Things to Do In Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

Victoria is the capital of British Columbia. It is located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island, off the Pacific Coast. It is the seventh most densely populated city in Canada, with 4406 people per square kilometer. Victoria’s overall population is 91, 867 with a population of 397,237 in the Greater Victoria area. If you are planning a trip, here are a list of things to do in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.

The Ultimate List of Things to Do In Victoria

Inner Harbor

Inner Harbor is a picturesque patch of waterfront located in Victoria. With many different activities to do and restaurants to dine at, it is one of the city’s most popular tourist attractions. Moreover, Inner Harbor serves as a hotspot for whale watching and ecotourism services. It is also the city’s international ferry terminal with links to Bellingham, Port Angeles, and Seattle.

Royal BC Museum

Royal BC Museum is a history museum in Victoria, British Columbia. Queen Elizabeth II approved the “Royal” title in 1987, to coincide with a royal tour in the same year. Moreover, the museum consists of three galleries: Natural History, Becoming BC, and the First Peoples Gallery. The museum has a collection of 7 million artifacts. Also, it hosts an IMAX theatre that shows educational films and documentaries.

Beacon Hill Park

Beacon Hill Park is a 183-acre park located along the shore in Victoria. There are many amenities in the park, which makes it a popular tourist attraction. These amenities include a woodland, two playgrounds, shoreline trails, a zoo, a waterpark, tennis and pickleball courts, and landscape gardens.

Fisherman’s Wharf

Fisherman’s Wharf is a hidden treasure located just around the corner from Inner Harbor. It is a waterfront location that offers a wide variety of food options, shops, and ecotourism adventures. You can buy delicious food, fresh seafood, or see the vessels and float homes at this working harbor.

Craigdarroch Castle

Craigdarroch Castle is a historic Victorian-era mansion located in the heart of Victoria in British Columbia. Built in 1890, the castle’s interior consists of lavish rooms with intricately-carved wooden furniture and beautiful stained-glass windows. Visiting this castle will leave you with memories of the charm and elegance of a bygone era.

Legislative Assembly of British Columbia

Legislative Assembly of British Columbia is the parliament building complex of the province. It is open for public tours throughout the day. Moreover, the building is an architectural marvel. This tour will help you learn about BC’s Legislative Assembly.

Miniature World

Miniature World is a unique tourist attraction located in Empress Hotel in Victoria, British Columbia. It has more than 85 mini dioramas with sound and animation added, which makes it more realistic and continue to delight visitors.

Empress Hotel National historic Site of Canada

Empress Hotel National historic Site of Canada is one of the oldest hotels in the city. It is located facing the Inner Harbor in Downtown Victoria. Francis Rattenbury designed the hotel while Fairmont Hotels and Resorts manages it at present. There are several restaurants that guests and visitors can come to experience the true feel of the hotel.

Scenic Marine Route

The Scenic Marine Route offers stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and its coastline. The drive takes you along the southern edge of Vancouver Island. It provides breathtaking views of the Olympic Mountains and Juan de Fuca Strait. Furthermore, there are many historic landmarks, beaches, and parks, along this scenic route.

Black Ball Ferry Line

Black Ball Ferry Line operates the passenger and vehicle ferry linking Victoria on Vancouver Island with Port Angeles on the Olympic Peninsula. The ship has several amenities including, a cafeteria, duty free shop, gift shop, solarium, interior lounges, and pet-friendly locations.

Abkhazi Garden

The Prince and Princess Abkhazi created the Abkhazi Garden in 1946. It is also called “the garden that love built”. This one-acre garden consists of rhododendrons, small flowers, and ferns. Moreover, it has a lovely tea house and gift shop.

Ogden Point Terminal

Ogden Point Terminal is a deep water port located in southwest Victoria. Its prominent location on the southern point of Victoria, by the Strait of Juan de Fuca, close to major areas like Seattle and Vancouver, makes it a major cruise ship destination. Moreover, it has a heliport with services to Vancouver International Airport, Vancouver Harbor, and Seattle.

Dino Lab

Dino Lab is a dream tour for all dinosaur lovers. You can book a private tour of a dinosaur prep lab, fossil gallery, and gift shop. You can see, touch, and help prepare fossils from million years ago, in this lab. Also, there is also the option to arrange a private dig in one of the private quarries in America.

Government Street

Government Street is a busy and major road that is lined with Victoria’s top tourist sites. The road starts from an intersection with Douglas Street and goes up all the way through downtown Victoria, finally terminating at Dallas Road. Some of the popular tourist attractions in the street are Parliament Buildings of BC, Royal BC Museum, The Fairmont Empress, and Inner Harbor.

Government House

Government House is the official residence of the lieutenant governor of BC in Victoria. It is open from dawn to dusk daily, with the grounds and garden free for public viewing. Moreover, this building is also called “the Ceremonial Home of British Columbians”.

Victoria Bug Zoo

Victoria Bug Zoo is a mini zoo that has a collection of live tropical bugs across the globe. It has about 50 species of live bugs including praying mantis, giant walking sticks, hairy tarantulas, glow-in-the-dark scorpions, and Canada’s largest ant colony. Moreover, you can gain much knowledge about these bugs and how to safely handle them.

Hatley Park National Historic Site

Hatley Park National Historic Site is the site of Hatley Castle, which is a Classified Federal Heritage Building. The grounds of this historic site have gardens, farmland, and trails that go through dense forests. Moreover, the forest has a large number of trees like western red cedar and Douglas fir.

Victoria’s Chinatown National Historic Site

Victoria’s Chinatown National Historic Site is the oldest Chinatown in Canada. Many of the residents and visitors here are Chinese-Canadians. Chinatown has several venues based on culture and entertainment. Furthermore, in 1995, it was designated as National Historic Site of Canada.

Dallas Road Beach

Dallas Road Beach is a recreational space in Victoria. It consists of walking trails where you can even take your dog along the off-leash dog park path. Also, you may even spot some wildlife, like deer, just off the road, grazing. It is a great place for walking, hiking, cycling, and more.

Wrap-Up

Victoria is a laid-back city with a multitude of things to do for both locals and tourists. It is a must-visit city in British Columbia and one that will leave you with memorable experiences.