Things to do in  Victoria

Butchart Gardens, established in 1904, treat visitors to an enchanting floral show that changes with the seasons. Covering 55 acres (22 hectares) on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, the botanical space is intricately laid out into separate themed gardens with landscaping that impresses and inspires gardeners and nature lovers alike.

A trim wedge of water rimmed with top landmarks, Victoria’s Inner Harbour is the city’s bustling port. Whether you’re hopping a whale-watching cruise or enjoying a sea breeze, the Inner Harbour is an essential stop when exploring Victoria. Among its highlights are the elegant Fairmont Empress hotel and the narrow streets beyond.

Constructed in the 1890s, the British Columbia Parliament Buildings still serve as home to the province’s legislature. Built according to the designs of young British architect Francis Rattenbury, the neo-Baroque complex’s imposing size, copper domes, turrets, and stained glass ensure a commanding and stately presence.

First established in the mid-19th century, Victoria Chinatown is among North America’s oldest. Now a National Historic Site, Victoria’s Chinatown is home to cafes, studios, herbalists, tea rooms, and shops, as well as the narrow Fan Tan Alley, which measures 35 inches (88.9 centimeters) wide at its narrowest point.

Sheer natural beauty is just the start of the appeal of of Beacon Hill Park, which sprawls across the southern edge of Victoria, British Columbia. It’s a popular spot for locals and visitors alike, with a petting zoo, splash parks, playgrounds, sports fields, seemingly endless footpaths, and one of the tallest totem poles in the world.

Life revolves around the water at this laid-back coastal community north of Victoria. The action centers on the seafront where you’ll find a sculpture-dotted walkway, a beach scattered with sea glass, and a pier where locals crab and cast fishing lines, as well as an aquarium housing marine life native to the Salish Sea.

In 1890 Scottish coal baron Robert Dunsmuir built Craigdarroch Castle in Victoria, British Columbia, to showcase his inordinate wealth. This 39-room hilltop mansion is rich with opulent details, including multiple turrets and chimneys, a red slate roof, stained-glass windows, wood carvings, antique furnishings, and gold-framed paintings.

The grand style of the Fairmont Empress hotel sets the tone for Victoria’s Inner Harbour, where boats tie up just steps from the city’s most historic landmarks. Visiting the Fairmont Empress is not just for overnight guests; afternoon tea here has been a Victoria tradition for more than a century.

Houseboats bob alongside shops, food kiosks, and commercial fishing vessels at Fisherman’s Wharf near Victoria’s Inner Harbour. A former hub of the city’s once-industrial shoreline, the wharf is now a popular hangout.

Victoria's main drag, Government Street is home to many of the city's most popular hotels, shops, and restaurants. It's also the location of many top Victoria attractions, including the Royal British Columbia Museum, Emily Carr House, and British Columbia Parliament Buildings. The street is popular for visitors to stroll.

The childhood home of Canadian painter Emily Carr is a historic site dedicated to her adventurous life and beloved work. Period decor in the old-fashioned gingerbread house evokes 19th-century life in Victoria, and a carefully tended garden comes to life each spring. Rotating exhibits feature the work of local contemporary artists.

From totem poles to ancient fossils, British Columbia’s history is on display at the Royal British Columbia Museum in Victoria. Explore vast collections covering the natural world and human heritage, with dioramas that place historic artifacts in context. A soaring IMAX screen and special exhibitions add to the museum experience.

On the outskirts of Victoria, close to the University of Victoria, Mt. Tolmie Park draws visitors for its views of Victoria, Saanich, and the Gulf Islands, which you can see in the distance on clear days. It’s also a fantastic spot for hiking, with plenty of trails, many of which go straight to the summit.

With heritage architecture and cobbled streets, Old Town Victoria exudes historic character. The area sprang to life in the 19th-century gold rushes, and today it encompasses the city’s commercial core, Canada’s oldest Chinatown, and the waterfront. Visit to see its brightly painted Victorian buildings, which house shops and restaurants.

Established in 2003, this national park encompasses 8,896 acres (3,600 hectares of forested islands and marine habitats between Vancouver Island and Vancouver city. Wildlife thrives in its Mediterranean-like climate with bald eagles, cormorants, and hawks patrolling the skies and orcas, porpoises, and seals occupying the waters.