A Few Great Things To See and Do in Victoria, B.C

Been busy planning our first trip to Victoria, B.C next month. We'll take a trip across to the island, on the ferry, from Vancouver, where we'll be flying into.

With trip planning comes the what can we see and do while we're there.

Some of the things I'd like us to see in Victoria is Chinatown, some great foodie spots, the B.C Legislative Building, as well as :

Victoria Bug Zoo-

An interesting place to visit while in Victoria, Is the Victoria Bug Zoo. It has been open since 1997 and has been showing visitors some awe inspiring bugs ever since. This is a must see mini-zoo if you are in the area, and offers an opportunity to view live tropical bugs from around the world. You can discover over 40 different species of bugs at the Victoria Bug Zoo. Some of the fascinating bugs you will see include walking sticks, praying mantis, glow in the dark scorpions, tarantulas and Canada’s largest ant colony. The experienced tour guides will help you enjoy your experience while there. They are very knowledgeable on all the animals and will introduce you to the world of bugs, some you can even hold yourself! 

The Royal BC Museum- 

The Royal BC Museum is one of Canada’s greatest cultural treasures.  The museum was founded in 1887 and the Archives in 1894. The two joined in 2003 and now they collect artifacts, documents and specimens of British Columbia's natural human history. The Royal BC Museum has three permanent galleries. They are modern history, natural history and local First Nations history.  Their collections are about 7 million objects including artifacts, natural history specimens, and archival records. There is also special exhibits such as Mammoths- Giants of the Ice Age that is on now. We look forward to visiting- as it also features an IMAX theatre- 6 stories high and 81 feet wide!

The museum is beside the Victoria's Inner Harbour, between the Empress Hotel and Legislature Buildings. It is in the Royal BC Museum Cultural Precinct, a surrounding area with historical sites and monuments. 

IMAX® Victoria- Home of the largest IMAX® screen in British Columbia, IMAX Victoria in the Royal BC Museum is now also home to one of only thirty-five leading edge 4K Laser Projections Systems in the World. Whether you choose to see a traditional IMAX film or an evening Hollywood Feature film, or you experience your film in 2D or in 3D, you will leave the theatre knowing that you’ve just seen something special. You’ve seen the science of cinema raised to the level of magic! A selection of films rotate on the schedule daily, visit imaxvictoria.com for current films, times, and coming soon titles.

Craigdarroch Castle- 

Craigdarroch Castle is located in Victoria, B.C. and hear it's an great experience. It was built during the industrial age, by a Scottish immigrant named Robert Dunsmuir. He made his fortune in Vancouver Island coal. The fortune of the family who built the castle is evident today in the beautiful stained glass windows, the intricate woodwork and the spectacular Victorian furnishings. Visiting the Craigdarroch Castle I'm sure will be  a memorable experience. There are 39 rooms and over 20,000 square feet of interior space we read on their site.

The Craigdarroch Castle is considered now a historical museum and is open daily with hours of 10-4:30. It is located a short distance from Victoria (inner) Harbour. It was also wonderful to cross off seeing a castle on our bucket list.

Butchart Gardens- 

Over a century ago Jennie Butchart began working on what is now considered one of the world’s  principle floral show gardens. The Butchart gardens are open year round. They are located near Victoria and on beautiful Vancouver Island.

Mrs. Butchart used an abandoned quarry near the home and cement plant that the family owned, to build the first of her gardens. Her and her husband used the limestone that was available and she brought in topsoil from farmland nearby. Little by little the quarry blossomed, and it is what is now known as the Sunken garden.

Over the years the gardens have grown and stayed within the family. Today you can visit the Butchart Gardens and see other gardens such as a Japanese Garden, Rose Garden and more. Each year over a million plants are bedded with over 900 varieties to give you beautiful blooms from March through October.

We look forward to our walk through the gardens.

Victoria Harbour Ferry-

Victoria Harbour Ferry, has been serving Victoria, B.C. for over 35 years. You can take a harbour tour, a water taxi and more! There is no better way to see Victoria than by boat. You can escape the busy city and explore it from the water. There is a 45 min harbour tour and also a historic Gorge cruise. You could also take a water taxi, and hop all around Victoria, ferry stop by ferry stop. There is no set schedule for the water taxi. Just head to any ferry stop and they will pick you up, and take you to your destination. The Harbour tour, features historic landmarks. such as the Parliament buildings or First Nation sacred territories. We're very much looking forward to this. It will something we havent done before or seen in any of our travels.