Devonian Gardens

Open year-round, this free attraction is located downtown on the top floor of the Core Shopping Centre, making it highly accessible for visitors who wish to spend an hour or two indoors. Not only is it just a beautiful garden, but also boasts an incredible playground for kids. The original garden opened in 1977 and featured over 20,000 plants, sculptures and waterfalls but has since been renovated. Now this garden is even better, featuring over 550 trees, fountains and waterfalls, several koi ponds and an incredible living wall. There are plenty of bench seating options throughout the garden, allowing little ones to take a break or for parents to sit and watch their children enjoy in the playground. On Wednesdays, they offer a free drop-in program where kids (age 3-12) can come and learn about nature. Each week, the program runs from 10 am to 12 pm, featuring a different theme and including games, stories and crafts. Around Christmas, Santa is often seen visiting the gardens and on certain days, kids can click free photos with Santa as well as enjoy stories, sing-along songs and crafts. A full-service restaurant is expected to eventually start in the gardens but until then, lunch can easily be grabbed at the Core food court.