Victoria is the capital of British Columbia and a thought of one in every of Canada’s most lovely cities. Located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island, the coastal metropolis attracts summer time crowds who arrive by ferry from Vancouver or cease for the day on an Alaska cruise.
If you’re visiting for various days, a highway journey up Vancouver Island permits you to see Long Beach, a part of the Pacific Rim Natural Park Reserve.
Those stopping on an Alaska cruise from Seattle or Vancouver could solely have a day, however you gained’t be wanting actions or sights to select from.
Here are the very best issues to do in Victoria throughout your trip.
1. Explore Craigdarroch Castle
Located 2 km from Victoria Harbor, a tour of Craigdarroch Castle gives a glimpse into the lives of the Dunsmuir household. The Victorian property exemplifies wealth with its 4 storeys and 39 rooms. Sitting on prime actual property on a hill, you possibly can get pleasure from spectacular views from the highest ground.
The dwelling was constructed within the late 1800s by Robert Dunsmuir, thought of the wealthiest man in Western Canada. Some of the rooms function lovely stained glass, and complicated woodwork and are furnished with interval items.
Throughout its historical past, the homeowners had modified the rooms to behave as a army hospital, a Victoria College, and a music conservatory. Craigdarroch Castle, and neighboring Hatley Castle, are two magnificent Canadian castles value exploring.
2. Visit Butchart Gardens
There are many North American gardens that provide you with that wow issue, and Butchart Gardens is one in every of them. Located in Brentwood Bay, half-hour north of Victoria, the gardens are a National Historic Site of Canada.
In spring and summer time, the 55 acres bloom with an explosion of colour, however the Sunken Garden is its jewel. But this isn’t a vacation spot for simply two seasons. In the autumn, the Japanese Garden radiates in tones of pink, orange, and yellow.
In December, whereas the flowers hibernate, the park comes alive with festive lights, Christmas carollers, and smells of the vacations. It’s no surprise Victoria is named the “city of gardens.”
3. Tour The Parliament Buildings
You can take a complimentary tour of the BC Parliament Buildings from Monday to Friday. The tickets can be found on the entrance and can be found on a first-come-first-served foundation.
On a 45-minute tour, you’ll admire a carved canoe within the Lower Rotunda and proceed upstairs to the Memorial Rotunda, devoted to those that misplaced their lives for his or her nation.
The pinnacle of the tour is seeing the Legislative Assembly of BC.
While you possibly can’t enter the room, you possibly can see the place the members make all the selections and the place British Columbia passes its legal guidelines.
4. Have Tea At The Empress Hotel
Located on Government Street, the enduring Fairmont Empress Hotel has served conventional afternoon tea for over a century. The ritual, which isn’t simply tea, however a whole meal, consists of finger sandwiches, scones with strawberry jam and clotted cream, and delicate pastries.
Accompanied by the best globally sourced teas, it is best to benefit from the event leisurely. Like lavish afternoon tea in well-known London institutions, anticipate this tea to set you again round CAD 100 per particular person with out champagne.
While quintessentially British, tea on the Empress will double your recollections of visiting Victoria, British Columbia’s capital.
5. Have Lunch At Fisherman’s Wharf
Victoria’s Fisherman’s Wharf is a unusual neighborhood comprised of floating eating places, artists’ reward retailers, and colourful float properties.
You can catch a ferry throughout the harbor, seize a brew, and luxuriate in some yummy seafood there. It’s a terrific place to individuals watch, and it’s possible you’ll even spot some harbor seals, sea lions, or a heron attempting to catch dinner.
While fish and chips is the favored faire provided by most eateries, Puerto Vallarta Amigos serves Mexican, Pirate Pizza has scrumptious pizzas, and Coco grill presents Polynesian-flavored seafood. Be positive to depart room for Jackson’s ice cream, particularly on a scorching day.
6. Take A Tour On The Harbor Ferry
The harbor ferry gives scenic excursions of the interior marina, which lets you give your toes a relaxation. You’ll study the historical past of the busy harbor as you watch the visitors on the ocean freeway. With fishing boats, tour boats, ferries, and float planes, it’s an orchestral maneuver of ocean-going ballet.
In the winter, the harbor comes alive with the twinkling of fairy lights. It’s the perfect time to take a Harbor Lights tour. You’ll benefit from the festive lights and a 3D Child’s Winter Story, all from the heated cabin of your tub-style boat.
7. Go Whale Watching
The waters of Vancouver Island are prolific with whale species. Due to its inhabitants of resident killer whales, it’s thought of among the finest locations to whale watch alongside the west coast. May to October is peak whale watching season.
The prime tour firm, Prince of Whales, presents year-round excursions and ensures sightings. Most vacationers come to see the orcas, however humpbacks, minke, and grey whales are noticed too.
Tours go away from the harbor on the waterfront, so that you gained’t want transportation to get to your touring vessel.
8. Watch Horse Carriages
A horse carriage journey has turn out to be an iconic attraction in Victoria.
Victoria Carriage Tours and Tally-Ho Carriage Tours present service across the harbor, for guests to see the capital in an open-air carriage pulled by a retired draft horse. Carriages can seat as much as six, and excursions begin at quarter-hour and as much as 90 minutes.
Both corporations use Belgians, Clydesdales, Suffolk Punches, and Shires to drag their carriages. They select these horses for his or her mild demeanor, belief in individuals, and friendliness.
9. See The Sights On A Hop-on Hop-off Bus
Hop-on hop-off buses are utilized in many cities and supply a simple solution to see the websites. They are helpful for the mobility challenged.
You’ll benefit from the journey on a double-decker open-top bus in Victoria. It takes the bus 90 minutes to finish the town loop.
With the liberty to create your individual schedule, you may get off the bus at every cease and discover the world earlier than boarding once more. The first cease is exterior the enduring Fairmont Empress Hotel, identified for its luxurious lodging and scrumptious afternoon tea.
Other factors of curiosity embrace the Royal British Columbia Museum, Fisherman’s Wharf, Victoria’s Inner Harbor, Christ Church Cathedral, Oak Bay Village, and Cook Street Village.
For a further payment, your ticket consists of entry to Craigdarroch Castle.
10. Browse The Royal British Columbia Museum
For over 125 years, the Royal BC Museum has been attracting guests to view its assortment of over 7 million artifacts. The museum consists of three galleries, the First Peoples, Natural History, and Becoming BC.
The First Peoples Gallery has indigenous totem poles, Haida objects, and a group of Bill Reid’s carvings.
An eye-opening exhibit featured the darker aspect of Canadian historical past. It showcases the shameful means the federal government handled Japanese Canadians after the bombing of Pearl Harbor in Oahu.
The museum has the biggest IMAX display screen in British Columbia, that includes documentary-style movies. The movies routinely change, as do among the reveals, to maintain locals and guests coming again.
11. Tour The City On E-Bikes
While you possibly can tour Victoria on foot or the Hop-on hop-off bus, renting an e-bike provides you the liberty to create your individual schedule.
E-bikes are straightforward to journey. If you possibly can journey a pedal bike, you possibly can study the controls of an electrical bike in a matter of minutes. The battery help permits you to sort out hills and journey additional with out exhaustion.
If you arrive in Victoria by cruise ship, Victoria Bike Rentals presents bikes on the Ogden Point Terminal. The Pedaler and Victoria Cycle BC have storefronts and leases close to the harbor. You can lease by the hour or the entire day.
Sightseeing by e-bike eliminates the necessity for parking for those who’re touring with a car. That alone can save some huge cash.
12. Rent A Kayak
Paddling the waterfront provides you a serene solution to get pleasure from Victoria. You’ll escape the crowds and see the views from a unique perspective.
Kelp Reef Tours provide 2-to-3-hour excursions from Fishermen’s Wharf, with the latter fitted to skilled rowers. The excursions are family-friendly, and it’s possible you’ll get pleasure from harbor seals, river otters, and seabird sightings.
Alternatively, Victoria Kayak Tours presents handy leases on the waterfront. You can select from a bunch tour or a self-guided rental. If you don’t have higher physique energy, go for a double or triple kayak as an alternative of the only one. Strength in numbers!
13. Visit Hatley Castle
Hatley Castle was the household dwelling of James and Laura Dunsmuir. James was the oldest son of Robert and Joan Dunsmuir from Craigdarroch Castle.
After their deaths, the house served as a coaching faculty for army officers. Today, Royal Roads University makes use of the mansion as its campus. In the basement, guests can see the Hatley Castle Museum containing a few of James and Laura’s belongings.
Outside, you possibly can get pleasure from complimentary excursions of the property. Guided excursions can be found from May till September, 10 am to nightfall.
Wrap It Up: Best issues to do in Victoria Canada
Victoria attracts guests for its pure magnificence, gentle local weather, and delightful gardens. Since you could find many standard sights centered across the interior harbor, you possibly can discover most of them on a strolling tour.
By strolling relatively than driving, you possibly can uncover meals vans, lovely gardens, and hidden gems.
Keep studying:
Karen is a Canadian traveler at ForeverKaren. Born to a British Military household, she grew up touring the world and by no means misplaced her need for seeing all of it. With her husband Brian, she loves to hunt out new adventures and areas to discover.