Victoria Travel Guide

Victoria is known as the Garden City of Canada because of the perpetual sunshine and the lush green vegetation around the city. Because of its temperate climate and mild weather, flowers bloom all yearlong. Victoria contains abundant attractions and offers numerous activities to its visitors. A day would not be enough to explore its many attractions and outdoor activities provided.

Where to Go

The Butchart Gardens is one of the reasons why British Columbia’s capital is called the Garden City. Visitors find the garden enchanting with its various trees, shrubs and flowers strategically scattered all over the place. For those who love to visit museums and exhibits, there is the Royal British Columbia Museum, a historical museum that tells the story of British Columbia in the late 19th century to early 20th century. Other museums include the Craigdarroch Castle Historical Museum and the British Columbia Aviation Museum.

The Beacon Hill Park gives you a full view of the Olympic Mountains. Kids will love the park’s Children’s Farm where they can pet some of the animals. If visiting with the family, drop by the Victoria Bug Zoo as well. Spend time in the Inner Harbor too. Various entertainers and performers are all over the place. In addition, if you visit during springtime, the harbor is surrounded by colorful flowers in full bloom.

The Miniature World, on the other hand, will leave you and your children amazed with some odd and funny miniature exhibits. Other notable sites include Canadian artist Emily Carr’s house, the Legislative Buildings, the Abkhazi Gardens and the Chinatown.

What to Do

In Victoria, various travel and holiday companies offer tours for whale watching. Usually, the trips last around three hours. Success rate is good when it comes to spotting a Humpback, Orca or Grey whale.

Visitors can also rent bikes for an afternoon trip to some of the best trails in the city such as the Galloping Goose. Strolling along the Inner Harbor, Dallas Road, Westsong Walkway and the Blue Bridge is also a good way to spend the afternoon. Nature tripping is never a problem in Victoria as there are many parks scattered all over the place.

Victoria can also be explored aboard a ferryboat. Many harbor tours would take you along the Inner Harbor and the Selkirk Waterway. Finally, visitors can go on a 45-minute drive from Victoria to the wineries in the Saanich Peninsula. Wine tasting tours are available and lasts an average of three hours. The tour would take you to three wineries and plenty of wine sampling.

Festivals

Victoria hosts various festivals all year long. During the winter season, the city celebrates various Christmas exhibits and the Chinese New Year. In addition, the Victoria Tea Festival and the Film Festival are also held in winter.

During spring, Victorians celebrate Uno Fest, the Greater Victoria Performing Arts Festival, Victoria Highland Games and Celtic Festival and the Swiftsure International Yacht Race.

During the warm summer, the city celebrates an abundance of festivals such as the Feast of Fields, Fringe Festival, Classic Boat Festival and the Dragon Boat Festival.

In fall, they city holds the Ghost of Victoria Festival, Salmon Run, Rifflandia Festival and the Art of the Cocktail.