A GUIDE FOR THE CULTURE SEEKERS + ADRENALINE JUNKIES OF VICTORIA

I have been putting off writing this post for months, because I fell for Victoria so hard that I absolutely could not write anything less than perfect. I had reached such a mental roadblock with this piece that for a while it was all I could do to not merely scrap the whole thing and call it a day. However, having finally landed back in the UK after nearly a full year of non-stop travel, I am overwhelmed with such an insanely strong homesickness for this beautiful city that the only thing I want to do is immerse myself in talking about it all. And so, for the creatives and the curious, for collectors and the curators, for the insatiable and inspired; here is a guide on the best things to do in the most incredible city in the world.

 

For the culture-seekers

FERNWOOD

Fernwood is quite possibly the most beautiful area in Victoria, with each house looking like some quirky derivative of the home in Up. When I undoubtably come back to the city to move here forever, I 100% plan on emigrating into one of the houses here – they’re all full of so much character, you might even believe that they’ll stand up and introduce themselves as being called Storm or April at any moment. My absolute favourite part about Fernwood, however, is that book bins seem to be placed at every corner of the neighbourhood – places for you to drop off your old beloved books and trade them for someone else’s. The fact that they’re all neatly painted and are never raided or set on fire really shows what a lovely little vandal-free area Fernwood is (something like this could never be set up in Swansea, let me tell you). 

Hatley Castle

Hatley Castle has the strongest European vibes in the whole of Western Canada, featuring the old stonework and manicured castle gardens (namely the gorgeous Italian, Croquet, and Rose gardens) that you often stumble upon in Coventry or Vienna. The castle is absolutely breathtaking, with an Edwardian design and an interesting history in film – it was used in several X-Men movies as Professor Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters. Frankly, I’ve never seen the X-Men before in my life, but the fact that I’ve visited the filming location is something that I plan on bragging about for approximately the next 82 years of my life.

Craigdarroch Castle

Bring on the absolute best place in the whole of Victoria to learn about how life back on the island used to be like. Nicknamed “Canada’s Castle,” Craigdarroch is filled to the brim with history, with the building itself prior serving as a home-cum-military hospital-cum-school, featuring views looking out to the Olympic Mountain range in Washington. It’s a super interesting place, and a great way to spend a few hours. 

Fishermans’ Wharf

Ideal for cute walks with friends, you’ll be surrounded by pretty house boats, quirky little shops, and a plethora of vibrant rainbow-coloured kiosks. If you’re looking for lovingly handmade jewellery crafted by the locals, or unique little gifts to take home (namely, moose-shaped maple syrup bottles flavoured by unexpected things such as pink salt, brie, and old custard creams), then you’ve come to the right place. Also, when you realise that you absolutely must go on a boat trip to see some whales, this is the place to come to search for tour guides.

The Robert Bateman Centre

The Robert Bateman Centre is arguably the most accessible, interactive, and overall best gallery in Victoria – and yet, not too many people even know about it. Dedicated to the famous landscape and wildlife painter, a large collection of Bateman’s artwork from the past century is on display. He recently celebrated his 89th birthday, and still travels and captures the world around him in his paintings. This is the sort of place that you can spend hours exploring, laughing at the anecdotes of his childhood mishaps, and getting goosebumps around the more humbling exhibitions which depict the influence of humankind on nature. It’s a really cool place, and one that you can’t miss checking out.

The Maritime Museum of BC

Due to Victoria being an island surrounded by vast expanses of ocean, it comes as no surprise that it features a small maritime museum depicting the nautical history of the past few centuries. The Maritime Museum offers weekly events and talks on the unknown history of the island, and also sells some of the cheapest souvenirs in the whole city for you to take back home. I once accidentally sat in on their weekly speech event thing which was pretty interesting, and ended up sneaking out to impulse buy a hat with the words CABIN BOY plastered across the front. It was a fun time.

Art Gallery of Greater Victoria

Filled with works from famous Canadian painters such as Emily Carr, this gallery is a nice place to wander around for an hour or two. They have a very cute garden where you can hang out by the shinto shrine in the sun, and various exhibits which are often updated – so be sure to research their current exhibitions to make sure that you get to see your favourite things. 

Legislative Assembly of BC

Definitely a place you’ll feel underdressed in, the Legislative Assembly of BC is the first parliament that I personally have ever visited. The architecture is gorgeous, and the fact that you might just bump into a multi-millionaire politician also has its appeal. They offer daily free tours of the building, which is a great way to learn more about the history of the place. 

Discover the Past Walking Tour 

I have never been on a ghost tour before, and yet when I found out that this company offers “Ghostly Walks,” I realised that I didn’t want to do anything more. It turned out to be one of the most fun experiences of my time in Vic, as my travel partner and I spent a couple hours walking after dark in this beautiful city, taking in the views and being told grizzly tales of times gone by. It’s pretty awesome and very fun, and also a little bit terrifying. A highlight was definitely supposedly bumping into Jack the Ripper in a hallway just before we left. 

Royal BC Museum

Hands down my favourite museum in the whole world, their exhibitions are always super enticing and interesting. This should definitely be one of your first stops in the city, as it will tell you so much about the heart of the place. Not to be dramatic, but it’s the sort of place that you could easily spend days in, learning about each aspect of local geology and anthropology and zoology and everything in between. They also have this incredible life-sized mammoth installation which is pretty cool to take selfies with. 

BC Aviation Museum

If you’ve ever wanted to scramble inside an old war vessel or purchase a hat which will mark you as a walking advertisement for the aviation industry, then you’ve really come to the right place. The staff here are all super friendly and offer personal tours around the place, adding an extra depth to the hunks of steel. For someone that has never been particularly interested in the industry or the mechanics, I was surprised to find myself hanging onto every word that our guide told us – and now know several facts about aviation off by heart. 

The Belfry Theatre

After spending night after night watching shows at the Belfry, I am now utterly convinced that it is one of the best ways to spend an evening in Vic. The staff members are all super lovely, with the shows themselves being mega entertaining, and the building being very pretty. Overall, it’s the sort of place where you’ll spend your night either laughing your head off or crying your eyes out, or having some other limb-related injury occur by watching a well-written theatre show play out. 

Shaw centre for the Salish sea

First thing’s first – this place houses the best gift shop on the whole island, selling all kinds of aqua-related adventure stuff (I personally purchased the most incredible pack of cards here). The aquarium itself is also super cool, and the ideal place to spend a couple hours. It is based in Sidney, which is located to the north of Victoria (technically, it’s a separate municipality), and is one of the most laid-back and pretty places on the island. The centre is real interactive, with a cool entrance door replicating the act of going below sea level in this old submarine, pulling back after several minutes to open up into the aquarium itself. V cool.

 

For the adrenaline junkies

AdrenaLINE Zipline Adventure

Absolutely incredible – one of my favourite things to do in Victoria. It is so much fun, albeit a little nerve-wracking at times. I had never really been ziplining before this, but it’d been on my bucket list for years – so to finally be able to tick it off my list at a place like this was pretty memorable. The surroundings are beautiful, and you get to whiz through gaps in trees and over some of the most beautiful views. I loved every second, and I genuinely feel as though my time in Victoria would have been lacking had I not visited here. I now have the most beautiful Instagram photos of me hanging upside down and staring up at the trees around me in wonder – and it got a grand total of 288 likes, which really makes the whole experience worth it.

South Island SUP

I had never been paddleboarding before now, but had been recommended it several times. As it turns out, it really is one of the most fun ways to explore less aggressive parts of the ocean. Our guide and instructor was the friendliest guy ever, taking photos of us out on the water because I was too anxious to bring my camera with me in case I dropped it (which I quickly realised was an unjustified fear, as he gave us waterproof storage bags to take out with us). As the sun began to set around us and otters swam up to our boards, it became one of the most beautiful moments ever. I loved every second of it, and cannot recommend it enough. It’s one of the most memorable experiences of my whole time in Victoria.

Wildplay

The adventure course at Wildplay is surprisingly difficult (for my travel partner at least, who has a slight fear of heights that he refuses to recognise), but definitely one of the most fun and rewarding things to do. I felt my heart flutter at the thought of going through some of the sections, but enjoyed every second doing so. I had never gone on an adventure course before, and found every part of it exciting and enjoyable. The guides are all super friendly and helpful, and the fact that you go out in small personal groups means that the whole experience is just that much better. 

 

FOR THE OUTDOOR ENTHUSIASTS

Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary

I’m a little biased when it comes to this nature sanctuary – mainly because of the fact that in my spare time, I volunteered here. It’s such a pretty place, but tourists never seem to know that it even exists. There is so much to learn here, and they have a classroom as well as endless learning facilities, a coffee shop (featuring the cheapest hot beverages in Victoria), trails and paths, and several small animals you can gawp at through a glass tank. It’s a gorgeous place to go for a walk, and they house several opportunities to get involved in the local community – such a birdwatching, or, say, volunteering. 

james bay to ogden point

Easily the most relaxing wander in Victoria, the walk to the breakwater is breathtaking. You start off in arguably the prettiest bay in Vic, and walk all the way down to a kitsch little lighthouse which overlooks the city. The angry wind that will whip at your hair at the end of the point is sure to make you feel alive, and when you step back from the jetty onto solid land, the severe contrast in air turbulency will make you feel as though you’ve left all of your stresses and anxieties at the end of the point. I love it.

brentwood bay

I was only made aware of the fact that Brentwood Bay existed when I went there to visit a friend – and let me tell you, I fell in love instantly. The place is a whole lot smaller than the actual city bit of Victoria, meaning that it has a more laid-back and welcoming vibe. The views are all stunning, and entirely unencumbered by hoards of tourists. My absolute favourite thing to do in Brentwood Bay, however, is visit Brentwood Bay Resort and go for lengths in the swimming pool. Why not go for a dip in the hot tub, taking in the beauty around you as you sip on an alcoholic iced tea?

Mount Douglas

In my humble opinion, Mount Doug (also referred to as PKOLS [pq̕áls]) is a million times better than Mount Tolmie (it’s docile neighbour), as not only are the views prettier, but the history is richer. I took a Saanich History class when in Victoria, where I was taught all about the dialect of SENĆOŦEN and what the First People who lived in this area had endured. The top of PKOLS houses so many stories and memories for the First Nations, and it really is a beautiful place.

Arbutus Cove

One of the places that only locals seem to know about, Arbutus Cove is super fun to climb up, leaving your legs to dangle over the edge of the Void. It’s extremely relaxing to visit here and listen to the waves beneath your feet, surrounded by nothing but pure and effortless natural beauty. My only recommendation, however, is that you don’t visit at night, as it has no lights brightening it up – meaning that it quickly transforms into a death trap with blind drops and sharp rocks jutting out at unholy angles towards your head. My skull is definitely still pierced with dents – but it was worth it.

Willows Beach

Another place that I wouldn’t have known about had it not been for essentially becoming a fake local, Willows Beach is one of the prettiest beaches on Vancouver Island (which is really saying something, because as you can imagine, there’s a lot of beaches on an island), with pristine white sand and gorgeous rolling waves. It’s the sort of place where people go to forget everything, just blending into the breathtaking background. It’s almost meditative to walk up and down the stretch of sand.

Goldstream 

Goldstream Provincial Park is hands down one of the most stunning places in Victoria, made up of an old-growth temperate rainforest. It’s all absolutely beautiful, and a great place to test out your walking boots. Somewhere about half an hour into hiking (depending on where you’ve started), you will come across the Trestle Bridge – the Number One place that tourists visit to take their photos for the #Gram. You walk out onto the middle of the bridge, concentrating on standing on the wooden slats and not slipping between, lest you lose a leg (or even worse – drop your phone), and can peer out at mountains wearing their fog toques. It’s really something.

Abkhazi Gardens

The Abkhazi Gardens are not only beautiful, but they also have the cutest backstory ever. These gorgeous gardens were built many years ago by a prince and princess, in order to turn their love for each other and the area into something physical. The princess, Peggy, died in 1994, seven years after Nicholas, and a little sign over their scattered ashes instructs onlookers to celebrate her reunion with her beloved husband with a glass of champagne. Not only are the surroundings beautiful and the history deep, but the afternoon tea that you can get at the gardens is divine; served on mismatched china, with standards to rival the Fairmont, and big glass windows to look out to the gardens. I promise to delve further into my love for this place in my upcoming food guide of the city.

Eagle Wing Whale and Wildlife watching

Easily one of the best things to do in Victoria, you’ll have so much fun looking out from the boat at an abundance of whales as they do all that Good Stuff, like bobbing their heads up out of the water and doing lil’ backflips and tearing seals apart. If you find yourself on one of the larger vessels, be sure to wander up to the top of the deck and take in the view from the captain’s quarters, where you will be able to see nothing but sky, sea, and porpoise.

Butchart Gardens

The Butchart Gardens are an internationally renowned 55-acre display, created in 1904 by a lovely lass called Jennie Butchart (hence the name). Designated a National Historic Site of Canada, the gardens see over 300k bulbs of hyacinths, daffodils, and tulips, and over 250 varieties of roses a year. They host many facilities at the gardens, featuring boat tours, evening entertainment, firework shows, seasonal showstopper events, and Night Illumination. My personal favourite section is the Japanese Garden, which is pruned and cared for to perfection, with the Italian Garden coming a close second. If the weather is too cold to stay outside for too long, then you can make a stop to the Spring Prelude Indoor Garden, which houses many variations of flower breeds and a pretty little Koi pond, where you should throw coins into the water and rub the golden frog (which I was told was a Thing, but cannot bet on not being pranked). After exploring the grounds, why not stop at the cafe for a hot coco and scone?

Prince of Whales Whale & Marine Wildlife Adventures

The best way to see whales on this tour is on one of the small Zodiac boats, as it all feels so much closer and more personal. Dressing up in the bright orange safety suits adds another dimension of fun and excitement, and will be perfect for capturing that flawless Instagram-worthy photograph. The first time I went out with this company, it was unfortunate that we didn’t spot any actual whales (but plenty of sea lions, seals, eagles, otters, and porpoise) – but with Prince of Whales it is guaranteed that if you don’t spot any whales then you can go back with the company a second time, essentially scoring yourself a free boat trip. On my second trip, the weather was sunnier and the whales were out in their pods, and it was a lovely, perfect day.

Victoria Butterfly Gardens

The butterfly gardens are one of the most multi-generational-suitable places to visit, being super pretty, super warm (a great mix), and super accessible. If you’ve ever wanted to be swathed in a plethora of butterfly breeds then this is the place for you. Unexpectedly, they also have a clan of bright pink flamingoes, a herd of tortoise, and a whole bunch of poison dart frogs, large iguanas, and tropical ducks. This is definitely the best place to transport you from a small Canadian city into the heart of Borneo, where you will also be surrounded by almost three basketball courts- sized lush gardens filled with tropical flowers, carnivorous plants and self-proclaimed “fruits of the world.”

 

ENTERTAINMENT for THE #GRAM

Blenkinsop Adventure Mini Golf

If you’ve never been to mini golf before, then this is the perfect place to start. If you’re a mini-golf pro and have been to hundreds of mini golf courses over the years, then this is the perfect place to point out how absolutely sub-par (see what I did there) everywhere else is. It’s a lot of fun, and a great place to hang out with a group of friends.

Quazar’s Arcade

After recently bingeing shows like Stranger Things and That 70’s Show, I have been craving nothing more than the opportunity to spend my time at an arcade with old-timey games from the late 20th Century – and Quazar’s Arcade is the perfect place to do just this. An ideal location to spend hours slotting tokens into machines under the guise of bonding with friends (when really you just want to beat them and grab that high score), I can promise that you will absolutely not be able to stop yourself from falling in love with how quirky this place is.

Interactivity board game cafe

If you’ve ever wanted to go on a date where you can snack on candy and beat the future love of your life at Monopoly, then look no further. With over 800 games in store to play, you can bet that you won’t run out of options. One of the most chill places in the city, I can promise that you will be surrounded by other fun-loving, laid-back people that love spending their Saturdays drinking gin and tonics at this (unexpectedly) licensed board game cafe.

IMAX victoria

Having never visited an IMAX before, I was dubious about the level of incredibleness that everyone else had assured me is evident in this cinema. However, after turning up to watch a nail-biting movie about a dude that goes rock-climbing to the top of the world’s highest peaks – without any safety gear – I was visibly sweating from how intense the large screen and apparently even larger audio set made everything. Watching movies at the IMAX seems to amplify any emotion that you could possibly have, and the fact that the seats recline so that you’re almost face-to-face with the action makes that all so much more extreme. I ended up spending approximately two hours every week at the IMAX, determined to see every single movie showing in impossibly dramatic situations. 

     

Quest reality games

I never knew that there was such a place that could replicate the feeling of being an explorer in 332BC, but Quest Reality Games seemed to do just that. They have several escape rooms that you can sign up for, but their best is by far the Secrets of the Great Pyramid. It’s definitely challenging, but it’s a lot of fun trying to use the clues to work out exactly how to escape with your brainiest friends (unless you are the brainy friend, in which case, good luck). I am ashamed to admit that we didn’t actually manage to escape in time, but regardless, had a blast pretending to be long deceased explorers. We now have a great photo of us holding up signs illustrating the fact that we didn’t manage to escape and that we are, inherently, failures – I will be sure to treasure it forever.

the victoria Bug zoo

A really interesting experience, even though looking at the little insects will be sure to make your skin itch. Who knew that a day out gawping at insects behind glass could be one of the best day activities to undertake in the city? It’s pretty amazing to see all these critters close up – with my personal highlight being that of the ants, who would meander up and down the chutes after cutting up petals and leaves to take back to share with the rest of the colony. Let me tell you, if my university group projects featured as much teamwork and dedication as the ants in this bug zoo, life would be so much easier. 

Victoria Caledonian Distillery and TWA Dogs Brewery

Victoria is nothing without its craft beer – and this Caledonian Distillery is the real heart of that exact mentality. The best thing to do here is book yourself on a tasting tour – namely the Distillery tour with chocolate and whiskey tasting, as you get to experience both the best liquid and solid flavours in the place – with a highlight definitely being their dark chocolate collection.

Food tours

Whilst you may be tempted to go on a simple bus tour to learn the history and see the sights of Victoria, there’s always the option for a much more in-depth way to learn about the city – with a food tour! Several foodie companies run throughout the summertime, and each of them offer alternative unique insights about Victoria – along with taking you to the local bakeries, breweries, and restaurants. Is there a better way to learn about a new place than through its stomach? Get excited for my upcoming post about gluttony in the city.

         

I have done every single thing that you could possibly do in Victoria – and I hope that I’ve made it more clear about exactly what’s worth your sweet time. Any Victorian that lives here knows the places that are worth – and not worth – going to. They know the secret places that are sheltered from the outside world, places that are hidden gems glimmering amongst the plethora of souvenir tat. It’s not hard to stay off the beaten track if you know where to look. These places are Victoria’s best kept secrets – and I think I’ve done a not-so-secret job of spilling them.

Victoria is easily accessible via the Clipper from Seattle, or the BC Ferry from mainland Canada.

HAVE YOU GUYS EVER VISITED VICTORIA, OR PLAN ON DOING SO USING MY VERY DETAILED AND TIME-CONSUMING GUIDE? LET ME KNOW IN THE COMMENTS BELOW! 

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