101 Things to do in Victoria, BC
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- Visit the Butchart Gardens
- . . . just about anytime of year. But don't stop there try some of the smaller in-city garden tours such as
- Abkhazi Garden
- An exquisite heritage home and garden- in Fairfield
- University Finnerty Gardens
- Canada's best collection of rhodendrons
- Tea at the Empress
- enjoy the tradition anytime with half off in the off season but don't stop there check out other
local tea shops
- Other local tea rooms
- . . . popular by locals such as James Bay Tea Room and White Heather as well as the Butchart Gardens itself
- Tour the world class Provincial Museum & Imax Theatre
- Something for everyone, everyday *great for families
- Go Whale Watching
- Ready to experience spectacular whale watching and world class sightings amidst a backdrop of breathtaking views.
- Take a Guided Tour (or two)
- Guided tours will show you some of the best of Victoria
- Fun for Kids and Families
- tons of fun for the whole family especially kids!
- Check out some of our nightlife offerings
- lots of things for adults to do when the sun goes down
- Buskers in the Causeway
- Soak up the entertainment, artists, and tasty treats in the Inner Harbour Causeway
- Discover secrets of the ocean at Ocean Discovery
- Hands on – hands wet learning is at the core of the visitor experience. Microscopes touch
pools, fascinating exhibits, all accessible for one on one exploration.
- Visit the Butterfly Gardens
- Exhibits designed and built to showcase the life cycle and free flight of tropical butterflies and moths
- See the amazing Victoria Bug Zoo
- Welcome to the amazing world of insects and spiders.
- Would you rather be Gone Fishing?
- Experience renowned saltwater fishing along Vancouver Islands' coastline with the seasoned pros.
- Take a walk along the Pier
- Walk to the end of the Ogden Point Breakwater on Dallas Road- then have a treat in the restaurant when you return to shore
- Stroll through Beacon Hill Park
- Take in the Petting Zoo, Goodacre Lake, the free putting green, the summit lookout, behind the zoo and in the spring, the heron nests on the west edge of Goodacre lake
- Hike and Trail at East Sooke Park
- Hike along the windswept rocky coast, over dry hilltops, through dark rain forest to sheltered coves. Bring a picnic.
- Get the best soft ice cream in town
- Drop by Beacon Drive-In Restaurant on Douglas just west of Beacon Hill Park- for the world's best soft ice cream cones
- West Bay Marina
- Westbay Marine Village and R.V. Park, a unique vacation destination and development. Stop for a local beer at Spinnakers Brew Pub along the way.
- Take a Harbour Ferry Tour
- Get on at the Causeway and enjoy a harbour tour - hop off at Barb's Fish 'n Chips across the water.
- Honeymooning?
- Take a romantic carriage ride through Beacon Hill Park
- Try ocean kayaking
- Paddle outside the harbour and along the coastline to see seals and river otters, or sit back and enjoy a leisurely kayak while you explore the protected waters of the harbour.
- Antique Row on Fort Street
- Eventually, when estates are settled, some of the goodies go back into circulation in local antique shops.
- Picnic at Sidney Spit
- Take the Ferry to Sidney Spit Provincial Park (an island)
- Local Crabbing
- Go Crabbing and have fresh crab for supper
- Hike from trail to beach
- Hike the Juan de Fuca Trail-from China Beach to Botanical Beach at Port Refrew
- Sooke Potholes
- Swim in the Sooke Potholes
- Goldstream Provincial Park
- Visit Little Niagara Falls in Goldstream Provincial Park
- Race Rocks - Scuba
- Scuba dive the worlds best at Race Rocks
- Attend the Symphony Splash
- in the Inner Harbour on our Aug. long weekend - come early to get a seat. Biggest event of the season.
- Tour the Esquimalt Naval Base
- - learn about BCs naval history and see some of the oldest buildings in the city aswell as the oldest ship building yard on the west coast of north America
- Visit the Maritime Museumin Bastion Square
- Ahoy mateys! Explore model ships and other programs including the Pirate School - excellent family fun.
- Take a Double-Decker Bus Tour
- Tickets available at the visitor center and in front of the Empress. Also check out below . . .
- The Big Bus
- Discover the sights of Victoria on one of our open-air buses or classic turn of the century trolley bus.
- Ride a Kabuki Cab
- Many stops and pick up areas downtown. You can't miss the Kabukis - they're everywhere!
- Craigdarroch Castle
- Craigdarroch Castle historic house museum is a "must see" on your visit to Victoria, B. C. The wealthy Dunsmuir family saga and the mansion they built is a key piece of British Columbia's history.
- Japanese Gardens@ Hatley
- Tour the Japanese Gardens at Royal Roads University
- Visit Fort Rodd Hill
- A National Historic Site and Fisgard Light Station built in the late 1890s to defend Victoria and the Esquimalt Naval Base.
- Witty's Lagoon
- Creek, waterfall, lagoon, beach and rocky shore draw you into an ecosystem rich with coastal plants and animals - awesome day trip!
- Government Street Market
- On Sundays in the summer - local artisans.
- Get Pampered
- Pamper yourself at one of Victoria's many Spas
- Best Local Beach (Willows)
- Sun tan on the beach at Willows Beach in Oak Bay & visit the Kiwanis Tea Room
- Try some local smoked salmon
- Lots of shops on government will have premium salmon packages for you to try.
- Festivals Victoria
- Take in one of our fabulous summer festivals from May to October
- Visit the Victoria Art Gallery
- Get your arts and culture fix.
- Fly a kite at Clover Point
- You can buy a kite from shops in Market Square then fly them at Clover point
- Tour and shop in China Town
- The Chinese had sought riches in California and now they would try their luck in British Columbia. "Gold Mountain" (or gum shan in Cantonese) did make some Chinese wealthy and they returned to their homeland "in silken robes."
