Tropical birds flying through a jungle—in Canada? It’s not science fiction (or a horrible premonition of global warming); it’s the Bloedel Conservatory in Vancouver, BC!

This indoors tropical garden is filled with more than 100 birds that rest in the trees above your head and zip past you on a winding path. The Bloedel Conservatory in Vancouver is housed in a domed building that looks more like a biosphere than public park. It’s just as magical.

All you need is about an hour—plus some sharp eyes—to explore the Bloedel Conservatory. It’s perfect if you’re wondering what to do in Vancouver, especially on a rainy or snowy day.

Below, I’ll walk you through how to make the most out of a visit to the Bloedel Conservatory in Vancouver, BC. You won’t want to miss this.

Bloedel Conservatory in Vancouver: A tropical jungle in BC

You don’t typically head to British Columbia—or anywhere in Canada for that matter—if you’re seeking hot, humid weather and tropical fauna. But you’ll find both in this unique conservatory in Vancouver.

I went to the Bloedel Conservatory on a recent siblings’ trip to Vancouver. When we first heard about tropical birds in a dome, we were sold! My brother and sister-in-law are birdwatchers, too, so it was a perfect thing to do in Vancouver on a rainy day.

An easy loop path winds around the inside of the conservatory. Walking along, you’ll pass waterfalls, cross bridges, discover benches tucked away in trees—and of course see dozens of birds.

Canaries, finches, parakeets and more species than I could name flit overhead. What’s more, about 10 parrots, cockatoos and macaws have semi-permanent posts throughout the Bloedel Conservatory. Some of these intelligent birds speak (can you find the one that says “peekaboo”?).

Don’t forget to look high up in the leaves and along the perimeter of the park. The Lady Amherst’s Pheasant—a chicken-sized bird with a seriously impressive tail—tends to sneak around the borders of the garden beds, hiding behind plants.

The Bloedel Conservatory in Vancouver is equally impressive for its tropical plants. Orchids, strangler figs, palms and cacti grow under the conservatory’s dome. In fact, as you walk along the path, you’ll move through different “habitats,” such as the desert and tropical rainforest.

How to explore the Bloedel Conservatory

When you enter the Bloedel Conservatory in Vancouver, pick up a self-guided tour pamphlet. It takes you through the park in a clockwise direction.

Level 10 travel tip: To avoid bottlenecking behind groups, turn right instead of left when you enter the conservatory. Just read the self-guided tour from the end to the start, and you’ll avoid some of the crowds.

Look for numbered signs, which correspond to detailed descriptions of the plants and birds in this location. In addition to learning names of plants you’d never see in the wild of Vancouver, you’ll learn a bit of natural history. For example, one species of orchid that grows here provides the vanilla flavoring used in most Coca Cola! And near the koi pond you’ll see a cyad called the Mexican Horncone, a rare, primitive plant that dinosaurs used to eat!

Mind. Blown.

You’ll also want to grab a birds checklist, a visual scavenger hunt for the many birds you’ll spot. This is a fun activity for kids and adults—my brother and sister-in-law, who are avid birders, had an absolute blast matching the birds they saw to the checklist.

It takes an hour or a little less to fully explore the Bloedel Conservatory.

Logistics to visit the Bloedel Conservatory

• The Bloedel Conservatory is located on top of the hill in Elizabeth Park (the highest point in Vancouver!).
• You’ll have to pay to park. You can park in a lot below the hill right when you enter the park or continue driving up the hill and park next to the fountain.
• The conservatory hours vary month to month, so look up when the park is open here.
• Admission prices also vary by the season. Adult admission ranges from $8-11.25, and children’s admission ranges from $3.15-8.45, depending on the time of year and your child’s age. Children 3 and under are free.