Things to do in Victoria, British Columbia
After spending the beginning of the summer exploring Central America, we decided to keep the rest of our summer travel plans closer to home in beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia.
Our most recent trip took us to Victoria, the picturesque capital city of British Columbia. Located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island off Canada’s west coast, Victoria is one of the oldest cities in the Pacific Northwest and is also the city where we met almost ten years ago during our university days. So it’s no surprise we have a soft spot for the “City of Gardens”. In fact, it’s one of our favourite cities and we’ve often talked about relocating there one day.
We’re always amazed when we meet tourists that visit the Pacific Northwest but decide to skip Victoria. It’s only about 100 kilometres (62 miles) from both Vancouver BC and Seattle WA, making it the perfect weekend getaway for both tourists and residents from the mainland.
That said, don’t make the common mistake of thinking that you can visit Victoria in one day (unless you plan to fly into the Inner Harbour on a sea plane). We recommend you spend at least two days, preferably three days if your itinerary allows it. With that in mind, we’ve put together a list of 7 things you should do on your next trip to Victoria.
Below are 7 things you must do on your next trip to Victoria
1. Spot a Killer Whale on a Whale Watching Tour
Vancouver Island is one of the best places to spot killer whales in British Columbia, especially in the summer months from May to October during the salmon migration. Whales, sea birds and other marine animals are attracted to the area to feed, resulting in a 95% success rate on whale watching tours. We hit the jackpot on our tour with Prince of Whales and spotted over 25 killer whales!
Our whale watching tour with Prince of Whales departed from the inner harbour in downtown Victoria (pictured above). Prince of Whales has a number of boats to choose from. We went with the large 2-story Ocean Magic cruiser because we liked the idea of being able to walk around and take pictures from the upper deck.
We couldn’t have scripted a better whale watching experience. The water was calm, the sun was shining and we got to witness a super pod!
**Read our whale watching story here
2. Take a Horse Carriage Ride through Historical Victoria
A different way to discover the historical city by horse drawn carriage. The relaxing, romantic and informative tours allow visitors to see the city’s attractions in style, while traveling through old residential neighbourhoods, scenic waterfront roads and the second oldest Chinatown in the North. If you’re in the mood to turn up the romance, most operators allow you to crack open a bottle of champagne or wine while you tour the city by night.
The horse drawn carriages will pick you up from your hotel or restaurant. You can also organize your trip directly from the horse carriage operators, located beside the BC Parliament Buildings. Tours range from 30 minutes to an 1.5 hours.
3. Sample Hand-crafted Ales at Spinnakers Gastro Brewpub
Most people are familiar with pairing wine selections to specific dishes, but have you considered pairing your food with beer? If you follow our blog then you know that we love to combine beer and travel with our series on drinking beer around the world. You can imagine the smiles on our faces when we learned that Spinnakers Gastro Brewpub offers hand-crafted beer pairings with its Chefs Table menu (and wine pairings if beer is not your preference).
Spinnakers Gastro Brewpub is committed to farm fresh local ingredients year round, like using fresh local raspberries for its summer Raspberry Ale. It offers classic styles of ales, lagers and seasonal specialty beers and is the perfect choice for beer enthusiasts that enjoy fine dining in a casual environment.
The Chefs Table is a 5-course meal that includes a starter, appetizer, two main courses and dessert, along with 3oz beer pairings for each course. The menu at the night of our visit included:
- A petite Outlandish Oyster, paired with the India Pale Ale
- Baked Comox Brie with roasted Roma tomatoes and flat bread crackers, paired with the Raspberry Ale
- Vancouver Island ratatouille with Crayfish (pictured below), paired with the Discovery Ale
- Pan seared Fraser Valley pork tenderloin, paired with the Lion’s Head Cascadia Dark Ale
- House made chocolate truffles, paired with an Irish Stout
4. Take the Victoria Harbour Ferry to Fisherman’s Wharf
A fun way to get around the Inner Harbour is to take the Victoria Harbour Ferry. The little green and white ferry’s leave from various points around the harbour, making it a relaxing mini-cruise while you see discover the city. Marvel at the iconic blue steel Johnson Street Bridge while sea planes take off and land in the bustling harbour.
Just look for the “Ferry Stop” signs at major waterfront locations around the harbour. You can stop off at Spinnakers Gastro Brewpub and grab a refreshing pint of craft beer or visit the Fisherman’s Wharf and sample the world famous fish and chips at Barb’s.
Tickets for the Victoria Harbour Ferry can be purchased as a Harbour Tour ($22), Gorge Cruise ($26) or one-way fares starting from $5.00 per person.
5. Bike from James Bay to Oak Bay via Dallas Road and Beacon Hill Park
Visitors to Victoria will find that most of its landmarks and attractions are within walking distance to the BC Parliament Buildings and Inner Harbour. To see what’s beyond the downtown core, rent a bike and cruise down Dallas Road to Ogden Point (the pier where the cruise ships dock), Beacon Hill Park, Clover Point Park and Oak Bay Marina.
We rented bikes from Cycle BC and started in the residential area of James Bay. It’s a quiet area with some of the most beautiful heritage homes on Vancouver Island and its claimed to be the oldest neighbourhood on the West coast of North America that’s north of San Francisco. After a brief stop at the Fisherman’s Wharf, our cycling trip continued down Dallas Road along the Juan de Fuca Straight, passing through Beacon Hill Park (the largest park in downtown Victoria) and finishing in front of the Empress Hotel.
You can also rent scooters and motorcycles from Cycle BC and visit the popular Butchard Gardens or the historic Craigdarroch Castle. Click here to view the Victoria Riding Routes
6. Play Beach Volleyball on the Rooftop Surfclub
Have you ever played beach volleyball on the rooftop of a restaurant in the city? We’re guessing you haven’t because the Rooftop Surf Club is home to the world’s only rooftop beach volleyball courts. We’ll never forget our university days sharing drinks with classmates over a game of beach volleyball on the Strathcona rooftop bar. If you’ve got the time and desire, we highly recommend you give it a go!
The Strathcona Hotel has been a downtown landmark with roots dating back to the beginning of the 1900′s. With 7 rooms, 5 levels, 5 diverse restaurants and 1,200+ seats, it’s the perfect place to unwind after a day of sightseeing or crank it up and hit the town. We make it a point to visit at least one of the restaurants every time we visit Victoria (the Sticky Wicket Pub is a great spot to watch our Vancouver Canucks).
7. Visit the Royal BC Museum and IMAX
Located between the Empress Hotel and the BC Parliament Buildings, the Royal BC Museum specializes in British Columbia’s human and natural history. Plan to spend at least 3 hours at the museum, especially if you want to catch an IMAX film.
The elaborate galleries offer dramatically different environments, making it a great museum for all ages and preferences. There is a First Peoples Gallery, Modern History Gallery, Natural History Gallery and different traveling exhibitions. Our favourites are the life size woolly mammoth (pictured below) and the incredible collection of native totem poles (pictured here).
Although we’ve only scratched the surface with things you should do in Victoria, hopefully this list gives you a good starting point. Our intent is to provide you with a full itinerary for a weekend getaway to one of our favourite North American cities. Hopefully it has inspired you to consider a trip to British Columbia’s OTHER beautiful waterfront city!
If you’re looking for a hotel that is perfectly situated within steps of Victoria’s picturesque Inner Harbour, we recommend you stay at the Magnolia Hotel.
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Have you visited the city of Victoria?
Share your recommendations for things to do in the comments section below
Editor’s Note: Some of our experiences in Victoria were complimentary, however the thoughts and opinions shared in this post are entirely our own
Cameron and Nicole Wears are a Canadian couple and newbie parents living in beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia. A passion for travel and outdoor adventure has taken them to over 65 countries & territories on 6 continents in the past 7 years. Consider following us via 
wow! i haven’t been here since i was 4 [and that was a long flippin' time ago!]. I really need to go back!! i don’t remember it being quite so cool! Of course, that would’ve been weird for my parents to give a 4 year old a brew…and IMAX wasn’t invented.
Yeah….a little weird watching a 4 year old drink beer
Victoria is a great city. In fact all of the Island is wonderful. I liked just walking around the waterfront, great for photographs. As well, there is no shortage of excellent restaurants, but never heard of the beach volleyball on the rooftop. Interesting idea!
Yeah, the beach volleyball is pretty unique.
In Canada I’ve only ever been to Vancouver and Victoria – I really loved Victoria; it’s really small but so cute and some really nice restaurants. Great tips!
You’ve been to the best 2 parts
We’ll okay…all of Canada is pretty cool..but we are a bit biased for the west coast.
Wow, Victoria does look like an amazing place to visit.
If I ever make it to the Americas — I think I’m going to be spending a bit of time in Canada. It looks wonderful!
We hope you can make it to Canada..it’s pretty amazing.
Lovely tips. I have never been to Canada so when I plan for a visit to Seattle next year, I would like to cross over and check out Canada.
There is a ferry from Seattle to Victoria. I would definitely check it out if you have the time.
Great list and agree that Victoria should not be missed. I’m not a huge fan of museums but went to the BC Royal Museum on a friend’s recommendation and loved it, can’t recommend it enough.
We agree. It’s one of the most entertaining museum’s!
OH, we love Victoria! Just spent a day there recently on our cruise. I would add that you should take a tour of Craigdarroch Castle. It’s not technically a castle, but a really interesting and historical mansion. Also, tea at the Empress Hotel is pretty fabulous. The weather in Victoria is wonderful too.
Both are great suggestions. We didn’t get to see everything we hoped, so we’ll plan to go back soon.
I’m one of those people who only had 1 day to spend in Victoria (sadly). It was a port of call on an Alaskan cruise I went on last summer, and I absolutely loved it. My family and I did a little 1-hour tour around the city, hung out around the harbor, and then took the little green ferry boats out to Fisherman’s Wharf. It was a great day and I definitely want to try out some more of the things on your list!
Wow, it sounds like you got to see a lot in only an hour! An Alaskan cruise is on our to do list..we’ve heard great things about it.
It’s so beautiful! That looks like so much fun. I’ve been to Canada several times, but never to B.C. I’d love to plan a trip.
BC is very pretty in all seasons; there is always something to do. Definitely try to visit next time
You just laid out some very compelling reasons to visit Victoria — thanks. I’ve only been to Vancouver Island once before and I just bypassed Victoria on my way to Sooke. Loved what I saw of the island. Also enjoyed the ferry ride from Vancouver.
They ferry is very pretty (especially the ride to Victoria). Sooke is also a great getaway and a hidden gem.
Seems like lots of fun to do in BC. And the seafood part is just yummy!
The seafood in BC is very good. Especially if you like sushi.
Canoe Brewpub is another must visit. The beer rivals Spinnakers as some of the best brewpub beer in the city although Spinnakers has age on its side – it is the first brewpub in North America – they really blazed the way for great beer in BC! Canoe is in an old, converted electric building and is beautiful!
Also, you can’t miss Red Fish Blue Fish on the harbour. I have never had their fish and chips (although they get rave reviews!) because I am completely infatuated with the tuna tacones – heaven! I miss them like crazy now that I have moved to Calgary.
Great tips – doing one or two of these things will give you a great flavor of Victoria!
We never got to the Canoe Brewpub, but we have heard about it. We will check it out next time.
We definitely need to get back out West! I’ve never been to Victoria, but it sounds like there’s plenty to do! We were in the San Juan Islands a few years back but didn’t cross the border, although we both wanted to! Too little time!
There are so many places we wished to visit but ran out of time as well. Next time
Victoria, is ‘the place’ on VI. I’m lucky because a lot of my friends I grew up with from the small town I’m from now live there. I have a lot of couches to crash on
It’s always nice to have friends in different cities to couch surf.
A brewpub? I’m sold!
Anytime there’s a brewpub…were in as well
I wish I could go to Victoria someday. It is because there are many interesting things that I could do and the dishes looked delicious. I wish I could go spot the whales and ride the horse carriages there. Harbour ferry seems interesting to ride too. Thanks for the interesting insights about your trip to Victoria.
Your welcome. Hope you can make it one day.
Cool photo of the woolly mammoth! For most of my childhood I thought they still existed… and was pretty devastated when I discovered they were extinct. *sad face*
Yeah, it’s a pretty cool part of the museum.
I wanted to go here so badly when I was in BC, but didn’t have time.
Next visit! Your pics are awesome.
My husband surprised me on our honeymoon in 2006 with an extra night on Vancouver Island. We stayed at the charming (despite the kitschy name!) Gazebo Bed and Breakfast outside of Victoria on Old West Saanich Lane. Beautiful old country roads and kind people just a few minutes’ drive outside the city.
We’ve returned to the B&B with friends and on our own multiple times since, and we love the charming family owned Starling Lane Winery nearby.
The Sticky Wicket! We were there on our honeymoon for the final World Cup Game – France vs. Italy. We almost missed the ferry home trying to stick it out through the triple over time and shootout! We returned last summer for the Spain vs. Netherlands final game. Such a terrific atmosphere.
Another fun excursion from Victoria: a visit to Hatley Castle (trivia: film shoot location for X-Men). I enjoyed it much more than Buchart Gardens, actually. Be sure to take a picnic to eat on the lawn overlooking the water…
That is seven reasons why I should go back there. Victoria is a beautiful city. I remembered how fun and relaxing me and my wife were just walking on the city’s sidewalk. We loved the restaurants. The bike ride and the whale tour would be a fun experience.
We haven’t been to Victoria in ages but absolutely love it there. Gotta go back some day soon because we have never done the whale watching there! Great round up of things to do there. Cheers.
Love it! Great series of ideas for Vic
I lived there for the past bunch of years and still go back once or twice a year for different adventures! 
I always try to get a trip out towards the real wet west coast foresty goodness when possible 
Tis a lovely lovely area
Sounds like there is a lot to do in Victoria! didn’t know you could see woolly mammoths there– lol
Good post,will come back shortly!!
I went to Vancouver years ago … I wish I would have had this then! Great tips!
My two favorite things to do when I visit Victoria is to eat fish and chips at Fisherman’s Wharf and walk along the harbor at night when it is full of street performers!
Great post guys!
I know it’s a little out of town but Butchart Gardens is beautiful! You can take a bus there (you don’t need a car) and it’s a great side trip to see some of the most beautiful flowers. Craigdarroch castle is also pretty neat to visit with some good views of the city.
Have a curry in the Bengal Room.
Oh Ive been hearing great things about Fisherman’s Wharf. Sorry I missed it but I did discover bungee jumping while I was there!
While it is outside of the city a little, you can take a bus and visit Butchart Gardens. Very beautiful!