Top Things to do in Victoria Capital Regional District
Top Hotels in Victoria Capital Regional District
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What to do and see in Victoria Capital Regional District, Vancouver Island: The Best Things to do
Discover the best top things to do in Victoria Capital Regional District, British Columbia including East Sooke Regional Park, The Butchart Gardens, Craigdarroch Castle, Beacon Hill Park, BC Aviation Museum, Inner Harbour, Royal BC Museum, Sooke Potholes Provincial Park, Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea, BC Ferries.
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. 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!
4. 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
5. 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!
6. 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
7. 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.
8. Sooke Potholes Provincial Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 525 reviews
These rock formations have become a popular local swimming area.
Reviewed By JamieB954 - Edmonton, Canada
This is a place we visit every time we come to the island in the summer. The water is crystal clear and awesome for swimming. The current is so gentle, it’s safe even for the little ones. Our teenage boys love cliff jumping and this is a great and safe place to do it.
9. Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 367 reviews
Explore the underwater beauty of the Salish Sea Bioregion - one of the most diverse ecosystems in the world! The Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea is a not-for-profit aquarium and learning centre devoted to the exploration and conservation of the Salish Sea. The Salish Sea is named after the Coast Salish indigenous peoples of the region. Explore natural aquaria habitats of over 160 live species including a giant Pacific octopus, colourful rockfish, and magnificent wolf eels. Check out the marine mammal artifact exhibit complete with a rare orca skeleton, and take in the permanent exhibit of beautiful Coast Salish art. Journey from seashore to seafloor and discover the amazing diversity of the Salish Sea in 28 aquarium habitats teeming with marine life from anemones and nudibranchs to salmon and sculpins. Then get a close look at the weird and wonderful invertebrates in our shallow "Look" Pool (pre-COVID Touch Pool) overlooking the breathtaking Sidney waterfront.
Reviewed By 19Ros69 - Vernon, Canada
What a great learning experience - went early in the day and before too many people arrived and consequently I had a personal guide who answered many of my questions. This young woman was passionate about the sea life and willingly answered my questions with great information about the sea creatures on display. When I first entered I went straight to the jelly fish, I so enjoy watching the way they move; when I left I appreciated the delightful young octopus because of what I learned from the guide. I will return.
10. BC Ferries
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 4,474 reviews
BC Ferries provides passenger and vehicle ferry services to 45 ports of call across coastal BC, with sailings to and from Metro Vancouver, Vancouver Island, the Sunshine Coast, the Gulf Islands, and Northern BC. BC Ferries Vacations also offers over 100 travel packages, including return ferry and accommodation. When on board BC Ferries, there are plenty of options for food and shopping, along with great wildlife and sightseeing opportunities.
Reviewed By mdspices - Oliver, Canada
We lived on the island a few times, so I would say we have experience traveling with BC Ferries, we have shopped in their gift shops, enjoyed Starbucks coffee from the coffee shop, and White Spot in their self serve restaurant. The last two times we have traveled to the island and back, was during Covid-19, so we stayed in our vehicle all four times. They squeezed us on as the last vehicle the last time we traveled, what a great feeling that was.
