In just a few weeks I'm heading off to Victoria, B.C. for a much-needed weekend of R&R. It's been over 10 years since I've been to Vancouver Island, and well over 15 since I've toured the elegant Butchart Gardens and ever-popular Royal British Columbia Museum. With hardly 36 hours in the city, I want to know from you--what are the must-dos? The quirky, off-the-beaten-path attractions? Do I take tea at the Empress, or do you know of a better place to dine like the Queen? Leave your suggestions for great restaurants, local attractions, drives, and sites in the comments below, and stay tuned to find out what I did on my trip!Read More: Readers tell the editors where to go in past Plan My Trip! entries.
Photo: cleverdame107 via Flickr
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Well as a Former Victoria Native I have a few recommendations:
check out beacon hill park; (There is a fantastic petting zoo in the park that is so much fun!)
another great thing to do is the butterfly gardens which is absolutely awesome experience.
http://attractions.uptake.com/british_columbia/central_saanich/victoria_butterfly_gardens_8024224.html
if you want to get fancy check-out high tea at the empress (especially fun on Sundays)
http://hotels.uptake.com/british_columbia/victoria/the_fairmont_empress_15178769.html
My favorite place to eat breakfast is called "floyds diner" nothing beats breakfast there. Get the "Mahoney" and totally "flip for it" trust me - it's too fun to pass up.
Victoria and Vancouver Island are home to numerous art galleries, exhibits and studios. So,don't forget to visit British museum. It celebrates the objects that define world culture till 30th September.There are more than 300 artifacts from the renowned British Museum collection, including a 3,000-year-old Egyptian mummy, a shield from the Bronze Age.
We had great fish-n-chips at fisherman's wharf - Barb's was the walk-up place, various types of fish to choose from, and about as fresh as I've ever had.
The British Museum was great, and the Emily Carr house is interesting as well.
Don't forget to check out the wineries, there are some yummy wines produced there now!
I hope you'll find the suggestions in my blog helpful. Enjoy your visit:
http://visit-victoria.blogspot.com
From Priceline bidding strategist Don Nadeau via Twitter @donnadeau (Thank you Don!):
Because time limited, 1.5 hr Grand City Grey Line Tour : http://www.graylinewest.com
Beautiful shore drive, Beacon Hill Park, palm trees!
After tour, walk to 913 Government St: Roger's Chocolates, a Victoria institution. Have visited Victoria many times & never can resist.
http://www.rogerschocolates.com/
Highly recommend return visit to Butchart Gardens. Better than ever. Can do as Grey Line tour. http://www.butchartgardens.com
As people are saying, there is alot to do. I really enjoy
- feeding the harbour seals at the Oak Bay Marina (you an buy the herring inside the little marina shop on site),
- rent a scooter and drive around downtown as it's amazing what you can see from that perspective,
- instead of walking to Barb's on Fisherman's Wharf, take the harbour ferry to Fisherman's Wharf, eat some yummy fish then get some ice cream before taking the ferry back
-drinking fishbowls on the deck of Milestone's restaurant overlooking the inner harbour is quite fun
- then there is my favourite, go to Market Square and eat some Fat Phege's Fudge!! It is the absolutely best fudge ever!! While there make yourself a beaded necklace memento at Bead World.
Have a great time in Victoria! I have traveled the world and still think Victoria is the best place to live.
Janis
http://carmenaconsulting.com
Be sure to spend some time strolling up and down Cook and Johnson streets, they're chok full of nice little places to eat, and boutiques.
Another tip from Janis at Carmen Consulting via Twitter @lacouvee:
short walk along WestSong Walkway (just over Johnson St bridge) - stop at Spinnakers BrewPub for food http://bit.ly/1WhF2n
Wow, thanks everyone. The only dilemma I seem to have now is fitting everything into a two-day trip! Should I rent a car to visit other parts of Vancouver Island, or simply explore the area on foot (and public transport)?
Only two days? My vote is stay in Victoria. You won't need a car.
I'm one of those strange people who has lived here my whole life! My suggestion, if you're into the arts would be to go to the artist-run galleries in town. I find it far more exciting to see new art made by young local artists. Give these a try:
Open Space
http://www.openspace.ca/web/
Boucherat Gallery
http://fantanstudios.com/
Deluge
http://www.deluge.ws/
And PS. The Empress is okay for tea, but really expensive. I'd save my money and have chocolates at Chocolat (on Fort street)
Please direct this link to any one traveling with children, who will be visiting the greater Victoria area. www.childsplay101.com is a free website that contains 2792 activities, camps and lessons for school age kids offered in the entire Greater Victoria area. This is such a wonderful tool for parents.
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