1. Visit the Butchart Gardens (800 Benvenuto Ave, Brentwood): Originally an exhausted limestone quarry, this amazing site goes beyond plants and flowers. It hosts various concerts and fireworks throughout the year and has restaurants on-site. Just be warned that it’s not located centrally in Victoria and you will need some kind of transport to get you out there. Most people opt for a guided tour with a company.
2. Walk the harbour: The central point of Victoria is the harbour with the many boats, local artisans, and dining options. It’s a great location to sit quietly in the shade and people-watch.
3. Go on a boating adventure: Whether you decide on whale watching, cruising on a yacht, transiting by ferry, or hopping on a water taxi, your stay would not be complete without a little sea adventure. I love arriving to Victoria by boat either with BC Ferries from Vancouver or Victoria Clippers from Seattle. It gives you amazing views throughout the voyage, it’s well priced, comfortable, and I even spotted some whales on the trip from Vancouver.
4. Have high tea at the Empress Hotel (721 Government Street): A tradition that dates back more than 100 years, afternoon tea at the Empress is a regal experience. If the price tag is too much for your budget or you rather have coffee fill your cup, don’t skip out entirely. The building itself is really beautiful and they have beautiful gardens around the property that are well maintained.
5. Take a scenic drive or bike ride on Beach Road: Located on the perimeter of Victoria, beach road is a beautiful circuit that allows you to experience the suburban side of Victoria and enjoy stops on the beaches that line the coast. You can also marvel at the amazing mansions that are home to various embassies and check out the University of Victoria.
6. Visit Castles: I wrote an entire post on three beautiful castles that were built around Victoria, namely Craigdarroch Castle and Hatley Castle. Click here to read all about them.
7. Visit the Parliament: An impressionable building overlooking the harbour, you can take a guided tour of this building when the house is not in session. You will learn more about Victoria’s and Canada’s political past as well as the significance of the architecture. Make sure you return at night to see the building all lit up!
8. Go hunting for a good book: Munro’s Books (1108 Government Street) is a historic landmark and has been open for 50 years, the beautiful building instantly transports you back to ancient times with the tall ceilings. If you are looking for used or rare books than Russell Books (734 Fort Street) is a must. If there was no weight limit on luggage, I would have returned home with a bag full of books. The store consists of towering book shelves brimming with books of every genre. You can easily spend a whole day browsing their selection.
9. Hike or Bike the Galloping Goose Trail: A 60km network of trails that connects Victoria to an old ghost town, it is the perfect place for nature lovers. You can join the Eastern part of the train just across the harbour in Victoria and go on a full day hike (or more). The trail is well maintained and has services throughout.
10. Visit the Royal BC Museum (675 Belleville Street): For the rainy days, check out this museum filled with different collections documenting British Colombia’s natural and human history. With it’s vast exhibitions there is something to interest everyone in the family, young or old. I personally loved their modern history exhibit which focuses on the material culture of our lives.
