Victoria British Columbia has a large number of attractions and activities that visitors to our fine city can participate in.  Browse through this extensive list and you surely will find something of interest. 

Mineral World & Scratch Patch-9891 Seaport Place, Sidney-- Tel: 250 655 4367, Fax: 250 656 2350. This fine family attraction will allow
exploration of magical minerals, gems and crystals on Sidney's waterfront. This is likely the most popular family attraction on Vancouver Island. Pan for gold, visit the free Interpretive Centre, shop the West Coast's widest gemstone jewelry collection. Open daily.

The Victoria Bug Zoo-631 Courtney Street-- Tel: 384-BUGS, Fax: 389 2847.  This fine attraction is located in Downtown Victoria just a few blocks from the Inner Harbour. Discover the Amazing world of Insects and Arachnids!The Victoria Bug Zoo is a wondrous place filled with animals that look like they just might be from another planet. All of the animals have at least six legs, none of them have a nose, and some have eight eyes. You will find that a visit to the Bug Zoo is eye-popping, ants-in-your-apants fun! The Zoo contains over 30 species of live exotic insects and spiders.An Entomologist (bug scientist) is on-hand to answer questions and provide a safe animal handling experience.

Butterfly Gardens - 1461 Benvenuto- Tel: 250-652-3822 Toll Free: 1-877-722-0272

Your vacation in Victoria is more complete with your visit to Victoria's unique Butterfly Gardens. Enter a 12,000 square foot indoor tropical garden that is host to hundreds of free-flying tropical butterflies. Waterfalls feed the stream that flows throughout the garden, a stream where flamingos, tropical ducks and koi complement the tropical plants and orchids. This is photographer's paradise and will be a treat for all ages. Plenty of free parking for cars, RV's, and coaches.

Pacific Undersea Gardens is located on the Inner Harbour just across from the Provincial Legislature. Here you will descend into a world where you’will come face to face with the excitement, the wonder, the magic and mystery of the underwater world of the Emerald Sea. Beneath the surface of the Inner Harbour see the largest collection of local marine life to be found anywhere! The Sea gives up its secrets in our unique underwater theatre. Watch the live Dive Show, meet the diver and visit the touch & feel tank. This attraction is suitable for all ages and is highly informative and exciting.

BC Legislature Tours - Our BC Legislature, often wrongly called the Parliament Buildings is a very popular tour with BC residents and tourists. It is located on the Inner Harbour.  Go to the main entrance and ask where you can sign up for a tour.  There is a lot of BC History in this building and on the grounds surrounding the Legislature.

The Abkhazi Garden
This unique garden was built by a Georgian Prince and Princess. Open March 1 from 1PM to 5 PM, Wednesday to Sunday until the end of September. This wonderful garden should not be missed on a visit to Victoria. It is now operated by the Land Conservancy in an effort to save it from development. The Garden is located at 1964 Fairfield, just east of Foul Bay Road on Fairfield.

All Fun Water Slides This family entertainment centre is located in the Langford on the West side of Victoria, just off Highway 1.  Take exit 14 and go east on Millstream Rd. to All Fun. Amenities include a 3/4 mile water slide complex, 2 mini golf courses, a driving range, a go cart track, batting cages, bumper boats, snack bar and gift shop, a R.V. Park, Western Speedway, and All Fun Golf Centre. Something for everyone!

Art Gallery of Greater Victoria - Art Gallery of Greater Victoria
1040 Moss Street, 1 (250) 384.410.  A historic mansion is the home of one of Canada's leading art galleries. The gallery boasts a permanent collection of 10,000 works including Canada's finest collection of Japanese art and an impressive range of contemporary art. This is a must see for the Art lovers. Special shows come frequently to the Gallery, so check to see what is currently on.

BC Forest Discovery Centre, 2892 Drinkwater Road, Duncan, B.C., Tel: 1-866-715-1113 or (250) 715-1113. This centre, formerly the BC Forest Museum provides an excellent historical perspective of the logging and forestry industry in BC with lots to see and do. Located in Duncan right on Highway 1, just 45 minutes north of Victoria. Come and enjoy the diverse special activities and exhibits at the many events during the 6-month season. See live eagles, try out kids' logging activities, face-painting, wagon rides, crafts, scavenger hunts and more. Take one of the historic trains take you on a tour around the 100-acre wooded site!

Beacon Hill Petting Zoo - Children's Farm   The farm consists of a petting zoo, unique animal displays such as horses, pigs, peacocks, llamas, sheep, miniature goats, rabbits, gerbils, chickens, ducks, and more. This is a must see for children of all ages.  Admission is by donation only.  This attraction is in the beautiful and historic Beacon Hill Park, one  of the most beautiful and oldest parks in Western Canada.  Spend the day and bring a picnic or enjoy lunch at the Beacon Drive Inn Restaurant just across from the West side of the park.

Belfry Theatre, 1291 Gladstone Avenue (at Fernwood Road), (250) 385-6815. The Belfry Theatre was founded in 1974 as the Springridge Cultural Centre (renamed the Belfry Theatre in 1976) by a group of community minded individuals. Its original focus was as an alternative venue for touring theatre productions, concerts and community arts events.

The company began producing plays in 1976 with a focus on contemporary work, especially new Canadian plays. In the past 30 years the Belfry has become one of Canada's most successful and respected theatre companies.

Butchart Gardens, 800 Benvenuto Ave, Brentwood Bay, 250-652-5256.
The world famous Butchart Gardens offer phenomenal garden displays, from the picturesque sunken gardens to the exotic Japanese gardens. Beautiful flowers, night illumination, fireworks, seeds and gifts, wonderful restaurants and the best visitor services in the region.  This is a world class attraction so don't miss it! It is fifty-five acres of wonderful floral display, offering spectacular views as you stroll along meandering paths and expansive lawns. In 1904, Jennie Butchart began to beautify her husband's worked-out quarry site at Tod Inlet near Brentwood Bay on Vancouver Island. The Gardens were designated in 2004 as a National Historic Site of Canada. Butchart Gardens is about 20 minutes north of Victoria on Highway 17.  Just follow the signs located on the highway.

Christ Church Cathedral, 930 Burdett Avenue, Tel: (250) 383-2714

This magnificent gothic structure was built in 1929 with towers rising 122 feet above the street level. Visitors are welcome to take Self-Guided Tours of the Cathedral between 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. weekdays and 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 PM on Sundays. Visitors are welcome to all of the services held in the Cathedral.  The Cathedral is located in downtown Victoria.

Craigdarroch Castle, 1050 Joan Crescent, phone 250 592 5323
This unique castle is a legendary Victoria's landmark. This castle was built in 1889 by one of the wealthiest and most influential men in British Columbia. The castle is lavish and restored to it's original charm. A must see for site seers. It is an easy eight minute drive from the inner harbour. Travel up Fort Street and turn right on Joan Crescent. Parking is available.

Craigflower Farmhouse
This was one of Vancouver Island's first farming communities, established in 1853 along Victoria's Gorge Waterway to meet the Hudson's Bay Company's obligations to Britain to support colonization. On lands purchased from chiefs of one of the indigenous aboriginal people, Kenneth McKenzie oversaw construction of a self-sufficient settlement. The Kosapsom people still harvest shellfish, salmon and herring from the tidal waters that separate the Manor from the Schoolhouse. Located along the Gorge waterway in the Capital Region, both of these facilities are designated as National Historic Sites, important both to the local community and to Canada’s heritage.  Craigflower has the potential to tell a wonderful story about the settlement of this part of our great country.

Both the Manor (farm house) and the Schoolhouse were built during the 1850’s and were the mainstays of a thriving farm community operated under the auspices of the Hudson’s Bay Company.  The Land Conservancy now operates this site and intends to interpret the Craigflower Farm Community of the 1850s by significantly increasing activity on the site, opening the facility to the public on a regular basis, implementing a number of special activities and events, and working with the area schools and others to develop educational programs. Don't miss this look back into the history of Victoria. The site is located on Admirals Road, just past Gorge Road.

Discover the Past Tours   Guided tours of historic sites around Victoria. Famous for graveyard tours that tell the history of Victoria. Select a history tour, Chinatown tour, ghost tour or other program to suit your interests and schedule. If you want to make your own program, you're in luck. We will custom design a tour or other activity to suit your exact needs. Our tours are offered year-round! Check out our full program by selecting a button to the left. These excellent programs are developed and conducted by John Adams, well-known historian and author, and his experienced team. contact John at: tel: (250) 384-6698 or drop by
634 Battery St., Victoria.

Emily Carr House, 207 Government Street, (250) 383-5843    With an architecture described as both "San Francisco" and "English Gingerbread", all agree that Emily Carr House is on the must see list of Victoria's attractions. Centrally located only four blocks from the Inner Harbour and the Provincial Legislature, the house offers its visitors a chance to gain an insight into Canada's first - and best known - independent artist and writer. Located within walking distance of  the Inner Harbour and Beacon Hill Park. 
 

Finnerty Gardens University of Victoria   Finnerty Gardens contain a major collection of rhododendrons, as well as many other varieties of plants. The months of April and May are the peak blooming season and the best time to visit. The gardens are open to the public every day during daylight hours. Allow at least one hour to tour the gardens. No admission fees. The gardens are connected by pathways to a beautiful walk through Mystic Woods to the west of UVic. Check out the maps located at the entrances to the University.

Fort Rodd Hill-Fisgard Lighthouse     This National Historic Site consist of a coastal artillery fort built in the late 1890s to defend Victoria and the Esquimalt Naval Base. The Fort includes three gun batteries, underground magazines, command posts, guardhouses, barracks and searchlight emplacements. There are numerous interpretive signs and audiovisual stations, as well as period furnished rooms and friendly, knowledgeable staff. Visitors can explore gun batteries and underground magazines built a century ago, as well as searchlight emplacements, command posts, and much more. Deer and relatively tame rabbits roam the property.  It is located just on the edge of Esquimalt Lagoon, a bird sanctuary, also worth a visit. Follow the signs from the old island Hwy as it passes through View Royal. Turn left as you pass the Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre and follow the signs.

Galloping Goose Regional Trail    A favorite among the locals of southern Vancouver Island. The trail winds through Victoria, Colwood, Langford, Metchosin, and Sooke. It passes through all types of beautiful and famous BC landscapes: pristine coniferous forests, streams, rivers, lakes, meadows and highlands. You can walk, jog, bike or even ride a horse as you explore some of the most gorgeous terrain Vancouver Island has to offer. It also connects with a spur that will take you from Saanich north to the Ferry terminal.

Government House  1401 Rockland Avenue.  The British Columbia Lieutenant Governor's residence on Rockland Avenue.  This beautiful property overlooks Juan de Fuca Strait and has beautiful gardens to stroll through.

Harbour Ferry
For an exciting view of the Inner Harbour, climb aboard on the the Victoria Harbour Ferries! The fleet of 12 ferries travel to destinations around the Inner Harbour and up the Gorge Waterway.  You can get on the Ferry at the foot of the Fairmont Empress Hotel in the Lower Causeway and travel over to Spinnakers Restaurant to enjoy traditional English style (deep fried) fish and chips!  Lots of other stops are also available.  You can travel to West Bay and then take the Songhess walkway back to the downtown Victoria.

Hatley Park National Historic Park, 2005 Sooke Road, in Colwood, Phone: (250) 391-2666,

Discover ancient forests, Edwardian gardens, and a Castle by the sea on the grounds of Royal Rhodes University Campus.  The Park offers, daily castle and garden tours, geocoaching - treasure hunting with gps, afternoon tea in the castle, soap making, a garden workshop and corporate team building events. There is an excellent Japanese Garden on these grounds.

Helmcken House   Dr. John Sebastian Helmcken set up house here when in 1852 he married the daughter of Governor Sir James Douglas. Originally built by Helmcken as a three room log house it was expanded as both prosperity and size of family grew. A surgeon with the Hudson's Bay Company, he went on to become a statesman and helped negotiate the entry of British Columbia as a province of the Dominion of Canada. Helmcken House is located on the property of the British Columbia Provincial Museum, just across from the Inner Harbour between Douglas and Government Streets.  There are a number of attractions on this site, including the Imax Theatre, St. Ann’s Schoolhouse, the Netherlands Carillon Tower, Mungo Martin House - Wawadit’la, and Thunderbird Park, which includes a large number of first nation totem poles.

Imax Theatre
Excellent films on a massive IMAX Screen, ten times the size of most theatre screens. If you have never experience this Canadian technology, you are in for a treat.  Most shows are about 50 minutes long and they are all done very well.  Recently, the Imax theatre has begun showing full length feature movies.  Sometimes, the realism created by the giant screen can make visitors queasy.  This is a world class entertainment attraction.

Royal British Columbia Museum
This fine museum displays local heritage from prehistoric times to the present. It boast a proud history of BC past a present. One of the finest Museums around.  This is one of the world class attractions in Victoria and it should not be missed.  The displays are second to none and often special exhibits are brought in.  Leonardo Da Vinci and Genghis Khan were two of the special shows put on by the museum.

Horticulture Centre of the Pacific   Browse and enjoy the perennial displays (all labeled), asiatic and oriental lily collection, the rose garden, walk lovely forest paths and rest on shaded benches. Open all year, dawn to dusk. Plant and Garden lovers should not miss this one.  It is an excellent opportunity to learn about the indigenous flora.

Marine Ecology Station, 9835 Seaport Place Sidney, (250) 655-1555

The Marine Ecology Centre offers group programs for people of all ages, covering a range of interests. You can also enjoy the Centre at your own pace during our public walk-in hours. The centre features a number of stations where you can get a close up look at local marine life.  It is very educational and just plain fun.   It is located in the Port Sidney Marina at the end of Beacon Avenue in Sidney, 25 minutes north of Victoria.

Maritime Museum of British Columbia, 28 Bastion Square, 385-4222
The History of British Columbia on the water. Superb displays. Learn about pirates, explorers, ship building, Fort Victoria, whaling and fishing, ship wrecks and much, much more.

Market Square is a unique shopping area located at the corner of Pandora and Store street and has over 35 independently owned and operated shops, restaurants, and a nightclub to serve you, Market Square is sure to be on your "must see" list when visiting The Garden City. Whether you're looking for Canadian arts and crafts or treasures from around the world, chances are, you'll find it at Market Square. Located in the heart of Old Town, Market Square's courtyard is home to concerts, festivals, and events throughout the year.

Pacific Undersea Gardens, 490 Belleville Street, Victoria, phone: 250-382-5717.  You will find that there is more below the surface than they eye can see - much more! Descend into a world where you’will come face to face with the excitement, the wonder, the magic and mystery of the underwater world. Take the few steps that will get you beneath the surface of the Inner Harbour and see the largest collection of local marine life to be found anywhere! The Sea gives up it’s secrets in a unique underwater theatre where you can watch the live under water show where a diver and announcer present the undersea life to you.  You can then meet the diver and on your way visit the touch & feel tank.  This is truly a unique experience.

Point El lice House  2616 Pleasant Street, Victoria, (250) 380-6506 . Gold Rush Magnate and Commissioner Peter O'Reilly acquired Point El lice House in 1867, and many among Victoria's social elite gathered there. The flowers in the luxuriant heritage gardens surrounding this rambling Italian home accurately reflect the family's own notes about their Victorian favourites. This property is like a verdant jewel amid the industries and businesses along the Victoria waterfront.   Overlooking the waters of Victoria’s scenic Gorge Waterway, Point El lice House is an excellent place to experience and enjoy High Tea! You can get there by driving west along Bay Street and turning right on Pleasant Street, or you can be dropped off at the dock by the Harbour Ferries, just as guests did over a hundred years ago.  While there, try your hand at croquet and enjoy a walk through the gardens and woodland areas and admire the scenic view of the Selkirk Waterway. Afternoon Tea is served from 11am to 3pm in the Garden with fresh baked scones and traditional  Devonshire cream. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially during the summer months.

Quw'utsun' Cultural and Conference Centre, 200 Cowichan Way, Duncan, Phone 250 746 8119.   This First Nation Cultural centre is in Duncan, just north of Victoria. The Centre offers all guests an authentic First Nations Experience - Interpretive Tours, Traditional Art Work and Native Food. The Quw'utsun' Cultural and Conference Centre is located in the Cowichan Valley, 45 minutes from both Nanaimo and Victoria in the southeast corner of Vancouver Island.

Royal London Wax Museum, 470 Belleville Street, Phone: 250-388-4461
World History in wax. Great displays. The multi-faceted world-of-wax experience has been intensified by scene enhancing technologies as well as complementing displays such as the Crown Jewels Theatre, a burning bush for the Moses scene, and original opera chairs crafted in 1987 for the Prince and Princess of Wales. See over 300 wax figures including royalty, celebrities and the infamous!

Sidney Museum, 2538 Beacon Avenue, in beautiful Sidney by the Sea.
The museum models, skeleton and murals exhibit the remarkable story of whales. Historical photographs and artifact portray the early lives of Sidney residents, the Coast Salish nation, and European and Oriental peoples. This is an excellent Museum in the heart of Sidney.

Tally Ho Siteseeing Tours, Telephone: 1-250-514-9257
Victoria's original and oldest sightseeing company offering a unique experience, without which no visit to Victoria is complete. Choose from horse drawn carriage tours, horse drawn wagon tours, sightseeing tours and guided tours through out the City of Victoria.

Vancouver Island Brewing Co., 2330 Government street, ph. 250 361 0007
Vancouver Island Brewery began in Victoria in 1984, when a group of "Islanders" responded to the fleeing of all national and independent breweries on the island. Vancouver Island Brewery began brewing handcrafted lagers and ales with fresh, distinctive flavors for the West Coast palate. Public Tours, Guided Tours and Private Tours are available.

If you are looking for a web site that links to most of these attractions, please go to the Victoria Tourism Mall Website.