Things To Do In Victoria
Favorite things to do in Victoria BC: See historical sights, Provincial Parks, gardens, museums, and incredible natural and marine beauty seen from tours by foot, auto, boat, bus, and air.
What can you do in Victoria? There's everything from hiking, biking, kayaking; tours from history and heritage to hysterically haunted; helicopter tours, whale watching tours, aerial tours, car tours, double-decker bus tours, pedi-cab or horse drawn carriage tours, all amidst fabulous architecture, wine tasting, beer tasting, restaurants, cider houses, cafes, coffee shops, bakeries, museums, theatre, movies, and gardens.
Such incredible natural beauty surrounding the city and such amazing variety within the city! There will certainly be things to do in Victoria BC that will please you.
Here are some of our favorite things to do in Victoria BC, but there is of course so much more to see and do than we could possibly list here.
Pictured: Take the thoroughly enjoyable stroll through Laurel Point Park. If you want to keep going, Fisherman's Wharf is just minutes away on foot.
Things to do in Victoria
Downtown and Inner Harbour
Craigdarroch Castle
Craigdarroch Castle
1050 Joan Crescent, Victoria, BC V8S 3L5
+1-250-592-5323
TripAdvisor Reviews of Craigdarroch Castle
Built by business tycoon, Robert Dunsmuir, in 1887, in the "Richardsonian Romanesque" style, this beautiful castle is filled with incredible stained glass and highly detailed woodwork typical of the 1880's. For architectural fans and history buffs this may be one of the impressive things to do in Victoria. Well worth a visit.
Afternoon Tea at the Empress Hotel
Afternoon Tea at the Empress Hotel
721 Government St., Victoria, BC
+1-250-652-4422
https://www.teaattheempress.com/
Tripadvisor Reviews of Afternoon Tea at the Empress
Yes, Afternoon Tea IS an event at the Empress. It is elegant and scrumptious. The setting is amazing, the service is impeccable. For an afternoon you are a celebrity.
This is a popular event despite the cost (CAD$82/person); reservations will probably be essential.
Royal BC Museum
Royal BC Museum
675 Belleville St., Victoria, BC
+1-250-356-7226
Tripadvisor reviews of Royal BC Museum
(Ranked #1 of things to do in Victoria)
Founded in 1886, this very thorough museum, several stories high, contains numerous galleries featuring natural history, first peoples, modern history with native plant gardens and current exhibitions. See website for past, current and upcoming exhibitions. This is another great family venue, well worth the modest entry fee.
IMAX Theater
IMAX Theatre
In the Royal BC Museum, 675 Belleville St., Victoria, BC
+1-250-480-4887
Tripadvisor Reviews of IMAX Theatre
Great IMAX venue for a thoroughly enjoyable, supremely super-large-screen Hollywood and educational movie experience. Located within the Royal BC Museum. Check website for current shows and times.
Victoria Harbour Ferry Tours & Charters
Inner Harbour Tours
792 Government Street, Victoria BC V8W 1W5
+1-250-708-0201
Harbour Tour Details and Fares
Tripadvisor Reviews of Victoria BC's Harbour Tours & Charters
It's an unforgettable perspective to see Victoria BC from the water. At the same time you'll learn some of Victoria's history and other information from knowledgeable captains functioning as tour guides. Besides, the boats are so cute!
The Harbour Tour season extends from March through October. Check the website for details.
Whale Watching from Victoria
Victoria is happily an excellent spot from which to go whale watching. It is usually a brief sail to whale feeding grounds off the shores of Victoria and around the San Juan Islands, and the chance of seeing any of multiple whale species is very good.
Details are at Victoria Whale Watching.
Things to do in Victoria for Free
British Columbia Provincial Legislature Buildings
BC Provincial Legislature Buildings
501 Belleville Street, Victoria BC V8V 1X4
+1-250-387-3046
Tripadvisor Reviews on Tours of BC Provincial Government Buildings
Victoria BC is the capital of the province of British Columbia, and the Provincial legislature buildings are right downtown bordering the Inner Harbour. Built in 1897, the beautiful and elegant architecture is representative of old Victoria.
Tours are free. Request a tour here, or call the number above. Besides public or group tours, you can also follow a self-guided tour (available in 13 languages).
Christ Church Cathedral
Christ Church Cathedral
501 Belleville Street, Victoria, BC V8V 3V5
+1-250-383-2714
Tripadvisor reviews of Christ Church Cathedral
The Anglican Christ Church Cathedral has seen 3 iterations, the first dating to circa 1850. The gothic architecture in the current cathedral is remarkable, and well executed. The interior measures 93 x 140 feet; the towers reach to 122 feet above street level.
The church is open for tours; entrance is free, though there is opportunity to make a donation should you care to do so (no pressure at all).
Beacon Hill Park
Beacon Hill Park
Douglas Street and Dallas Road, Victoria, BC
Tripadvisor Reviews of Beacon Hill Park
Situated along the Strait of Juan de Fuca lie 200 acres of gardens, woodlands, walking trails, playgrounds, a petting zoo, water park and ponds. This is a great family-outing location, perfect for catching a sunset or the spectacular views south to the Olympic Mountains of Washington State. Cameron Bandshell, located in the park, hosts a variety of summer music, dance and theatre events.
Government Street
Stroll (and shop) along Government Street
Downtown Inner Harbour area of Victoria BC
Tripadvisor Reviews of Government Street
Depending on the season and weather, a stroll along Government Street may be more entertaining than normally anticipated. Besides a multitude of restaurants, shops, First Nations crafts and souvenirs, you might find free viewing of chalk art (pictured - donations welcome, of course!), musicians (some with talent, some not so much), booths with handicrafts of all sorts, and more.
Here is where you'll find the prerequisite $15 t-shirt, and for the less budget-constrained, exquisite jewelry, carvings, heirloom quality photos, handicrafts, and more.
Chinatown
Chinatown
Fisgard Street south of Government Street
TripAdvisor reviews of Victoria's Chinatown
Authentic and the oldest Chinatown in Canada, though not as large as others in, say, San Francisco or Vancouver. It is definitely worth a trip through the Gates of Harmonious Interest, down Fan Tan Alley and up and down either side of Fisgard Street. It's a historical area with interesting buildings, formerly housing gambling clubs and opium dens, now filled with shops and restaurants.
Fisherman's Wharf
Fisherman's Wharf
1 Dallas Road, Victoria, BC
+1-250-383-8300
http://www.fishermanswharfvictoria.com/
Tripadvisor Reviews of Fisherman's Wharf
To get to Fisherman's Wharf, enter off St. Lawrence Street from the south shore at the entrance to the Inner Harbor, or catch a Harbor ferry near the Empress Hotel.
This is a fun place to take the family. Formerly a serious working wharf with eccentric characters roaming the docks (well, there's still that at the other end of the wharf), it's now surrounded by resorts and condos and full of colorfully painted floating homes and houseboats where you can feed the seals and enjoy great seafood chow.
Get the highly touted fish-n-chips at Barb's, or snag an ice cream or mocha at Moka Joe's on the ground floor of the beautiful Shoal Point condo building. Check the website for other food and seafood offerings on Fisherman's Wharf.
Things to do in Victoria - West
Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse
Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Sites
603 Fort Rodd Hill Road, Colwood BC V9C 2W8
+1-250-478-5849
www.pc.gc.ca/eng/lhn-nhs/bc/fortroddhill/index.aspx
Tripadvisor Reviews of Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse
Fort Rodd Hill and the Fisgard Lighthouse is located just 15 minutes west of Victoria, in the town of Colwood. Fort Rodd is a 100-year-old coastal artillery fort. There is so much history here! Old bunkers and barracks to explore, and the views are spectacular. Entry is free during the off-season, and negligible otherwise.
The Fisgard Lighthouse, Canada's oldest west coast lighthouse, is accessible as part of the Fort Rodd Hill National Historic Site.
Things to do in Victoria - North
Goldstream Provincial Park
Goldstream Provincial Park
Trans Canada Hwy (Hwy 1), Langford, BC
+1-250-474-1336
Tripadvisor Reviews of Goldstream Provincial Park
If you're looking for things to do in Victoria, we highly recommend a drive to Goldstream Provincial Park, which is just 17 km (10.5 miles) to the north of downtown Victoria.
Goldstream River drains steep mountainsides and then empties into an estuary (Finlayson Arm) at the tip of Brentwood Bay. Besides being incredibly scenic, the Park is a spawning area for salmon and contains huge old-growth cedars, fir and spruce that are typical of a temperate rain forest.
Click here for Goldstream Provincial Park in Photos
Things to do in Victoria - Saanich Peninsula
Butchart Gardens
Butchart Gardens
800 Benvenuto Ave., Brentwood Bay, BC, V8M 1J8
+1-250-652-4422; Toll-Free: +1-866-652-4422
Tripadvisor Reviews of Butchart Gardens
Of all the things to do in Victoria, one that takes my breath away is a visit to Butchart Gardens.
Jennie Butchart's vision of creating something beautiful from an exhausted limestone quarry is exquisitely fulfilled in flowing fountains, bountiful flowers and themed gardens. The Gardens are open year round.
- Springtime brings an explosion of spring green and fresh blooms, including thousands of tulips of every color and variety, almost
- During the summer one can enjoy spectacular fireworks displays every summer Saturday evening. Go for the day and stay into the evening to see how the garden changes from daylight to evening light.
- The intensely vibrant colors of Fall overpower the senses during September through November.
- A visit during the barren beauty of winter is also rewarded by the Christmas Lights Display that turns Butchart Gardens into a magical place after 4:30 pm throughout December and into January.
A visit to Butchart Gardens is a must-do, in my opinion. You would not regret re-visiting these 55 acres of horticultural amazement during each of the four seasons, if possible.
Butterfly Gardens
Butterfly Gardens
1461 Benvenuto Avenue, Brentwood Bay, BC
+1-250-652-3822
Tripadvisor Reviews of Butterfly Gardens
The Butterfly Gardens are located in the middle of the Saanich Peninsula very near Butchart Gardens. Walk among tropical plants and butterflies. Stand still long enough and one might land on your nose. This is a charming, gentle and beautiful garden. Both kids and adults will be delighted.
It'd take years to run out of things to do in Victoria BC.
Still have time? Vancouver Island is full of other fascinating sights, Provincial and regional parks, fishing villages, beaches, and remote wilderness.
More things to do in Victoria BC, per TripAdvisor
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