Things to See and Do
Museums
Royal B.C. Museum is located in the heart of downtown Victoria, near the Inner Harbour. Allow yourself at least 90 minutes to visit.
The Maritime Museum, downtown in Bastion Square offers a fascinating insight into Victoria’s marine history.
Gardens
The Butchart Gardens. Rent a car or take a bus out to see the gardens; a self-service style cafeteria is available for lunch, or a dining room for dinner (reservations needed for dining room). If you are in Victoria over a Saturday make sure to see the evening fireworks (get there early). Allow yourself 90 minutes to tour the gardens as well as 45 minutes travel time each way from downtown.
High Tea
High tea can be enjoyed at The Fairmont Empress Hotel (reservations required and there is a dress code) or at Point Ellice House, an historic home on the Gorge Waterway. Take the Victoria Harbour Ferry to their dock (reservations needed on weekends in July and August). Allow yourself at least 90 minutes for tea and a tour of the house.
Parks
Beacon Hill Park is a short walk from downtown. Stroll through the rose garden, visit the children’s petting zoo or watch a game of cricket. Continue through the park to the waterfront, walk along the path or visit the beach where you can rest and watch the ships pass by. This can take all day if you fall asleep on the lawn after a picnic in the shade of the trees.
Fisherman’s Wharf
Victoria’s “Hidden Treasure” - Fisherman’s Wharf is a full of fun and surprises, yet easy to reach from downtown Victoria.
China Town
Chinatown is a vibrant part of Victoria’s downtown core and offers an array of sites and experiences for the visitor.
Galloping Goose Trail / Barnard Park
Galloping Goose Trail / Barnard Park offers a fun way of exploring Victoria and its surrounding area while leaving the car at home.
Dining
Victoria has the distinction of having more restaurant seats per capita than any other city in North America. There is a wide variety of cuisines and prices. Seafood is a specialty for many and of course you must have fish & chips wrapped in paper. There are also many excellent in-house brewpubs for anyone who likes to sample beer.
Currency
All prices are in Canadian Funds. To get the best exchange rate, either change your currency at a bank (most of which have branches located on Douglas Street) or use your Visa or MasterCard, many businesses also take American Express. Almost all services or products are subject to GST (Goods & Services Tax 6%) a refund can be applied for the GST, so keep your receipts and obtain a form at any Currency Exchange office.
Length of Stay
You should plan on staying for at least 2-3 nights. If you arrive in the mid afternoon, get settled, see the downtown shopping area, visit Butchart Gardens or the Royal BC Museum, have dinner, your day is then over. Think about using Victoria as your “base camp” and heading out to other parts of the Island on day trips.
You really need a full day to get out and see the sights, walk around the waterfront, see the gardens and some of the attractions. Victoria is the city of Gardens, it also has a popular downtown core, so make time to escape from the crowds; stroll through Beacon Hill Park and have an ice cream cone while sitting on a bench watching the ships pass by.