Toronto has three public conservatories: Allan Gardens, Cloud Gardens and Centennial Park Conservatory. I was in the area, so I stopped by the Centennial Park Conservatory in Etobicoke.
Inside the Greenhouse
It's warm and humid inside, and everything is very well kept. There's a wide range of tropical and exotic plants, including palms, succulents, orchids and crotons, some originally from South America and Africa. The variety surprised me.
The greenhouse has three sections:
- Main house: tropical plants, right as you walk in
- South wing (right): succulents and cacti
- North wing (left): seasonal flower displays
Good to Know
Admission is free, and there's plenty of free parking on-site.
It's open every day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and you can stay as long as you like. The last entry is at 4:45 p.m.
You can also book the conservatory for weddings and professional photo shoots, so keep it in mind if you're planning an event.
Make a Day of It
While you're there, explore the rest of Centennial Park. It has picnic areas, fishing spots and a disc golf course. In spring you can also see the cherry blossoms; read more in my post on cherry blossoms at Centennial Park.
Centennial Park Conservatory
- Address: 151 Elmcrest Rd, Etobicoke, ON M9C 3S1
- Hours: Monday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (last entry 4:45 p.m.)
- Free admission
- Free on-site parking
- Wheelchair accessible
