weloveourdoggie Posted February 21, 2018 #1 Share Posted February 21, 2018 We will have a full day in port in May - we have seen Butchart Gardens a few years ago in September, and I have always wanted to return in the spring to see the difference. Fall was beautiful. Since we have day and night, does anyone have a suggestion as to which time frame would be more beautiful? We would also like to do some type of city tour, looking for any suggestions you may have. Thank you for any help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamesr3939 Posted February 22, 2018 #2 Share Posted February 22, 2018 It's been a few years, but we found day time traffic out to the gardens horrible and we barely made it back in time to catch the ship. It left us no time to see anything else. I guess if you really want to see it, do it first and come back near the ship and do whatever else you might have time for. I can't think seeing it at night is all that impressive, but then I wasn't all that impressed anyway. I guess I am not a flower guy. I would have loved to do the Empress Hotel, but we didn't have time as we "wasted" it seeing flowers!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
indy71 Posted February 22, 2018 #3 Share Posted February 22, 2018 I have been there both day and night. In my opinion, the day is much, much better. At night, it was dark enough in some areas of the gardens that we were concerned about finding our way back to the bus. I wouldn’t do it again at night, but I would LOVE to go again in the daytime. So beautiful!! Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Langley Cruisers Posted February 22, 2018 #4 Share Posted February 22, 2018 (edited) I guess I am not a flower guy. I would have loved to do the Empress Hotel, but we didn't have time as we "wasted" it seeing flowers!!! That's fine you are not a "flower guy", many aren't. But I have to ask why you felt you missed out by not "doing" the Empress Hotel? Why do you think you missed out? You could have seen it in 15 minutes. :D Edited February 22, 2018 by Langley Cruisers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Keith1010 Posted February 22, 2018 #5 Share Posted February 22, 2018 I would go in the daytime and then enjoy the downtown area later in the day. Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SadieN Posted February 22, 2018 #6 Share Posted February 22, 2018 Highly recommend the firework show at the gardens. Hopefully your timing will allow for it. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Langley Cruisers Posted February 22, 2018 #7 Share Posted February 22, 2018 (edited) Highly recommend the firework show at the gardens. Hopefully your timing will allow for it. No; OP is going in May and fireworks start June 30. EDIT: Oh, I see OP also posted in another forum - https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2602392 . Edited February 22, 2018 by Langley Cruisers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamesr3939 Posted February 23, 2018 #8 Share Posted February 23, 2018 That's fine you are not a "flower guy", many aren't. But I have to ask why you felt you missed out by not "doing" the Empress Hotel? Why do you think you missed out? You could have seen it in 15 minutes. :D Well since I didn't make it I guess I don't know what I didn't miss. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg4502 Posted February 23, 2018 #9 Share Posted February 23, 2018 From a picture taking view....Daytime for the tour. At night you would need a tripod, as you will not be able to hold the camera still enough, your pictures will be blurry. Plus you can see more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cvpends Posted February 25, 2018 #10 Share Posted February 25, 2018 Definitely day. Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
134traveler Posted February 27, 2018 #11 Share Posted February 27, 2018 The gardens in Spring are fantastic! Definitely by day and have tea there as well! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suec12 Posted February 28, 2018 #12 Share Posted February 28, 2018 I hope it is not early May - we were there about 2 years ago in early May and were disappointed that there were few hanging baskets out in Victoria and then we went to some gardens in Vancouver and saw alot of black dirt! So hopefully the summer plantings will be finished if you head up to Butchart. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idahospud Posted March 3, 2018 #13 Share Posted March 3, 2018 May is beautiful! I took these photos at Butchart on May 10 a few years ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare *Miss G* Posted March 3, 2018 #14 Share Posted March 3, 2018 May is beautiful! I took these photos at Butchart on May 10 a few years ago. Wow. Your pictures are gorgeous! I went in August so I had a different experience. But still beautiful! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oscar13 Posted March 11, 2018 #15 Share Posted March 11, 2018 You are better to go to the Gardens during the day. Traffic can be a bit of a headache with the ferry traffic. They are already starting to have visitors to the Gardens, and it is only March. If you do downtown area in the later part of the day you are only 10 minutes from the terminal. I deal with the ferry traffic everyday going to and from work... Just saying. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oscar13 Posted March 11, 2018 #16 Share Posted March 11, 2018 (edited) Deleted, sent twice Edited March 11, 2018 by Oscar13 Double post Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erikaem86 Posted March 14, 2018 #17 Share Posted March 14, 2018 Hands down I would do during the day. The only time I would go at night is on a Saturday in the summer when they have fireworks, or around Christmas time when everything is lit up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idahospud Posted March 31, 2018 #18 Share Posted March 31, 2018 Wow. Your pictures are gorgeous! I went in August so I had a different experience. But still beautiful! Thank you! I'm going back this May, too. Some day I'll get there in the late summer/early fall. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weloveourdoggie Posted March 31, 2018 Author #19 Share Posted March 31, 2018 Thanks for all the replies. And Idahospud, your pictures are so beautiful. Exactly what I am hoping to see, lots of tulips!! We will be there May 10th, the same date you took those pics! :D:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idahospud Posted March 31, 2018 #20 Share Posted March 31, 2018 Thanks for all the replies. And Idahospud, your pictures are so beautiful. Exactly what I am hoping to see, lots of tulips!! We will be there May 10th, the same date you took those pics!:D:D We will be there May 8. We'll get the place spiffed up and make it extra pretty for you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weloveourdoggie Posted March 31, 2018 Author #21 Share Posted March 31, 2018 I goofed...we will be there May 9th. I can hardly wait! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now