04/21/2026
Perched at the highest point in Vancouver, the Bloedel Conservatory is one of the city’s most beloved hidden gems — a warm, tropical sanctuary sitting above the clouds, the city, and the everyday. This original hand-drawn sketch captures the Conservatory’s iconic domed silhouette rising from the manicured gardens of Queen Elizabeth Park, with the Vancouver skyline and the North Shore mountains stretching out behind it.
Opened in 1969 and named after philanthropist Prentice Bloedel, the Conservatory houses over 500 exotic plants and more than 200 free-flying birds beneath its triodetic dome — a riot of colour and life that feels worlds away from the city streets below. Queen Elizabeth Park itself is Vancouver’s highest point at 167 metres, offering some of the most spectacular 360-degree views in the city — from the downtown skyline to Mount Baker on a clear day. Stroll the sunken rose garden, wander the quarry gardens, or simply sit on the lawn and watch the city unfold below you. The Conservatory is the jewel at the top — and once you’ve been inside, you’ll understand why Vancouverites keep coming back.