways including a couple of goldfish ponds and a mini watermill! There was also a pathway that ended at a wooden door which I thought was very "Secret Garden" esque (got a picture of it). If you want to see some colour in your life especially in the winter I would highly recommend checking this place out, it would also prove to be a great shelter from the cold. The only bone to pick I have with them is that they are only open till 5, but they are open weekends so that does help compensate. Thing to note: While walking around crazy lady approached me asking me if I thought this earth of ours was going to survive. I said I hoped so. read more

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Such a beautiful garden and was pleasantly surprised by the amount of succulents they had! Definitely one of the best in the Toronto region. Will take about an hour to get through entirety. read more

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I live in San Francisco where we have the Conservatory of Flowers for $6 entry. Allan Gardens rivals our conservatory in quality and it's FREE! If you are in the area and love gardening and/or nature this should definitely be on your to do list. I wish more plants had name plates so we could know what our favorites are called. Seems like they are in the process of working on that feature. There is also a dog park located just outside of the gardens, should you wish to bring your furry friends :) read more

One of the city's hidden gems. Allan Gardens is a great place to visit any time of year and it's free! I've been a couple times and it's always a very quiet and peaceful environment. During the holidays, they have these elaborate displays of poinsettias (different colours, arranged into reindeer shapes...) that are definitely worth checking out. I am always surprised that a lot of Torontonians have never been here/didn't know this existed... perhaps that changed after its appearance in Atom Egoyan's movie "Chloe"? (Horrible movie, but nice to see Toronto playing itself and not pretending to be another city). read more

This is a great place to go when you just need a little space. I was skeptical since my aunt had always talked about this as being my great grandmother's favorite place in the city - I mean really, gardens aren't usually on the top of my list of places to visit during exam season. BUT - I was proven wrong - this is a great place to take a break and I will definitely be back - perhaps next winter when Toronto is enveloped in snow and I am craving some warmth and green space. Since it is right downtown, and close to Cabbagetown, it has the potential to be a part of a relaxed afternoon of wandering. read more

Cute green house in the heart of downtown. Peaceful. A variety of plants. Great for families. Open-leash dog park. Play ground for kids. Plenty of street parking. Free admission which encouraged my boyfriend and I to check it out. There was a production team on site that day, so we didn't have access to the entire green house. All in all it was a great experience. read more

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This is one awesome hidden gem in Toronto. I'm assuming it's hidden because there weren't many tourists when I was there. From the outside, the building itself looks nice. Once you walk in, you're greeted by fresh air, beautiful flowers, and peaceful. There are statues throughout the garden and a pond inside. You can easily spend an hour minimum at this garden. It's big and many different sections. I believe there were about 4 sections or more. The staff were friendly. They don't bother you and if you stop to ask them a question, they have no problem answering you. It's free and you can take all the pictures that you want! They hold different events here throughout the year. When I was there in October, there was an upcoming event titled "The Fall Chrysanthemum Exhibition". From the ad, it seems like an awesome event. If I lived in the area, I would definitely attend every exhibit they host. Random, but the day I came here, I arrived 9:30am. At 10:30am, they were asking all the guest to leave because there was a police investigation. Someone was attacked a little earlier that day. That was so random. I was inside for an hour and everything seems fine so not sure what was going on. read more

I have already reviewed the dog park - Now I'll touch on the park. It's amazing that we have so much green space in this city, and to have it so close to my house, I am a very lucky person. About 5 years ago the city of Toronto cleaned this place up. There are still your junkies and booze hounds, but they are only now seen more at night. There is also a much bigger police presence in the park and that's never a bad thing. On a nice summer morning you will be treated to saxophone playing, people doing tai chi and the sound of dogs barking. The actual gardens are stunning in the height of the spring and summer, and the area is a nice place to take a book, soak in the rays or just people watch. As for the winter....unless you're a crazy dog owner like I am...there is not much here for you. read more

Prepare to spend about 20-30 minutes here. It's a nice, free green space in downtown with lots of flowers and plants. As someone who enjoys nature, I liked walking through the conservatory and taking pictures. Keep in mind that it can get quite humid, especially in the summer, which is perhaps a reason why I didn't want to stay that long. Ultimately, it's a decent place to check out, especially if you want a change of scenery from the urban atmosphere of downtown. By the way, there are bathrooms here! read more

4/5 This lovely green house is a perfect place to bring family, lover and friends. There are fair numbers of various plants from different environments. Staffs are all very knowledgeable and kind to explain different kinds of plants in the place. Also it's free of charge. It's can be bit humid and hot inside so be prepared. Also be aware of drunken/high homeless people. They love hang out in the park. They are open 7 days a week and close at 5pm read more

We came here and also went to Edwards Gardens. If you're short on time and have to choose between the two, choose Allan Gardens Conservatory. It is on Jarvis and Gerrard, within short walking distance of downtown, and features a greenhouse with tropical plants, one with desert plants, and another with seasonal plants (which, in early November, meant chrysanthemums). read more

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There's only one word to describe Allan Gardens Conservatory - STUNNING. I cannot believe I'd never been before this weekend and am actually sad about it! At the corners of Carlton and Sherbourne, Allan Gardens Conservatory is a City of Toronto-run greenhouse that was absolutely bursting at the seams with gorgeous, and in some cases rare, flowers, plants and trees. It smelled delicious and everything was in full bloom. What a glorious place this would be to go in the winter, as it's warm and cozy inside. Look up when you go in and you'll see the sky through the beautiful glass dome. Then, wander through the two offshoots with all kinds of flowers, and even a little pond with koi. The best part is that it's free. This means that there are more than a few interesting characters milling about, but I think they were enjoying the beauty of the Conservatory just like everyone else. This is a must-see! read more

I found out about this place from the movie Chloe. Ever since then, it's been on my list of places to see. Well, a couple years went by and today I finally went to check it out. Once I got inside, I was surprised by how big it is and that one room kept leading to another. I thought it was beautiful and was in awe of everything. And a bonus; seeing the agave plant in bloom, which happens once a century, was pretty cool. read more

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I love Allan Gardens! I cannot express how peaceful and calming I find this place to be. I have been during different seasons and love to see how the plants inside change and what new flowers are on display. My favourite so far is the spring flower show. Gorgeous! I also love that they have a section of cactus plants. Some of them are really huge and cool to see up close. They also have turtles in this little pond area! So cute. Any staff I have run into have always been the loveliest people, and it's free to see, which are just added bonuses. The only thing to be a bit cautious of is the area of the city and some of the people who frequent this park-- it can be a little sketchy sometimes. Just go during the day and mind your own, and it's fine. So worth multiple visits. I can't wait for this year's fall and winter displays! read more

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I love Allan Gardens, a Victorian-era greenhouse in a down-at-heels area of Toronto. It's warm and humid in January, and full of tropical flowers and little fountains. Fellow-visitors usually include photographers, wedding parties, homeless people, and anyone who wants an hour-long vacation from the realities of Toronto life. It's free and it's beautiful. Christmas displays (poinsettias and seasonal topiary-ish things) are up in December and early January; from then until March the place is packed with spring bulbs: tulips, muscari, daffodils, and sweet narcissus. Allan Gardens is the place I take people to show off my Toronto savvy. It's a lovely thing to pair with a breakfast trip to the village in February, when the soul cries out for greenery, flowers, and eggs benedict with brunch cocktails. read more

Absolutely stunning. I would highly suggest going if you have the time. They have several greenhouses that are very well kept. read more

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An awesome oasis in the dead of winter! I walked by Allen Gardens for half a year before someone told me what it was. It's this amazing winter oasis. A heated greenhouse filled with beautiful plants from all over the world. It's divided into sections, everything from the tropical entrance with lots of palm trees to the warm and dry dessert sections featuring a variety of succulents (not to be confused with a succubus...sorry for any resultant disappointment) to a delightful room with a semi-working paddle wheel and a collection of orchids. This is a great escape from the awful winters here...you can enjoy the sun without being bundled up. It's good for time alone with friends or with family. My only complaint is that there's not a lot of seating, so it's hard to just sit and enjoy for a long time if it's busy. A TIP: It closes at 5. Weekends can be quite busy, but if you come close to opening, i.e. before 10:30 you'll have a lot of time to wander without having to navigate the people setting up tripods for photos. read more

Not crowded at all. A nice little winter pick-me-up. Had a great conversation with a drunk lady who was apparently just forcibly removed from a funeral. 5 stars. read more

Allan Gardens - Flowers. - Parks Near Me - Toronto, Ontario