Visit Allan Gardens
Conservatory Hours
Daily from 10 am to 5 pm. Last entry at 4:45 pm.
7 days a week, 365 days a year.
Admission
Entry to Allan Gardens Conservatory is free.
Programs offered may have a suggested donation of fee associated.
Washroom Facilities
Accessible washrooms are available from 10am to 5pm the the Orchid-Bromeliad House, the southern most house in the Conservatory.
Park Address
160 Gerrard Street East. Toronto, ON M5A 2E5. Get directions.
Transportation
Flanked by Jarvis on the west, Sherbourne on the east, Carlton on the north and Gerrard on the south, the gardens are easily accessible by foot, TTC and excellent bicycle lanes.
Accessibility
Everyone is welcome at Allan Gardens and accessibility is important to the Friends and the City. We strive to make our programs and events as barrier-free as possible. If you have specific questions, please reach out to us and we’ll do our best to answer: info@friendsofallangardens.ca
Park Map
In the Park
Conservatory & Display Houses
The Conservatory at Allan Gardens dates back to 1910 and is made up of six display houses devoted to different climate zones which include plant collections spanning the globe. Scroll down to learn more about the display houses and the plants growing in them!
Children’s Conservatory & Edible Garden
Programmed and managed by the Friends of Allan Gardens, the Children’s Conservatory and Edible Garden are located on the northwest corner of the park. Scroll down to learn more about the these spaces here.
Sacred Fires
Allan Gardens is one of the designated sacred fire sites in Toronto. Bookings for the sacred fire sites may be made on the City of Toronto’s website.
Children’s Playground
Opened in 2015, the playground in the northwestern part of the park is a vibrant and active haven for kids and the young at heart.
Dog Off-Leash Areas
Two separated dog off-leash areas exist, one for large dogs and one for small dog. Come cool off in the dog-friendly water feature, or make a new friend with one of the two giant dog statues. Service dogs are welcome in the conservatory.
Open Greenspace
A true oasis in the downtown core, Allan Gardens is home to a beautiful park with ample grass and shade. Whether you’re looking for a beautiful spot to read a book, have a picnic or simply relax under green cover, you are welcome.
The Six Display Houses
Since the 1870s the conservatories at Allan Gardens have nurtured the world’s plants under glass for public enjoyment. Tropical plants from all over the globe are nurtured inside six climate controlled greenhouses! Read more about them below.
A rarity in North American downtowns, Allan Gardens’ enchanting assembly of conservatories and the historic Palm House nurture exotic plant life and exuberant floral displays across four seasons, and give winter weary Torontonians warmth, oxygen and a reminder of nature’s leafy abundance.
Skilled City of Toronto horticulturalists care for the permanent plant collection year round.
The Palm House
Also known as “The Dome”, this is the oldest and most architecturally significant glasshouse at Allan Gardens. The Palm House was built in 1910 by City of Toronto architect Robert McCallum after a 1902 fire destroyed the old botanical pavilion on site. In 2022, restoration began on to modernize the climate control system and rejuvenate the building envelope including the windows and steel framing. In 2025, the restoration was completed, and the Palm House reopened to much fanfare on May 17th, 2025.
The restored Palm House contains palms from all over the word, including Bismarckias, Washingtonias, Foxtail Palms, Australian tree ferns, and more. Inspired by the original botanical pavilion onsite, the newly restored Palm House will temporarily be a flexible space for horticulture and community gatherings, at least until the new greenhouse link building is constructed. In the future, the Friends of Allan Gardens hope to restore the large central planting beds in the Palm House so towering palms may make full use of the dome’s 12 metre (40’) high glass ceilings, and abundant sunlight.
The Arid House
The Arid House, added in 1957 from the Exhibition Grounds, is home to a large display of unusual cacti and succulents including collections of barrel cactus, agave, opuntia, haworthia and aloe. Just as the plants love the sun, feel yourself getting warmed and energized. Observe city staff in the wild as they wrangle the (snake) watering hose to hydrate the plants. Tour the desert with us as you clamber through dense cacti and beautiful succulents.
The Tropical House
The Tropical House, added in 1956, offers lush exotics such as cycads, gingers, hibiscus, brugmansia and a green jade vine. Once you step into this tropical oasis you are instantaneously transported to the Amazon rainforest where the colours are in brilliant hues and the animal sounds are plenty. Notice yourself getting lost for hours in this sensory vacation.
The Temperate House
The Temperate House (added in 1924) houses luscious greenery and a small koi pond. It contains plants such as citrus & olive trees, camellias, and jasmine with rotating seasonal floral displays. Your senses will be taken on a fragrant tour of sweet serenity and lemony meringue. Prepare to be lifted away from the noise of the city and transported to a green getaway filled with the calming song of rippling water.
The Orchid & Bromeliad House
The two connected greenhouses (added in 1957 from the Exhibition Grounds) feature a waterwheel, wooden bridge, a pond with turtles and a wide variety of interesting plants including orchids, bromeliads, air plants and gesneriads. It contains a beautiful display of colors such as stunning collection of orchids and bromeliads mixed with a variety of flowering tropical plants and vines.
