The Butchart Gardens (Fees apply, 30 mins from downtown)

Stroll along meandering paths through fifty-five acres of delightful floral displays at The Butchart Gardens. In 1904, Jennie Butchart began to beautify a worked-out quarry site north of Victoria. Her venture has become a family commitment to horticulture and hospitality spanning 100 years, delighting visitors from all over the world.

Beacon Hill Park (Free, Near Hotel)

An easy walk from the Inner Harbour of downtown, Beacon Hill Park and Children's Farm is a free spot to visit in Victoria. Stroll through the 200-acre park and admire the beautiful landscapes and bounty of animals including ducks, geese and peacocks. Check out the Children's Farm for a hands-on experience for the whole family, with twice daily goat runs, and other friendly animals. PLUS, don't forget to make a stop at the Beacon Drive-In — voted Victoria's Best Ice Cream for the past 25 years!

Go on a Whale Watching Adventure

Explore the Haro Strait and the Strait of Juan de Fuca in search of the majestic wildlife that floods the local waters in Victoria in the summer months. Take advantage of the opportunity to view several different species of whales in the wild as well as an assortment of seabirds and other species of marine wildlife from downtown Victoria on a Zodiac adventure or a luxury catamaran cruise.

Dallas Road Walkway (Free, Near Hotel)

Looking for a place with a great ocean view? Stroll along the breakwater where the ocean hugs the path that leads you to one of Victoria’s most iconic lookouts — You can even catch the M.V. Coho on its way to the Inner Harbour! This beautiful spot is only a short walk away from Victoria’s Inner Harbour and is an ideal destination for a sunset walk after a day of exploring.

Cook Street Village (Free, Near Hotel)

Cook Street village is home to delicious cafes (like Moka House Coffee, The Hot and Cold Cafe and Empire Donuts), restaurants (like Pizzeria Prima Strada and The Beagle Pub), and one of a kind shops (like Cook Street Liquor: a craft beer, wine and spirits shop, Root Cellar: a boutique green grocer overflowing with local produce, dairy, grocery, meats, cheeses, floral and more, and Paws on Cook: a pet store with a large selection of local raw and kibble foods, treats, toys & gear).

Inner Harbour Area & Government Street Shops (Free, Near Hotel)

Most of the hotels we listed are in the inner harbour area where you can see the Legislature, the Fairmont Empress, and wander through the shops along Government Street.

Experience a Traditional Afternoon Tea

Enjoy a classic afternoon tea experience in the Pendray Tea House at the Huntingdon Manor, located across the street from our Victoria terminal. Choose from a selection of fine teas, as well as elegant tea plates filled with assorted breads, sweets and pastries.

The Pendray Tea House has a few different options, some of which are seasonally offered, including:

- Traditional Afternoon Tea: Featuring a delicious selection of tea sandwiches, freshly baked scones, signature pastries and your personal choice of gourmet TWG Tea.

- West Coast Afternoon Tea: It wouldn't be a West Coast inspired menu without a selection of freshly caught seafood! Dive into a selection of smoked salmon, tuna or shrimp sandwiches. Your taste buds will be swimming with excitement.

- Vegan Afternoon Tea: Enjoy a fully vegan-friendly inspired menu.

- Winter Afternoon Tea: 'Tis the season to experience an Afternoon Tea as light and delicate as Victoria's first snowfall. Treat yourself to a uniquely crafted menu complete with options inspired by the beautiful holiday festivities around downtown Victoria.

- Children's Afternoon Tea: Involve the kids in a traditional experience! Portioned appropriately for tiny appetites, the Children's Tea offers a perfect balance of fun & engaging selections for all ages.

Wander Through Fisherman's Wharf

Visit one of downtown Victoria's most popular hotspots. Wander through the colorful floating houses, do some local shopping and enjoy a peaceful lunch at one of the restaurants on the water. One of our favourites is Barb's Fish and Chips. Take a water taxi, or arrive by foot — Fisherman's Wharf is located only a few blocks from the Inner Harbour.

Visit the Royal BC Museum

See all of British Columbia at the Royal BC Museum, a world-class museum of natural and human history. Explore the permanent galleries and immerse yourself in tales of where we've been and where we are going. Discover things and people you never knew before at what TripAdvisor users have three times voted number one in the Top 10 Museums in Canada.

Tour Victoria by Horse

Enjoy historical tales on Victoria's past, present and future on a guided tour of downtown Victoria. Book a private carriage tour and take a unique journey through downtown Victoria and the surrounding areas. Since 1978, Victoria Carriage Tours has been dedicated to providing quality horse-drawn tours.

Explore Victoria on Bike

Bring your bicycle or rent a bike in Victoria... Victoria is an extremely bike-friendly city! You can pedal your way through the island with bike lanes throughout downtown Victoria, and trails that continue further up island. Adventure down the E&N Rail Trail that eventually meets up with the Galloping Goose Trail. Cycle to popular destinations outside of downtown Victoria, such as Sidney, Thetis Lake and Sooke. View all of Victoria's bike lanes and paths.

Check out Historic Chinatown and Fan Tan Alley

Chinatown welcomes you with a grand entrance - the Harmonious Gates of Interest. Inside the gates, browse local shops, historic buildings, and quaint Chinese grocers filled with specialty ingredients for cooking a variety of Asian dishes.

Victoria's Chinatown is the oldest Chinatown in Canada (and second oldest in North America), and was designated as a National Historic Site of Canada in 1995.

Plus, be sure to check out Fan Tan Alley while you're there. Known as the narrowest street in Canada, Fan Tan Alley is home to many small vendors including a record store, cafe, beauty salon and other boutique shops.

Soak in the Vistas From One of Victoria's Mountain Tops

Soak in the beauty of the west coast by exploring one of Victoria’s stunning mountain tops with breathtaking views of the ocean, mountains and city.

Some of Victoria's most popular viewpoints include:

- Mount Douglas: 15-minute drive (5.7 miles / 9.1 kms) from downtown Victoria. Many people walk through the forested trails, or paved road to reach the summit, however, there is also a small parking lot at the top.

- Mount Tolmie: 15-minute drive (4.3 miles / 7 kms) from downtown Victoria. Drive on a paved road, with several parking lots on the way to the top of the mountain where you can enjoy the view from your car, or walk through the trails and have a picnic at one of the five designated areas.

- Mount Finlayson: 25-minute drive (12.9 miles / 20.8 kms) from downtown. The summit is only accessible by foot... Be prepared for an adventurous hike!

Spend the Afternoon at one of Victoria's Beaches

Spend the day soaking in the sun, or even take a dip in the ocean! If you're feeling really adventurous, try your hand at kayaking, paddle boarding, or kitesurfing.

The city is surrounded by beaches such as:

- Dallas Road Beaches: There are several beaches along Dallas Road. Take a stroll through the paved pathway, and you'll find stairs leading to each beach.

- Gonzales Beach: 8-minute drive (2.5 miles / 4 kms) from downtown Victoria.

- Willows Beach: 14-minute drive (4.2 miles / 6.8 kms) from downtown Victoria.

- Cadboro-Gyro Bay: 20-minute drive (5.5 miles / 8.8 kms) from downtown Victoria.

- Esquimalt Lagoon: 25-minute drive (9 miles / 14.4 kms) from downtown Victoria.

- Island View Beach: 25-minute drive (13 miles / 20.9 kms) from downtown Victoria.

Tour a Local Distillery

Learn about the distillation process, sample unique local spirits, and discover the flavors shaped by the region's ingredients. It’s a fun and educational experience that showcases Victoria’s vibrant craft spirit scene.

Distilleries in Victoria:

- DEVINE Distillery: 30-minute drive (11.2 miles / 18.1 kms) from downtown Victoria.

- Victoria Distillers: 35-minute drive (17.3 miles / 27.9 kms) from downtown Victoria.

- Sheringham Distillery: 50-minute drive (25.5 miles / 41.1 kms) from downtown Victoria.

- Macaloney's Island Distillery: 23-minute drive (5.8 miles / 9.4 kms) from downtown Victoria.

Explore Goldstream Park

Located about 12 miles (20 kms) northwest of downtown Victoria, Goldstream Provincial Park is best known for its annual fall salmon run and bald eagles that follow in a feeding frenzy.

Check out the Goldstream Nature House, located at the mouth of the river, with interactive nature displays and live webcams. One of our must-see vista views from #20, Mount Finalyson, is also located at Goldstream. Climb just over 1,300 feet (410 meters) in elevation to the summit. Then, treat yourself with some fire-roasted smokies and s'mores at the day-use area, equipped with picnic tables, fire pits and washrooms. *Please be mindful of potential fire bans in the area.

Located on the opposite side of the highway (west), just before the turn off for the park, you'll find individual campsites (group campsites are located on the east side). Goldstream Falls and Niagara Falls are also located on the west side of the highway.

For more information on Goldstream Provincial Park, visit BC Parks.

Relax at the Lake

Searching for an activity the entire family will enjoy? Grab your towels, some snacks and head over to one of Victoria's lakes!

Spend the day swimming (or relaxing) lakeside at one of the following locations:

- Thetis Lake: 20-minute drive (7.5 miles / 12.1 kms) from downtown Victoria.

- Beaver and Elk Lake: About a 25-minute drive (9.4 miles / 15.1 kms) from downtown Victoria.

- Durrance Lake: 30-minute drive (12.6 miles / 20.2 kms) from downtown Victoria.

- Prospect Lake: 30-minute drive (10.3 miles / 16.6 kms) from downtown Victoria.

The City Vibe is the guide to summer events in Victoria. Because we are a capital city, there are tons of free outdoor concerts, movies, and more. To have an up to date guide see: https://www.victoria.ca/community-culture/arts-culture/festivals-events/cityvibe-event-finder?date_range%5Bmin%5D=11%2F09%2F2025&date_range%5Bmax%5D=11%2F16%2F2025&date_range_hidden%5Bmin%5D=11%2F09%2F2025+00%3A00%3A00&date_range_hidden%5Bmax%5D=11%2F16%2F2025+23%3A59%3A59&combine=&field_event_location_target_id=All .

Our favourite pubs around town:

-Phillip's (downtown)

-Spinnaker's (you can walk/bike along Songhees walkway from here - also was our first date spot!)

-Driftwood Brewery

-Lighthouse Brewing

-Bard & Banker

-The Beagle

-Bartholomew's

-The Drake

-Whistle Buoy

Our favourite restaurants downtown:

-Nobu (sushi)

-Pagliacci's (italian)

-Il Terrazo (fancier italian)

-Wind Cries Mary (small plates, fancy)

-Thunder Bird (fried chicken)

-Nourish (brunch)

-Tacofino (duh)

-Endive (veg/pescetarian - great date night)

-Big Wheel Burger (burgers)

-Floyd's Diner (brunch)