Top Things to do in Vancouver Island
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10 Things to do Good for Kids in Vancouver Island That You Shouldn't Miss
Discover the best top things to do in Vancouver Island, Canada including Wild Pacific Trail, Pacific Rim National Park, Chesterman Beach, East Sooke Regional Park, The Butchart Gardens, Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Cathedral Grove, BC Aviation Museum, Beacon Hill Park, Royal BC Museum.
Restaurants in Vancouver Island
1. Wild Pacific Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2,689 reviews
The Wild Pacific Trail is located in Ucluelet and is a seven phase trail system skirting the rugged cliffs and shoreline of the west coast of Vancouver Island. Overlooking Barkley Sound and the Broken Group Islands to the east and the open Pacific Ocean to the south and west, it offers spectacular shoreline panoramas and seaward vistas through ancient cedar and spruce-framed viewing platforms constructed on the best headlands along the route.
Reviewed By 369PeterR - Toronto, Canada
We did the Wild Pacific Trail in two parts. On two mornings, by 7 AM my spouse and I did the 2.5 km light house loop portion of the trail. It took us about 50 minutes, including a few stops to take photos. It is an easy walk with a little bit of up and down. One day in the afternoon we also walked the segment of the trail from Brown’s Beach as far as it would go. This was about 8 km round-trip. It was a beautiful walk, sometimes through rainforest and sometimes along cliffs overlooking the ocean. The trail is very well-maintained and almost entirely a gravel path. We love it. Despite walking the trail on a holiday long weekend, it was not busy at all.
2. Pacific Rim National Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,337 reviews
Unique park composed of three sections - Long Beach, the West Coast Trail and the Broken Group of Islands - that feature sandy beaches, island archipelagos, temperate rainforests and important archaeological sites.
Reviewed By EkMusafir - Pune, India
The Pacific Rim National Park Reserve consists of 3 units stretching from Tofino, the northern end, to Port Renfrew at the southern end, on Vancouver Island. These 3 units are: 1) The Long Beach Unit located between the beach towns of Tofino and Ucluelet, 2) The Broken Group Islands located in Barkley Sound and accessible only by boat, and 3) The West Coast Trail stretching for 75 km from Pachena Bay to Port Renfrew. Only experienced trekkers should attempt this trail. We got to explore the Broken Group of Islands when we joined one of the Whale Watching tour operators in Ucluelet. We were taken across the small islands in Barkley Sound, towards the south-east of Ucluelet, and saw the spectacular views of these islands covered by a small forest of trees, and rocks with a lot of kelp floating around. Finally the captain of the motorised boat spotted a humpback whale which we followed for quite a while as it kept spouting and breaking the surface of the water every few minutes. We even saw a group of grunting and squabbling sea lions on a rocky island, a sea otter floating on it’s back in the water, and some sea eagles perched up on tall trees of some of the islands. Likewise, a walk along the Long Beach near Tofino and along the West Coast Trail must be as mesmerizing for the incredible coastline scenery with the temperate rain-forests of the islands meeting the ever turbulent waters of the Pacific Ocean. Keep your eyes open to spot some of the wonderful aquatic and terrestrial fauna like whales, orcas, dolphins, wolves, bears, cougars, and myriads of smaller creatures along the shore.
3. Chesterman Beach
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,522 reviews
Reviewed By Departure683118 - Wardner, Canada
We visited this beach more than any of the others during our stay on the coast. Not only was it smaller than some of the others, but it seemed more sheltered. The rocky outcrops, and a number of close, small islands, however, really made the crashing waves that much more spectacular. The sand was hard...easy walking...and there seemed to be more “treasures” to be found. We loved exploring here, and watching the many surfers who practiced their craft here. And as an added bonus, the sunsets were beautiful. This will definitely be our go-to beach when we return!
4. East Sooke Regional Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 269 reviews
Reviewed By loreng518 - Victoria, Canada
Lots of trails here and they are now pretty well marked but also be certain you know the way - how to get in and out! Easy 45 minute walks to 5+ hours of moderate to strenuous hiking over rocky terrain and along the ocean with lots of ups and downs and hills to scramble! Exquisite ocean views and charming spots to picnic or take a break; it's so worth the hike. Lots of friendly people and their dogs along the way; also be prepared to step aside for trail runners! Also breathtaking views along East Sooke Road if you just want to drive.
5. The Butchart Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 11,216 reviews
Come enjoy our breathtaking 22 ha (55 acres) of gardens year around. In Spring, countless tulips, daffodils and hyacinths will give you a buffet of fragrances and colours. You’ll be saying “wow” when you experience our Summer: The Rose Garden, evening entertainment, subtle night illuminations, the Saturday firework show, and boat tours to name a few of the delights. Perennial borders start their stunning show in late summer, and the Japanese maples turn to russet, gold, and red in the fall. Be captivated by the Magic of Christmas with its decorations, expansive lighting and outdoor ice skating rink. Top off the day with a ride on the carousel and a great meal. Come see why we’ve been designated a National Historic Site.
Reviewed By F2353OMnancyr - Mount Vernon, United States
You need at least 4 hours to take in this spectacular experience. Don't miss this opportunity! Gardens include the mind-blowing quarry, the Italian garden with reflecting pool, the rose garden, the Japanese garden, the dahlia garden, with sculptures and surprises at every turn, and many small inlets for solitude, reflection and appreciation. We were lucky to hear the Victoria Symphony rehearsing while we strolled under magnificent trees and took in the breathtaking views. This is a world-class garden.
6. Legislative Assembly of British Columbia
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,095 reviews
Welcome to the Parliament Buildings. Home to the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, visitors are welcome for free guided tours year-round. Please note, the buildings are currently closed to the public due to the ongoing health crisis.
Reviewed By l0lee123 - Vancouver, Canada
Adrienne was a wonderful tour guide on our free one-hour tour. We went during the COVID-19 pandemic so the tour only covered the outside of the building. We were also lucky in that only the two of us signed up for that time so we basically had a private tour! Adrienne was bubbly, knowledgeable - and really loves the history of not just the Legislative Building, but also other areas of Victoria too. Her passion and enthusiasm rubs off and she's a wonderful storyteller. Highly recommend this free tour of the Legislative Building - it'll add some interesting facts, stories, and context to your visit.
7. Cathedral Grove
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 975 reviews
Reviewed By brockgs - Winnipeg, Canada
Cathedral Grove is a wonderful place to stop and experience the quintessential Vancouver Island forest experience, marked by a unique and beautiful arrangement of stunning trees.
8. BC Aviation Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 179 reviews
Come enjoy a trip back in time with the whole family, with over 20 aircraft on display in Sidney, at The BC Aviation Museum! Where learning and fun meet! Memorable visitor experiences include: • Sit in the cockpit of a warplane. • Discover the history of our valiant Canadian aviation pioneers with our passionate tour guides or on a self-guided visit. We’ve been collecting and preserving 8,000+ aviation books, 13,500+ photographs. Don't miss our gift shop - the perfect place to find aviation themed gifts. Come explore the BC Aviation Museum in Sidney, located near the Victoria International Airport.
Reviewed By Bob2885 - Victoria, Canada
I toured the museum in September as part of a group. The tour guide was informative, responsive to questions and entertaining. The exhibits cover the history of aviation in the 20th century with a focus on British Columbian and Canadian aircraft. There are planes, lots of them, tens ofunmounted engines in various stages of dress, helicopters, innumerable model aircraft and a good collection of memorabilia related to aviation in the First and Second Wars. This would be a fun tour with children. I climbed the stairs into a late '50s Viscount airliner, looked into the cockpit of a jet trainer, and was impressed by the huge size of the museum's latest restoration project, a Lancaster bomber. Don't miss it!
9. Beacon Hill Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,017 reviews
This park holds a tree planted by Winston Churchill in 1929.
Reviewed By BoardingPass518854
Lovely park - beautiful gardens, paths, playgrounds, ponds, the beach, history, world’s tallest totem pole
10. Royal BC Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7,037 reviews
See all of British Columbia at the Royal BC Museum, a world-class museum of natural and human history. Explore our core galleries and immerse yourself in tales of where we've been and where we are going. Marvel at the totems, masks and cultural treasures featured in the world-class First Peoples Gallery. Walk through the colourful "language forest" in Our Living Languages and hear greetings in one of 34 Indigenous BC languages. Experience authentic artifacts and highly realistic settings -- from the Woolly Mammoth in his rocky, icy world to a tar-scented trip on the HMS Discovery.
Reviewed By eblocker4460 - Wasilla, United States
My initial thought was, "It's just another museum." Was I ever wrong! It begins with an excellent natural history section that is better than most, but where it really shines is the third floor exhibits of the history of BC. It has extremely well done exhibits of the area's First Nation's peoples with subsequent exhibits of every era after European discovery. Each interactive exhibit moves you through discovery, development through the gold rush, growth of industry, logging, mining, and the influx of diverse people groups, contributing to a thriving new culture and community. I highly recommend this museum as a must see when you visit Victoria, BC.
