Tourist Attractions in Victoria BC
Victoria is many things, but the three that stand out are: chilled-out, environmentally spectacular place to live, work and raise a family; major University and Government town; and hardcore tourist Mecca!
I mean, during the off-season we have "be a tourist in your own town" things. For locals. Victoria residents walk around downtown feeling like we're on vacation! Apart from the bevy of horrible "funny stupid sweatshirts and mugs and crap" stores that surround the Inner Harbour, there are tons of fun touristy-type times to be had! Check it out....
Touristy Links
Tour Companies and Other Resources
Lizard Adventure Travels - Locally owned and operated travel company, offering nature-based tours within Victoria and to surrounding Regional Parks, Provincial Heritage Sites and wineries, 250-891-6881.
Get Around Travel & Tours - Shuttle services to local hot spots (parks, beaches, observatory), .
Moose Travel Network - Jump on - jump off styled adventure trips designed for the Backpacker around Vancouver Island and the Rockies.
Go Wild Tours - The Southern Interior of BC is their stomping ground.
Midnight Sun Adventure Tours - sweet tours of the Rockies and the Interior.
Travel BC - a great site with info on tours, maps, lodgings, camping, activities, and more for the whole province.
VictoriaTravelGuide - information on parks, trail and beautiful hikes in the area.
Tourism BC - come here for accommodation listings, BC adventures, trip ideas, info centre, and customize your own trip planner.
The Canadian Tourism Commission - the virtual tour of Canada, among other things, makes this a site well worth looking at.
Backcountry, Backpacking, and Hiking in BC - all things backcountry; stories, photos, guides, gear, etc.
Festivals.com - all festivals, all the time!
TourVic ...another garish but useful tourism site.
Big Bus - True to the name, these guys drive a big bus (pop top!) around the city and you pay to get on, then get off wherever you'd like.
Hostels & Associations
The Hostel Handbook presents a wealth of information on the hostel scene.
Worldwide Hostels
Backpacker Hostels - Canada
Pacific Hostels
Same Sun Hostel Network
Museums, Gardens, etc.
The Butchart Gardens
Hey, we're not gonna stop you from checking out the gardens, they're beautiful! C'mon, you know you want to. It's not that pricey.
Check out our Butchart Gardens guide!
Royal British Columbia Museum
The Royal B.C. Museum showcases the human and natural history of British Columbia and is critically acclaimed as one of the top museums in North America. Go see for yourself. And if you do, make sure to purchase your admission from the Front Desk and save some money!
675 Belleville Street (map) 250-387-3701
National Geographic IMAX Theatre
The screen is six stories high, the sound is incredible, the movies come on the most massive film ever and run at 60 frames a second—that's twice as smooth as TV. You'll be blown away. Again, save money and get your admission voucher at our Front Desk!
675 Belleville Street (map) (Inside the Royal B.C. Museum) 250-953-4629
Victoria Bug Zoo
I LOOOOVE this place and have recommended it to many guests and they’ve always come back happy they went! - Teresa
631 Courtney Street (map) 250-384-2847
Royal London Wax Museum
Located right downtown on the Inner Harbour, the Wax Museum is, at times, almost too life-like.
See famous faces, scenes, and more, all constructed from wax. It's pretty cool. Some of it's goofy, some of it's scary, and some of it is people who actually look alive.
Miniature World
Located right downtown, Miniature World boasts itself as “The biggest little show on Earth” See the world’s smallest operational sawmill, view two of the world’s largest doll houses, tour through miniature enchanted valleys, and, well, lots more teensy, tiny things.
649 Humboldt Street (map) (directions) 250-385-9731
Craigdarroch Castle Historical Museum
Built in 1890 to reflect the wealth and power of a Scottish family that at that time owned a quarter of Vancouver Island, Craigdarroch Castle remains today as one of the finest examples of high Victorian architecture on the West Coast.
By foot: Walk up Blanshard Street to Fort Street, at Fort go left and keep walking. At Joan Crescent turn right and there you are. Estimated time: 35 minutes
By bus: Catch the number 11 or 14 on the corner of Blanshard and Fort. Get off at Joan Crescent and it is a two-minute walk to the castle. Bus ride time: 10-15 minutes.
NB. If you are catching the bus back, you need to catch it on Yates Street.
1050 Joan Crescent in the Rockland area (map) (directions) 250-592-5323
Government House
After a visit to the Art Gallery or to Craigdarroch Castle, why not stroll the impressive grounds of the Governor General’s Mansion? It's also located in the beautiful Rockland area, and is surrounded by lovely gardens and ponds.
1401 Rockland Avenue (map) (directions) 250-387-2080
Vancouver Island Brewery Tour
Take a tour of the Vancouver Island Brewery - the island’s first microbrewery, located just a short walk from downtown.
2330 Government Street (map) 250-361-0005
Fridays and Saturdays at 3pm
Marine Adventures 
Whale Watching is one of the most-advertised things to do in Victoria, and for good reason—it's totally fun! If your mom's in town too, take her along. It's a nice family thing.
We recommend three companies:
Wildcat Adventures
The 3-hour trips in a Catamaran depart daily between 10am and 2pm (summer hours).Get the front desk to book your ticket and pay $69 - regular adult price is $79!
1234 Wharf Street (map) 250-384-9998 or 1-800-953-3345
Ocean Explorations
The 3-hour trips in a large Zodiac boat depart daily between 9am and 5pm.Get the front desk to book your ticket and pay $75 - a discounted rate.
602 Broughton Street (map) 250-383-ORCA (6722)
SpringTide Whale Tours
These guys offer both a fun zodiac whale-watching trip or one on their 61' Ocean Cruiser (with a bathroom on board!). 20% discount for guests from the regular adult fare of $99 (& tax).
1207 Wharf Street (map) 250-384-4444 or 250-384-9998
Ogden Point Dive Center
Canada's only complete professional dive charter provider. Certification courses are available as well as pleasure diving for certified divers.
199 Dallas Road (map) 250-380-9119 or 1-888-701-1177
Shaw Ocean Discovery
If you're looking to learn about the waters surrounding Vancouver Island check out this place in Sidney (half an hour drive from Victoria). "Thousands of fish, invertebrates, and marine life are at home here in 87 tonnes of seawater contained in 17 massive aquarium habitats. The Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre offers visitors a chance to see the amazing diversity of the Georgia Basin, an inland sea known as the Salish Sea, from the giant Pacific octopus to microscopic plankton."
9811 Seaport Place, Sidney BC (map) 250-665-7774
White Water Rafting
A number of different rafting companies offer an unforgettable experience during your visit to the island. Here are just a few worth taking a look at:
Destiny River Adventures offers both half and full-day white water rafting adventures in Campbell River, Oyster River, Nimpkish River and Southgate River. They run from April until October.
1-877-923-7238
Reo Rafting 1-800-736-7238 / www.reorafting.com
Get Hooked Adventures Sport Fishing
Did you know Victoria is famous for it’s world-class fishing? Here’s your chance to get out on the water and have some fun in an intimate setting with an expert guide! Ocean Island guests can get a free shuttle out to Pedder Bay (about 30km from downtown Victoria).
Based in Pedder Bay Marina. 250-474-2447
3 Hour Sail
$60/person for a 3 hour sail around Victoria and the Strait of Juan de Fuca on a 17 metre tall ship called Thane. Book at the front desk or stop by the sailboat in the Inner Harbour across from the Empress Hotel. The ship generally sails at 1pm and can accommodate 18 people. Tell them you're from Ocean Island and get $15 off!!
Ship's Point in front of the Empress Hotel. 250-885-2311 toll-free: 1-877-788-4263
Victoria Sailaway Charters
Explore the beauriful Gulf and San Juan Islands. Experience coastal waters abundant with sea life aboard Keloah--a 38' fully equipped, Coast Guard approved sailboat. Customized Charters to fit your needs.
#1-408 Dallas Road (map) 250-216-7245
Getting around in comfort and style
Kabuki Kabs
No trip to Victoria is complete without a ride in the back of our world-famous (well… maybe just nationally renowned) Kabuki Kabs.
These moving illustrations of summer merriment can be used as a fun way to get from here to there, or to ensure that you don’t miss out on Victoria’s secret spots and interesting (okay, downright bizarre) history. Hop in a Kab and get a personalized interactive tour guide in the process. The accuracy of these dudes' local history knowledge is questionable, but I mean, unless it stops being funny, why care?
Especially recommended for girls who like watching sexy guys bike around within butt-grabbing distance. Word on the street is that the view from the back seat is preeetty good.
Call 250-385-4243 to book a ride or just flag them down as they ride past
Carriage Tours
Experience the traditional charm of Victoria in a single horse-drawn carriage. Especially recommended for dudes who really need to impress their date, or dudes who have a real thing for girls on horses. There's something special about them, after all.
Call 383-2207 for information and reservations.
London-Style Taxi Tours
Tours include Butchart Gardens, Grand City Tour, Evening Tour, etc.
Call 250-213-2726 for information and reservations
Double-Decker Bus Tours
Try Royal Blueline
Call 250-360-2249 for information, prices, complimentary hostel pick-up, and top-deck seat reservations
“Haunted Walks”
Take a lantern-lit trip to the eerie side with an evening walking tour from “old town” Victoria to Chinatown, complete with stories about the darker side of Victoria.
Call 250-361-2619 for information and prices
“Architectural Walking Tours”
The Architectural Institute of BC is running tours during the summer. There are 5 different tours: each one for a different style of architecture. The styles range from ecclesiastical to art deco, so there's something for everyone.
Call 1-800-667-0753 for information and prices
www.aibc.com
Gotta rent something?
Check out our renting transportation page.
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