Lovely place right in the heart of the city. Walking distance from College station, Check it out read more

See all

It was raining so we decided to walk in. Amazing green house garden. Diverse plants. Friendly Farmer market. Keep an eye for the turtles. Strongly recommend. read more

See all

Cute little conservatory right off Gerrand. Worth it? Yes. But just a short visit, not an hours long stop. read more

See all

Visited Allan Gardens again to see the newly renovated dome. I actually liked the previous one better, but the rest of the garden still looks amazing, which I love! The tropical plants especially remind me of the Philippines, making it feel extra special and relaxing. Definitely a great spot to visit if you want a peaceful escape in the city. read more

Allan Gardens - Parks Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

See all

Ah, Allan Gardens! I haven't visited in over ten years, and then I saw that the Mayor had recently visited, which gave me the idea to return. The gardens are quite small, it will take probably 20-30 mins to visit. There are a lot of homeless people milling about, which is not the most pleasant. The gardens are free, so it's nice to find something that caters to everyone. There are some pretty flowers, a great fountain with koi fish and many cute turtles. A nice place to spend a few minutes in downtown TO for nature/greenery lovers. read more

See all

The allan gardens have to be one of the most underrated places in the city! I visited them last weekend and it was the first week of the farmer's market that is going to run through october to april. It was small but all the vendors were so friendly. They even had some themed activities every week. Last week was a pumpkin decoration thing. The garden was free to visit and sooo pretty. But the allan gardens are not too big itself so I would suggest you to spend an hour there (the market + activities + garden). read more

See all

Such a cool place that was also free! Was in town briefly and happened to stop by when sightseeing. And it was the best part of the day. It was so peaceful and just serene. read more

Long Winter this year was held in Allan Gardens Children's Conservatory which was ideal. This pay what you can art show happened here as the second time and hopefully with more to come! There's a great vibe to the art deco style building with all those windows looking out into the park. Inside the staff was welcoming and friendly as usual and having pleasant warm weather in November meant that the doors could be open to the evening without a problem. The bar area in the back room with the plants for sale is a good place to hang out away from the loudspeakers, and yet had a decent view of the stage. The projected visuals were pretty awesome too! There was the main area ones and another reel playing over the bar. The 2 private bathrooms are clean and spacious, and the friends of Allan Gardens staff were on hand to answer questions about the facility. We are heading back to this venue on Saturday for Nolja which should be interesting, and can't wait!! read more

See all

I've lived in Toronto for almost two years now and had walked past Allan gardens a few times not knowing the wonders it held inside. Whilst the entrance is hard to find and you might need to go around the building a few times because it's easy to miss, it's definitely worth finding. A paradise hidden amongst the city. A beautiful botanical garden with so many unique species and most importantly, TURTLES. SO MANY TURTLES. Perfect for any age , at any time! read more

See all

I know it's not really their fault but the area isn't really that friendly especially for children. There are a lot of homeless tents around. And you can't call them when you call it goes to this pre-automated mailbox that doesn't let you talk to a person. I'm the type of person that I don't just show up places I would like to call and confirm that you're open or to confirm that you sell stuff but nowhere in their automated voice service does it answer this and it doesn't give you the option to speak to a person read more

Five stars.... The greenhouse gets five The park is not a park; don't bring kids. Don't bring a frisbee.. it's the main resource for tents/homeless in moss park. Be smart; keep your eyes open and do not lie in the grass!! (Needles, etc) read more

See all

Since getting into plants a couple of years ago, I've visited several nurseries, gardens, conservatories and greenhouses. I couldn't believe that Allan Gardens doesn't charge any admission! It's a great place to enjoy in the city and it's free! When I went, their main entrance was closed and I was directed by a random person to go around to the side where there is a blue tent. I went on a Tuesday around 2pm and the greenhouse was practically empty. I had the entire place to myself. It's a great place to take photos. All the plants look healthy and are thriving. At this time of their year, their orchids are dormant. I'm really into Hoyas but I only saw 3 of the same kind, so there's not much variety. Still, it's a nice place to visit. They have 2 porta potties outdoors if you need to go. read more

See all

Second time going to Allan Gardens, and I'm so glad that the Gardens weren't severely affected by the covid-19 precautions! Every time I come here, I forget how beautiful and exotic the atmosphere is- almost like it transports you to another country. Because this garden is indoor, the humidity and temperature of the greenhouses are very hot, but I've never had a problem with the temperature of the garden. There are also fish and turtles here and there scattered throughout the garden- I've never seen anything other than those two animals. Would definitely come back here again :3 read more

See all

We decided to go visit this garden since it was free. We parked in the street parking. We saw a family tried entering through the Childrens Conservatory and we were about to follow them then an employee was like this is not the garden you have to go straight and back around which we did and then the doors were blocked off and a stranger was like this is under construction and then we had to go back around again to the opposite side and by that time we were just over it and just left. They need signs to inform people where the actual entrance is located. read more

See all

So happy to be back at Allan Gardens this year! I haven't been since 2019 and it feels so good to walk inside this beautiful botanical garden again!! Their main entrance is currently out of service so you will need to enter through a different entrance close to the playground. There will be signs to guide you so so do not worry! They are currently renovating the main entrance with the dome and I kind of miss the old one they had :( I can't wait to go back again though. Admission is free btw :) Just please be respectful of the plants, trees and flowers. No pets are allowed. read more

See all

I love going to see botanical gardens. This was free and right by our hotel, so we decided to come here. It was not one of the fancier gardens I have seen by far, but it wasn't bad either. There were a variety of pretty things to see and even an indoor pond. It had different gardens including a cactus room and one with more colorful flowers. They had a koi pond which was nice and soothing. I love the sounds of a koi pond. I thought the layout of the gardens was nice as well. It seemed to flow pretty nicely. The surrounding area looked like it could be pretty nice. It is open and there were trees offering some shade which is nice for a picnic. However, there was a group of drunk older men which made me feel a little uncomfortable hanging around after we were done. (This was in summer). I don't know if this is a common occurrence, but it didn't take away from the garden itself. You just want to get in and out. read more

See all

Looking for something free to do around Toronto? Look no further than Allan Gardens! They're a good walk away from the main portion of downtown Toronto, but worth a visit. They're proof that you can walk anywhere in Toronto! Plan a restroom break before you start walking, it's about a 30 minute walk from downtown, and there really isn't much in the area for food! It's a large greenhouse like structure that houses a large variety of different plants! The first walk in area is mostly shrubs and trees, with a few flower beds. Keep walking, and theirs a walk way with a toy train and some flowers. At the end of the second area is a little Koi pond to stop and take a break. Sit for a bit and take in the natural beauty! The final area has plenty of flowers! This area also has a little wooden cabin with Turtles swimming around a pond. This is true ya nature lover's paradise! Well worth the walk! read more

This place has been closed for most of the pandemic sadly. It was the perfect place to bring a coffee and a friend or date to and just walk around. In the winter it is especially nice as they keep it nice and warm and there is so much beautiful nature around you. I love seeing all the different flowers. Allan Gardens is like an escape from the city. I can't wait for it to open up again! read more

I appreciate green space, and this one holds special value for me, even as a visitor, because it's in a busy urban environment. And after seeing how big the space was and how full it was of plants, I wouldn't dare 'deduct' any frigging 'star' from the rating. This conservatory sticks in my memory as chock full of plants in every corner, and I enjoyed that almost jungle-like vibe while walking through the different arms of the conservatory. I recall an elderly gentleman sitting on a bench near the entrance to a section reading a book, and I remember wishing for a split second it was me on that bench, surrounded by the sounds and sights of nature. read more

See all

This place was definitely one of our highlights in my family trip to Toronto. First of all, this place is FREE! You'll most likely have to pay for parking since it is street parking. There is no parking lot and parking can be a hassle to find since this is in the middle of businesses and apartments. Get ready to parallel park, which I am horrible at. This garden is located in a big park. There are a lot of homeless people chilling around the park. When I went with my family, we actually witnessed 2 groups of homeless people having a big argument so we just took a long detour to avoid that scene. Anyways, you cannot miss this garden. It is in a beautiful old building. There are gardens outside of the building so take your time and explore EVERYTHING. Do give yourself a lot of time because my family and I did not expect this place to be big and diverse. Looking for a new IG pic? This place is the spot for you with so many different nature backgrounds to pose with! I am a huge fan of succulents so I loved the area with the variety of desert plants. You can spot some huge round cacti that looks like the perfect seat and lots of adorable succulents! There's also a section with a mini pond that has a lot of turtles just sunbathing. Try to also spot the mini train tracks and the train! All the plants are beautifully maintained and you may even stumble upon an employee. Don't hesitate to ask them any questions because they are very knowledgeable about all the plants that they care for. Bring everyone here! Even if they are not a big fan of nature, I am sure there is a plant here that will captivate their attention. My family and I spent a long time exploring this beautiful garden. This is an example of your dream garden! read more

The Gardens itself might be cool, but the surrounding area is SO unpleasant. We walked across the park in the daytime and there were a lot of weird people hanging out around the Garden. There was one guy who was drunk and shouting at people who were resting at the steps of the building, and another guy who was urinating on the walkway! On our way out, we also saw an ambulance that came in response to a guy that was half-naked lying on the street. All that to say... be careful getting in and out! read more

Allan Gardens - Parks Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

Wonderful activity for a gloomy day in Toronto. I was visiting from Montreal and my friend and I wanted to do something calm (and let's be real, free!) on the last day of my visit. We loved the beautiful rooms, each with a different climate and tons of diverse flowers and plants. It wasn't so busy when we were here and it was super peaceful and relaxed. We spent a while walking around and looking at the different flowers and their origins. We especially liked looking at the turtles who were oh so cute! The many volunteers were helpful and friendly. This is an activity for all ages. It is open 10h-17h everyday and is accessible to those in a wheelchair. read more

See all

There's all sorts of stunning thriving plants here, can't believe admission is free! We came within the last 15 mins of them closing on a Saturday so there were not that many people. We had to wear masks at all times inside due to the pandemic. Anyway it's just so pretty, no wonder igers love it! read more

Allan Gardens - Parks Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

See all

Now talk about a secret garden. Nestled in between the streets of Carlton, Gerrard, Jarvis and Sherbourne is a elegant Victorian style glass domed greenhouse. The conservatory is actually 6 greenhouses in one which spans 16,000 square feet. It houses plants and flowers from all around the world, is kept at a consistently warm and humid state and is tended to by dedicated, helpful volunteers. Gardeners, nature lovers, and anyone who can appreciate beauty will love it here. Truly a feast for the eyes with exotic plants, gorgeous flowers, a koi pond, turtles, and sculptures. It would be a crime to rush through it. You need at least an hour to see all the different varieties of flora and appreciate all the thoughtful details of its design (Don't forget to look up). Plant yourself on a bench, take a minute to breath in the oxygen rich environment, look around and truly take in all its beauty. "Allan Gardens Conservatory is a historic landmark that lies in one of Toronto's oldest parks" (quoted from their website). Thanks goes to George Allan, a prominent local politician who gifted the land to create a garden that was to be publicly accessible and free of charge. Open 10 am - 5 pm, 365 days a year and to top it off free admission! A tropical escape during the warm months and a warm oasis in the dead of Winter; Allan Gardens is a jewel in the heart of Downtown. read more

See all

A bit of greenery in the heart of downtown Toronto, I say yes! Allan Gardens is a small oasis of greenery easily accessible for anyone looking for a place of tranquility and most of all, free. I went on a late Saturday afternoon, there were few people, a family and a few photographers (the canopy roof is worth it!). I stayed there quite a while, not for the multitude of plants to see, but simply because it was different in comparison to the concrete of downtown. If you are looking for great landmarks to visit, I probably would not recommend it, but if you are looking for a bit of quiet from the downtown frenzy, go for it! read more

See all

Beautiful! Unique plants and flowers everywhere! We can't believe that this place is also FREE!! Wish we had something like this back where we lived. There's meter parking all around the park, a fenced in dog park for both large and small dogs, and there's also a huge playground for kids to enjoy too!! There's a little bit of everything for each member for your family here. (No dogs allow in the conservatory though) read more

See all

This place is a little slice of heaven on earth. I'm afraid to tell you how nice this place is, because we found it to be not busy at all when I went with my wife and 18 month old daughter (who loved looking at everything - especially the turtles). In my 40 years of being a Torontonian I never knew this place existed - and I wish I had known earlier. Parking is free. Admission is free. It takes about 30 minutes to leisurely get through the gardens. This is not a place to go for a wild time. It's quaint. Serene. Full of Zen. Chi. Calm. Whatever you want to call it, it's peaceful. I think it's good too for a kid about 18 months old who's discovering new things. I saw a couple of parents with newer kids (around 4-8months) on chest carriers. I wouldn't take a kid over the age 2 (just IMO). There's 4 different rooms with 4 different environments. When we went they had a Xmas display that had poinsettias, wood reindeer, lights, and ornaments. I will say that if you are planning on going and you have mobility issues - the ground is flat, all the doors are automatic however the areas that you walk are not wide enough for a walker or a wheelchair (IMO) but I might be wrong. Anyhow you should go, and enjoy! read more

Allan Gardens - Parks Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

While I was marking my Toronto itinerary, Allan Gardens kept coming up on places to do. Apparently this is Toronto's best kept secret and I could see why. I've been to a lot of conservatories and this one is up there. We were greeted by a staff member upon entering. The place is breath taking as I stepped foot inside. The dome glass ceiling brings so much sunlight into the place. We followed the path, one room lead into another and another. There is an outdoor vegetable garden, do not pick them! There are 2 cool looking sculptures with plants growing all over them outside. There's a small coy pond and another one filled with turtles. It's very calming and relaxing in here, you forget the crazy hustle and bustle going on outside. There are bathrooms here. AG is open 365 days a year from 10am to 5pm and the best part it's FREE! Beware of the all the homeless people hanging out in the park. read more

See all

Truly a hidden gem. Strolling down Gerrard Street after having coffee with a friend, this garden was a pleasant surprise. It didn't look like much from the outside - it's an old building and there's homeless people hanging around the area. However, this indoor garden will allow you to warm up in this chilly winter and enjoy the beautiful, colourful display of flowers and other plants. My favourite part was seeing the large cacti and succulents. Definitely a great spot for a walk with your loved ones. It's an escape from the busy streets of downtown. If you want to take cute photos with your boo, friend, or family, this is the place to go. A free activity to do if you're in the area! read more

Allan Gardens - Pretty flowers - Parks Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

See all

Now the photos attached to this review are numerous but they are also from two different visits. One in early March and on Mother's Day weekend in May. I would recommend based on my experience that you should be visiting bimonthly if you enjoy seeing different flowers bloom throughout the season. Also if you're someone who likes or loves or knows someone who loves photography, great date spot, but I mean depending how into photography you or your date are than there might not be a whole lot of interaction between you two but maybe some admiration of another's passions. The garden is sectioned off into different areas that house their corresponding plants. They have an open area that gets cooler where they put what seems to be more seasonal flowers and right now they seems to be daffodils but don't quote me on that I just appreciate them and don't really know their names. They have a more arid sections that houses cacti and succulents. They also have a more tropical humid area that houses more flowers of unknown name and origin (I mean they're named in Latin on these little plaques but ) I mean like I said I appreciate flowers but in so much that I like the look and smell and then I move on to the next one. The walkways here are slightly wide enough for two people to pass by each other but sometime not so much. There isn't really a person there to ask questions so its really a self-directed experience. You can go through the whole garden in about 30 mins if you want or if you enjoy taking photos about 1-1.5 hours. Overall I think this place is really accessible, it's free, and it offers you almost an abundance of flowers to look at but it doesn't cost you a ton or time nor make you walk a great distance. If you're looking for a more informative experience this is not for you. Also the second visit we came and we able to purchase some plants and succulents as part of an annual plant sale. They also informed us that they have partnership programs with schools where the plants will be planted at partnered schools. read more

See all

It's a garden in the heart of the city. The dog park and the conservatory (free to enter) are highlights. The park does attract its fair share of characters and local colour to be aware. All in all a nice place to get a real sense of Toronto as a city. read more

Everyone was nice! Great social distancing requirements . Beautiful on the inside! Open from 12-5 Sat and Sunday read more

Allan Gardens - Parks Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

One of my girlfriend's happy place. The garden is free of admission with volunteers helping to keep the plants alive. It is not particular big in size but decent enough for the city of Toronto. Many people come here for the viewing, stroll or even for pictures for their gram, grad and other special occasions. The girlfriend's favourite spot in the garden is with the succulents. She's a succa for them (pun intended). The general area itself is not very ideal. Lots of strange individuals, some high, some drunk, some passed out. A curious kid asked his mother why is the man sleeping on the grass? When clearly the man had a few too many to drink before noon. She made a lie saying the man just wanted a nice nap in the middle of the park. There isn't any free parking or cheap parking in the area so if you're not too stingy go for it, if not then park somewhere decent and walk over. It is worth to check out. read more

Allan Gardens - @thanhtnguyen_ - Parks Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

Well kept, free admission, and plenty to see. There are turtles and a pond with koi. The pace here is ultra slow and quiet. So if you want to find a place to meditate and get away from the hustle and bustle of the city, come on in for some peace and chillin. I brought my dad here this afternoon and it was perfect. read more

See all

This is one of Toronto's best kept secrets. I take as many people as I can here. It's open every day (check their website for hours). There is a section for cacti, a tropical jungle that is sweltering even on the coldest winter day, a temperate zone, and more. There's also an amazing playground for children (or adults) just outside. If you're looking at a playground, and don't think it's amazing, that's just the small one with one sad swing. Keep walking - you'll see it! There's also a dog park on one side of the building. If you've never been, you really must go! read more

Situated in the downtown core, Allan Gardens is a great escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. The gardens are open year round during the day and is free to the public. Upon entering you are greeted with a variety of lush green flora and fauna; as you make your way around the different greenhouses you are transported to different regions and areas of the world. The conservatory itself is mostly a quiet space as others often soak in the beautiful exotic greenery that is available here. It does not take the whole day to walk the whole place but if you could, you could easily spend the entire day walking around and sitting on the benches that are provided for you. My favourite area of the green house has to be the Arid House (a permanent collection) which displays a wide variety of cacti and succulents. read more

Allan Gardens - Parks Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

See all

Over a century old tucked away into a sleepy area of downtown this is an oasis of horticultural delights! Highly recommended and free to the public! read more

Allan Gardens - Parks Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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

See all

Cool place in the City to venture and photograph. It's hot and humid in here but after all it is a green house and suppose to be that way. :) Was awesome seeing a banana tree in person (over 20 ft high) with actual bananas growing and the many species of cactuses. There are so many different types of plants here, any horticulturists or nature lover would be in awe. There's winding paths that lead you into the various green rooms and it looks like they run a school program for the kids here too. It's very peaceful in here. I find people speaking softly not to disturb the tranquil and serene atmosphere. The garden is a lovely contrast to the concrete world just outside the doors. read more

See all

I really would never expect something this beautiful smack dab in the city. The place was recommended to me by someone who was having a hard time and found solace coming here to take a breather and do some writing. I totally underestimated this place before going there. Despite my biases, the classical music enhances the atmosphere and the conservatory is a slice of serenity away from the bustle of traffic and complications of our mundane world. That sounds kind of tacky, I know, but whatevs. Ok, factual stuff. Plenty of variety in terms of things to look at and ponder over, informative, interesting signs to play tour guide to you so you can go wherever you please at your own pace, generally not busy, benches to sit on in case you'd like to stay a while and look around. They also have turtles!! And a squirrel, however I think that was an accident of sorts, but still cool anyhow methinks. For free admission and the quality of this place, a definite Toronto must-see. Just a heads up though, they close at 5, so head over early. read more

See all