Top Things to do in Victoria Capital Regional District
Top Hotels in Victoria Capital Regional District
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The 10 Best Budget-friendly Things to do in Victoria Capital Regional District, Vancouver Island
Discover the best top things to do in Victoria Capital Regional District, British Columbia including East Sooke Regional Park, The Butchart Gardens, Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Scenic Marine Route, Miniature World, Government Street, Craigdarroch Castle, Beacon Hill Park, BC Aviation Museum, Inner Harbour.
Restaurants in Victoria Capital Regional District
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Scenic Marine Route
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 723 reviews
Scenic running and hiking trail along the Pacific.
Reviewed By ravenB1885MR - Kingston, Canada
We always rent a car to do the scenic drive... right from the empress , thru James bay , past beacon hill... past willow, past oak bay... all the way to the university... so pretty... Grab lunch at oak bay marina restaurant or oak bay ave ( their main strip) or cadboro beach ( Sinclair road).
5. Miniature World
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,095 reviews
Unique Tourist Attraction in Victoria, British Columbia. Located in the famous Empress Hotel. Awarded the Certificate of Excellence by TripAdvisor! Over 85 miniaturized dioramas. Further adventures, tiny treasures and little pleasures await all who continue into Frontier Land, Fantasy Land, The Great Canadian Railway,The Fields of Glory, Space 2201, Circus World,The Enchanted Valley of Castles, Old London Town of 1670 & The World of Dollhouses. Special effects in lighting, sound and animation are added to create this miniaturized extravaganza that continues to thrill and delight the young and young at heart! Our latest and greatest creation, "King Arthur's Camelot" is now open, adding 11 new exhibits to our existing collection.
Reviewed By greenlabel67 - Vancouver, Canada
Miniature World has been a mainstay attraction for many years. Located in the Fairmont Empress Hotel, Miniature World will delight young and old alike. There are several themed areas. My favorites were the Fields of Glory, and The Circus. I also liked the recreations of Canada's cities back in the turn of the century, complete with light effects turning day into night. The friendly staff have taken all necessary precautions for COVID 19. Plan on a good hour or more to take it all in. Make Miniature World a stop on your next visit to Victoria.
6. Government Street
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 979 reviews
Busy street lined with some of Victoria's biggest tourist attractions.
Reviewed By PookyCake - Victoria, Canada
There can be little doubt that Government Street is an important hub in Victoria. With clear access to the harbour and home to the seat of the Province’s government, it is a major political, economic and transport center; however, reading through the myriad of TripAdvisor reviews, it would be difficult to garner such a picture. Instead, most tend to simplify the Government Street experience to that of a bastion for tourists: “A nice downtown street with lots of stores, restaurants and pubs” is an apt summary of what most say about this significant area of BC’s capital. To a certain extent, such sentiment isn’t entirely wrong – Government Street does carry many a tourist shop and is bustling with visitors from Spring through Fall – but it’s not entirely right, either. Government Street is packed with a lot history. We just need to put down our selfie sticks and open our eyes to see it. Indeed, to talk about Government Street as if it were nothing more than “T-shirt-beach towel & maple syrup shops” is to do it a gross disservice and, I think, just plain ignorant. Such views downplay or outright ignore the history that’s staring them right in the face. For one, Government Street is littered with heritage buildings erected anywhere between 1869 and 1931. Some are listed on TripAdvisor, but a lot aren’t. The fact that a number of these edifices – many built during the Victorian period – are still in use and beautifully maintained speaks to the character of the city. Second, Government Street has held the key to Victoria’s political history since at least the late 1800s, when it became the formal gathering place for our Provincial politicians. Many a consequential decision has been rendered in these handsome Parliament buildings since 1893. Third, Government Street is also home to what I’ll call BC’s earliest example of the cultural mosaic. A large section of Government Street actually cuts through Victoria’s Chinatown (the oldest in Canada), which is a destination in itself. Granted, the Chinese faced segregation in the early years, but the tides of history have worked hard to eliminate this. The end result has been a touring experience – through Government Street – that is socially rich, culturally complex, and thus so much more than mere shops and restaurants. What I really appreciate about Government Street – and Victoria – is the fact that it seems to have struck the proper and right balance between its past and the contemporary present. As you wander this “golden route,” you can explore and see many of this city’s great landmarks and sites: The Inner Harbour, Parliament Buildings, Royal BC Museum, Empress Hotel, Emily Carr House, Historic Chinatown, Munro’s Books, Murchie’s Tea, Cowichan Trading, the ever popular Roberta’s Hats and, to a lesser extent, The Bay Centre. Between all of these sites, there’s a good mix of social, economic, political and even religious history. There’s also a good dose of our current ethos. In short, unlike other major areas I’ve visited elsewhere (Robson Street in Vancouver, for example), Government Street hasn’t jettisoned its vibrant Victorian-era architecture in favour of post-modern gentrification. After ambling about Government Street, one is likely to get hungry. Given that this area of Victoria is such a hub of social activity, it should come as no surprise that there’s a healthy plethora of dining options to be had. If you want something high end, you can certainly have it, but there’s plenty of wallet-friendly options, too. Off the top of my head, I’d recommend attending any one of: Irish Times Pub (building erected in 1894), Q at the Empress, Bard & Banker (opened in 1885 as the Bank of BC; Robert Service worked here a short while), and Brasserie L’Ecole. Or, if you don’t mind deviating off Government, great eateries like Little Jumbo, The Keg, Nautical Nellies and IL Terrazzo are just a few minutes’ walk away. I love how many of these establishments maintain their Victorian-era charm and openly acknowledge their history. Government Street has certainly evolved over the years but, thankfully, it hasn’t willfully chosen to ignore its rich history unlike so many other places. We can come here and admire the Victorian-era heritage, or we can shop and play tourist – it’s our call. At day’s end, we’ll all recognize that Government Street epitomizes Victoria, regardless of why we’re here. Try it – I challenge you. Google “Victoria BC.” The first image you’ll see is of the Inner Harbour with the Parliament Buildings in the background. We all come to Government Street, whether we’re actively looking for it or not; thus, to say “This is not a destination” is foolhardy in the extreme.
7. Craigdarroch Castle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,294 reviews
Completed in 1890, Craigdarroch is a stately home built by the pioneering couple Robert and Joan Dunsmuir, who at the time of its construction were the wealthiest people in British Columbia. Called a 'castle' due to its imposing exterior, the luxurious interior has been restored to look as though the visitor is a guest of Mrs. Dunsmuir during the 1890s. It features beautiful woodwork, unique Victorian artifacts, and an impressive collection of original stained glass, all within a pleasant walk from downtown Victoria.
Reviewed By 970wandak - Kelowna, Canada
The history of this house is fascinating, full of luxury, opulence and wealth. The Dunsmuir family was very wealthy from coal finds in Nanaimo, and James Dunsmuir wanted to flaunt his wealth and importance to Victoria and the world, by building the most luxurious mansion on the highest point of the city. The family was full of relationship drama, Dad died before the house was finished and Mom moved in with her 5 daughters, one of the girls was issued a "Certificate of Lunancy", Alexander died of Alcoholism, son James who became lieutenant governor of BC was sued by Mom for money and left out of her will entirely. The mansion transformed itself into a military hospital, a college, a music conservatory, and school district office before finally being a historical treasure for all to enjoy. It is mostly restored but still a work in progress, Well worth a tour!
8. 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
9. 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!
10. Inner Harbour
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5,293 reviews
This scenic patch of waterfront is the location of Victoria's many tourist attractions, recreational activities, restaurants and shopping. For a special treat, have afternoon tea at the grand Empress Hotel or board a ferry for a harbor tour.
Reviewed By Redkitewatcher64 - Andover, United Kingdom
The Inner Harbour is the highlight of any visit to Victoria. Its a perfect place to walk around as there is a pathway around the whole harbour. From here there is a wide selection of shops, restaurants and bars and is the perfect place to watch the float planes and cruise ships visiting the harbour. Here you can watch the water taxi's travelling around the harbour and people out rowing in the harbour. From here you can walk to Chinatown and the main shopping areas, visit the museums and view historic sites like the hotels and Government buildings, Its a perfect place to watch the sunset , and a walk around at night reveals stunning views of the parliament buildings lit up at night
