About

The City of Thunder Bay's Centennial Botanical Conservatory is a multi-functional facility - a community gathering space that is home a large variety of flowers, trees, tropical plants and cacti, and also a production facility where the plants that fill city-owned flower pots and gardens throughout the summer are grown over the winter and spring.

Accessible to all and a great place to visit year round, the Conservatory was opened in 1967 by the Fort William Parks Board as a Centennial project, and it is a legacy to the citizens of Thunder Bay.

"It’s a positive feast for the senses: the feel of warm humid air on your skin, the sound of trickling water, the scent of dirt and moisture and growing green things. Standing in the arboretum under its soaring glass roof on a cold winter day, or even a so-so grey day the rest of the year, instantly makes you feel better. And it’s the most affordable tropical vacation you’ll ever take—admission is free, although donations in the box at the door are much appreciated." - Bonnie Schiedel, northernontario.travel. Read the whole article here. 

In 2017, as a part of the celebration of the Conservatory's 50th anniversary the Friends of the Thunder Bay Conservatory group put together a comprehensive online history exhibit highlighting the early development of the facility and the folks instrumental in it's creation.

*Note - The cactus house and east wing are currently closed to the public. The plants are still easily visible from the two access doors in the tropical house. 

Location

1601 Dease St W, Thunder Bay, ON P7C 5H4 - Google Map

Hours of operation

  • Monday & Tuesday – 10 am-4 pm
  • Wednesday-Friday – 10 am-8 pm
  • Saturday & Sunday – 12 pm-8 pm

Facility amenities

Features (some are seasonal)
  • Beehives
  • Community and children's gardens
  • Flowering plants, exotic trees and shrubs from around the world
  • Horticultural Society's perennial garden
  • Park benches (inside and outside)
  • Picnic tables
  • Pollinator garden
  • Shade trees
  • Waterfall and wishing pond

Washrooms and change tables

Accessible washrooms and change tables are available.

Parking

Plenty of parking is available, including motor-coach parking.

Tours

Guided Tours of the Conservatory are available. To book a tour, call 807-625-2941.

Bookings for Groups and Photo Sessions

Reservations are required. To book the Conservatory, call 807-625-2941.

Price:

  • Schools & not-for-profit organizations: free
  • Wedding Ceremonies/Photos: half hour session $67.80 (HST included), one hour session $135.60 (HST included)

Events

The Friends of the Thunder Bay Conservatory host many great events at the Conservatory year-round.

Walking trails

Paved recreation trails are nearby that can take you to and from the Conservatory. See the City of

Thunder Bay's recreational trails map.

Conservatory Renewal

The Conservatory has been an important part of our City for over half a century and it is currently undergoing a renewal project designed to repair and replace aging infrastructure and to expand the facility to increase the versatility of the space and the programming it can support. 

Visit the project's public engagement page at Get Involved Thunder Bay to see what has happened so far and explore plans for the future. As the project progresses opportunities to provide input and feedback will also be available.

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