Frequently Asked Questions

Royal Botanical Gardens (RBG) is the not-for-profit caretaker of +2,100 acres of land and ecosystems surrounded by Canada’s largest urban environment. It is an educator and experience creator delivering cultural, artistic and culinary experiences throughout its diverse network of gardens and natural spaces.

In December 1929 the Parks Board approved the suggestion that the name Westdale Park be changed to something more grand, Royal Botanical Gardens. This change was prompted by Thomas Baker McQuesten, a lawyer who eventually became the Member of Provincial Parliament for the City of Hamilton, who was a frequent visitor to Royal Botanic Gardens, in the town of Kew, in the south-western area of metropolitan London, England. Royal Botanic Gardens, also called Kew Gardens, has been a model for many botanical gardens around the world since the 18th century. McQuesten was authorized by the City of Hamilton to approach the Government of Canada for permission to use the term “Royal” in the name of the park.

A Royal Charter was granted by King George V of England for the name “Royal Botanical Gardens” in 1930. RBG is the only botanical garden in Canada with the right to use “Royal” in its name.

Tickets are available for purchase online, or when you arrive at any of our garden areas. Your admission includes:

• Access to all of RBG’s cultivated garden areas for the day: Hendrie Park, RBG Centre, and the Rock Garden. (note seasonal operation hours).

These tickets do NOT include parking at RBG trailheads or access to all RBG events. Please check the Event Calendar for more information on ticketing for individual events.

Garden admission provides ‘in and out’ access to all of RBG’s cultivated garden areas for the same day. Simply present your admission ticket or receipt for entry.

Garden admission tickets are available to purchase at any garden kiosk during that garden’s regular operating hours.

If you wish to purchase a membership, please visit the Membership Desk at RBG Centre.

We have a limited number of wheelchairs available for our guests to use on a first come, first served basis at RBG Centre and Rock Garden. We do not charge a fee for wheelchairs, but we do require a piece of photo identification in order to sign one out. Please note that in order to best serve all our guests we do not take advanced reservations for wheelchairs.

Currently, we do not have strollers or wagons available for our guests to use during their visit.

The Greenhouse Café and Turner Pavilion Tea House are open year-round, and the Rock Garden Bistro is open year-round with seasonal hours.

Food and beverages are available for purchase at most special events. However, please refer to the FAQ section for each individual event for specific details.

Outside food is not permitted at RBG Centre, Hendrie Park, or Rock Garden. Outside food is only permitted the Arboretum (excluding special events). Please pack-out or properly dispose of any waste. Outdoor cooking is not permitted in any of RBG’s garden areas.

Leashed pets are welcome to visit the gardens during regular operating hours. We kindly ask that you clean up after your pet and keep them on-leash and on-trail at all times. To ensure a pleasant experience for all guests, any pets causing disruption may be asked to leave.

With the exception of service animals, leashed pets are only permitted to enter RBG Centre to access Hendrie Park and are not allowed in indoor spaces, such as the Mediterranean Garden, Garden Shop, or Greenhouse Café.

With the exception of service animals, pets are not permitted at special events.

Hobby photography is welcome. We invite you to share your photos with us on social media @RBGCanada by using the hashtag #RBGblooms.

Please note that paid permits are required for professional photo shoots such as wedding, engagement, family, etc. Please visit RBG’s Photography page to request a permit.

Please note that the use of recreational scooters, bicycles, skateboards, etc. is prohibited in all garden areas, as well as on RBG’s trail systems. Wheelchairs and motorized scooters for accessibility purposes are permitted.

Water Fountains and bottle filling stations are available at all RBG garden areas.

• RBG Centre: Fountain available near the Auditorium, water bottle stations available just outside the main doors, and indoors by the Greenhouse Café. Combination fountain and water filling station is available outside the washrooms beneath the Mediterranean Garden (sometimes inaccessible to the public due to ongoing programming or camps).
• Hendrie Park: Outdoor bottle refill station available outside the Turner Pavilion Teahouse
• Rock Garden: Indoor fountain / bottle refill station available by the washrooms in the Rock Garden visitor centre, with an outdoor fountain available by the washrooms in the lower bowl of the garden
• Arboretum: outdoor bottle refill available at the Nature Interpretive Centre

Forget your bottle at home? Shop at the Gardens (open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at RBG Centre) has bottles available for purchase!

Effective January 1, 2012, Royal Botanical Gardens and its property is smoke-free. Smoking is prohibited in all properties owned by Royal Botanical Gardens. This includes all buildings, common work areas, garden areas, natural lands, trails and parking areas including vehicles. All visitors to Royal Botanical Gardens must leave Royal Botanical Gardens property in order to smoke.

Royal Botanical Gardens uses video surveillance on its properties to help ensure the safety and security of visitors, staff, volunteers, and facilities. Recorded footage is securely stored, accessed only by authorized personnel for legitimate purposes, and retained only as long as necessary in accordance with provincial privacy requirements. For any questions about this collection, send us an email.