Best Fountain — Whistling Gardens
Witness a modern marvel of garden design with a visit to a breathtaking water theater in Wilsonville, Ontario, where an intricate fountain show dances to music in a tribute to classical artistry.
Whistling Gardens in Wilsonville, Ontario, is a 22-acre horticultural treasure, famous for its rare conifers and North America’s largest public peony collection. But it’s the breathtaking water theater that truly sets it apart. Inspired by André Le Nôtre’s 1634 design for France’s King Louis XIV at Versailles, the fountain at Whistling Gardens pays homage to classical garden design. At Versailles, fountains were powered by manually operated systems, often with hidden operating valves to time each spray with royal promenades. In contrast, Whistling Gardens’ fountain system — created and programmed by owner Darren Heimbecker — uses over 100 computer-controlled water jets on three 90-foot staircases and a central stage floor. Set to music, the choreographed 10-minute performances take place daily at 11:15 a.m. and 1:45 p.m. For an even more magical experience, visit during late summer’s Festival of Fountains, when the night show features dazzling color-changing lights, lasers and an unforgettable sense of wonder.
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