What is the Best Place to Visit in Victoria British Columbia?

Victoria British Columbia has a wealth of sights and attractions available for visitors of all ages. With its beautiful natural landscape, vibrant cities, and year-round mild temperatures, Victoria BC is an ideal vacation spot for families, couples, and groups alike. Whether you’re looking for world-class museums, sandy beaches, activities for little ones or some of the best gardens Canada has to offer, Victoria BC will not disappoint. In this post we’ll talk about the best places to visit in Victoria BC.

Butchart Gardens

The 55 acres of lush garden grounds that make up Butchart Gardens have been captivating visitors since their creation in 1904. It began as a limestone quarry transformed into family estate, whose owners later gifted it to the public. The Gardens feature magnificent floral displays with blooms such as tulips, daffodils and peonies that fill the air with sweet fragrances. From the fragrant Sunken Garden to the Japanese Garden, with its iconic pagoda, Butchart gardens never fail to impress visitors. Each season brings new delights and colours as different flowers come into bloom—from fuchsias and poppies in spring to mum’s, chrysanthemums and autumn-flowering grasses in the fall. Make sure to leave enough time for a visit to the Tearoom where you can enjoy afternoon tea and a delicious meal for lunch or dinner.

Victoria BC Inner Harbour

At the heart of Victoria is one of the most visited places in all of Canada—the scenic harbourfront. The picturesque Inner Harbour is lined with fashion boutiques, souvenir shops, art galleries and seafood restaurants plus sightseeing cruises, historic ships and local ferry terminals. Here you’ll find Parliament Buildings and the Empress Hotel, two magnificent landmarks built upon the grandeur of turn-of-the-century British Columbia. Every summer month, a vibrant farmers’ market takes place beneath the Legislative Tower, supplying visitors with organically grown produce from local farmers. Walk further along the harbour and you’ll encounter museums such as Thunderbird Park and Maritime Museum of British Columbia as well as a range of other outdoor activities.

Dallas Road Beach & Promenade

Overlooking downtown Victoria from a distance is one of Vancouver Islands’ most stunning beaches—Dallas Road Beach & Promenade. With views spanning over the Straits of Juan de Fuca to the Olympic Mountains in Washington State’s Puget Sound region, Dallas Road is worth a visit any time of year. The beach is often populated by walkers, runners and cyclists on its paved pathways while more daring souls can be spotted jumping off its rocky cliffs into the sea below. For a serene atmosphere, visitors can take a stroll along the harbourfront during low tide to discover colourful sea stars and other tidal treasures. During high tide, visitors can take refuge at the popular Beacon Hill Park located just steps away from the beachfront and witness the beauty of nature at work.

Royal BC Museum

One of Victoria’s must-see attractions is Royal BC Museum, providing visitors with an extensive collection of artefacts from British Columbia’s long human and natural history. Learn about the province’s Indigenous groups who first called it home or about the arrival of explorers, traders and immigrants that made BC what it is today. Wonder at riches from various ancient civilisations in the 9 galleries dedicated to world cultures or get yourself acquainted with tricks for living off the land in early days by checking out the First Peoples Gallery. There are also several interactive exhibits designed mostly for kids and family visits—everything from getting up close to live fungi and taking part in lively play-in-the-forest activities outdoors to acquiring knowledge about local species in an intimate tour on board of a “Haida canoe’ inside the museum building itself. Visitors can also enjoy a glimpse of life during Victorian times at Thunderbird Park and stroll through Totem Forest displaying over 20 towering poles from various regional First Nations nations heritage.

Victoria Inner Harbour Aquarium

If you’re visiting Victoria BC with your children, then you should definitely add Victoria Inner Harbour Aquarium on your list of must-visit places. Kids of all ages can immerse themselves in the fascinating marine world within this unique facility located right at the heart of inland harbourfront premises. Feed the bright-coloured fish, touch creepy sea stars, admire vivid corals and interact with interactive displays on part of guided tours that kick off every half hour. There is also a large variety of field trips available starting at age 5 and up which combine educational fun with aquarium exploration. And if you’re especially lucky, then you might bump into one of their resident seals swimming joyfully downstream!

Conclusion

Victoria BC offers many attractive landmarks and exciting activities for people of all ages visiting this beautiful part of Canada. Whether you choose to stay for a day or two, there’s no shortage of activities that can be enjoyed all year round. Always be sure to check out Butchart Gardens—a world-renowned family estate turned into a public garden—and don’t forget to drop by Victoria Inner Harbour for some fun sightseeing and shopping. Be sure to make time for iconic destinations such as Dallas Road Beach & Promenade which provides stunning views over nearby mountains or pay a visit to Royal BC Museum for learning more about local cultures and history. And lastly, a trip to Victoria BC isn’t complete without having a memorable experience at Victoria Inner Harbour Aquarium. Check out this guide which provides you with more detailed information about best places to visit in Victoria BC.