Elizabeth Gardens is a gorgeous neighbourhood where you step outside to a dazzling view of the water. Walk a few minutes in either direction, and you can pop into countless mom and pop shops, ice cream parlours and unique stores. Parks full of trees, green space and shade surround you. And yet, the amenities of both downtown Oakville and Burlington are just a few blocks away.

This is the reality of Elizabeth Gardens, Burlington’s hidden gem tucked away in the South-East corner of the city, right on the border of Oakville.

This is an exceptional neighbourhood to live in for young professionals or growing families. Even with the close proximity of the waterfront, Elizabeth Gardens is one of the most affordable areas in Burlington.

The many amenities of Elizabeth Gardens:

Families appreciate the high-quality public schools:

• Mohawk Gardens
• Pineland Elementary (with French Immersion)
• Robert Bateman Secondary. 

Catholic schools are also nearby: 

• Ascension Elementary 
• St. Patrick
• Assumption Secondary School.

Once school is out, there are a lot of fun activities for both children and adults to enjoy. The parks in the area are second to none, with plenty of shade, sports fields and playgrounds.

Parks

Elizabeth Gardens is within easy walking distance to four outstanding parks:

Pineland
A leisurely 16-minute walk (or 3-minute drive) brings you to Pineland Park, which is right beside the school. There is a large sports field, a children’s playground and a wooded area perfect for hiking.

Bromley
There are plenty of trees to provide cool, relaxing shade. It’s the perfect place to sit and read while the children play and explore nature around the creek.

Skyway
Right across from Elizabeth Gardens, Skyway park features a baseball diamond, an open grass field, a playground and picnic tables. A fabulous getaway for a quick lunch outside.

Burloak Waterfront Park
Elizabeth Gardens is a nine-minute walk to Burloak Waterfront Park. It’s a delightful place to spend a hot summer day. Children love the massive playground (with a rubberized floor to prevent injuries). It even has a zip line! You can enjoy a walk beside the water as the waves of Lake Ontario crash along the shore. 

LaSalle Park and Splash Pad
While not quite within walking distance, LaSalle Park deserves a visit. It’s an excellent place for a summertime picnic. While the children play in the expansive sports field, you can enjoy some downtime. Best of all, there’s an epic splash pad for kids to cool off on hot days.

Now that you know some of the most popular leisure activities near Elizabeth Gardens, let’s check out some other amenities you can enjoy.

Restaurants within easy walking distance

Whatever flavour you seek, you’ll find it right around the corner, no more than ten minutes away by foot.

Tha Spice is Right
Craving some authentic Jamaican cuisine? This small but friendly family-owned business serves up a variety of Caribbean flavours, including mouth-watering jerk chicken, fantastic plantains, and classic rice and peas.

Pier 53
Pier 53 is known for its signature dishes inspired by cultures from all over the world. Bombay Curry, Spicy Beef Noodle and Chicken Parmigiana are just a few dishes on the menu. They are happy to customize any meal to your liking. The restaurant also hosts Paint Nite frequently for those with artistic leanings.

Napoli Pizza
Any pizzeria can claim they have the best pizza around, but Napoli has the 4.5-star ratings to back it up. This small mom & pop shop is located just off Lakeshore and is famous for its fire baked pizza.

Windjammer by the Lake
This upbeat pub features casual Canadian fare and offers all-day breakfast. It’s a fun place to be in the evenings when they host karaoke, live bands and TV sport nights.

Restaurants A Short Drive Away:

If you want to venture a little further to satisfy your tastebuds, many more restaurants are a short drive away. In less than ten minutes, you can treat yourself to any culinary option imaginable, including:

Jacksons Landing
Even the pickiest eater will find something to love off the extensive menu at Jacksons Landing. Enjoy a relaxing family meal in this cozy bistro with wood-panelled walls. Many vegetarian and vegan options are available, and they are fully licensed so the whole family can unwind.

Loondocks Restaurant Appleby Village
Fancy a little fine dining on the rooftop patio? Then Loondocks is a stellar choice. Award-winning chefs pride themselves on their creative menu, preparing every meal from scratch with seasonal Canadian ingredients. 

Saving Thyme Patisserie and Bistro
A charming cafe that serves casual fare in the dining room and offers healthy meal kits to go. What they’re really known for, however, is their delectable baked goods. Cinnamon buns, scones, tarts, donuts, cakes and eclairs will keep you coming back for more. There’s only one problem: – these treats are almost too pretty to eat. 

Bahn Thai
Thai lovers rejoice! With hot crispy spring rolls to whet your appetite, Bahn Thai gives Toronto restaurants a run for their money. Spicy curries, flavourful Pad Thai, and tamarind shrimp keep hungry diners coming back for more. Plus, they are happy to adapt their dishes for vegetarians.

Spencers on the Waterfront
Spencers provides an upscale dining experience with a magnificent view of the lake, and is especially beautiful during Burlington’s Festival of Lights. It’s a favourite venue for weddings and office parties. Whatever occasion you’re celebrating, Spencer’s makes it a day to remember.

Shopping near Elizabeth Gardens

Though many small shops and plazas are within walking distance, serious shoppers might want to venture out to the bigger venues. Luckily, there are many a short drive away, and always with ample parking available.

Riocan Centre Burloak
A sprawling mall with a massive movie theatre, Riocan Centre Burloak offers a considerable mix of retailers for shoes, clothing, hardware, grocery stores and restaurants.

Burlington Mall
Want to shop until you drop? Burlington Mall is the place to go, with over 700,000 square feet of retail paradise. You’ll find everything you could ever hope for. Browse through large department stores, bookstores, computer repair services, clothing outlets, shoe stores and more.

Mapleview Mall
Mapleview Mall is a two-story shopping centre with a range of trendy shops, high-end luxury brands, and bargain-friendly fashion stores. Its convenient location right off the QEW makes it a big draw for people from surrounding areas.

Burlington Festivals

No discussion of Burlington life would be complete without mentioning its well-known festivals. Elizabeth Gardens has convenient access to them all, including:

Sound of Music
Canada’s largest free music festival happens every June. A combination of up-and-coming musicians and world-famous performers hit the stage for hours of entertainment. Street vendors, food trucks and even a midway make this event a blast for the whole family.

Winter Beer Festival
Cold winter nights just got less dreary. During BeerFest, brewers from all over the province come forward to share their samples. Test different flavours with various food pairings, and you may discover a new favourite combination. 

Burlington Festival of Lights
Starting late November, the beautiful Spencer Park becomes even more dazzling. Dozens of holiday displays light up the waterfront, drawing thousands of visitors every year. Children can play at the epic jungle gym. Warm up after with a hot chocolate from one of the trendy cafes along Lakeshore.

Recreation near Elizabeth Gardens

Nothing beats a refreshing swim on a hot summer’s day, and Elizabeth Gardens is close to the best swimming areas in the city. 

Nelson Outdoor Pool
The beach-style entry lets you get wet at your own pace, whether you want to wade slowly or plunge right in. It has an accessible ramp and features two diving boards. Once you dry off, children can let loose on the playground as you relax in the sun.

Mountainside Outdoor Pool
There’s something for everyone at Mountainside. A separate lane for length swimmers keeps you safely away from jumping children. Children (and the young at heart) will love the spiralling waterslide, and there’s a concession stand for snacks to nibble on.

Burlington Beach
Why settle for a pool when you can enjoy one of Lake Ontario’s best beaches? The soft sand rivals the Caribbean and is a quick 12-minute drive away. A seasonal concession stand is available for refreshments. And when the weather is a bit too cool to swim, you can enjoy the lakeside trails or a picnic in the pavilion. 

Tansley Woods Community Centre
This indoor recreation centre has it all. An indoor pool with a wheelchair ramp makes it easily accessible. A giant slide splashes into a separate pool for thrillseekers. When you’re finished swimming, you can relax with a book at the library or enjoy a hot coffee in the cafe. An indoor and outdoor playground makes this a hotspot for families all year long.

Commuting

Elizabeth Gardens boasts easy access to the QEW and Go Transit, making it an ideal neighbourhood for commuters. You can get to other major cities in less than an hour by car. A trip to Hamilton takes about 30 minutes. Downtown Oakville is a convenient 20-minute drive. You can get to Niagara Falls or Toronto in about an hour. 

There are many properties available in Elizabeth Gardens. 

• Grand waterfront estates
• Lakeside condos 
• Small bungalows 
• Townhouses
• Recently renovated detached houses. 

Want to know more about the neighbourhood? You can view our listings here.

Other neighbourhoods in South East Burlington: Pinedale and Bronte.