Returning home to visit family over Christmas is a lovely tradition, but an exhausting one. So much so, that you sometimes need a side trip in the middle of it as a distraction. That mid-trip distraction, in turn, can further drain the batteries in which case you sometimes need a detour from the side trip to rejuvenate. Allan Gardens Conservatory was that detour in the side trip during our Christmas vacation.
Now, just in case my mom and dad are reading this, let me say the family portion of our Christmas vacation was truly wonderful. I also believe our side trip to Toronto between Christmas and New Year’s festivities helped ensure it as such. But those days in the Ontario capital were incredibly busy and something more relaxed was desperately needed before our final entertainment event. Conveniently, pretty flowers awaited us right across the street from our hotel.
Where to Find Allan Gardens
Allan Gardens is a park and conservatory located in downtown Toronto. Except for two churches on the west side, this land covers approximately six hectares (fifteen acres) bounded by Jarvis Street, Carlton Street, Sherbourne Street, and Gerrard Street East.
Named after politician and landowner, George Allan, the park lands were donated by Mr. Allan to the Horticultural Society of Toronto for free, public use in 1858. The city of Toronto would add lands around the original donation in 1864 and then acquire the conservatory itself in 1888. The current, glass-domed conservatory building was built in 1910 with the two wings expanded in 1920 and 1957.
The grounds of Allan Gardens are quite beautiful and enjoyable. The park is home to large deciduous trees providing shade in summer and a splash of colour in autumn. This greenspace surrounds the conservatory and associated outdoor amenities which include flowerbeds, a teaching garden, a First Nations Sacred Fire, an off-leash dog area, and a playground.
We visited in late December and all the above were dormant. I suppose the playground is operational all-season and judging by the myriad boot prints in the snow, there are plenty of hardy kids using it despite the cold. But the flora focused exterior facilities were waiting for spring much like us.
How to Get into Allan Gardens Conservatory
Indoors is a different story. Climate controlled greenhouses allow for life to flourish 24/7. Having battled grey days, pouring rain, and slush as we raced around Hogtown checking out popular tourist spots, the warmth, the greenery, and the rainbow of blossoms were a welcome, rejuvenating escape.
Allan Gardens Conservatory is comprised of six greenhouses. Five are dedicated each to a specific botanical zone: Orchid and Bromeliad, Temperate, Palm, Tropical, and Arid. The sixth is the Children’s Conservatory which is utilized for educational, community, and cultural programming as well as rental space for events.
The primary entrance to Allan Gardens Conservatory is from the east, directly into the Palm House (this is the big dome structure). Our hotel was to the west, so we entered via the south entrance which enters the Orchid and Bromeliad House.
Approaching the south entrance, we passed between the Teaching Garden on the left and the Children’s Playground on the right. The Teaching Garden is an outdoor extension to the Children’s Conservatory and as mentioned, there was nothing much to see in it during winter.
Closer the greenhouses are the Service Yard and Staff Parking. Neither are of much importance or appeal, but I took a picture of the latter so needed an expository excuse to include it in this post.
All entry doors include posted hours of operation and rules. Allan Gardens Conservatory is free of charge to the public which is wonderful. It’s a family friendly venue with restrictions on smoking, food, pets, and feeding of animals (there be turtles inside!).
Inside Allan Gardens Conservatory
Immediately to your right after entering the south entrance, you’ll find the restrooms. There are several (5 I think?) and they appear to be a recent addition. Each are accessible, unisex bathrooms with sink and toilet.
And that’s pretty much it for interior amenities. A round table chairs is present in the Palm House, presumably for resting. There is no cafeteria or gift shop or admissions desk. This is a wholly public place in which you are free to come and go as you please. Aside from a staff member or volunteer tending to the plants, you’re unlikely to encounter anyone but yourself and other visitors.
Well at least it is in the wintery days of late December. I suspect its busier, with both guests and staff, in the spring, summer, and fall months.
Something else unique to the time of year of our visit is the Christmas décor. All through Allan Gardens Conservatory, in literally every house, there were poinsettias. Lots and lots of poinsettias. Festive, yes, but not faithful to the climate zone of every greenhouse.
Once we were beyond the bathrooms, our tour through the conservatory began. Starting in the southwest strolling through each successive house to the northwest, we then did a one-eighty and returned the way we’d come.
Orchid & Bromeliad House (Southwest House)
The Orchid and Bromeliad House, to the untrained eye (that would be me), looks quite tropical. It is lush with greenery and the odd dash of colour, though I get the feeling there is even more at other times of the year. The abundance of poinsettia blooms certainly made up for any seasonal lack of colour.
Arguably the coolest part of this house is the water feature and turtles that live in it. We found two of them chilling on a stone near the waterfall wall.
Temperate House (Southeast House)
The pathway transitions into the Temperate House where green and white hues dominate. Even the seasonal decorations cued off this palate. There’s also fresh fruit to taunt those of us with itchy fingers (that would be me again). While perhaps not a striking as the previous house, the simplicity of it is surprisingly enchanting.
The water feature continues into this house and includes a Koi pond.
Palm House (East House)
The Palm House, which is the centrepiece structure of Allan Gardens Conservatory with its tall, glass dome, is also the most disparate. Unlike the other four houses, in no way do you feel like you’re in a greenhouse here. It’s more like a room with houseplants in it.
There are a few, tall palm trees present to give the house name some credence. A few planter boxes are filled with ivy and other plants. And for the season, a large Christmas tree surrounded by poinsettias is placed in the centre of the room.
It’s certainly a lovely space. That dome is impressive and you’ll struggle to not look upwards constantly and risk running into things. Great for photoshoots and small gatherings, but not really a greenhouse.
Tropical House (Northeast House)
As you would expect, the Tropical House is alive with colour and exotic flowers. Even the varied poinsettias fit right in here, though they seem rather tame compared to funky treasures like the Bird of Paradise.
Oddly, as I prepared to write this blog post, I discovered I took the fewest pictures in Tropical House. I’m not sure why, but I suspect I was so distracted by all the weird and wonderful flowers and leaves that I simply forgot to take pictures.
Arid House (Northwest House)
Not to be outdone on the exotic scale, the Arid House has its own share of beautiful uniqueness. Cacti and succulents are no slouches when it comes to fascinating configurations. And despite the expectation of seeing lots of greens, there were unexpected reds and whites mixed in that brightened up the place.
Should You Go To Allan Gardens
Our visit to Allan Gardens Conservatory was short but rewarding. We’d gone a little crazy with our itinerary during our side trip and a leisurely detour through these greenhouses was a welcome change of pace.
I’ve no doubt locals visit frequently, enjoying the changes that come with the cycling seasons. And surely the park and outdoor amenities are bustling with people once the weather warms. Allan Gardens is a beautiful oasis in the concrete jungle. Be sure to check it out the next time you’re in Toronto.
